Chronosonic XVX.

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Wow. Put any of these in a system with a Wadax combo and I'd need sunglasses just to sit in the room to listen (which would surely be a delight). Whatever happened to good old basic black? I must be getting too old....
surely this is an early April 1st message.

not that some of them don't look 'cool'....but you would assume you would get tired of it if you actually listened to your system much. OTOH maybe the interior decorator has a certain look they want for each season?
 

carl13

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Highlights & Features of the #ChronosonicXVX 4 Seasons Winter Version:
- New "Glacier Frost” Premium Pearl color
- Fractal design resistor panel glass
- White and Blue themed cable dressing
- Light blue Cerakote metal finish
- Blue tinted carbon fiber crossover housing
 
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andromedaaudio

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Wilson is flashy .
May be they should make a deal with the hotel chain .
Get them in the lobby or coffee bar playing back ground music
 

marty

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Apr 20, 2010
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surely this is an early April 1st message.

not that some of them don't look 'cool'....but you would assume you would get tired of it if you actually listened to your system much. OTOH maybe the interior decorator has a certain look they want for each season?
Ha!
If I really wanted dynamic lighting for the Wilson's I don't think you would need the spectacular LED technology the Chinese put on display for the opening ceremonies. I would get the speakers in a highly reflective white and use simple LED projectors or even a couple of inexpensive Philips computer controlled "Hue" lighting fixtures to enable projection of a tremendous array of whatever color strikes your fancy any time of day in any season. Of course, my approach is just the opposite as I want the speaker to disappear into darkness. I ordered my Alexx V in the flattest black offered and asked for the most non-reflective aluminum finish they could produce for the metalwork. It met my objectives.

Doesn't change the facts buddy...we're still gettin' old! Unfortunately, that's not going away on April 1st.
 
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microstrip

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(...) I ordered my Alexx V in the flattest black offered and asked for the most non-reflective aluminum finish they could produce for the metalwork. It met my objectives.

My XLF's are Designo Mocha Black - I was told it is the same color as Mercedes uses in their S Class, also with non reflective black hardware. The mocha hue helps getting velvet black backgrounds in music. :) Although I prefer Wilson's in black in my room, I love seeing them in great colors in other people rooms.
 
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LL21

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Dec 26, 2010
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My XLF's are Designo Mocha Black - I was told it is the same color as Mercedes uses in their S Class, also with non reflective black hardware. The mocha hue helps getting velvet black backgrounds in music. :) Although I prefer Wilson's in black in my room, I love seeing them in great colors in other people rooms.
Great stuff...we elected to have ours painted GT Silver (is that Porsche GT Silver? Not sure...we just liked the color) to match the walls and blend in a bit more than the stark Black of our X1s which did stand out quite a bit in comparison.

The greater 'finish/polish' of the overall build, smoother curves also helps soften the visual of the speaker in the room in addition to the color.

Still big and certainly noticeable...but still far less so than the piano-gloss Black of old.
 

Mike Lavigne

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 25, 2010
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Ha!
If I really wanted dynamic lighting for the Wilson's I don't think you would need the spectacular LED technology the Chinese put on display for the opening ceremonies. I would get the speakers in a highly reflective white and use simple LED projectors or even a couple of inexpensive Philips computer controlled "Hue" lighting fixtures to enable projection of a tremendous array of whatever color strikes your fancy any time of day in any season. Of course, my approach is just the opposite as I want the speaker to disappear into darkness. I ordered my Alexx V in the flattest black offered and asked for the most non-reflective aluminum finish they could produce for the metalwork. It met my objectives.

Doesn't change the facts buddy...we're still gettin' old! Unfortunately, that's not going away on April 1st.
so true.

we are experienced. ;)
 
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still-one

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Aug 6, 2012
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Wow. Put any of these in a system with a Wadax combo and I'd need sunglasses just to sit in the room to listen (which would surely be a delight). Whatever happened to good old basic black? I must be getting too old....
I thought basic black speakers died along with the '80's.
 
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sbnx

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The whole upgraded paint cost is pretty crazy. $30K for paint? The prep work is already done and the speaker has to get painted anyway. Where is the $30K?

One could take the speakers to a custom auto paint place and get anything you want for much less than that. I am thinking a chrome finish with a red candy with a nice topcoat. The finish would look 3 feet deep. But of course I guess most people who would spend $300K on speakers just want "turn key".
 

microstrip

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The whole upgraded paint cost is pretty crazy. $30K for paint? The prep work is already done and the speaker has to get painted anyway. Where is the $30K?

One could take the speakers to a custom auto paint place and get anything you want for much less than that. I am thinking a chrome finish with a red candy with a nice topcoat. The finish would look 3 feet deep. But of course I guess most people who would spend $300K on speakers just want "turn key".

Surely 30k is a lot of money - remember we are paying high-end margins on paint!

The whole painting process for a custom paint is different from the standard one. My speakers have a golden micro pigment that must be uniform in the more than 15 separate parts of the speaker. I looks really great on sunshine - just a hue that makes if less apparent in high-light. This custom finish is also lot more robust than the standard one. Painting them at a local painter is a nightmare. You must disassemble the whole speaker, remove and replace the many front felts. Besides it will strongly devaluate the speaker if someday you want to sell it.
 

sbnx

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Most of these "custom" colors from Wilson are going to make the market for potential buyers much smaller. Not everyone wants "fly yellow" or "Bright Orange" speakers. The best resale is likely going to be a variant of black or grey or silver.

I agree, taking the speaker apart to paint it isn't easy. When I speak of custom paint shop I mean the guys (or girls) who paint custom hot rods. Something like the pic... Wilson's paint work is nice but not compared to what is possible.
 

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microstrip

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Are there any performance upgrades, or is it just paint?

Just paint. But owner satisfaction bias is surely a form of performance upgrade!
 

still-one

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They use special audiophile paint .lol.
The paint has been stored in a anechoic chamber for 10 years before being spraypainted on
Some people spend $30k on Pearl Paint while others spend that $30k on a music server. That's just how this hobby has been for years.
 

LL21

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Dec 26, 2010
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I think extra special paint and extra special pricing seems par for more than just the audio industry. I know nothing about cars...looks like Ferrari will charge $28K for a custom paint job. Even basic ready to choose upgrade options can cost an extra $10K.

I imagine special paint jobs are generally more coming from the manufacturer than going to a shop specialist. Basic check up and changing the oil on a Rolls Royce used to be $1000 or something nuts...sure, it was a special mineral oil, etc, etc..and they pick up the car for you, leave a loaner and drop it off again...but that's the cost of the luxury package the whole experience comes wrapped up in.

Personally, i have tried to stay away from 'some of those added expenses'...but lets face it...high end audio is a MASSIVE premium by ordinary standards where people think the camera and the music basically come for nothing when you buy any phone these days.
 

andromedaaudio

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Jan 23, 2011
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Wilsons fit n finish is excellent .
And regarding the special 4 seasoms finish ...
It probably serves as a bit of marketing too .
Like see what we can do / offer
 

XV-1

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2010
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Surely 30k is a lot of money - remember we are paying high-end margins on paint!

The whole painting process for a custom paint is different from the standard one. My speakers have a golden micro pigment that must be uniform in the more than 15 separate parts of the speaker. I looks really great on sunshine - just a hue that makes if less apparent in high-light. This custom finish is also lot more robust than the standard one. Painting them at a local painter is a nightmare. You must disassemble the whole speaker, remove and replace the many front felts. Besides it will strongly devaluate the speaker if someday you want to sell it.

A lot of people wrap their speakers, just like they do with cars.

This solution is a hell of a lot cheaper alternative and reversible.

30k additional is a joke.
 
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