Wilson Audio Sasha V

[Mdp632]

Launching 6/23/23

Wilson Audio | Sasha V

 

[transaminasi]

First time bi-colour speakers?
% price increase compared to Sasha Daw?

 

[Another Johnson]

Launching 6/23/23

Wilson Audio | Sasha V

Select national and international dealers will have the new Sasha V in house for demonstration on 6/23, concurrent with the official release. Paragon Sight and Sound in Ann Arbor is one of a handful of US dealers chosen for participation.

Last month I talked with Bill Peugh (Wilson staff) about the next steps for the Sasha platform and we speculated on the likely new directions… primarily use of the new V series materials. Details have not yet been shared, but migration of the V line materials to the Sasha platform makes a lot of sense.

I’d like to hear them. But if the Sasha DAWs are blown out at half price like the Alexia 2’s fate, it will be hard not to be just a little miffed. On the bright side, they don’t have a backlog of Sasha DAWs to work through.

 

[KeithR]

Feel bad for DAW owners - short upgrade cycle, big price increase I’m sure.

 

[Another Johnson]

Feel bad for DAW owners - short upgrade cycle, big price increase I’m sure.

No need to feel bad for DAW owners. The DAWs do not lose any performance with the introduction of the new model. They’re the same great speaker they’ve been for four years.

 

[leyenda]

wilson's next move after cap factory acquisition should be a marketing company acquisition to save cost on their marketing/new launches expenses...

 

[Another Johnson]

wilson's next move after cap factory acquisition should be a marketing company acquisition to save cost on their marketing/new launches expenses...

They use caps every day. The need a product launch maybe once a year.

DAW didn’t really rely on marketing. He believed in his basic underlying understanding of what he called “the well made thing.”

So far, so good.

 

[sbnx]

It would seem that a lot of marketing companies could take lessons from Wilson Audio. They are a marketing machine.

 

[Another Johnson]

Todays reveal is that the Sasha V will use some V material.
Next update is Friday. I’m guessing it will be the use of the Alexia V’s midrange driver.

 

[sbnx]

Todays reveal is that the Sasha V will use some V material.
Next update is Friday. I’m guessing it will be the use of the Alexia V’s midrange driver.

And proably "4%" larger cabinet volume, better feet, a tweeter tweak etc. etc. More iterative improvements. Look at the change in any given "watt/puppy" iteration and it is not really big but the cumulative change over the past 30 years is huge. (I say watt/puppy above only becuase the sasha is the same lineage.)

We will see soon enough what all Wilson has managed to pack in there.

 

[Another Johnson]

And proably "4%" larger cabinet volume, better feet, a tweeter tweak etc. etc. More iterative improvements. Look at the change in any given "watt/puppy" iteration and it is not really big but the cumulative change over the past 30 years is huge. (I say watt/puppy above only becuase the sasha is the same lineage.)

We will see soon enough what all Wilson has managed to pack in there.

The Alexia V also has the acoustic diode feet (I think) and that will probably be part of the Sasha V. I see you’ve noted better feet too.

I think the Sasha V will be an improvement over something that is already good, just as the Sabrina X improved on the Sabrina.

But after extensive auditions of the Alexia Vs, for multiple hours, on three different days, when I go home to the DAWs, I'm not disappointed or jonesing for the Alexia. If I move up in the line someday, and I’m not planning for this, I think I’d go to the Alexx V level … but by then, it will have been updated too. They’ll be on to new exotic materials, and the whole Kabuki dance will be repeated. There are a lot of great options at the Alexx level price point. The truth is that the DAWs always delight me.

 

[sbnx]

I can see your point. Skip the Alexia and go for the gusto of ALEXX V. or the mk2 version of ALEXX V. Of course by the time another iteration of the ALEXX comes along they will $175K. At which point they could look at inserting another speaker in the $110Kish range.

 

[Mdp632]

Interesting will the Yvette still remain in the lineup? @metaphacts

Now that there will be an even greater price gap between the Sabrina X and Sasha V.

I can't imagine the Yvette is a good seller compared to the Sabrina X. If people want bigger they probably go to the Sasha DAW and now V.

That said, Sasha V seems like it will be "mini" Alexia V so, that is a good thing.

 

[microstrip]

Having owned the original Alexia and listened frequently to the Alexia II ( a friend owns them) I still find that the Alexia is the best sound for money of the Wilson Audio range.

However IMO the best value for money investment in these speakers (Sasha or Alexia) is adding a pair of WatchDog subwoofers. People I know well reported me excellent results with the new Loke's, but I have never listened to them.

 

[Another Johnson]

Having owned the original Alexia and listened frequently to the Alexia II ( a friend owns them) I still find that the Alexia is the best sound for money of the Wilson Audio range.

However IMO the best value for money investment in these speakers (Sasha or Alexia) is adding a pair of WatchDog subwoofers. People I know well reported me excellent results with the new Loke's, but I have never listened to them.

I talked extensively with a Wilson Staff Member about this. You are on the right track with the idea that a PAIR would be best if you want to go the subwoofer route. I was interested in a pair of LoKes.

But I’ve run systems with subs before, and in fact have one right now in the HT. And in two channel systems there is always something that doesn’t click for my ears. Plus I am not a fan of the extra footprint or the extra wires.

So … the Alexx V without subs is attractive to me. But with that said, I don’t feel like I’m missing bass with the DAWs. I’ve had some good friends who played the double bass. When I listen to their recordings played on the DAWs, I can feel the live performance.

 

[microstrip]

I talked extensively with a Wilson Staff Member about this. You are on the right track with the idea that a PAIR would be best if you want to go the subwoofer route. I was interested in a pair of LoKes.

But I’ve run systems with subs before, and in fact have one right now in the HT. And in two channel systems there is always something that doesn’t click for my ears. Plus I am not a fan of the extra footprint or the extra wires.

So … the Alexx V without subs is attractive to me. But with that said, I don’t feel like I’m missing bass with the DAWs. I’ve had some good friends who played the double bass. When I listen to their recordings played on the DAWs, I can feel the live performance.

Just to point that in my experience what we get with properly set up pairs of subs transcends bass extension or level. In terms of perception, we can get a sense of space and freedom that subjectively spreads all over the spectrum - even treble!

But we should remember that a poor subwoofer system can kill a system. I could never add box subwoofers to Quad ESL63, although I had success adding Soundlab A4's or more ESL63's operated with an active crossover as subwoofer panels.

 

[Another Johnson]

Just to point that in my experience what we get with properly set up pairs of subs transcends bass extension or level. In terms of perception, we can get a sense of space and freedom that subjectively spreads all over the spectrum - even treble!

But we should remember that a poor subwoofer system can kill a system. I could never add box subwoofers to Quad ESL63, although I had success adding Soundlab A4's or more ESL63's operated with an active crossover as subwoofer panels.

Yes, there are well integrated sub systems. I’ve heard some nice ones, and even got compliments on one I put together based on the Martin Logan Masterpiece series at a house I’ve now sold. It can be done with enough attention. But it does require significant effort … and you still have to deal with the extra footprint and wires. Just not for me at this point.

 

[stevebythebay]

Just to point that in my experience what we get with properly set up pairs of subs transcends bass extension or level. In terms of perception, we can get a sense of space and freedom that subjectively spreads all over the spectrum - even treble!

But we should remember that a poor subwoofer system can kill a system. I could never add box subwoofers to Quad ESL63, although I had success adding Soundlab A4's or more ESL63's operated with an active crossover as subwoofer panels.

Agree. Recently replaced a pair of Paradigm subs, I’d used with a previous pair of Alexia 2’s, with the L?k? subs, after upgrading to the Alexia V. Far more coherent result. Enhanced the sonic foundation while also extending the sound stage in all directions. Nice that the L?k? doesn’t require any additional isolation as the feet (diodes) keep any vibrations from affecting the speaker or florid/wall interaction.

My dealer spent a few hours with his team getting the placement and setup just right. Once done, and he ran a spectrum analysis, he was surprised at how relatively flat the room response turned out.

 

[Another Johnson]

The Sasha V is officially released.

$48900 in standard finished. Up from there.

It’s got new materials, some new drivers, acoustic diode feet, a level on the lower cabinet. Maybe some other changes/additions.

The DAW was still in the catalog as of Wednesday afternoon, but it will probably be phased out.

The new Sasha V is impressive. But my DAWs are starting to look to me like the deal of the decade.

 

[tima]

Wilson final verbiage material emgargoed until launch 6-23-2023

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19 May 2023​

Official Sasha V Marketing Verbiage​

Shoulders of Giants:
At Wilson Audio, we have forged an unwavering path towards “Excellence in All Things” in support of our guiding light, “Authentic Excellence.” Continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible, our passion for delivering an unparalleled listening experience is second to none and every milestone in Wilson Audio's history has paved the way for the exceptional.

In the late seventies David A. Wilson, Wilson Audio’s visionary co-founder, was refining his experiments with adjustable modular arrays and how this time-centric approach to reproduced sound revealed more information in the recordings. Using the latest hightech development tools available, this legacy still informs and inspires modern loudspeaker innovation.

With its own distinctive identity, Sasha V combines the essence of its predecessors while combining the most effective elements developed for its larger siblings.

In Good Company:
Wilson Audio’s Engineers pulled from the monumental capabilities of our current flagship, the Chronosonic XVX, and the technology engineered specifically for Alexx V and Alexia V. By doing so Sasha V unravels your recordings in a surprisingly unexpected way for its relatively compact size.

Sasha V’s exquisite craftsmanship and thoughtful contours create a sculpted masterpiece, beautifully integrating into your curated listening space, and stands as an embodiment of industrial art. But her allure reaches far beyond just aesthetic appeal. No detail had been overlooked as the highest performing version of the Sasha line was created.

Convergent Synergy Carbon:
When Wilson Audio introduced its cutting-edge rear-wave chamber in the Convergent Synergy Carbon (CSC) Tweeter, initially in Alexx V, the CSC allowed for an extended high-frequency range, remarkably smooth linearity, and superior high-frequency harmonic expression. Cohesively integrating this CSC tweeter with the midrange and woofers has resulted in an impressive improvement to Sasha V’s overall sound quality.

This unique and complex carbon fiber rear-wave chamber is constructed entirely inhouse on one of our many dedicated 3D printers.

Alnico QuadraMag:
Perfect blending between the tweeter and midrange is a fundamental element to accurate and realistic sound reproduction. The R&D team successfully did just that. Wilson Audio’s beloved 7-inch AlNiCo (Aluminum - Nickel - Cobalt) QuadraMag midrange driver sings harmoniously with the CSC tweeter in Sasha V.

This world-class midrange driver is celebrated for its superb settling and effortlessly revealing greater soundstage dimensionality in the frequency band that the human ear is most sensitive to. Once only available in the Chronosonic XVX, Alexx V, and the Alexia V, the QuadraMag is now a critical part of Sasha V.

The upper array baffle includes Wilson Audio's proprietary S-Material. This baffle is composed of a unique blend of materials that form a highly stable and low-resonance coupling surface for the midrange driver, thus allowing the natural sonic beauty found in the QuadraMag to bloom.

Material DNA:
Sasha V has strategically nested V-Material in the critical interface between the upper module and the top of the woofer cabinet. Novel in its properties, this material provides uncommon vibration control and upper module isolation, similar to the design philosophy found in the prestigious Alexx V and Alexia V.

This proprietary V-Material is also recessed into the Wilson Audio Acoustic Diodes. These purpose-built spikes employ peerless vibration management which clearly expresses the system's dynamics and micro-detail.

Nature continues to inspire design cues in Wilson Audio creations. The organic flow of lines found throughout Sasha V create a harmonious integration between the lower and upper enclosures, all the while the structural integrity of both the upper and lower modules have been reinforced by the use of milled X-Material internal bracing.

The woofer enclosure side walls, made from solid X-Material, are 25% thicker compared to the Sasha DAW. The increase in dimension of the X-Material fortifies the enclosure, raises density, and is less prone to resonances that can compromise sonic nuances. Even with these enclosure changes, the Sasha V retains its sleek proportions.

Premium Ingredients:
The Sasha V also features a vast range of hardware upgrades, including the bespoke Wilson Audio multi-connector binding posts with modified knurling for a cleaner signal path. Installation choices are wider with the choice of either spade or banana plug speaker cables.

Made from the purest conducive metallurgies, Wilson Audio multi-connector binding posts ensure robust connection stability and are audibly more refined than plastic binding posts commonly found on loudspeakers.

The Sasha V resistor mounting hardware has been improved. This sleek carbon fiber back plate and aluminum framed glass cover, similar to Alexia V, now has tool-free, quick-release knurled thumbscrews for the tweeter and midrange resistors which facilitate simple servicing.

Looking at the back of the woofer top plate you see a flush mounted bubble level which gives a quick and reliable leveling system for better installation.

Here is a list of a few more upgraded elements found in the Sasha V:

• All external umbilical cables are terminated with the Wilson Audio spade as found on the Chronosonic XVX, Alexx V, and Alexia V.

• The upper module two-position front spike track offers additional adjustment positions the Sasha DAW doesn’t have, resulting in more precise time alignment accuracy and more adaptability to a wider variety of listening positions.

• Wilson Audio formulated V-Cable is used for all internal connections creating continuity for the entire audio signal path which purely passes the signal from the main-in connector plate to the woofer crossover, upper crossover, and to all the drivers.

• Designed in-house, the custom Wilson Audio cable grip hardware distinctly works with V-Cable, ensuring the woofer cabinet is sealed and cable slack can be managed no matter what the upper module alignment location is set to.

Wilson Audio Capacitors:
Each custom capacitor, used in both of Sasha V’s crossovers, have been wound and completed at Wilson Audio’s in-house capacitor manufacturing department (Reliable Capacitors). These application specific capacitors are tightly spun and then handfinished to industry-leading tolerances. Wilson Audio has heavily invested in highly sophisticated winding machines that have been solely crafted in Switzerland and the United States for Reliable Capacitors.

One of the many advantages of having RelCap in the building with Wilson Audio is the rapid prototyping of capacitors. An all-new copper version of the AudioCapX-WA capacitor has been recently developed, raising the bar for high-frequency micro detail, and makes its debut in the Sasha V. The AudioCapX-WA capacitors, along with finetuning the Sasha V’s crossover topology, have contributed to a new standard of lowlevel resolution in a playback system.

Sasha V’s crossovers are composed of world-class components and are passionately hand-made at Wilson Audio. Printed circuit boards, when used in loudspeakers, inherently dynamically compress the sound. Wilson Audio avoids this sonic issue by taking the time to painstakingly handcraft and join each component with point-to-point connections.

Conclusion:
Painstaking attention to detail has been poured into every aspect of Sasha V’s design. From the sleek, refined cabinet to the meticulously selected premium materials and finishes, Sasha V is a stunning centerpiece in any listening environment.

Within Sasha V, the past converges with the present and is the epitome of Wilson Audio's unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and captivating the ears and hearts of discerning audiophiles who appreciate both the art of industrial design and the emotional connection with their music.

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Sasha V Specifications:

• Measurements:

Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms / minimum 2.36 ohms @ 82 Hz
Sensitivity: 88 dB @ 1W @ 1m @ 1k
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 32 kHz +/- 3 dB room average response [RAR]
Minimum Amplification Power Recommended: 20 watts/channel

• Drivers:

Woofer: 8 inches (20.32 cm) Cone Material: Paper Pulp
Midrange: 7 inches (17.78 cm) Cone Material: Paper Pulp Composite
Tweeter: 1 inch, Dome (2.54 cm) Material: Doped Silk Fabric

• Dimensions:

Height: 47 9/32 inches (120.07 cm) w/spikes [Variable]
Height: 45 1/16 inches (114.48 cm) w/o spikes [Variable]
Width: 14 1/2 inches (36.83 cm)
Depth: 23 15/16 inches (60.78 cm)

• Enclosure Type:

Woofer: (Rear ported) Material: X-Material
Midrange/Tweeter: (Rear vented) Material: X-Material/Mid-Range baffle "S-Material”
Damping Inserts: Material: V-Material
-Woofer Top / Acoustic Diodes

• Product Weight:

Weight Per Channel Uncrated: 245 lbs (111.13 kg)
Approximate Shipping Weight: 760 lbs (344.73 kg)

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I owned the original Sasha W/P which followed the Wilson WATT/Puppy v8. It was my first Wilson speaker. The first Sasha sold for $26,900/pair which is about 0.55% the Sasha V msrp of $48,900. The Sasha V is the 4th generation of the Sasha.