Jump to content
  • The Computer Audiophile
    The Computer Audiophile

    Wilson Audio Alexia Series 2 | One Year On

    Wilson Audio recently announced its forthcoming model the SabrinaX. This announcement got me thinking about my own Wilson speakers, the Alexia Series 2. It's been one year since Wilson's Director of Marketing John Giolas was here to properly setup the Alexias and put me in a position to hear my favorite music again for the first time. Over the last year I've played more music than ever before and spent well over one thousand hours listening through these loudspeakers. Here's my take on the Alexia, one year on. 


    Prior to purchasing the Wilson Audio Alexia Series 2, I spent many months researching and talking to friends about speakers and the companies that manufacturer speakers. The only speakers worth considering, for me, were those from blue chip audio companies. Life is short, I choose to do business with good companies who stand behind their products and deliver world class support. Everyone reading this article understands that stuff happens. When it does, it's great to have a blue chip company in one's corner. Wilson Audio is that blue chip company.

     

    wilson audio alexia.jpegThere are few things, in this wonderful hobby of ours, as enjoyable as getting new speakers dialed in and putting on one's music of choice. Hearing new details in old music is incredibly fun and the stuff of which audio memories are made. Since the Alexia Series 2 speakers were installed and dialed in, I've had some fabulous listening sessions. Sessions that not only revealed new details, but also transported me to another place and time. In addition, the Alexia speakers enable me to do my job, evaluating audio components, at a higher level than any other speaker I've heard in my system. 

     

    My previous pair of speakers were the TAD Compact Reference One. I happily used them for several years. The TADs, designed by Andrew Jones, are terrific speakers. I absolutely loved the beryllium tweeter and midrange drivers in a concentric configuration. When the time came to make a change, I was very hesitant to purchase speakers without at least beryllium tweeters. It's what I'd come to know and love, and it's what so many people consider the best material from which to make a driver. 

     

    The Alexia Series 2 loudspeakers, like all current Wilson Audio speakers, contain a silk dome tweeter. Moving from stiff beryllium (TAD) to soft silk (Wilson) was a major concern of mine. I had all the armchair engineer unfounded illusions of silk reproducing mushy music that lacked detail. Even though I'd heard this exact tweeter many times, and it sounded spectacular, I still had a little anxiety. The only way to alleviate my worries was to get the speakers in my own room and spend some serious time listening. 

     

    I've now spent serious time listening and can unequivocally say that this silk dome tweeter is fantastic. Listening to all types of music, I hear nothing but what I consider to be a human sound. The Wilson silk dome sounds real, organic, and natural whereas the beryllium assault in the TAD speakers now sounds a bit over the top and mechanical. My worries about losing details with a silk dome were also unfounded. I've played Reference Recordings' HRx albums at 24/176.4 and heard incredible detail. The delicacy of soft violin strings, on a recording with a dynamic range score of 25+, is truly something to behold through the Wilson silk dome tweeter. 

     

    I've seen photos of Dave and Daryl Wilson comparing different tweeter materials in their speakers, and I now understand why they selected the silk dome. 

     

    I'm a fan of music. All music. In fact I don't know anyone who likes music more than I do and I don't know anyone who likes more types of music than I do. I'm not boasting, rather just laying some groundwork. I need speakers that can play any of the 30,000,000 tracks available from streaming services or my 10 terabyte local collection. I want Taylor Swift to sounds like Taylor Swift just as I want Tool to sound like Tool and Tsuyoshi Yamamoto to sound like Tsuyoshi Yamamoto. Notice I didn't say I want all those artists to sound great, even though they absolutely sound great through the Alexia Series 2. I want speakers capable of delivering exactly what's on the recorded album, no matter if that album is classical, classic rock, jazz, or heavy metal. 

     

    wilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 3.jpegThe Alexia Series 2 has delivered spectacular sound in my listening room, no matter the genre. I've had an entire year to find music that doesn't work on these speakers, but I've come up short on that mission. I like electrostatic speakers as much as anyone, in fact I used to own MartinLogan ReQuests, but the shortcomings of them now scare me away from spending hard earned money on something that can't do it all at the highest level. There are also plenty of more traditional speakers that only work for certain types of music. Look through our Audiophile Style forum and one can read about it first hand from people around the world. The Alexia Series 2, and most other Wilson speakers except the smallest frequency limited models, can handle anything thrown at them and keep their composure.

     

    As many readers know, I'm into Japanese jazz, especially that from the Three Blind Mice label. Playing albums from the new Three Blind Mice Supreme 1500 collection, through the Alexias, has been like planting myself in a Tokyo jazz club. Sure the Alexia delivers tone, delicacy, and superb double bass, but it also delivers the most critical aspect of a live event, dynamics. I urge readers to find a copy of the Terumasa Hino Quintet's album Live! (TBM-17) and listen to all three tracks. This recording should put one in Yubin-Chokin Hall in Tokyo on June 2, 1973 and the trumpet should nearly assault your ears if played at a high level. Through the Alexia speakers, the realness and dynamics of this recording are legendary. The only thing left for Wilson to make this more realistic is to offer a smoke machine that fits into the rear port of the speaker. I can imagine there were a few cigarettes lit up in jazz clubs of the 1970s.  

     

    The speed and dynamics of the Alexia speakers make me think about Dave Wilson using Spectral amplifiers over the years and Spectral's Rick Fryer using and recommending Wilson speakers as well. This combination must be truly special. I wish I would've kept my Spectral DMA 260 stereo amp because I'm sure it would've made the Alexias sing. That said, my Constellation Audio Inspiration mono amplifiers drive the Alexias incredibly well. I've thought about upgrading the amps to Constellation's Revelation or even Performance series, but I'm honestly so happy with what I have now that I'm in no hurry to make a change. I've put the Inspiration mono amps up against serious competition and they've never disappointed. 

     

    Currently I also have integrated amps from Boulder (866), Constellation (Inspiration), and Parasound (HINT 6) in my listening room. Each of these amps has so far driven the Alexa Series 2 very well. While not the final word in amplification, these integrated units are great matches for Wilson speakers in general. In fact, I'd love to hear any of them on the new SabrinaX. 

     

    I mentioned earlier that stuff happens. Yes, master of the obvious I know. But, people often put on rose colored glasses when purchasing goods and tell themselves that stuff only happens to other people. Sadly, this isn't the case in the real world. For example, my Alexia Series 2 speakers arrived with a blown driver. The speakers measured perfectly before leaving the Wilson factory, so something happened during their journey from Utah to Minnesota. 

     

    wilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 8.jpegI didn't want to be "that guy" who demands special treatment, so I contact my friend and Wilson dealer Maier Shadi of The Audio Salon in Santa Monica. Sure I could've contacted Wilson directly or even my local Wilson dealer, Audio Perfection, but Maier is who've I've dealt with for my audio purchases over the years. I called Maier in the early afternoon on a Friday, to report my issue. The next morning I had a replacement driver in my hands directly from the Wilson factory. That's the kind of service both Wilson Audio and its hand picked dealers provide. There was zero talk about what caused the blown driver and nary a finger was pointed in any direction. 

     

    Note: In real world circumstances the Wilson dealer handles all aspects of all issues, from procurement to replacement. Given my unique situation I asked if Maier could talk me through the driver replacement over the phone on that Saturday morning. He virtually held my hand through the process and we had my system up and running in no time. 

     

    In addition to stuff happening, I must also mention that Wilson builds its speakers so stuff usually doesn't happen. What I mean by that is these speakers are nearly bullet proof. I know this from experience. I frequently test many crazy configurations of digital gear in my system. On several occasions this has lead to loud buzzes, screeches, pops, booms, and white noise bursts from all four drivers in each Alexia. Every time this happens I think about a friend who has blown several TAD beryllium drivers in similar circumstances, as I jump up from my chair to hit mute on my amps. My Alexias haven't blinked in the face of several potentially disastrous sonic assaults. Another reason I'm satisfied with the Alexia and Wilson Audio. 

     

    After a solid year with the Wilson Audio Alexia Series 2 loudspeakers, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The speakers sound as spectacular as I hoped they would, the pur sang rouge color looks as amazing today as it did one year ago, and I can sleep well knowing that Wilson and its network of dealers has me covered in the event that something happens. 

     

    I honestly have no desire or itch to upgrade or switch speakers. The Alexias are so satisfying in every way, that I wonder what took me so long to finally get into the Wilson ecosystem. Now excuse me while I put on The Raconteurs' Consolers of the Lonely. If the kick drum on this album doesn't hit one in the chest and the guitar doesn't get one going, then it may be time for a pair of Wilson speakers :~)

     

     

     

    wilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 02.jpegwilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 3.jpegwilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 4.jpegwilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 5.jpegwilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 6.jpegwilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 7.jpegwilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono 8.jpegwilson audio alexia constellation audio inspiration mono.jpegwilson audio alexia.jpeg

     

     

     

    Current System:

     




    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Chris,

     

    Always good to read about an audiophile without the itch to upgrade all the time.  That said, I believe that Rust-oleum has a pur sang rouge color option.  Wouldn't it be great to have all your gear the color of your speakers? 

     

    Great photos, as usual.  Really nice room.  And once you spray paint the gear, everything will match.  :)

     

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Your room / system has turned out beautiful, and I’m sure sounds spectacular! It’s been fun following the build. Thanks for sharing the process.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    27 minutes ago, JoeWhip said:

    Definitely not enough boxes on the floor in that room! 🤠

    You should see the other side of the room! 😂

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Have to agree with you on all points.  Even a move from the first version to the second was more akin to a different speaker than I'd ever expected.  In my case, I've been a Spectral fan since the 260, despite Rick's commandments re: cabling.  Using their SV per and anniversary mono-blocks really do the Alexia 2's justice.  I went with black in keeping with all the silver and black gear.  It's allowed me to focus on the rest of the chain.  As I've made improvements, including most recently adding a master clock to the dCS Vivaldi Clock, it just gets more "real" to my ears.  Awaiting further Shunyata upgrades as a means to eliminate the traces of noise in the system that veil what's coming from the source.  Count me a big fan of Wilson.  Been a long, long road from John Bau Spica's, with various stops along the way (DQ-10's, Mirage M1's, Revel Salon's and stuff in between).  I've finally arrived!

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I don’t want to sound too disparaging but confirming your $60k speakers still sound good while record people are about to be searching for their next meal just makes me want to exit this hobby.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    30 minutes ago, emcdade said:

    I don’t want to sound too disparaging but confirming your $60k speakers still sound good while record people are about to be searching for their next meal just makes me want to exit this hobby.

     

    With respect you make it sound like there is a causal connection. I do not see that it should be viewed as insensitive to talk about their gear whatever the pricetag. There are plenty of threads about less expensive gear and budget gear and DIY gear.

     

    I get that there is hardship in the world. This site and this hobby, whether or not involving expensive gear, is an escape for some of us.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    5 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

    No worries emcdade. The world is a strange place right now and many of us express frustration, anger, dissolution, etc... in different ways. It may be “record people” today, but yesterday it was less fortunate kids, and tomorrow less fortunate grandparents. All terrible. 
     

    My writing about a hobby I love won’t change the realities of a global pandemic. I wish Audiophile Style could have a positive effect on those most hurt by the current situation, but sadly it can’t. What I can do is provide free entertainment, escape, community, etc... to everyone who loves music, equipment or both. 
     

     

    Well done Chris. After all these years you are getting close :)

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Chris

    Have you tested, or plan to test, Hypex NC1200 class D based amplifiers ?

    Or the lasted class D invention from Bruno Putzeys ? (Eigentakt). 

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I can't believe it is a year!

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    4 hours ago, R1200CL said:

    Chris

    Have you tested, or plan to test, Hypex NC1200 class D based amplifiers ?

    Or the lasted class D invention from Bruno Putzeys ? (Eigentakt). 

     

    I haven't tested anything with the Hypex NC1200 or the Eigentakt technology inside yet. I'd love to try both, but remain guarded about expectations. Class D is similar to Linux in that for the last 20 years people have been saying "This is the year for Linux on the desktop" because it has such great promise. However, the realities are always different and expectations are seldom met. 

     

    I'm open minded because Bruno is so brilliant as is the design team at Purifi. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised. Can't wait to get back to audio shows!

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Chris,

     

    It's great to see you mention Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and the Three Blind Mice label. 

    They have been a reference of sorts for me as well and I'm really glad to see you enjoy that treasure trove of Japanese Jazz. 

     

    Regards

     

     

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    3 hours ago, Nikhil said:

    Chris,

     

    It's great to see you mention Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and the Three Blind Mice label. 

    They have been a reference of sorts for me as well and I'm really glad to see you enjoy that treasure trove of Japanese Jazz. 

     

    Regards

     

     

    Hi Nikhil, TBM is now my favorite label, without a doubt. Great music, talent, and sound quality. 
     

    Here’s the new thread I created for those of us who still need to purchase the albums because we didn’t buy them when they were still in print :~)

     

     

     

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I had the chance to hear the Spectral DMA-250 S3 for an afternoon (driving Wilson Audio Alexia Series 2). I think that should be your next upgrade. Spectral are unaffordable for me but I'll bet you $1 they would take your system to yet another level.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 hour ago, loop7 said:

    I had the chance to hear the Spectral DMA-250 S3 for an afternoon (driving Wilson Audio Alexia Series 2). I think that should be your next upgrade. Spectral are unaffordable for me but I'll bet you $1 they would take your system to yet another level.

    The only thing bad about the Spectral gear I used to have is that I couldn't keep it running. Had to go back to the factory for service too many times. 

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    On 9/1/2020 at 12:49 AM, The Computer Audiophile said:

    The only thing bad about the Spectral gear I used to have is that I couldn't keep it running. Had to go back to the factory for service too many times. 

    hi,

    what was the problem?

    my preamp and the monos play without any issue.

    hopefully the next years too...

    kr guenter

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now




×
×
  • Create New...