Wilson Audio putting the hammer down on bass

There's nothing like a postcard from the truly high end of audio to put things in perspective. With product names like "WATT Puppy" (back in the day, complete with cables called "Puppy Tails"), you might take Wilson Audio lightly. Mistake, friends -- witness their latest assault on the low end of the audio spectrum, the "Thor's Hammer" subwoofer. Dual 15-inch drivers housed in the 4-foot tall phenolic cabinet plumb the depths down to 15Hz, and the package comes in at a meaty 412-pounds (without the amplifier!). That's right, your $21,000 doesn't include an amplifier. But if you can afford this beast, we're guessing that cranking one up in your listening room will shake loose the required coinage from your sofa. Might we suggest something along the lines of Bryston, perhaps?

[Via AudioJunkies]

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 12:14AM]

Those are 2, 15" woofers, which means the two woofers are 30" tall. How can the WHOLE thing be 48" tall? Looks more like 5-6' tall.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 1:02AM]

I'd rather spend just $1,000 and go down to 15Hz using these:

http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=189&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 4:28AM]

If you hit the link to the Wilson Audio site, they give dimensions. 59" tall.

tl - those ports probably are close to 6" diameter, and to make just one make audible air flow you would be so over powered by the woofer output you would never know.

Needless to say, 21k for two custom 15" drivers and an automotive finished high end cabinet... sounds exactly like Wilson Audio.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 1:28AM]

Two 15" drivers in a ported cabinet. For $21,000. Ridiculous.

Two 15" one-off TC built monsters: $700
Two custom built cabinets: $250
Total savings: $20,050

DIY FTW!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 1:36AM]

On another note, what are those ports? 6 inch? If those drivers are capable of any kind of displacement those ports are going to chuff like mad..

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 9:14AM]

Wilson Audio is beyond the point of diminishing returns when it comes to home theater. However there equipments looks pretty bad ass and not only functional, but also piece of art. I could never justify buying their speakers, I would gladly take them for free though.

I will have to stick with my Paradigm Studios for now and possibly Paradigm Signature or B&W Nautilus 800 series down the road, but that is going to be my cap for spending on speakers and even then, $5k per pair is kind of pricey for me.

However, if I did win the lotto or something, I would hunt down a pair of the B&W Nautilus, I am sure they sound great, but they would also be a cool conversation piece!

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1729&terid=2003

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 9:19AM]

If you are buying Wilson Audio, I am not sure Bryston is exactly a true match to obscene amount of money for a amp. I consider Bryston obtainable in my home theater quest, $3k for a 2 channel amp (4B SST) that should last you a life time is really a drop in the bucket, especially with their 20 year warranty.

Maybe those Krell Mono-blocks that put out 350 watts and are something like $6,000. You however will have to buy a room for the amps alone...

http://www.avrev.com/gifs/krell350/krell_350_amp.gif

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2008 9:45AM]

the watch dog sub is also very nice, Wilson makes the best speakers on the planet in my opinion, the Maxx 2 were the best sounding speakers I have heard, they were also hooked up to the levinson 51 and 33 amps but hey they sure did sound nice. You do get much better value out of the paradigm signature stuff for home theater. But you could also look at Wilson Sophia's they hold their own. Also Sonus Faber Cremona stuff is really nice, I got to hear this stuff hooked up to some Classe gear, very nice.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 2:37PM]

Actually, this sub is half the size/weight of the previous model, the XS: http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/wilson_xs_sub.htm

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 5th 2008 7:41PM]

but, this one goes up to 11!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2008 1:41PM]

The Krell MRS is in my opinion the best subwoofer in the world. Why? Electronics are as important as the drivers because the signal can be degraded by the crossover as it passes to the main speakers. Krell electronics do not degrade the audio signal at all. "Cheap" subwoofers contain cheap electronics. Some folks have power cords more expensive than $1000 subwoofers.