TAS 194: Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX 3 Loudspeaker
A Trickle-Down Alexandria X-2?
August 19th, 2009 -- by Jacob HeilbrunnSource: The Absolute Sound
But it won’t, of course, come cheap. As Count Basie says on one of his recordings, “One more time, once more,” by which I wish to plead indulgence for what is truly the final anecdote: When my father, who has a modest system, listened to a classical cut on the MAXX 3, he quietly asked after it ended, “How much do these speakers cost?” I answered, “$68,000.” Without missing a beat, he responded, “I guess that’s what it takes to get this kind of sound.”
Yes, it does.
SPECS & PRICING
Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX 3 floorstanding loudspeaker
Drivers: 11" and 13" woofers, 6" midrange, 1" inverted dome tweeter
Frequency response: 19.5Hz–22.5 kHz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Sensitivity: 91dB
Dimensions: 68" x 16" x 24"
Weight: 450 lbs./speaker
Price: $68,000/pr.
Wilson Audio Specialties
2233 Mountain Vista Lane
Provo, Utah 84606
(801) 377-2233
www.wilsonaudio.com
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT:
Continuum Caliburn Turntable: Cobra tonearm; AirTight Supreme and Lyra Titan mono cartridges; Playback Designs CD player; Einstein, MK II and Messenger preamplifiers; Tom Tutay four-chassis custom active tubed crossover; Nagra VPS phonostage; Wotan monoblock and Classé Omega amplifiers; Jena Labs Valkyre and Audience cabling; Isoclean Supreme Focus power cords; Magnepan 20.1 loudspeaker.
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Comments
"Despite their reputation for boom and sizzle, the MAXXs never seemed splashy or to have a hebephrenic quality. Instead, they are almost conservatively voiced."
Hebephrenic?
In the middle of a reasonably straightforward review, Mr. Heilbrunn felt it necessary to show off arcane vocabulary knowledge with a word that would confuse 99% of his reading audience. This doesn't serve any purpose other than an attempt at intellectual superiority. An attempt that fails when one realizes the word wasn't even an appropriate or best fitting one for the purpose. Hebephrenic indicates a medical condition of schizophrenia typified by delusions, hallucinations, foolish mannerisms, incoherence, or inappropriate laughter. It is not synonymous with splashiness, boom and sizzle, nor is it an antonym for conservative voicing. Unless of course, Mr Heilbrunn has had difficulties in the past with loudspeakers demonstrating hallucinations and outbursts of laughter.
I am not averse to multisyllabic words in spoken or written communications. But they should enhance the understanding of the topic by their singular appropriateness for the communicative task, and not be used as a parlor game of "I know something you don't."
yeah.....what he said
Hmmmm. Hebephrenic Schizophrenia speakers!
Perhaps you have an Axis II disorder?
Yeah....well, you used "antonym". ;)
Well written and entertaining review. Especially appreciated the comparisons between Maxx2's, Maxx3's and the Alexandria. Very succinct analysis of just where this new Maxx3 fits in and what to expect based on experience with the Maxx2....which is very helpful when considering upgrading for us Maxx2 owners.