Great stuff, wizard. Looks like a pair ordered for Tony Stark... (Iron Man for those don't follow Marvel Comics)
I don't know , never heard rockport , but since you asked , ....woofer height does matter image wise imo , besides off course membrane surface
Great stuff...in a room 18x33, I am hoping the Altair would match the Arrakis in scale...particular if, being a bass freak (think deep house), I had dual subs...much friendlier than gi-normous (though stunning) 6'9" towers each weighing 1,000 pounds...sounds like they might just do it.So I have some interesting experiences here. Being a former Wilson Maxx 3 owner (that did raise the woofers up and midrange/tweeter/midrange also higher up). Plus I have been able to hear the Arrakis several times at Arnie's house.
So with that context...The Altair 2 does image height better than the Maxx 3. That was my sole reservation when I was swapping speakers if I'd miss that driver arrangement. I do not...the Altair's being better integrated also.
The Arrakis defineately has better bass control at Arnie's home...could also be his 4 vtl amps vs my 2 ayres. And Arnie has subs. But I can't say his does image height better. I do think Arnies does images better to the outsides of each speaker. Again...is this the speaker or something upstream? Or the speaker controlling the room better? Now I really have great images outside of my speakers...just Arnies is a bit better.
I guess on membrane you're talking woofer cone material? The Altairs go deeper than the Maxx 3's, better articulation...The Maxx 3 has a punch and drive to the bass...where as the Rockports it's just naturally part of the music. I could see some liking the Wilson bass...I listen to a lot of jazz (think bill evans) and small ensembles on classical...like a piano/cello duet. Music choices and your room could make it interesting...to me I like the Rockports...
Great stuff...in a room 18x33, I am hoping the Altair would match the Arrakis in scale...particular if, being a bass freak (think deep house), I had dual subs...much friendlier than gi-normous (though stunning) 6'9" towers each weighing 1,000 pounds...sounds like they might just do it.
Fantastic...I forgot that you'd used Rives. I wonder if much of height is the speaker being in a room that ALLOWS it to portray height and generally scale. 18' feet is very different than 8'. And both the genesis 1.1 room and Arrakis room had at least 10-12 foot ceilings...
Yes I admire Wilson for this a lot. I also am waiting on any major speaker changes til we know long term if we are staying or moving. That ceiling height sounds like it will be important.Good point...I sure the room height has something to do with it...and how the ceiling is treated...just thinking...i might be wrong here..but a large speaker with a 8 ft ceiling maybe worse...unless you treat it right...Steve's room, I've seen his pics...and heard from friends that have visiting...his speakers are close to the walls...but expert treatment (and I am sure the adjustability of the Wilson's is a winner.
This is a key advantage of Wilson speakers...the adjustability...if your room needs it...
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