RE: “Where in the marketing spectrum does PSA fit?”
From my POV, the units shown at AXPONA (I wasn’t there, so can’t comment on how they sounded) were prototypes, and prototypes exist as stepping stones toward a final design. They exist to reveal flaws, unexpected consequences, and better ways to achieve the design goals.
For example, given the basement location of my current listening environment, the one-piece design and weight of the initial prototypes made them a non-starter for me. They may now fit in a physical sense, but fitting in the budget remains to be seen.
Sorry, I’ve heard my share of Bose 901s. They are not even comparable to most modern speakers in the $2000-$3000 range, IMO. I’m glad they make you happy though.
But flaws were never admitted. No thanks were given to those that pointed out shortcomings. The room was blamed, the crossover was the culprit. Major design re-thinking has never been transparently explained. As I’ve stated in other threads they were not presented as early prototypes, but as one step away from beta. I’ve also questioned the strategy of “ testing” prototypes at the premier US audio show. Critics don’t write reviews for early prototypes. The current iteration of the speakers as explained are not the same speaker at all. Why was a new hire required if it was all under control before?
This is aggressive marketing. If you judge others for this then the same should be applied here as well.
On top of this, very little credit is offered to the top speaker makers who have been at it for decades: Vandersteen, Wilson, Harbeth, Focal, DynAudio etc. Aggressive marketing?
I don’t believe any marketing hype for anything (I view it as entertainment only), but I’ll concede your point.
However, when I saw the XO network patched together on the floor in a pre-show video that PSA did, and in which I heard Paul say that the prototype would likely be shown in nearly the same state at AXPONA, it was obvious to me that this was far from a finished design. . .
It’s the combo with the speakers. I’ve seen the amps on multiple pictures in this forum, and never felt like saying anything about them.
And probably this is why I like PS Audio, it’s good engineering and looks simpel and functional. A little more ruggedness would do the BHK good. Of the stuff I am probably not able to afford, I like T+A High Voltage series, Accuphase, AVM, Hegel and Esoteric.
I Appreciate that people spend a lot of money on the D’Agostino, and hack if they can afford it why not. But the shiny outside has the same effect on my as too much make up on a women and I am pretty sure there a women with lots of make up that are nice women.
The speakers are not shiny but look like professional speakers that somebody hoisted down from the ceiling of a big concert hall. My living room is just no concert hall, if I want to enjoy that I go out there and breathe the atmosphere.
But from the looks it’s all just not my cup of tea.
Not to your taste, that I understand, but anyone that knows the history of Wilson and D’Agostino, would not compare them to big rims.
I am not in love with the appearance of their top two models, but if I had the disposable income, I would listen to them.
My dream system might very well include 6 of those amps with the limited edition Sonus Faber SE17 with four P20s for the amps, and one more for the front end gear.
I love music, my quest has always been to get the most out of the various formats.I usually listen in low light, focusing on the music. Critical listening is for set up and choosing components.
I have seen the D’Agostino amps in person, and I thought they were beautiful. The Wilson’s were designed, first for sound quality, and then the choice of any automotive color you want, at a price. The paint finish is custom car quality. The materials used for the cabinets were created by Wilson.
Maybe because I put those guys in a similar class with Paul, although they have different markets, and price categories, I respect what they have done. So cheap, silly insults, seem unfair.
There are a number of Wilson factory tours on YouTube. In one, they talk about all the tweeters they tried out, diamond, beryllium, etc. I thought it was interesting. it appears like they’re always moving their products forward.
Once a pair is built, there’s a whole new set of challenges with safely packaging and shipping them. I bet they don’t use cardboard.
You didn’t insult me, you insulted two of the great innovators of what we know as high end audio. Maybe if you knew the history, it would make more sense.
Another thing, and I am not trying to be mean, or single you out, but as I have loved music my whole life, I don’t consider this a hobby. Stamp collecting is a hobby, getting the best sound I can afford started 50 years ago.
Yet if I hear some music I like on a clock radio, I still can enjoy the music.
This pursuit has many paths, I don’t care for certain gear, but I don’t publicly criticize what I don’t understand, or have never heard.
My guess is that neither one of us could get a pair of those speakers, as they are limited to 70 pairs.
And I believe that you could probably find a pair of speakers that do most of what those do for far less.
And if you buy a new pair of Wilson, either a well trained dealer or a company rep will come out and set them up. Everything is adjustable above the bass cabinet.
D’Agostino founded Krell many years ago, his early amps were highly respected. You might find that Wilson’s smaller models might be more to your sensibilities.
I hope this both makes sense, and that you understand my passion.
Jeff, the Wilson and D’Agostino guys are not feeling insulted either. I said nothing about the sound, for which people would hopefully buy it, and I assume they also have their own taste. They’re big enough to put these products to market, I trust they are big enough to deal with these comments.
For the rest, I respect passionate people. For my neighbor who is a composer, church organist and director it is work and certainly passion. For you it is passion. For me it was, then I got married, children … it was on a hold so long that I need to get started again as a hobby.
But I enjoy it, not in last place because of this forum where we can share.
Believe me there are not many in my surroundings that grasp why I got so excited when I got my Stellar Gain Cell DAC and even paid EUR 500 for a bunch of cables. They compare that to something else than shiny rims, I tell you.
Those Atlas Element cables are not bad. This weekend I will post my experience on the forum with pictures.
