Wilson Alexia

Dewster said:
Cyril,

My apology, I cannot at this time really give you my review of the Alexia. I didn't think the room we were in really do the Alexia's justice, but at this time, it didn't impressed me enough to replace my Futura. The equipments we auditioned with as follow... VTL pre(forgot which model), ARC Ref 150, 4 stacks DCS Paganini, AMG V12 TT, and Transparent Cables.
Click to expand...

Dewey...that's fair. I also thought the room I was in was holding back the Alexias a bit as I mentioned above, especially as it related to the low frequency performance. Look at it this way, you just saved an incremental $25K :D (not sure what used Futuras get in the marketplace but I am assuming high teens to low 20s and list on Alexia is $48.5K).
 
At that level, its often just "different" rather than "better" and the law of diminishing returns really starts to kick in. I was fortunate to hear the Futuras beside the Alexia's. Same Linn Akurate DS source. Both are excellent. If I had a small(ish) room, I would definitely go with the Futuras - but I would then face some limitations from an amplification standpoint (Bryston 28's would be the front runner for sure). If I had a big(ish) room (say at least 15 x 25) - I would go with the Alexia's and certainly have some more options with amplification (probably ARC if I wanted tubes or D'Agostino if I wanted to go SS). Both are excellent and both are capable of producing world class sound reproduction.

Just my two cents.
 
Mike,

The room that we were in is aproximate 18' x 24' ish, and I thought to myself the Alexia could handle bigger :D
 
Dewster said:
Mike,

The room that we were in is aproximate 18' x 24' ish, and I thought to myself the Alexia could handle bigger :D
Click to expand...

That sounds like a large enough room for the Alexia. Sounds like poor speaker set-up is the main issue.
 
I do not think the room was a problem. And the setup was done by the key people of the dealer who "spent the last day dialing them in just right."
 
Big B said:
Has anyone heard about an Alexia center channel or inwalls?
Click to expand...

Actually, you want the Mezzo if you're going to go with the Alexia.

As for inwall, dunno. I'm currently happy with the "watch" for my center with my Sasha's.
 
Mike said:
Cyril - lucky you! I loved them. They would be in my room right now if not for someone called "Aida".
Click to expand...

OK Mike, since you said it. I have to ask. Please compare them. I realize the Aida's are much more expensive (about double right?). But what were the big points on what you heard between the two?
 
Mike said:
Does anyone know if you can biamp the Wilson Alexia's? I'm perfectly happy with my speakers, I'm just asking for a friend! :)

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike, the Alexia's are similar to the Sasha's in that there is one set of binding posts at the bottom of the speaker. From there the input goes through an internal crossover and the leads are connected to the binding posts of the upper cabinet. There is no difference between the Alexia and Sasha connections really (they look the same is all I'm saying, I'm sure there really are differences in other ways -- I'm just talking about the connections). There are two sets of connections to the upper cabinet, one for highs and one for mids. I suppose you could try to connect directly there, but you'd be bypassing the internal crossover and probably voiding your warranty (and sound too, but I digress).

Bottom line, the only way to "biamp" them is to use two monoblocks ;) One for the left loudspeaker and one for the right, but I guess you knew that already LOL. Answer is a definitive "NO".

Here's a photo of the connections I found online.

wilson_alexia_posteriore.jpg

Bryan
 
radioactive said:
OK Mike, since you said it. I have to ask. Please compare them. I realize the Aida's are much more expensive (about double right?). But what were the big points on what you heard between the two?
Click to expand...

If I didn't own the Aida's, I would be tossing and turning between Amati Futura's and Alexia's. I loved them both. The Alexia's were the first speaker I ever heard where I kept saying over and over in my head "these are totally worth their asking price"!

That being said - I still need to properly audition Rockport, Magico, Raidho and an assortment of other top runners in the under $50k bracket.

The Aida's are in another league (and so they should be). The reviews from HiFi News and Tone Magazine nailed it. They do so many things well. They are very very neutral speakers (something quite different from the Strads - which I love too). The big Aida speakers completely disappear and you are left with a wall of sound that is wider than the speakers and deep. They are as close to the MBL 101 Extremes in terms of creating a 3D soundstage and immersing you in the "musicians have assembled in my room for a private concert" feeling as anything I've ever heard. But the big nod still goes to the MBL's. The MBL's own 3D reproduction of music. But still, the rear firing woofer/tweeter of the Aida's help it achieve some impressive depth of soundstage.

Everything is just so much bigger with the Aida's. Life sized would be a better term. Closing your eyes, you can really feel that everything is proportionally correct to what you may hear live.

Super speakers like Aida's, XLF's, Q7's, etc. - just do everything so well.
 
radioactive said:
Mike, the Alexia's are similar to the Sasha's in that there is one set of binding posts at the bottom of the speaker. From there the input goes through an internal crossover and the leads are connected to the binding posts of the upper cabinet. There is no difference between the Alexia and Sasha connections really (they look the same is all I'm saying, I'm sure there really are differences in other ways -- I'm just talking about the connections). There are two sets of connections to the upper cabinet, one for highs and one for mids. I suppose you could try to connect directly there, but you'd be bypassing the internal crossover and probably voiding your warranty (and sound too, but I digress).

Bottom line, the only way to "biamp" them is to use two monoblocks ;) One for the left loudspeaker and one for the right, but I guess you knew that already LOL. Answer is a definitive "NO".

Here's a photo of the connections I found online.

View attachment 2715

Bryan
Click to expand...

Thanks Bryan. That's what I thought. I wonder if anyone has heard them with REF250's.....would love to hear how that combo sounded!
 
Mike said:
Thanks Bryan. That's what I thought. I wonder if anyone has heard them with REF250's.....would love to hear how that combo sounded!
Click to expand...

You mean like this :) Yes, I've heard them... You first.... Please share your thoughts on the Alexia's vs the Aida's...

attachment.php
 
radioactive said:
You mean like this :) Yes, I've heard them... You first.... Please share your thoughts on the Alexia's vs the Aida's...

attachment.php
Click to expand...

The Aida's have an incredibly defined bass. Stand up bass sounds so real. Electric bass - same thing. Bass drum - same thing. Aida's have such a large presentation, with incredible balance and neutrality.

The Alexia's are the best Wilson speakers I've ever heard and extremely enjoyable. I noticed the bass was not as well defined as the Aida's, but no less enjoyable.

Truthfully, I just can't compare them due to such a substantial price difference, size difference, etc.

I really think the Amati Futura vs Alexia is a better/closer comparison. In this case, it would depend on room size, music taste and amplification preference. If bigger room, tubes and wide variety of music = Alexia. If smaller room, more vocals, jazz music, classical and solid state = Amati Futura. Just my two cents. You can't go wrong with either choice and certainly the Amati Futura is the best looking speaker I have ever seen.
 
Thanks for sharing Mike. I'm curious how the tweeter compares between the two. I've heard a lot of Wilson's, but found the tweeter in the Alexia the most impressive. Just very clean and accurate. Too bad the Sasha's don't have it (hint hint).

That's from my dealer's during a Wilson/DCS event. I've stopped in a few times since and listened and every time I have something new to learn.

The ARC's were very clean, very tube-like. Those who don't know what I'm talking about, think of a rich sound, not without treble, but warm on the midrange. Not overly warm, just so that you get the impression that there is an artist on the other end of the cable with a microphone. The 250's were awesome when we listened to Tori Amo's track "Sweet Sangria". Her voice was just so chilling it gave goose bumps -- something the 'Dag's just couldn't do. Which is what they appear made to do...play back vocals with eerie realism. I was blown away at the realism they present with vocals but unfortunately they weren't my cup of tea. I can certainly understand why people like tubes and the ARC's are probably one of the best I've heard. They have a bit more dynamics that what I've typically accustomed to tubes and also throw a very good (but defined) soundstage. As you can see the 'Dag's in the picture were the reference here and you certainly can hear the difference. You quickly recognize with the 'Dag's that there's more to just vocals. My preference was for the Momentum stereo over the 250's. I found it had better imaging and better dynamics. For the price, the pair of 250's are about the same as the stereo Momentum and for just convenience I'd take the Momentum's. The 250's had to be warmed up and had an odd behavior when I turned them off -- they actually tripped the power line. It was very odd.

I've argued that the Alexia's are better than the Maxx3's but my dealer thinks I'm nuts and keeps playing the Maxx's when I go into his shop LOL. Different strokes, but the tweeter in the Maxx's is letting them down; albeit this is only noticeable when you go immediately from one to the other. The sound is much larger, which is probably also true of your Aida's but I'd argue again that size of the sound is significantly different than accuracy and clarity.
 
Thanks Mike that is is a good honest report.

Mike said:
If I didn't own the Aida's, I would be tossing and turning between Amati Futura's and Alexia's. I loved them both. The Alexia's were the first speaker I ever heard where I kept saying over and over in my head "these are totally worth their asking price"!

That being said - I still need to properly audition Rockport, Magico, Raidho and an assortment of other top runners in the under $50k bracket.

The Aida's are in another league (and so they should be). The reviews from HiFi News and Tone Magazine nailed it. They do so many things well. They are very very neutral speakers (something quite different from the Strads - which I love too). The big Aida speakers completely disappear and you are left with a wall of sound that is wider than the speakers and deep. They are as close to the MBL 101 Extremes in terms of creating a 3D soundstage and immersing you in the "musicians have assembled in my room for a private concert" feeling as anything I've ever heard. But the big nod still goes to the MBL's. The MBL's own 3D reproduction of music. But still, the rear firing woofer/tweeter of the Aida's help it achieve some impressive depth of soundstage.

Everything is just so much bigger with the Aida's. Life sized would be a better term. Closing your eyes, you can really feel that everything is proportionally correct to what you may hear live.

Super speakers like Aida's, XLF's, Q7's, etc. - just do everything so well.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top