Scaena Sound vs. Wilson Sound - Which one sounds more like attending a live concert or a jazz show?
Music Lover -- Thu, 08/04/2011 - 17:18
I was wondering if anyone here has heard both speakers and can compare/ contrast their sonic attributes. What I like about both is that they are both fairly efficient, as I like tubes. As a personal bias, I really like the Alexandria, but I am wondering if Scaena does some things better or presents things more realistically. And how good is that Scaena driver?
Also, please don't turn this into a "dick waggling contest". For some reason, when audiophiles hear the word "Wilson" or "Magico", all hell breaks loose. I think at that level, all brands are pretty damn good. It's just a matter of finding one's flavour. I am just interested in people's impressions and rational arguments back and forth. Thanks!
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The Alexandria is a good speaker, however it lacks some of the resolution and coherence, especially in the mids and highs, of some other speakers which shall go nameless. The Scaena is completely different. Imaging is one of its strong points, while sonic integration of the bass bins with the towers is tricky at best and something I am afraid some would never be successful and happy with. My recommendation is keep looking and listening.
Brian Walsh
Essential Audio ~ Chicago area ~ 773-809-HIFI (4434)
Music,
These are truely very different types of speakers. Scaena is a line source and Wilson is not. They have different characteristics and a very different presentation of the sound and space the sound was created in. I personally have a long time love of dipoles, stats, planars and line sources. I have owned many of these and I prefer the presentation they , in general, make. I listen to a lot of live music and they do in my opinion a better job. I have heard although not recently the different Scaena models and had the smaller ones a few years ago in my store. A purchase of that size is significant and it needs to fit your room and your ears to get the best result. You need to discuss the room and any limitations there, especially with the Wilson, listen to both and if you can't do it yourself make sure that someone who is an expert install and set up either.
In a good room both can certainly work however they are very different and what I would like may not be your choice.For my taste the choice would be very easy however you may feel differently.
Line source speakers have many inherent advantages over point sources. Most specifically, the virtually eliminate the floor and ceiling reflection- taking more of your rooms sound out of the equation. Also, since they must be fairly large, and there is virtually no dispersion above and below the line itself (above around 450 hz or so), they are usually pretty effortless sounding, as there is a lot of surface area. Also, the sound is pretty much the same at any height, as long as you are in front of the line- something that is very different with a point source- they are very different, depending on height as the dispersion of all the drivers change based on your listening height. In my opinion, once you start listening to really good line sources- it's tough to go back.
Do real research and listening. Don't trust reputations and reviewers. Learn about how speakers operate and what the theory of each is. Although it's ultimately about how it sounds to you, the more you learn about the fundamentals , the easier it will be able to wade through the bs and get to the facts. You may be surprised where the journey leads you.
Thanks for the great advice. I have always loved the larger speakers as they throw a wall of sound at you, and I have never been able to connect with smaller, expensive speakers such as Magico.
If my memory serves me correctly, HP loved the bass of the Scaenas for both its accuracy and impact. I have no doubt this can be set up right by someone who knows what they are doing, such as a company sales rep. The biggest question for me is: how good are Scaena's midrange drivers? Just like adjusting to the comfort of a car seat when changing cars, I guess it depends on what you are used to. To me, the Alexandria is just fine (and for many, it's too much with SS amps). To borrow a quote from Michael Fremer, I don't need to see my porn in the highest hi-def resolution. But at the same time, if the Scaena driver is too "lossy", it's good to know.
You might want to check out Paul Bolin's comments on The Audio Beat webzine on the Wilson Alexandria and the less than half the price Scaena model 3 at CES 2011.
He loved them both.
www.theaudiobeat.com/ces2011/ces2011_paul_3.htm
I dont think that is the case. You should go somewhere to hear them and my best advise is to call the company and see who they suggesthas what you need to hear and also has a real quality set up. Go Knock on HP's door :)( only kidding!!!!
I just spent few days with the new Wisdom Audio LS4's. Planar magnetic line sources with 100 db sensitivity. A totally different leauge of resolution and continuity from cone and dome speakers - not real very close. I have alot of personal experience with the Alexandria, but not with the Scaena, but I do like that it is at least a line array - which really helps take some of the room sound out.