Big Picture Big Sound

14,000 Owners Can't Be Wrong.

Wilson Audio's Watt/Puppy system, with over 14,000 pairs in circulation, is among the most popular and successful high-end loudspeaker systems over $10,000. Originally designed over 20 years ago as a tool for accurate music reproduction and monitoring in a recording studio environment, the Watt/Puppy has morphed into a meticulously crafted two-piece tower speaker that brings a welcome combination of tonal accuracy and three-dimensional depth to the music listening experience.

Wilson Audio founder, David Wilson, chose the 2006 Home Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles as the venue for his coming-out party for the latest incarnation - the Watt/Puppy System 8. Not the most expensive model in the Wilson line (that honor goes to the Alexandria X-2 at $135,000 to $143,500/pair depending on finish), the Watt/Puppy System 8 is by no means inexpensive at $27,900 to $29,800 depending on finish.


You Never Forget Your First Time

The first time I heard the Watt/Puppy was at the Stereophile show in New York in the early 1990s. I saw the lines of people queueing up for a listen and wondered what in this little room could possibly be worth waiting for. Then I scrambled for a seat near the sweet spot, closed my eyes and was transfixed by the sound of a persussion ensemble coming from inside the room, actually, from just outside the exterior wall in front of me, which didn't make any sense, but there it was.

And then I heard a click and then a slight pop. Ahhhh... nothing like the telltale sound of black vinyl to at once seduce you into into believing you have been transported to another world and then force you back to reality in the space of a few short moments. So it was a recording after all.

Not Just a New Badge

David said that he they redesigned the system with three improvements in mind: better dynamic contrast (can you hear the "space between the notes?"), enhanced harmonic expression and improved linearity.

In terms of upgrades from the System 7, the Watt/Puppy System 8 offers a new tweeter, borrowed from its big brother the MAXX Series 2, a newly redesigned cabinet and grille and a brand-new crossover, also borrowing technology originally developed for the MAXX Series 2. Because of the extensive cabinet redesign, System 7 owners will not be able to upgrade their units to System 8, but Wilson does offer a pro-rated trade-up program that gives credit to owners based on length of ownership and applies that credit toward the purchase of a new system.

So, How did It Sound?

I normally don't offer specific comments on the sound quality of speakers at trade shows, unless the listening room is well set-up, with the proper match of system components and decent room treatments. Hotel rooms just weren't designed with musical reproduction in mind. But listening closely to the Watt/Puppy system (driven by Audio Research electronics) for about 10 minutes, a few words popped into my head: accurate, dynamic, three-dimensional, involving, musical... I guess the best word is "right."

They just sounded like a speaker should, meaning they had no real "signature" of their own, they let the music speak for itself. And that's high praise indeed from someone who listens to a lot of equipment.

Wilson expects to ship the new system beginning in the third quarter of this year. If you've got $28,000 burning a hole in your pocket, and you really love music, then schedule an appointment with a Wilson dealer now so you'll be the first on your block with the newest, and maybe even the bestest Watt/Puppy system ever created.

Watt/Puppy System 8 - Specifications and Measurements:

• Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
  
• Woofer: Two 8-inch
  
• Midrange: One 7-inch
  
• Tweeter: One 1-inch inverted Titanium Dome
  
• Sensitivity: 92dB @ 1 Watt (2.0V at 1 meter)
  
• Minimum Amplifier Power: 7 Watts/channel
  
• Frequency Response (with port contribution): 21 Hz - 22.5 kHz +0/-3dB
  
• Height: 41 inches
  
• Width: 13 inches
  
• Depth: 18.75 inches
  
• Weight: 170 pounds (each)
  
• System net weight (approx.): 340 lbs