Beginning to believe....

[Mikeoz]

I would wait. Why pull the trigger now is there an issue with your current set-up ?

[PLK]

I would wait until after CES.

[bvdiman]

First, even if money is a non-issue, I'd still go with what would work best/optimally in my room/system and not because it is top in the current food chain (prestige etc.) - as the next best thing will always be lurking just around the corner. I recall now seeing a picture of your room somewhere, noting it quite a tight fit even for Maxx3 (ceiling wise?).

Secondly, it is not how much I can afford to spend now, but how much I can stand to lose upon reselling. IMO, a wise purchase is something like that of the Paragon deal of Alex2.2 wherein the downside is very low. Easily tossed with minimal loss, say buy 60-65k, sell 50k (down 10-15k) - enjoy them for a couple of years and just write it off as a very cheap sota speaker rent. This, you cannot do with the latest greatest XLF at 200k.. My rough estimation is that in a couple of years, at least a 50-60k loss needs to be written off in your book.

Myself, I would never consider buying any speakers north of 150k without the vendor first giving me a nice little head-start on the deal, i.e.minimal 50% off its msrp. So, unless you are getting some super hot deal on the XLF, I'd hold out for new Maxx. My guess is that its performance will be nudging close, hence probably not worth splurging the extra two and the half times extra (approx.) for XLF - especially putting room into consideration, plus, that you will (I believe) run them still with a pair of subs?

Oh, but then you mentioned DREAMM.. Now, that's one totally different matter.. You can chuck aside all rationalizing above and just go for it, hell yeah, We only live once! Just my .2cents..

[Charles]

Originally Posted by bvdiman

First, even if money is a non-issue, I'd still go with what would work best/optimally in my room/system and not because it is top in the current food chain (prestige etc.) - as the next best thing will always be lurking just around the corner. I recall now seeing a picture of your room somewhere, noting it quite a tight fit even for Maxx3 (ceiling wise?).

Secondly, it is not how much I can afford to spend now, but how much I can stand to lose upon reselling. IMO, a wise purchase is something like that of the Paragon deal of Alex2.2 wherein the downside is very low. Easily tossed with minimal loss, say buy 60-65k, sell 50k (down 10-15k) - enjoy them for a couple of years and just write it off as a very cheap sota speaker rent. This, you cannot do with the latest greatest XLF at 200k.. My rough estimation is that in a couple of years, at least a 50-60k loss needs to be written off in your book.

Myself, I would never consider buying any speakers north of 150k without the vendor first giving me a nice little head-start on the deal, i.e.minimal 50% off its msrp. So, unless you are getting some super hot deal on the XLF, I'd hold out for new Maxx. My guess is that its performance will be nudging close, hence probably not worth splurging the extra two and the half times extra (approx.) for XLF - especially putting room into consideration, plus, that you will (I believe) run them still with a pair of subs?

Oh, but then you mentioned DREAMM.. Now, that's one totally different matter.. You can chuck aside all rationalizing above and just go for it, hell yeah, We only live once! Just my .2cents..

I really appreciate your thoughts so very much. I have some questions about the price. When you say 50% do you mean an XLF for 100K. That's never going to happen. Do you mean that if I pay 195K which is the going retail price I might expect to in 2-3 years recoup 120K? I don't ever plan on selling it if I buy it. In that sense it may be a good "deal" because there's no way I'm going to upgrade to a new "XLF". Never, won't happen. But if I wait on the new Maxx the upgrade fever will not go away.

The other thing about a statement system is that there are simply no compromises. I think a reputable company like Wilson (and they are totally reputable) really gives you the very best of everything in the way wires, resistors,... everything in an XLF. You just can't get this and never will in a new Maxx. This gives you absolutely unrestrained dynamics which is what I want. I think nuances like the difference in the Maxx treble and Alexia treble, while important, are not where the issue exists for me.

The big difference between the Maxx3 and the Alexia is in the dynamics and the bass. The Alexia treble is better IMO but not even remotely enough to make any real difference to me.

I want to be able to "turn it up" and still have the speaker say, "So what, I'm still loafing," if you know what I mean. Anyway, thanks so much for your thoughts and if you could clarify the price issue.......

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Charles,

This is a huge purchase that you will be living with for a long time. It's no wonder why you are on the fence. I would definitely give it more time until the answer becomes clear to you. That way there will be no regrets.

Best of luck,
Ken

[Charles]

Originally Posted by PLK

I would wait until after CES.

Why? I can't imagine an XLF update. Are you expecting an announcement on the new Maxx?

[Lildebs888]

Originally Posted by Charles

I can see the headline, "New Maxx beats XLF".

No MAXX, no matter how good I am sure it will be, will ever out perform the XLF - Wilson Audio's flagship.

[Lildebs888]

Originally Posted by PLK

I would wait until after CES.

Sasha 2 is the focus of this years CES. Just sayin'

[Mr. Big]

If I had the $$$$ for the XLFs and had the room to put them in, I'd be all over those bad boys.

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by Charles

I really appreciate your thoughts so very much. I have some questions about the price. When you say 50% do you mean an XLF for 100K. That's never going to happen. Do you mean that if I pay 195K which is the going retail price I might expect to in 2-3 years recoup 120K? I don't ever plan on selling it if I buy it. In that sense it may be a good "deal" because there's no way I'm going to upgrade to a new "XLF". Never, won't happen. But if I wait on the new Maxx the upgrade fever will not go away.

Of course I doubt if buying new from an Authorized, but surprisingly crazy good deal sometimes arise and that's when I'll make the jump. You'll just have to be patient and always on the lookout. I'm sure you noticed the 2 pairs of Q7s that pop up for sale awhile ago, one at 60% and the other 50% of their rec.listed price. Probably we've all heard of the story behind, but who cares so long the sales are genuine.. That's some superb deal IMO, if I am residing in the Country I'd personally buy them @90k. Also seen a pair of lightly used Focal GU EM too listed 200k offered for 60-70k earlier this year, that too would make a good candidate for locals, knowing those beasts weigh tons. Or, learning from past Paragon treatments, I'd expect when the XLF2 finally show up in the future, my guess factory reconditioned ones will be costing 80-90k, and by then, used value will probably be 70k'ish in the market. Hence my assumption, if buying an XLF new/discounted now at 130k'ish, one will stand a chance of losing 50-60k few years down the road.. Hope it makes some sense there.

About 6-7yrs ago, I was hot on a Magico M6 deal.. Was first told they were 90k upon released. When I was ready to pull the trigger (2mths lead), the importer told me price had been increased to 120k. Disappointed, I held back a bit, and back again after having saved enough (around 6mths later). This time, was told then that the latest version with carbon drivers out and were 150k! I backed off and a friend ended up buying it - lucky me.. He upgraded to to Q7 last year but kept his 6, shocked to find that it could only fetch around 50k, he used it as door stoppers.. Ok, kidding.. He actually relegated them to rear channel duties now. Point is, a major purchase such as yours - XLF, various facets need to be considered. Bottom line, I'd myself get a killer deal on them, OR, be ready of the consequences. Still, it is not a life/death matter just some monetary loss involved, in which if you are ok with, and/or confident enough to be keeping them as your last speakers then by all means go for it. I understand well the feeling of certain wishes/dreams fulfilled is sometime 'priceless'.