Wilson vs Rockport

[daveneumann]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

daveneumann

You make very good points and I'm trying to take a systematic approach. I want to maintain the following of my Sophia IIIs: dynamics, ability to disappear, and what I consider good imaging. What I would like to improve: spacing between instruments, slightly higher and bigger soundstage with more front to back placement.

Here is something to try before you go speaker shopping. My Sashas were set up by the dealer, and they spent several hours listening and tweaking positions. For a year and a half, that is where they stayed.

Then after posting a picture here, tarponhunter asked me about the distance between them. He recommended I spread them a little further apart. I tried it and ended up with them 12" further apart than how they were originally set up.

I'll be darned if it didn't improve things by a good margin. The soundstage was less congested, especially on peaks. There was more air and space around each image in the soundstage, and the center images seemed to get even more 3 dimensional. I am now at a 10 foot equalateral triangle.

Given what you are trying to improve in your system, I would give this a shot first. Note that it had no effect on the height of the soundstage in my room.

I got better front to back dimensionality when I changed to an all tube preamp.

[Ricjor1]

Today I listened to Rockport Mira IIs and Wilson Sasha’s. I have Sophia IIIs and wanted to see if it was time to change speakers. I’ll preface my comments by stating, “there isn’t a perfect speaker, everyone hears differently, and audio has no absolutes, only preferences.
I took 7 CDs to listen to (Kem, Dave Koz, Jessy J., David Sanborn, and a few others). I prefer Jazz and a little R&B. I won’t go into every detail comparing the Mira IIs to Sophia IIIs, let just say, both I and my wife preferred the Sophia IIIs by a wide margin.
Sasha’s were up next. I could have listened to Sasha’s all day. It’s obvious that Sophia IIIs are cut from the same mold, but the Sasha’s do everything a little better. Not just more bass, more separation, height, and just a little smoother. My wife remarked,”Kem sounds like he is in the room”. If money wasn’t an issue, to my ears it’s a no brainer…Sasha’s! I submit Sophia IIIs are very, very, very good speakers and Sasha’s are Great! I will think about my finances for 1 more day. Stay with Sophia IIIs and get 90% of the Sasha’s or spend money that I probably shouldn’t right now. I guess another option is to save for a couple months and then get Sasha’s. Either way it's time to be grateful and thankful for what I have and enjoy the music!
The system consisted of my amp and preamp (Densen B350 and B250), Transparent Reference Cable, and DCS CD player as the source.

[cmalak]

Ricjor1...thanks for reporting back on your audition

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

Today I listened to Rockport Mira IIs and Wilson Sasha’s. I have Sophia IIIs and wanted to see if it was time to change speakers. I’ll preface my comments by stating, “there isn’t a perfect speaker, everyone hears differently, and audio has no absolutes, only preferences.
I took 7 CDs to listen to (Kem, Dave Koz, Jessy J., David Sanborn, and a few others). I prefer Jazz and a little R&B. I won’t go into every detail comparing the Mira IIs to Sophia IIIs, let just say, both I and my wife preferred the Sophia IIIs by a wide margin.
Sasha’s were up next. I could have listened to Sasha’s all day. It’s obvious that Sophia IIIs are cut from the same mold, but the Sasha’s do everything a little better. Not just more bass, more separation, height, and just a little smoother. My wife remarked,”Kem sounds like he is in the room”. If money wasn’t an issue, to my ears it’s a no brainer…Sasha’s! I submit Sophia IIIs are very, very, very good speakers and Sasha’s are Great! I will think about my finances for 1 more day. Stay with Sophia IIIs and get 90% of the Sasha’s or spend money that I probably shouldn’t right now. I guess another option is to save for a couple months and then get Sasha’s. Either way it's time to be grateful and thankful for what I have and enjoy the music!
The system consisted of my amp and preamp (Densen B350 and B250), Transparent Reference Cable, and DCS CD player as the source.

Having enjoyed the Sophia 2, 3 and 2 pairs of Sasha's, I'd say Sophia 3 is a very good place to be! The Sasha is just icing on the already great cake! If and when budget permits, pull the trigger, Sasha is the kind of speaker, especially when the supporting gear is up to par, that one can easily spend 10-15 years with.

[turntable]

Great to see you had the opportunity to hear all three speakers for yourself.

I would just wait a few months, then buy the sasha's

cheers

[2BTubey]

Ricjor1
Thanks for the follow up!!!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

cmalak
I've already been in contact with trponhunter. Although everyone hears differently and has different priorities, I wanted to get a few opinions on the differences between Rockport and Wilson. I recently listened to Magico, B&W, and still prefer Wilson. I want to comapre my Sophia 3s to Rockport and Sasha's prior to selling them. Who knows, maybe I'll stay with Sophia 3s!

Just received the latest TAS. Neil Grader gave the Wilson Sophia Series 3 an absolutely glowing review, stating it is one of the best speakers he has ever experienced.

[BlueChiaro]

Originally Posted by Charles

Just received the latest TAS. Neil Grader gave the Wilson Sophia Series 3 an absolutely glowing review, stating it is one of the best speakers he has ever experienced.

I can hear it in your voice, Charles...you're dying for an even up swap of my Sophia 3 for your MAXX 3, right??

Robert

[turntable]

Originally Posted by BlueChiaro

I can hear it in your voice, Charles...you're dying for an even up swap of my Sophia 3 for your MAXX 3, right??

Robert

Blue would really suit Charles room and the Big blue Mac meters WAF would be through the roof. Robert, I think you are onto something

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Charles

Just received the latest TAS. Neil Grader gave the Wilson Sophia Series 3 an absolutely glowing review, stating it is one of the best speakers he has ever experienced.

Charles , oh man I have been saving that issue to take on vacation with me in a couple of week. Spoiler alert.

Jim