That Daryl has been involved in almost 40 Wilson Audio designs is an indicator that Wilson is more forward looking than most realize. Thinking of something is only the first part of creating the solution.
Is Wilson losing their marketing edge?
- Thread starter caesar
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That Daryl has been involved in almost 40 Wilson Audio designs is an indicator that Wilson is more forward looking than most realize. Thinking of something is only the first part of creating the solution.
While that is a very kind assessment Steve, Peter is my mentor in this industry. I went to work for Peter in 1978 at Sound Components. Replace him? There is no replacement. There will ultimately be someone else somewhere down the line but not soon. Peter isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Anyone who saw him in action at Orchestra Hall this weekend in Chicago could easily see that.
The latest Wilson speakers are really impressive imo, and that XLF demo a few years ago at RMAF was spectacular. In general, I've noticed the performance of large dynamic floorstanders has been converging for years, and there are a lot of good choices. But Wilson has the advantage of being the Mercedes of high end dynamic speakers, I don't see that changing. They don't need marketing to keep brand consciousness alive like smaller companies do. An enviable position, but one justly earned as well imo.
Peter mc grath did a very nice demo in Rotterdam in 2005. , one of the nicest I can remember, I just got into (expensive ) HI fi then (couple of years )
Maxx. 2. ML 32 , halcro DM 68 and the double box wadia front end ,it was also the first time I heard a tape deck, he demonstrated with a tiny nagra .
One of my favourite amplification set ups period.
Maxx. 2. ML 32 , halcro DM 68 and the double box wadia front end ,it was also the first time I heard a tape deck, he demonstrated with a tiny nagra .
One of my favourite amplification set ups period.
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Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I saw him do the same demo in Las Vegas at CES. It was the best audio demo I have ever seen or heard
I think between the financial meltdown a few years back and so many reviewers dumping wilsons for magicos made them better.
Although it's very easy for reviewers to go with the hurd and reflexively award every speaker "best of show", "product of the year", no company can leave it's brand alone. If you are not actively marketing your brand, the consumers and fans are talking about your brand to their friends and online. In effect, all these conversations are co-evolving the brand meaning, whether you are engaged or not. If you are not engaged, danger lurks...
Why so worried about what reviewers think , thought you past that stage long time ago .
Regarding demos , giving top demos is an art , not very many posses it , i ve heard a handfull exeptional ones , all very expirienced guys.
Regarding demos , giving top demos is an art , not very many posses it , i ve heard a handfull exeptional ones , all very expirienced guys.
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At Axpona 2018, 2 dueling Wilson dealers had taken over the entire first floor of the hotel. One was able to hear virtually every model of Wilson speakers, except for the wammy...
But at RMAF 2018, I did not see a single wilson speaker... while Magico had 3 rooms, with the CAT /Magico s 5 v 2 room sounding outstanding ...
But never fear... the wilson influence is still strong... Wilson nearly swept the speaker awards with the wammy and alexia v 2 winning in the $15K + categories... the only other speaker brand to win was B&W for the "cheapo" category...
https://www.audiofest.net/and-the-4...national-hifi-press-awards-rihpa-winners-are/
But at RMAF 2018, I did not see a single wilson speaker... while Magico had 3 rooms, with the CAT /Magico s 5 v 2 room sounding outstanding ...
But never fear... the wilson influence is still strong... Wilson nearly swept the speaker awards with the wammy and alexia v 2 winning in the $15K + categories... the only other speaker brand to win was B&W for the "cheapo" category...
https://www.audiofest.net/and-the-4...national-hifi-press-awards-rihpa-winners-are/
I'm happy you noticed we're still here Caesar!
Dueling? How about two Wilson dealers joined forces to increase their visibility/impact across their shared brands (including Sonus faber, McIntosh, Clearaudio, ARC, Wilson, and more) at Axpona?
How about our dealer in Denver chose to display TuneTots at RMAF? That might have been different had Sasha DAW been ready to release at RMAF. But Matt had been planning to use TuneTots since they were released.
Wilson does regional shows in support of our dealers. We also sometimes loan Wilsons to other manufacturers if that manufacturer is not carried by our local dealer and that manufacturer does not have a local market dealer. That means sometimes we have a large presence, sometimes not so large, and sometimes not at all, depending on show market.
The RIHPA Awards might be a more apropos measure for your thread title since those awards are given by the press from 13 countries around the world, rather than from one country or one show. In other words, you won't likely be nominated let alone win unless you have a reasonably strong global presence.
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
I have no dog in this fight but Caesar you need to go back and follow the history
Wilson has shown and been " aligned" with Spectral in the past back in the Watt/Puppy days along with MIT before they got involved with Krell, VTL, DAG, ARC, MLAS and Transparent. They have shown with all of these at some time in the past and in fact when I was a Spectral Dealer, a long time ago, one of the reasons I got out was Spectral tried to force their choices of speakers on my sensibilities. COUGH COUGH
From a marketing sense they have done a great job of getting their products to a wide variety of manufacturers to use and demo with. In this regard they have done a better job than most.
Hi Metaphacts,
All the credit for this is due to Dave Wilson, a GREAT, GREAT man for building a great company and having influenced so many people and continuing to shape the tastes of so many more fans and "audio journalists". Whether people hate the Wilson audio sound or are more neutral toward it, I believe everyone recognizes it. But we all need to understand the marketing influences and how they work ... and also, the competition isn't resting on its laurels...
Hi Elliot, I am younger, so I don't have a sense of history. Thank you for sharing that perspective.
As far as the alliances go, virtually every manufacturer wants to voice their equipment to sound good with Wilson.. D'Agostino, CJ, CAT, ARC, VTL, dCS, etc. But it's a double edged sword.. I think it may be hurting a company like a VTL or a dCS as people only get to hear them with Wilson for the most part.
More innovative companies like MSB seem to be turning toward the YG and Magico. And CAT may be the best amp for Magico today (for non-analytical listeners)...
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
I don't agree with you on the voicing thing since a quality manufacturer should be using multiple items to understand their products. For example CH has a least 4 pair of speakers in their sound room. However since Wilson is successful and probably sells more high end speakers than anyone else it does make sense for many of these companies to have a Wilson speaker. There is a lot of politics and their is a lot of trading of product between companies as well. This is the business side and listeners don't really want to know this because it is their hobby. Its not a hobby to these companies and they do what's required to survive and prosper.
For newer companies, especially State of the Art companies, that produce speakers, it is hard to receive exposure because they aren't the BIG TWO.
I won't get into this on a public forum but that is the facts!!
That's interesting. By "big two" you must be referring to Wilson and Magico. Magico just celebrated ten years of being in business. They broke into the scene, seemingly out of nowhere. Perhaps others could learn from their approach. It seems to be working. If you are referring to some other brand, my comments probably make no sense.
Caesar, on what do you base this opinion? Is it what you personally think, or are you saying there is a more general consensus about this pairing?
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
Yes I am and they certainly had a huge advocate in the press and a large budget for advertisement. Their plan worked well I agree.
I think the resolution of this thread shows how silly the OP was. Wilson seems stronger than ever despite Dave's passing - that says a lot about the company.
and for all the Wilson vs Magico bickering, each has made the other better and improved choices for hifi consumers.
and for all the Wilson vs Magico bickering, each has made the other better and improved choices for hifi consumers.
And it says a lot about the quality of their products and their well thought design options. High-end consumers are not cattle, they buy what they appreciate and prefer.
Yes, high quality products and well thought out designs, Don't forget excellent people - Wilson has among the very best at their job. The entire ownership experience from purchase, delivery, professional setup through trade-in or up may very well be the best in the industry - none of that happens by accident.
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