Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

**Big B** · August 8, 2013, 09:05 AM

Has anyone heard both and what are your reviews.

**Mike** · August 8, 2013, 09:10 AM

I'm VERY interested in this!!!!!

**mdkim** · August 8, 2013, 09:35 AM

Count me in as another interested body. The Raidhos have definitely captured my curiosity and interest.

**MDP** · August 8, 2013, 10:04 AM

Me too !! I hope somebody chimes in !

**Dewster** · August 8, 2013, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by MDP

Me too !! I hope somebody chimes in !

You already know my answer to this

**Rtan** · August 8, 2013, 11:01 AM

Dewey is ready to get them both and tell us his reviews.

**mdkim** · August 8, 2013, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Dewster

You already know my answer to this

Happy belated Dewey!!

Anyways, do tell.

**the professor** · August 8, 2013, 11:06 AM

I want to know too!

I don't know of any dealer that had the D3s.

**Dewster** · August 8, 2013, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by mdkim

Happy belated Dewey!!

Anyways, do tell.

Michael,

The B-Day thing was a joke so Mark can buy me the cleaning machine

But thanks anyway.

**Dewster** · August 8, 2013, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Rtan

Dewey is ready to get them both and tell us his reviews.

**MDP** · August 8, 2013, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Dewster

You already know my answer to this

I do

**Mike** · August 8, 2013, 02:44 PM

No one?

**Paul** · August 8, 2013, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

No one?

Actually....I don't want to know.

NO<<<<<<

**MDP** · August 8, 2013, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by BlueMcIntosh

Actually....I don't want to know.

NO<<<<<<

Sure you do Paul

**highEndguy** · August 8, 2013, 03:53 PM

��

**highEndguy** · August 8, 2013, 03:53 PM


face without mouth

**highEndguy** · August 8, 2013, 03:54 PM

��

**Big B** · August 9, 2013, 06:57 AM

Maybe what might be fairer is a comparison of the Raidho D2 and the Alexia

**Mike** · August 9, 2013, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Big B

Maybe what might be fairer is a comparison of the Raidho D2 and the Alexia

I've heard the Alexia and D1. The bass is more defined with the D1 (figure that out given its size). I would be torn between these two if they were the same price.

The real shootout would be: Raidho D2/D3 vs Alexia vs Magico S5 vs Rockport Avior.

Keep in mind - a lot depends on your amp and amp preference. The Magico S5 is as good as it gets under $50k IMO - but needs some major cojones to drive it. No wimpy SET tube amp need apply.

Lastly, a lot would depend on your musical taste. The Raidho's really excel on vocals (Diana Krall, Norah Jones, etc.) The Magico S5's can pretty much play anything, but throw on Dire Straits Money for Nothing and be prepared to look like this:

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1376050682.282453.jpg

The Alexia's do really well at a lot of different types of music too, but excel at classical, small ensemble Jazz, etc.

What you are looking at is very much SOTA. Look at amps (what you have vs your desire for a change), then look at your music type. But most of all, go listen to all the ones I mentioned - yourself.

**the professor** · August 9, 2013, 08:34 AM

For D3 money, don't forget Magico Q5s. I've heard them with the ARC 750s. And they were great.

I almost bought a pair of the S5s last December but went with the Raidho D1s instead.

I had listened to the C1.1 and C2.1s and decided to buy the C2.1s over the Magico but after talking to Lars at Raidho I went ahead and bought the D1s that weren't even announced yet. I'm sure glad I did.

**Big B** · August 9, 2013, 08:34 AM

Very informative. Thanks for your take.

**Mike** · August 9, 2013, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by the professor

For D3 money, don't forget Magico Q5s. I've heard them with the ARC 750s. And they were great.

I almost bought a pair of the S5s last December but went with the Raidho D1s instead.

I had listened to the C1.1 and C2.1s and decided to buy the C2.1s over the Magico but after talking to Lars at Raidho I went ahead and bought the D1s that weren't even announced yet. I'm sure glad I did.

Jock - I heard the Q5's with Vitus gear and was completely underwhelmed. Even the dealer said he sells the S5's 10 to 1 over the Q5 - once people hear them side by side. I completely agreed with him.

That being said - with tube gear like the ARC REF 750's and it might have been a whole new ball game!

Glad you picked the D1's over the S5's. That was my dilemma too and I went with the D1's. That tweeter! Sparkle and magic!

**Mike** · August 22, 2013, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

The real shootout would be: Raidho D2/D3 vs Alexia vs Magico S5 vs Rockport Avior.

I've now officially heard all of these speakers - except the D3's. I heard the D2's yesterday (thank you John for your wonderful hospitality and a fun day!). I've heard the Alexia's and Magico's (yesterday again) both twice. I heard the Rockport Aviors yesterday as well.

I have ruled out the Rockports for me. They sound like a really good traditional box speaker, but they aren't SOTA IMO. They are good, don't get me wrong, they are very good, but the demo was so poor (long story) and the speakers just didn't do anything extraordinary like the Raidho's or Wilson's or Magico's for that matter.

The D2's are much more coherent and balanced than the D1's. Both offer an incredibly holographic sound and are the most easy to listen to from midrange up. The bass on the D2 is also really well defined and quite good. The tweeter on the Raidho is pure magic. Color me impressed!

I've now heard the Wilson Alexia's twice. In two separate states and with completely different rooms and gear. Yesterday we heard them with the D'Agostino amps and Boulder preamp. Traveling with two fellow audiophiles from the Suncoast Audiophile Society, the three of us were very impressed. When they switched to the Boulder amp, much less so. The D'Agostino/Alexia synergy was outstanding in our opinions.

Color me impressed with both the D2's and D'ag/Alexia's.....but color me confused!!

**dlb2** · August 22, 2013, 08:17 AM

Sounds like a great day Mike. At least you were able to narrow speakers down a little more. It's looks like there's some Constellation gear on the rack. Were you able to listen to it?

**Mike** · August 22, 2013, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by dlb2

Sounds like a great day Mike. At least you were able to narrow speakers down a little more. It's looks like there's some Constellation gear on the rack. Were you able to listen to it?

Yes indeed! That is the Constellation stereo amp and preamp.

**the professor** · August 22, 2013, 03:42 PM

Did John give you any idea of how much better the D3's were over the D2's? I guess what I'm asking is: are the D2's closer to the D1s or D3s in Raidho's range?

**Mike** · August 22, 2013, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by the professor

Did John give you any idea of how much better the D3's were over the D2's? I guess what I'm asking is: are the D2's closer to the D1s or D3s in Raidho's range?

Jock - what I can safely tell you is that the D2's are a big step up from the D1's. Bass is much more coherent and obviously it goes lower. Due to all the great gear and the layout of the room, John wasn't able to put the D2's where they really need to be IMO (a little closer to the side walls). None the less, I found it most interesting that of all the speakers we heard, the D2's were the ones everyone wants to listen to the most.

We discussed the D3 and John said that the extra woofer(s) and the specific midrange driver makes an even bigger difference.

Mike

**AudioSalon** · August 23, 2013, 08:31 PM

Great having you guys over, was a fun day indeed.

**kiwi_1282001** · August 25, 2013, 10:34 PM

Hello all,

I got to hear both the Wilson Alexia and the Raidho D2 at an audio show in Singapore 1 week back.

We all know that such shows are not the best venues to compare speakers - so please take the following comments with venue limitations in mind.

The Alexia system had a top of range EMM Labs source (transport + DAC) feeding Goldmund amplification. Room size was approx. 50 sqM

The Raidho D2 was driven by a modest Oppo 105 source and Devialet (dual mono) amplification. Room size was approx. 110 sqM

Alexia.jpg

Raidho D2.jpg

I came away with the following observations:

It would be difficult to find speakers more unalike. The strengths of the Alexia are its looks (personally loved them in burnt orange), its

palpable deep bass, bass that can really be felt in ones bones and helps convince us we are in the presence of real live musicians and finally its high peak loudness abilities.

The strength of the Raidho's are their bass definition (gives each bass note wonderful shape and super timing) and their resolution - which IMHO is class leading, second only to well engineered ESL speakers.

**Mike** · August 25, 2013, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by kiwi_1282001

Hello all,

I got to hear both the Wilson Alexia and the Raidho D2 at an audio show in Singapore 1 week back.

We all know that such shows are not the best venues to compare speakers - so please take the following comments with venue limitations in mind.

The Alexia system had a top of range EMM Labs source (transport + DAC) feeding Goldmund amplification. Room size was approx. 50 sqM

The Raidho D2 was driven by a modest Oppo 105 source and Devialet (dual mono) amplification. Room size was approx. 110 sqM

Alexia.jpg

Raidho D2.jpg

I came away with the following observations:

It would be difficult to find speakers more unalike. The strengths of the Alexia are its looks (personally loved them in burnt orange), its

palpable deep bass, bass that can really be felt in ones bones and helps convince us we are in the presence of real live musicians and finally its high peak loudness abilities.

The strength of the Raidho's are their bass definition (gives each bass note wonderful shape and super timing) and their resolution - which IMHO is class leading, second only to well engineered ESL speakers.

Thanks so much for your comments and pictures! Welcome to AS. Feel free to share more thoughts on these two speakers. I love them both and agree they are completely different.

**Big B** · September 2, 2013, 10:53 AM

I too thank you for information. Much appreciated.

**wisnon** · September 2, 2013, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

I've heard the Alexia and D1. The bass is more defined with the D1 (figure that out given its size). I would be torn between these two if they were the same price.

The real shootout would be: Raidho D2/D3 vs Alexia vs Magico S5 vs Rockport Avior.

Keep in mind - a lot depends on your amp and amp preference. The Magico S5 is as good as it gets under $50k IMO - but needs some major cojones to drive it. No wimpy SET tube amp need apply.

Lastly, a lot would depend on your musical taste. The Raidho's really excel on vocals (Diana Krall, Norah Jones, etc.) The Magico S5's can pretty much play anything, but throw on Dire Straits Money for Nothing and be prepared to look like this:

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1376050682.282453.jpg

The Alexia's do really well at a lot of different types of music too, but excel at classical, small ensemble Jazz, etc.

What you are looking at is very much SOTA. Look at amps (what you have vs your desire for a change), then look at your music type. But most of all, go listen to all the ones I mentioned - yourself.

Mike for $50K wouldnt the field be wide open for stuff like the Franco Serblin Ktemas, Evolution Acoustics MM2/3, Tidal Piano Diacera or plain Contrivas, Lumen White Artisan/Silver Flame, Foersters FAL 5.3: , VA Klimt, Vivid G1, Brodmanns, etc...?

**Mike** · September 2, 2013, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by wisnon

Mike for $50K wouldnt the field be wide open for stuff like the Franco Serblin Ktemas, Evolution Acoustics MM2/3, Tidal Piano Diacera or plain Contrivas, Lumen White Artisan/Silver Flame, Foersters FAL 5.3: , VA Klimt, Vivid G1, Brodmanns, etc...?

Yes indeed! But I already bought the D3's.

**wisnon** · September 2, 2013, 11:25 AM

Never heard Raidhos, but the interview with the owner sounded compelling.

I have heard the Franco Serbins and they were divine. The EA MM3 sounding like I was at a live concert when driven with those exotic monoblocs. The Lumens were great with TT source and Ayon Tube Power.

The rest people only told me about, no direct experiencet. Lansches were great too (ion or plasma tweeter, cant recall).

**Big B** · September 2, 2013, 11:37 AM

Thanks Mike for taking the time and the input.

Originally Posted by Mike

I've now officially heard all of these speakers - except the D3's. I heard the D2's yesterday (thank you John for your wonderful hospitality and a fun day!). I've heard the Alexia's and Magico's (yesterday again) both twice. I heard the Rockport Aviors yesterday as well.

I have ruled out the Rockports for me. They sound like a really good traditional box speaker, but they aren't SOTA IMO. They are good, don't get me wrong, they are very good, but the demo was so poor (long story) and the speakers just didn't do anything extraordinary like the Raidho's or Wilson's or Magico's for that matter.

The D2's are much more coherent and balanced than the D1's. Both offer an incredibly holographic sound and are the most easy to listen to from midrange up. The bass on the D2 is also really well defined and quite good. The tweeter on the Raidho is pure magic. Color me impressed!

I've now heard the Wilson Alexia's twice. In two separate states and with completely different rooms and gear. Yesterday we heard them with the D'Agostino amps and Boulder preamp. Traveling with two fellow audiophiles from the Suncoast Audiophile Society, the three of us were very impressed. When they switched to the Boulder amp, much less so. The D'Agostino/Alexia synergy was outstanding in our opinions.

Color me impressed with both the D2's and D'ag/Alexia's.....but color me confused!!

**Mike** · September 2, 2013, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Big B

Thanks Mike for taking the time and the input.

No problem! I think the Alexia's with a full sounding meaty amp (D'Agostino or Mcintosh) are just sublime. I heard them with D'Agostino, Mcintosh, ARC, Boulder. The only criticism I have (I've heard the Alexia's twice) is that the depth of soundstage was good, but not in the league of the Raidho. The Raidho soundstage is second only to the big MBL's IMO. With the Raidho's, you will find yourself wanting to get up from you chair and walk onto the stage to shake the musicians hands. My friend said, "they create a soundstage that makes you want to walk right into it."

Both have excellent tweeters, the Alexia maybe a little more rolled off. The Raidho tweeter is in another league from anything I've heard. Michael (from Raidho) explained to me that it is the only tweeter that stores zero energy.

**Big B** · September 2, 2013, 12:03 PM

thanks again

**wisnon** · September 2, 2013, 01:12 PM

It seems to be an excellent tweeter!

I would LOVE to compare it the Heil AMT whose pleated diaphragm material is a guarded secret (I know the manufacturer well and he wont tell me and I dont push). I just know its not Mylar or Kapton. It weighs more than the Raidho at about 1 gram, though the resonant freq of the material is outside its musical range. Unfolded, the smaller Heil diaphragm is about 7sq inches.
The other tweeter I am yet to listen to, but which has great feedback from my dealer friend is the ROWEN Linear Motion tech (5 octave) tweeter. Info at rowen dot ch and click on Technology.

**wisnon** · September 2, 2013, 01:13 PM

Gratuitous post to get to a ten post count.

**joeinid** · September 2, 2013, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

Gratuitous post to get to a ten post count.

Yeah!

**Mike** · September 2, 2013, 03:27 PM

Mark - now that you've heard both...I would like your comments on these two speakers.

**the professor** · September 2, 2013, 04:10 PM

Every time I've listened to the Alexia's I always thought that it wasn't the typical Wilson sound. And I mean that in a good way. They have an ease to them, dynamic but still a sweet sound to them. Not harsh like speakers of most companies can get when pushed to get the dynamics.

Now that I've heard the D3s I can absolutely say that they have all the dynamics of the Alexia's, and retain all of Raidho's smoothness, detail, texture and soundstage.

The only advantage to the Alexia's is that they are more efficient so tubes are possible with them. If that is an important thing for you.

**MDP** · September 2, 2013, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Mark - now that you've heard both...I would like your comments on these two speakers.

Wow,You're putting me on the hot seat a little. I agree with Jock, that it's not your typical Wilson speaker. It definitely has a more musical sound to my ears than other Wilson speakers, I personally think it's the best speaker Wilson has ever made. The only Wilson I haven't heard is the XLF, so I can't comment on that.

I think the D3 breaks ahead with its seamlessness in it's drivers. With the Raidho you simply can't point out where the sound is coming from,you never hear the drivers at all,music just appears out of thin air. The music also has a wholeness to it, what I mean by that is when you listen to a song, you're not picking out sounds, you simply get lost in the music and forget about any type of critical listening. To me this is exactly what I want in a speaker.

**Mike** · September 2, 2013, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Wow,You're putting me on the hot seat a little. I agree with Jock, that it's not your typical Wilson speaker. It definitely has a more musical sound to my ears than other Wilson speakers, I personally think it's the best speaker Wilson has ever made. The only Wilson I haven't heard is the XLF, so I can't comment on that.

I think the D3 breaks ahead with its seamlessness in it's drivers. With the Raidho you simply can't point out where the sound is coming from,you never hear the drivers at all,music just appears out of thin air. The music also has a wholeness to it, what I mean by that is when you listen to a song, you're not picking out sounds, you simply get lost in the music and forget about any type of critical listening. To me this is exactly what I want in a speaker.

Thanks Mark. That's a great explanation.

**Big B** · September 2, 2013, 10:11 PM

your opinions are extremely valuable. I find it hard to make time to see Angie but that is what I will do.

**Mike** · September 2, 2013, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Big B

your opinions are extremely valuable. I find it hard to make time to see Angie but that is what I will do.

Hopefully she has the D2 or D3's for you to hear.

**Big B** · September 3, 2013, 04:50 AM

I'll call ahead. Do you know of anywhere else they might be?

**Mike** · September 3, 2013, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Big B

I'll call ahead. Do you know of anywhere else they might be?

No. Angie is it - for all of Canada.

**Rhapsody** · September 3, 2013, 10:20 AM

RAIDHO DEALER DISCLAIMER-

Sure I would love to sell a pair of Raidho's etc., BUT being in NYC and having lot's of people visit from all over the globe etc., I am just inviting anyone that is curious and would like to hear either the D1' or D3's. I have the D1's here now and I have a pair of D3's that will be here in about 2 weeks...shipping on Sept. 10 from Denmark. Will need to break in the D3's of course. Again, I am inviting anyone that just wants to hear what the Raidhos sound like, even if they aren't interested in making any type of purchase. I love when people hear them for the first time and are totally blown away. I play the Raidho's with either Goldmund amps, Merrill Audio Veritas amps or Absolare Passion 52 Watt SET amps. Just let me know if anyone ever wants to stop by for a listen. All the best, Bob

**joeinid** · September 3, 2013, 10:26 AM

Bob,

Welcome to the forum. Thank you so much for joining. I was looking at the Absolare tube gear. OMG!
Beautiful.

I would also love to hear some Goldmund amps because I absolutely love my Job 225 amp. I can only imagine going up the Goldmund line.

Originally Posted by Absolare

RAIDHO DEALER DISCLAIMER-

Sure I would love to sell a pair of Raidho's etc., BUT being in NYC and having lot's of people visit from all over the globe etc., I am just inviting anyone that is curious and would like to hear either the D1' or D3's. I have the D1's here now and I have a pair of D3's that will be here in about 2 weeks...shipping on Sept. 10 from Denmark. Will need to break in the D3's of course. Again, I am inviting anyone that just wants to hear what the Raidhos sound like, even if they aren't interested in making any type of purchase. I love when people hear them for the first time and are totally blown away. I play the Raidho's with either Goldmund amps, Merrill Audio Veritas amps or Absolare Passion 52 Watt SET amps. Just let me know if anyone ever wants to stop by for a listen. All the best, Bob

Thread: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Re: Comparison Raidho D3 vs Wilson Audio Alexia's

Posting Permissions