Wilson Alexia or Q3

[S1chen]

Anyone here heard these 2 speakers and end up with a Magico Q3? If so, what is the reason you like about the Q3 over the Alexia. I am a current owner of Alexia and I do like the construction of the Q3, and some character of the Q3. But if change from Alexia to the Q3 is like downgrading and I can't go Q5 as it is really a very hungry speaker to start with.

[tima]

These speaker lines represent two substantially different views on audio reproduction. It is hard to imagine being conflicted between them. Without meaning to squash talking about speakers, (it does seems silly to ask), what do your ears tell you?

Which leads you to relax and enjoy what you're hearing? Which do you imagine will deliver long term satisfaction?

[bvdiman]

*Current system pic please...
Folks could propose better, more meaningful opinions that way..

[TOGA]

Q3 is not a downgrade to Alexia.
May be smaller woofers. But overall not a downgrade.
Toga

[jazzman]

I don't like these threads on brand A vs. brand B. Because if I jump in with 10 reasons why Q3 is a MUCH better speaker than Alexia, both in term of sound quality and design principles, there will be 10 Wilson fans jumping with personal attacks. Nothing to win here. Check latest threads on WBF Magico forum, you will see what I mean: I post under "stereo", I am still waiting for anybody telling me why my statements on design weaknesses of Wilson range are wrong, people just cannot accept the truth and have no facts to bring so they rather launch personal attacks. Go to listen to them, for me the answer is pretty obvious but it is your ears which matter, not opinions on forums!

PS: For what it is worth, this is Jeff Fritz opinion, who like me moved from owning Wilson to Magico a while back:
SoundStage! Ultra | SoundStageUltra.com (UltraAudio.com) | Magico and Wilson . . .

[PLK]

Originally Posted by jazzman

PS: For what it is worth, this is Jeff Fritz opinion, who like me moved from owning Wilson to Magico a while back:
SoundStage! Ultra | SoundStageUltra.com (UltraAudio.com) | Magico and Wilson . . .

Maybe Jeff switched because Wilson doesn't advertise on his website:

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com | SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com

[fgchong]

Just wonder a DIY 300B can really drive the Alexia?

[S1chen]

Originally Posted by fgchong

Just wonder a DIY 300B can really drive the Alexia?

this is not one normal 300B with 8W. it may not be a power house like a krell but its mid, high, bass and speed is enough to play rock to a ear deafening level.

[CLEE]

Originally Posted by S1chen

this is not one normal 300B with 8W. it may not be a power house like a krell but its mid, high, bass and speed is enough to play rock to a ear deafening level.

I would think that the Q3 is easier to drive than the Alexia, though not by much. It has higher sensitivity than the S5 (and the Alexia). A slightly warm amp would not be unwelcome by the Q3. But I think the Lamm preamp already provides some warmth.

It is not difficult to discern that Magico speakers excels on technical aspects - transparency, resolution, coherence, extensions, etc. Even my wife, who has never been an audiophile, told me she heard things she didn't hear through the Sasha. The big question is whether you love the sound, that it is musical to you. The sure way is to compare direct in your environment with your own gears, assuming that your are confident of their transparency. I took the risk of bringing in the S5 before unloading the Sasha. Fortunately it worked out nicely.

[PLK]

Originally Posted by CLEE

I would think that the Q3 is easier to drive than the Alexia, though not by much. It has higher sensitivity than the S5 (and the Alexia). A slightly warm amp would not be unwelcome by the Q3. But I think the Lamm preamp already provides some warmth.

Suggest you read the HiFi News Lab Report on the Q3 and Alexia.

Both manufacturers rate their speaker's sensitivity at 90db.

The HiFi News Lab Report shows the Q3 came in at 87.8db and the Alexia at 89.8db.

They both have a "scary" EPDR (equivalent peak dissipation resistance) of .9ohm at 64hz/65hz.