[cop1s]

Can we compare the SoundScape 8 to the Wilson Sophia 2 ???

[neekomax]

I was all excited when I saw the thread title, like 'oooo, someone compared SS 8s to Sophias, cool...'

 

Yes, someone please do.

[R Swerdlow]

At the Capitol Audio Fest 2 years ago, I heard the SoundScape 10 and what I believe is the Wilson Sasha.  The Wilson web site shows the Sasha W/P and the Sophia 3, and what I saw that day had 2 woofers (each roughly 7") in the lower cabinet like the Sasha.

Both rooms in that hotel were the same large size, roughly 25'×25', and the Salk and Wilson rooms were right next to each other, allowing for nearly direct comparisons.  In my opinion, it wasn't close.  I thought the SS 10 was without question the best speaker I've heard, and the Wilson was so very bright sounding that I had to leave the room before long.  The bass seemed good, but the upper ranges were voiced too hot.  In the short time I listened to it, I couldn't make any other observations or impression because of it's unpleasant – almost painful – bright sound.

The SS8 is a somewhat less expensive version of the SS10, but they share midrange, tweeter, designers, and the resulting voicing.  I don't know if the Sasha is similar to the Sophia.

[audiotom]

I experienced the same issues.

Caveat. - I have not heard the SS8 but own HT3s and SS10s

At Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in 2010 the Soundscape 12s were so much more natural.  Both wilsons were featured in a number of manufacturers rooms with great equipment driving them.  They were revealing, but their tonal balance is completely off. Shrill.  Acoustic instruments had no body and prescence.

I bought Soundscape 10s.

[mark funk]

I have heard all of the above, I'am not very good on writing revues. All I can say is I own Salk 


                                                                                                                                   

[Austin08]

I have the SS8s for more than a year and I also listened the Wilson Sophia and Max at my house for several week. Here is my take,

All speakers project a very deep, 3D and focus center image. The Wilsons seem to be faster but cold cut on the top end seem too analytical for me. On the bottom end, the Wilson is more authorative. Between the these 3 speakers the Wlison Max got more slam and dynamic. To me, the Salk is more refine from top to bottom. It never call attention to itself. vocal sounds so real and much more natural than the Sophia or Max. While the bass of Wilson brother has a little more weight but the Salk still win over at the end for better bass distribution around the room. I could live happy with the Wilsons if I know nothing about the Salk.IMO, the sound of Wilson speaker is like the city life - rush,busy, modern clean cut while the Salk is more on the open relax country side.

[PMAT]

  : Greeeen acres is the place to bee....  Plus Salk gives you great wood.

[won ton on]

Gee and the dead tree rags fall all over themselves saying how great Wilson speakers are (i'm sure they are).All the while ignoring Salk's,i guess it just shows how advertising affects reviews.I really enjoy my HT-2 TL'S and if i had the room and budget i'd go for ss 12's.

[tonyptony]

I have much the same opinion regarding Wilsons. I've heard many of them at shows, the Max in a friend's home, and others in (I assume) well set up store demos. Never really did anything for me. Have many impressive parts (in terms of sound), but the whole picture put together just never seemed right. I will say, however, that at this year's NYAS I was finally mightily impressed when I heard the Alexias in the Innovative room driven by D'Agostino gear. IMO that was a Wilson setup I'd finally consider buying - if I had that kind of money!

I think the Soundscapes produce a more coherent sense of realism in the balance, even if one would argue Wilsons do certain bits and pieces better.

[cop1s]

Thank you for all your comments

[Dave Littel]

At the Capitol Audio Fest 2 years ago, I heard the SoundScape 10 and what I believe is the Wilson Sasha.  The Wilson web site shows the Sasha W/P and the Sophia 3, and what I saw that day had 2 woofers (each roughly 7") in the lower cabinet like the Sasha.

Both rooms in that hotel were the same large size, roughly 25'×25', and the Salk and Wilson rooms were right next to each other, allowing for nearly direct comparisons. 

Hate to be a spoiler but I think its very difficult to make a comparison between two speakers in different rooms. The overall sound and especially the bass character just changes radically from room to room even where the rooms are roughly the same size. I was at that same event and was struck by how hard it was to make any meaningful comparisons between speakers because of room differences.

Don't get me wrong, I would put my money on the Soundscapes, but I think a real comparo between world class speakers would have to be done in the same room. (And I doubt the Wilson folks are anxious to set that up any time soon.)