Article: Wilson Audio TuneTot Review

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[pga]

Great review Chris.  

 

David Wilson is THE guy that in the early 1990s provided proof of concept that cone drivers can perform on par or beyond what was possible with esoteric designs (Apogee, Infinity IRS, Quad, Magnapan, Acoustat, Martin Logan).

 

Back then Peter McGrath was the owner of Sound Components.  I was no longer a summer intern working for Peter, instead I was working in Wall Street and finally could afford to buy what I wanted.  I had Quad 63s, Entec woofers, Spectral electronics and a Wadia DAC.  

 

That system sounded quite nice, until I heard one of the first pairs of TinyTots in Peter's store.  This was a pair David had sent to Peter so he could take them on recording sessions.  Somehow I convinced Peter to sell me the pair. I've never had electrostatics at home since.

 

My first pair of TinyTotts had a merely OK paint job, an ugly foam grill, a nasty impedance dip that drove amplifiers crazy and a tendency to sound bright.  Wilson had not yet developed the Puppy woofers, so I used my Entecs instead. But yet this was one of the very few speakers that could provide a detailed, delicate reproduction on par with a Quad 63, while killing the Quads with regards to dynamic range.

 

The great thing about Wilson is they continually improve the product, but in a measured, prudent way, often offering owners opportunities to upgrade as newer versions come to market.  Given your glowing review, I see the corporate culture at Wilson lives on, beyond Dave's time here on earth.  Kudos to another great American company!

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 minutes ago, pga said:

Great review Chris.  

 

David Wilson is THE guy that in the early 1990s provided proof of concept that cone drivers can perform on par or beyond what was possible with esoteric designs (Apogee, Infinity IRS, Quad, Magnapan, Acoustat, Martin Logan).

 

Back then Peter McGrath was the owner of Sound Components.  I was no longer a summer intern working for Peter, instead I was working in Wall Street and finally could afford to buy what I wanted.  I had Quad 63s, Entec woofers, Spectral electronics and a Wadia DAC.  

 

That system sounded quite nice, until I heard one of the first pairs of TinyTots in Peter's store.  This was a pair David had sent to Peter so he could take them on recording sessions.  Somehow I convinced Peter to sell me the pair. I've never had electrostatics at home since.

 

My first pair of TinyTotts had a merely OK paint job, an ugly foam grill, a nasty impedance dip that drove amplifiers crazy and a tendency to sound bright.  Wilson had not yet developed the Puppy woofers, so I used my Entecs instead. But yet this was one of the very few speakers that could provide a detailed, delicate reproduction on par with a Quad 63, while killing the Quads with regards to dynamic range.

 

The great thing about Wilson is they continually improve the product, but in a measured, prudent way, often offering owners opportunities to upgrade as newer versions come to market.  Given your glowing review, I see the corporate culture at Wilson lives on, beyond Dave's time here on earth.  Kudos to another great American company!

Love the historical perspective @pga!

[coot]

Thanks for this review, Chris. I wish you had put them on the stands and commented on that sound as that's how I would use them. Would it be even better?

[The Computer Audiophile]

12 minutes ago, coot said:

Thanks for this review, Chris. I wish you had put them on the stands and commented on that sound as that's how I would use them. Would it be even better?

I certainly hear you. I had a specific use case in mind and had to stop somewhere. 
 

I know members of this community have used them on the stands as main two channel speakers and had great success. 

[Josh Mound]

Awesome review, Chris. I'm intrigued.

 

It's also very cool to know you're a Greg Brown fan, too!

[rando]

Chris, Is there a link where we can view all items present on the C.A.S.H. list you highly recommend we seek out?

 

Also isn't this the second review (and third article) of these speakers on your site?  I believe if that is correct you might have overlooked any concerns expressed or questions left unanswered in either as you composed your glowing review.  Would you care to address some of these burgeoning concerns here?  

[The Computer Audiophile]

14 minutes ago, rando said:

Chris, Is there a link where we can view all items present on the C.A.S.H. list you highly recommend we seek out?

 

Also isn't this the second review (and third article) of these speakers on your site?  I believe if that is correct you might have overlooked any concerns expressed or questions left unanswered in either as you composed your glowing review.  Would you care to address some of these burgeoning concerns here?  

The CASH List is currently outdated. I need to update it. 

 

I haven't overlooked any of the "concerns" people may have expressed. I just don't feel the need to address every single "concern" people have with every product. @Danny Kaey reviewed the TuneTot, mostly via video, over three years ago. Most of the "concerns" were people just expressing their distaste for the price or the looks of the speaker. Those are unaddressable "concerns."

[The Computer Audiophile]

For those who may have missed my previous article using the Dynaudio Xeo 10 ($1,499), here's a link. 

 

 

[sdolezalek]

If I may ask: What's the cool round iPad stand?

[The Computer Audiophile]

13 hours ago, sdolezalek said:

If I may ask: What's the cool round iPad stand?

It’s made by a company named Just Mobile. 

 

https://just-mobile.com/collections/ipad/products/encore

 

[NOMBEDES]

• TuneTot—$9,800.00 (pair)
• In Upgrade Colors—$10,500.00
• ISOBase—$2,100.00 (pair)
• TuneTot Ring—$649.00 (pair)
• TuneTot Grille—$299.00 (pair)
• TuneTot Stand—$2,400.00 (any color)

 

Wilson, best known for building the Eva Braun "Bunker Buster" speaker (who said National Socialism Design was dead) has done it again.

$300 for a pair of Grills? That makes the iPad dusting cloth at $20.  (Non Logo free at any optical shop) a real steal.....

 

Wilson motto.  Sounds Great!  Looks Bad......

[Kelly]

When I used to go to an hifi store (10+ years ago) I was in the showroom and there was always a set of Wilson Sashas. They demoed lots of different brands for me including B&W, Vandersteen, Aerial, and Magnepan. The electronics were ultra spec stuff from Mark Levinson, ARC and Ayre (and this is 15 years ago.) They never did demo the Wilsons for me. I finally asked and the salesman told me you they only ever demoed them for people who came in asking for them. Said they didn't offer them up because, price wise, they just didn't stack up to what was available from other brands. I do wish that I had insisted. I will quite likely never set foot in a hifi store again as I've kinda made the leap to powered speakers, but I would like to hear them. They seem to have a sound that their fans find to be addictive. Sometimes its not about the relative objective value of things.  

[fredg_31]

Hi Chris, thanks for your stuning article as always!

 

I see that you have a ma3 unit under review.

 

As I’m testing it right now in my system, I’d love to have your feeling about it.

 

My plans are to feed it with roon or jplay iOS (and my M1 iPad) through network and directly plug it on my old nagra psa.

 

regards, Fred from Toulouse (France)

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 hours ago, fredg_31 said:

Hi Chris, thanks for your stuning article as always!

 

I see that you have a ma3 unit under review.

 

As I’m testing it right now in my system, I’d love to have your feeling about it.

 

My plans are to feed it with roon or jplay iOS (and my M1 iPad) through network and directly plug it on my old nagra psa.

 

regards, Fred from Toulouse (France)

Hi Fred, the MA3 is really a sweet spot in the EMM / Meitner lineup. It has everything (features) and it sounds excellent. 

[fredg_31]

2 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hi Fred, the MA3 is really a sweet spot in the EMM / Meitner lineup. It has everything (features) and it sounds excellent. 

Thanks Chris! Did you plan a review?

[The Computer Audiophile]

11 minutes ago, fredg_31 said:

Thanks Chris! Did you plan a review?

Yes, I had a review planned for this week, but my MA3 was beta and I figured I better send it back to get the production updates before I publish anything. Review coming soon. 

[PeterG]

On 10/19/2021 at 2:07 PM, coot said:

Thanks for this review, Chris. I wish you had put them on the stands and commented on that sound as that's how I would use them. Would it be even better?

Great review, Chris--thanks!  I just bought a pair on stands for my main system (replacing B&W 805s).  As you wrote, they are jaw dropping.  I am absolutely blown away by the smoothness, life-like imaging, musicality, and scale (albeit with a sub).  As you wrote, they are a Ferrari.  I used to think that someday I would really "need" floor standers, that is no longer the case.  Even if I had zero space constraints, I can't think of a floor stander that can touch these at the price.  (Wait, did I just assert $13K is a bargain...)

 

Coot, to your question--I'm pretty sure they are even better on the stands than they are on the desk.  They benefited hugely from dealer setup/placement, especially the imaging.  Mine are only a foot or so from the wall, but even within that small distance, stands give much more freedom of placement.  I also recommend a subwoofer, and make sure to get dealer assistance with integration. 

[coot]

So PeterG - what sub(s) are you using with them?

 

[PeterG]

I am using a B&W DB3D (with other components in my profile page).  It is a very good sub and sounds great with the TuneTots, but my choice is an accident of history--the B&W subs are designed to integrate easily with B&W speakers, and I purchased the DB3D to mate with my B&W 805s.  (This was absolutely true--mating within the B&W family is easy for just about anyone)  If I did not have the B&W already, I would have been drawn to the JL Fathom that my dealer had the TTs matched with in his demo room. 

 

But among the strong subwoofer manufacturers, I think the most important issue with adding a sub to the TTs is professional integration--there are too many interdependent variables for an amateur to optimize. 

 

Good luck!

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys, I can finally say that I have the new Wilson Audio Lōkē active subwoofer! I will review it with the TuneTots soon. 

 

 

[stefano_mbp]

Wow !

… from a recent review …

Wilson Audio Loke Subwoofer is Designed to Fit Under Your Desk & Empty Your Wallet

[Priaptor]

5 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hi Guys, I can finally say that I have the new Wilson Audio Lōkē active subwoofer! I will review it with the TuneTots soon. 

 

 

Chris,

 

Is there an app to adjust from your seat or is it all manual?

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, Priaptor said:

Chris,

 

Is there an app to adjust from your seat or is it all manual?

Manual adjustments. 

[semente]

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