Wilson Sasha 2 North American Debut

**still-one** · January 23, 2014, 04:57 PM

Great news !!! I just received my invitation to the North American debut of Wilson Audio's Sasha 2 speaker. The event will be held at Paragon Sight & Sound in Ann Arbor on February 25th. It sounds like both Peter McGrath and Jerron Marchant from Wilson will be in attendance to set up the speakers and play some music.

I wonder whether they will be using D'Agostino or Audio Research gear that night. I know my preference.

**MDP** · January 23, 2014, 08:08 PM

Let's hope it's the Dag ! Are you going Jim ?

**Mike** · January 23, 2014, 08:13 PM

Looking forward to your impressions Jim. I think the S2 will be a home run!

**socfan12** · January 23, 2014, 08:52 PM

+1!

**highEndguy** · January 23, 2014, 09:18 PM

+2

**still-one** · January 23, 2014, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Let's hope it's the Dag ! Are you going Jim ?

Yep, I have already confirmed my attendance.

**NorthStar** · January 23, 2014, 10:07 PM

Play safe Jim, and don't believe everything everyone is saying; use your own ears to determine all audio parameters.

**Lildebs** · January 24, 2014, 11:09 AM

Larry knows how to throw an event! I am sure it will have a great time

**MDP** · January 24, 2014, 11:28 AM

Have fun Jim ! And let us know your thoughts !!

**Ritmo** · January 25, 2014, 08:10 AM

+5

**Bobvin** · February 6, 2014, 12:29 PM

And just two days later the Sasha v2 will be playing in Seattle @ Definitive Audio's "Music Matters" event. (Feb 27) Hopefully I will have an insurance payment by then for my stolen Sashas and will be able to order up a pair. I am so very much missing my music, and looking forward to setting up the room in our new place.

**dev** · February 6, 2014, 01:06 PM

Wow your Sasha's got stolen - sorry to hear that. When did that happen? Kindly provide spec's of the colour along with serial number just encase they show up for sale at some point. Did anything else get stolen?

Will be curious once everything settles and learn the differences between the V2's and Alexia's?

**tunes** · February 6, 2014, 01:24 PM

Bobvin
Wow, that is terrible! Really hope your insurance doesn't give you the run around. Yes, as dev mentioned, it would be good to circulate the info. Chris

**Bobvin** · February 6, 2014, 04:40 PM

This all happened back in early December as my wife and I were moving from Seattle to Portland. I mentioned in some other threads.

The moving van that contained the contents of my garage (which included the crated up Sashas and some other audio gear) was stolen when the moving co. crew stopped for the night in Tacoma, WA.

I just got a note from the detective assigned to the case... he said at this point there isn't much likelihood of any recovery. So it'll be between us and insurance company at this point.

Sasha's were candy apple red, serials 0939/0940. (not sure how to make the image appear full size.)

Attachment 4823
I'm guessing some meth-heads are rocking out with no idea what they have. They'll probably fall through the drivers in a crazed stupor and that'll be the end of a great pair of speakers!

**Mike** · February 6, 2014, 04:50 PM

Bob - they will show up sooner or later on Audiogon. Keep looking. Bastards.

**MDP** · February 6, 2014, 06:55 PM

Bob, I hope you get to order those new speakers soon !!

Has your insurance said that they will cover them ?

**Bobvin** · February 7, 2014, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Bob, I hope you get to order those new speakers soon !!

Has your insurance said that they will cover them ?

The moving company carries the insurance in this case, but my wife is now "kind'f a big deal" so they've already been leaning on the ins. co. to settle the claim quickly. But we are just now finished the list of what was taken, so I expect they'll settle fairly quickly. (But my-oh-my a collection of audio gear acquired over the last few years sure adds up to a big number!)

When I do get the new speakers, can I petition your avatar to come set them up, dressed as she is

(My dealer does a nice job setting up Wilson speakers, but he might need some help. I'll be happy to just sit back and watch.)

**NorthStar** · February 7, 2014, 02:58 PM

Everything's going to be alright.

**Myles B. Astor** · February 9, 2014, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by still-one

Great news !!! I just received my invitation to the North American debut of Wilson Audio's Sasha 2 speaker. The event will be held at Paragon Sight & Sound in Ann Arbor on February 25th. It sounds like both Peter McGrath and Jerron Marchant from Wilson will be in attendance to set up the speakers and play some music.

I wonder whether they will be using D'Agostino or Audio Research gear that night. I know my preference.

Anyone going should remember to RSVP:

734:662-3595 or info@paragonsns.com.

**Mike** · February 21, 2014, 08:40 PM

Tick...tock....tick....tock.

**tunes** · February 21, 2014, 10:25 PM

The sasha 2 will also be at the montreal show next month.

**Bobvin** · February 24, 2014, 09:20 PM

Any Sharks planning to visit the Definitive Audio "music matters" event this thursday? I will be up from Portland to spend a little time with the Alexias in the Bellevue store earlier in the day. Would love to meet fellow Sharks at the Sasha2 debut.

**socfan12** · February 24, 2014, 09:24 PM

Great to hear, Bob! Have fun, and please report back!

Are you committed to the Alexias at this point or Sashas Series 2 still a possibility?

**Mike** · February 24, 2014, 09:27 PM

Tomorrow is the big day? Looking forward to your thoughts Jim (and anyone else attending).

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

**Bobvin** · February 24, 2014, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by socfan12

Great to hear, Bob! Have fun, and please report back!

Are you committed to the Alexias at this point or Sashas Series 2 still a possibility?

I'm committed to the demo Alexias, unless Thursday's visit unveils some un-reported flaw. While I expect the new Sasha2 will be amazing, I completely expect the Alexias, once installed in my room, will provide a higher degree of refinement and musical joy. But to be sure, Sashas are fully capable of delivering musical joy. I just expect the Alexia will take it up a notch.

The hard part will be getting to know them in a new room, with new gears, and a lot of room finessing to be done. I expect it'll be until next winter that I have things fully dialed in.

**MDP** · February 24, 2014, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

I'm committed to the demo Alexias, unless Thursday's visit unveils some un-reported flaw. While I expect the new Sasha2 will be amazing, I completely expect the Alexias, once installed in my room, will provide a higher degree of refinement and musical joy. But to be sure, Sashas are fully capable of delivering musical joy. I just expect the Alexia will take it up a notch.

The hard part will be getting to know them in a new room, with new gears, and a lot of room finessing to be done. I expect it'll be until next winter that I have things fully dialed in.

Everything will turn out beautiful !

**Bobvin** · February 24, 2014, 11:28 PM

Thanks Mark. Much appreciate the nice sentiment. What I put together in our previous home is greatly missed. While getting new gear has its upside, the downside is this hiatus from listening -- the very thing that, for me, eases the stresses of daily life.

**Bobvin** · February 25, 2014, 12:07 AM

Hey all, I would greatly appreciate suggestions for a test track with some serious bass I could take with me on a thumb drive for my upcoming Alexia visit. I'll be taking a small collection of favorite tracks, but no vinyl. I will probably take along some cuts from Dead Can Dance "Spirit Chaser" and I like stuff in that vein, but I'm terrible at remembering what tracks have particular sounds — I get lost in the music.

**Lildebs** · February 25, 2014, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

Hey all, I would greatly appreciate suggestions for a test track with some serious bass I could take with me on a thumb drive for my upcoming Alexia visit. I'll be taking a small collection of favorite tracks, but no vinyl. I will probably take along some cuts from Dead Can Dance "Spirit Chaser" and I like stuff in that vein, but I'm terrible at remembering what tracks have particular sounds — I get lost in the music.

Wilson Audiophile album "Winds of War and Peace" - Olympic Fanfare. Just sayin'

Might not have the type of bass you are looking for, but the bass drum on it is tight and clean. Was one of the tracks my dad used to demo the XLF's with Thor's Hammers at 2013 RMAF (video is here: The Alexandria XLF at RMAF - YouTube )

**NorthStar** · February 25, 2014, 01:25 AM

Just to quickly name two ::

**Mike** · February 25, 2014, 06:51 AM

Jennifer Warnes - way down deep.

**MDP** · February 25, 2014, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Jennifer Warnes - way down deep.

+1

**Bobvin** · February 25, 2014, 05:16 PM

Excellent, thanks guys. I have it on vinyl, I'll see if its in the music library at the shop.

**still-one** · February 26, 2014, 10:36 AM

Last evening I attended the North American Premier of the Sasha 2 speakers at Paragon Sight and Sound in Ann Arbor. Wilson Audio's Peter McGrath and Jerron Marchant were on hand to discuss the updated speaker and to demonstrate its capabilities. Also in attendance was John Quick Sales Manager for dCS America.

The associated gear used to demonstrate the Sasha 2 included: D'Agostino's Momentum stereo amp, the Momentum pre-amp, the 4 unit dCS Vivaldi stack including transport, DAC, clock and upsampler, all connected with Transparent cables.

According to Jerron the Sasha 2's are currently priced at $29,500. Peter later mentioned that a price increase is anticipated this spring/summer.

I am sure I am leaving out some of the differences between the original Sasha and the 2 that Peter mentioned but here are a few. The most obvious is the switch to a version of the silk dome Convergent Synergy Tweeter which had its debut in the XLF's. The speaker/listener set-up should be more precise as the "2" has 42 available settings rather than the 3 in the Sasha. Although the bass cabinet looks the same tools that were not available when the Sasha was introduced have allowed Wilson to add internal bracing to specific areas that reduce cabinet resonance by ~34%. Last, where the load on the original Sasha dipped as low 1.8 ohms, Peter indicated the Sasha 2's low was around 3 with a nominal 5.

I was never a big proponent of the Sasha's. I didn't dislike them nor was I enthralled by their performance. The Sasha 2 does sound like a different speaker. In my mind more capable in the bass, and richer in the mids.

Sorry about the photos. I used the on camera flash and had some issues sizing for the site.

Diplay.JPG DSC_0883.JPG Tweeter.JPG SideView.JPG DCSStck.JPG

**Bobvin** · February 26, 2014, 10:57 AM

I'll have to say, looks-wise, they've gone from covered trash cans (v1) to hooded monks

**Mike** · February 26, 2014, 11:09 AM

Thanks for sharing Jim, I really like the looks of the new Sasha 2's. Can you make any kind of comparison to the Alexia's you have heard? Similar in what ways, different in what ways?

**still-one** · February 26, 2014, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks for sharing Jim, I really like the looks of the new Sasha 2's. Can you make any kind of comparison to the Alexia's you have heard? Similar in what ways, different in what ways?

Mike
I also like the looks of the newer model.

Without hearing them for an extended period my first thoughts are that they did sound similar to Alexia's. More so than the original Sasha. That said I think those who own Sasha's are better qualified to make a definitive judgement.

**Ritmo** · February 26, 2014, 09:53 PM

Thanks for posting Jim! Very good info. Look forward to more comments.

**Lildebs** · February 27, 2014, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

Hey all, I would greatly appreciate suggestions for a test track with some serious bass I could take with me on a thumb drive for my upcoming Alexia visit. I'll be taking a small collection of favorite tracks, but no vinyl. I will probably take along some cuts from Dead Can Dance "Spirit Chaser" and I like stuff in that vein, but I'm terrible at remembering what tracks have particular sounds — I get lost in the music.

This song sounds AMAZING on the XLF's with the Thor's Hammers - LOVE IT!!

Dadawa "Sister Drum" - YouTube

**Mike** · February 27, 2014, 09:32 PM

Thanks Debby.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

**socfan12** · February 27, 2014, 09:45 PM

Thanks for sharing, Jim. Great photos. Like Mike, interested in hearing from others as well.

**NorthStar** · February 27, 2014, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Lildebs

This song sounds AMAZING on the XLF's with the Thor's Hammers - LOVE IT!!

Oh I luv it too! ...Great bass foundation.

**Lildebs** · February 28, 2014, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by NorthStar

Oh I luv it too! ...Great bass foundation.

Oh yeah!!!

**highEndguy** · March 19, 2014, 04:39 PM

I just Sold 1 pair of Sasha2
with Mezzo CS and Watch Surrounds

**Mike** · March 19, 2014, 04:45 PM

Woohoo! Congrats Nelson!!

**joeinid** · March 19, 2014, 04:46 PM

+1

Happy dance

Originally Posted by Mike

Woohoo! Congrats Nelson!!

**Bobvin** · March 19, 2014, 05:07 PM

You d'man! There must be a lot of good music playing in the Dom. Rep. with Nelson selling gears. Nice!

**socfan12** · March 19, 2014, 05:46 PM

Congrats, Nelson! I'm sure the first of many!

**jax4736** · March 19, 2014, 09:14 PM

My own pair was delivered to the house last Friday. I traded in my Sophia 3's. Quite a step up. Love the more pronounced bass, improved imaging, and especially the new tweeter. The sound is Alexia-like.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**joeinid** · March 19, 2014, 09:54 PM

Congratulations on the new Sasha2!

Thread: Wilson Sasha 2 North American Debut