Article: My New Speakers Have Arrived!

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, RickyV said:

Wow, Chris really beautiful speakers, congratulations.

Do have more pictures?

And I am wondering how the Wilson guys set the timing of the midrange and tweeter cabinets?

So far these are the only photos I have. Once I uncrate the speakers I'll have many more. Once they are setup I'll have all the details for you.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, ecwl said:

@The Computer Audiophile, I am a little confused. I thought Audio Perfection is your local Wilson dealer so I just assumed somebody from Audio Perfection would set your speakers up. Is it because you’re VIP that Wilson is sending their own representative over? Or is it because you got Alexia (instead of the lower end models?)

Someone from Wilson is coming because we are going to meet about some business items as well as setup the speakers. It's a two for one trip for them. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I don't see any cable changes coming soon. Transparent uses Wilson at the factory and I believe Wilson uses Transparent. The two often show together and are sold together. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 minutes ago, ddetaey said:

Great choice Chris.

If budget would have allowed me, I was ready to buy a pair myself last year.

However , as I retired a little earlier than expected, it was a no go.

Will you use McIntosh amps as your standard to drive them?

Dirk

Hi Dirk - I'll use the Constellation Audio Inspiration mono amps.

 

I'll possibly try the Schiit Vidar amps as summer amps because it can get a little hot in my listening room :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, sb6 said:

Congrats on your purchase, the Wilsons were among a few speakers on my short list but I ultimately went with what I felt was the most natural, balanced and effortless - the "elf hats" which I aesthetically love. IMO better than garbage cans, but to each his own. 🙂

 

 

Happy listening!

 

 

I love it!

[The Computer Audiophile]

18 minutes ago, Superdad said:

 

Perhaps you'll be finalizing the terms of your trade?

Since I know that the less than 1/5th its size banner ad right below goes for $7,500/year, I'm guessing that we'll be looking at that massive new Wilson ad for at least 3 years. 

You could have had your speakers done in yellow to match...

No and no. I cut a large check. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 minutes ago, vortecjr said:

I’m confused:) Are the speakers white or red or white/red?

Red. The white is a protective film type layer for shipping. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, PYP said:

Your selection criteria makes great sense.  It's wonderful that the "business" side (being a reviewer) and the "always wanted them since I was a little audiophile" meet up perfectly.  Aesthetics are so personal.  I love the elf's hat look.  My wife preferred the look of our previous B&W, but said "Of course, it is the sound that matters."  That is pretty amazing given that the listening room is the living room.  

 

At any rate, have fun!  Congratulations.  

I’m very happy that the tools I use for business also bring me tremendous joy (after business hours of course) 😄

[The Computer Audiophile]

21 minutes ago, Mercman said:

The primary challenge of owning Wilson Alexias is after coming up with the money, is finding a friend that will let you store those crates at his house😀

So true!

[The Computer Audiophile]

5 hours ago, Superdad said:

 

Thanks for clarifying.  I hope you know I was mostly just kidding Chris.

But honestly, even if you were making some barter arrangements, I would see nothing unethical in that. Trading ad space for discount is not at all the same as trading for a good review. That’s a completely different line which I know you would never cross.

 

Of course what prompted my speculative comment in the first place is that the largest size ad I’ve even seen on this site just happened to appear the same week as the announcement of your speaker selection. It really begged the question—even if it is none of our business. 

We've been in talks with Wilson for over a year about many items. It just so happened that my speakers arrived at the same time as the ad campaign began. With all the little things to iron out, there's no way I could even attempt to time it like this. It just had to happen. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

[The Computer Audiophile]

30 minutes ago, Darryl R said:

I like this color.  Lucky you on a ground floor (or maybe not, if that ivy is on a roof gable).  If I recall those bass cabinets were about 200 pounds each, and we had to use an electric lift to get them upstairs.

These are up 14 stairs on the second floor. The piano movers called it a nasty stairway 😁

[The Computer Audiophile]

A lot of armchair engineering here. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

13 minutes ago, rickca said:

So let me rephrase, because I didn't mean to critique your setup.  I don't know enough to do that.  I'd like to understand why your new speakers can sound amazing without needing more distance from the walls.  I'm sure you already took this into consideration.

 

No worries critiquing the setup. That’s how we all learn.

 

Given the dimensions of my room, asymmetrical walls, peaked ceiling, and mixture of absorption and diffusion acoustics, perhaps you could explain why the speakers need more distance from the walls?

 

When I recently adjusted my room using a hybrid approach of the Wilson setup procedure and RPG software, this is the location that worked best. It’s a starting point for these speakers and more adjustments are required to get the best performance. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

The speakers are currently 36” from the side walls and 60” from the rear walls. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

12 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

"absorption and diffusion" is the key

 

maybe say:  it would be easier to get them to sound better in a bigger room

 

The thing with my room is that nobody has any clue until they are here. It isn’t a symmetrical space or even a space that’s a square, rectangle, or L shape etc...

 

Everybody I’ve talked to (acoustic engineers) has said all bets are off because of the shape of the room. Meaning, none of them can predict the sound like they can with a standard shape. 

 

After the final setup I will post measurements and have my measurements below all my reviews. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 minutes ago, rando said:

Spitballing here.

 

Rev. 1 to office space remodel is greenlit after discovering an unforeseeable physical component vital to occupant's livelihood is dependent on ability to reclaim a void space.  Temporarily, with failsafes implemented to offset any and all safety related measures impacted (which would remain in place under normal conditions). 

 

Have to admit this would be a last resort for most.  At this point I'm reasonably confident the schizophrenic room dimensions and too big speakers will overwhelm in a good way without making room to dance.  

Not quite sure I understood any of that including why the speakers are too big. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, HIFI said:

Are your walls (front/back & left side/right side) parallel?

Parts of them are parallel. The left vertical wall is shorter than the right, so the pitched part is longer on that side. Front and back are kind of parallel if I close the doors on the front wall. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

11 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

 

Yes, I saw your room description early in the thread.  It is problematic.

It’s only problematic for using formulaic solutions. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

17 hours ago, Solstice380 said:

OK, enough about the toil and bling and such.  I’m sure you have fired them up by now so tell us how your first listen was! 😎

 

Man oh man I’m having fun tonight. Listening to songs again for the first time. It sounds fantastic. There’s a bass hump in a small band of the bottom end that I need to work on once I find the specific frequency. No measurements tonight though. Only fun. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, Superdad said:

 

 

Chris: I am curious (and I guess too lazy to search your earlier threads about your room): 

Did you ever setup your TAD speakers in your remodeled room? Or are the Wilsons the first speakers to play in that space?

If the latter, then wow you really have a double journey ahead of you--getting used to the character of your room AND learning about optimizing the Wilsons in that space.

Best of luck and much musical joy in either case.

I had the TADs in here for a while. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 minutes ago, ednaz said:

Bet you that we hear that what he learned optimizing the TAD speakers contributed in some way.

Yes. Big time. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

51 minutes ago, HIFI said:

As I have followed I don’t remember the TAD’s in the new room optimized at any point as the path Chris is on now with Wilsons and room treatment . . . so not sure the value of the ab comparison.  

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, loop7 said:

I predict these may be a gateway drug to other Wilson models.

 

I can’t say never, but the better models are all very large. I don’t have the height in my room for even the next model up, the Alexx.