Avalon isis to Wilson Max 3

[samger]

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare the sound of the Avalon Isis to Wilso Max 3? I hear all the great reviews in the Max 3 and just wonder what I might be missing by having Avalon Isis speakers. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

[Charles]

Originally Posted by samgar

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare the sound of the Avalon Isis to Wilso Max 3? I hear all the great reviews in the Max 3 and just wonder what I might be missing by having Avalon Isis speakers. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

I would love to hear the A's. Unfortunately, so many of us are bound by what our local dealers stock. Buying enormously expensive speakers long distance is a real risk. Also how do you audition the speaker? My MAAXes weigh in at 425 lbs and require 1/2 day to setup. I sweated blood (almost). Then there is the room. Without doubt, some speakers sound better in some rooms. So it is very very difficult to say one speaker is actually superior to another. If you have an Isis and it sounds really good (as I'm sure it does) in you room, that's wonderful. As I understand it A's are sealed, cabinets are wood, and use quite exotic driver materials as opposed to the more mundane Wilson drivers. It's hard to get really excited over a silk dome tweeter no matter how much the hype. Could you tell us something about your Isis'. What do you like about them?

[Elberoth]

I think MAxx 3 can sound a bit more lively (due to higher sensivity) and offer more slam.

Isis sounds smoother to my ears, some may say more neutral and less colored (not that Maxx 3 is a colored speaker per se !).

[Face]

There's more to slam than overall sensitivity. The right low frequency extension and baffle step(bass shelving) can make a low sensitivity speaker have excellent dynamics.

[Elberoth]

I'm talking about microdynamics. In my experience, speakers whith higher sensivity most often have better microdynamics, which is probably related to less thermal distortions in the drive units.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Elberoth

I think MAxx 3 can sound a bit more lively (due to higher sensivity) and offer more slam.

Isis sounds smoother to my ears, some may say more neutral and less colored (not that Maxx 3 is a colored speaker per se !).

Agreed, the Wilson Maxx 3 does sound more lively and exhibits more dynamic contrast and effortlessness. The Avalons and not just the Isis that I have heard can and do come across as perhaps too smooth and laid back. Problem is that while some recording may actually benefit from that kind of a response, much of the music I wanted to listen to just sounded too laid back and I was not pulled into the music or engaged by them. The same gear (Lamm in this case) sounded very different on the Wilson Sophia and Sasha for example so once again it goes to say that synergy is very important.

But of course we have to keep in mind that everyone has different taste and preference! What is laid back and boring to one pair of ears is very musical and smooth to another and dynamic, open, exciting and engaging may come across as too revealing, relentless and unforgiving... Audition is a must when making decisions about a long term relationships with speakers in the price range we are talking about!

[samger]

Hello Charles:

Thanks for your feed back as well as everyone elses.

Before I purchased my Avalan Isis I did listen to the Max 3 and found it very lively however I noticed that there was boom in the bass, however that could have been a function of the room. I love the Isis for their tight base and smooth mid-range, however at times, I do feel the speaker might be laid back, which is not always a bad thing. I just wanted to to see if anyone else had the opportunity to compare these 2 speakers.

Sam

[cmalak]

Sam...the Avalons I have heard, Indra and Eidolon Diamond, were imaging and soundstaging champs, much more so than the Sophia 2s and even the Sashas from the Wilson line up. To me that was a clear difference and one aspect of a sonic portrayal that I deem important. Not to say that the Wilson's were bad on these fronts, not at all, they were quite good but I thought the Avalons were even better. I also think Avalons in general tend to be tonally more neutral and they do timber beautifully. I do believe that Wilsons tend to generally be more exciting/lively and deliver a wider dynamic envelope (macro).

I agree with everyone else, the only way to make a meaningful comparo with your Isis is to get a Maxx 3 loaner in your listening room (which is likely a tall order), so unless there is something that is irking you about the Isis, I would just sit back and enjoy your excellent speakers and system overall

[samger]

Thanks Cyril, I appreciate your feed back. I love my current system, however unfortunately when addicted to top notch sounding equipment, one looks forward to what might be the next move. I guess it is one of those costly diseases!

Sam