My first post here... Hello to all other members.

I need opinion about Aerial Model 20T speakers, specially latest version. Owners experience if possible... How it compares to long time favourites like Avalon Eidolon Vision or Wilson Watt/Puppy 8?

My first post here... Hello to all other members.

I need opinion about Aerial Model 20T speakers, specially latest version. Owners experience if possible... How it compares to long time favourites like Avalon Eidolon Vision or Wilson Watt/Puppy 8?

I cannot speak for the Avalon's (haven't heard them), but I was able to compare the Wilson's and the 20T's. IMO, both are excellent speakers. I could write several paragraphs on why I selected the 20T's (latest version), but the bottom line is they just gave me the sound I was looking for in my setup. What I hear and like may be different from your preferences. I will say, both the highs and mids were the best I've ever heard from any speaker (have not heard any speaker priced over $75k). Important to note that this is in NO WAY a hit on the Wilson's, they are clearly a superb speaker with a huge following and I'm sure very satisfied owners will post here shortly.

I also have to disclose that I liked the 20T's so much that I had the manager at one of my companies sign up Aerial. That company now markets the Aerial line and does not market the Wilsons (no reason for that other than limited display space).

And welcome to the forum!

Jim

Welcome to this AVS forum !

Regards, Rene

Thanks Rene! Good to see you here...

Welcome Kreso!

My Wilson dealer is also an Aerial dealer. Both are fine loudspeakers, but I find that they quite different sounding. The Wilson 8 is a more in your face dynamic sound. The Aerial is more refined on the high end. You will have to listen to both to really determine what "sound" is for you.

This is what makes this hobby fun! We all don't have to like the same thing. A friend of mine just aquired Marten Design Birds. I am looking forward to hearing them. Not that I am unhappy with my WP8s, but I enjoy listening to other systems.

Steve

I cannot speak for the Avalon's (haven't heard them), but I was able to compare the Wilson's and the 20T's. IMO, both are excellent speakers. I could write several paragraphs on why I selected the 20T's (latest version), but the bottom line is they just gave me the sound I was looking for in my setup. What I hear and like may be different from your preferences. I will say, both the highs and mids were the best I've ever heard from any speaker (have not heard any speaker priced over $75k). Important to note that this is in NO WAY a hit on the Wilson's, they are clearly a superb speaker with a huge following and I'm sure very satisfied owners will post here shortly.

I also have to disclose that I liked the 20T's so much that I had the manager at one of my companies sign up Aerial. That company now markets the Aerial line and does not market the Wilsons (no reason for that other than limited display space).

And welcome to the forum!

Jim

Jim,
Thank you for your response. Reason for my W/P8 vs. latest Model 20T comparison question is that I had a chance to audition W/P8. I liked "huge sound from small speaker" presentation but, I also found few shortcomings that I did not like... Horizontal sweet spot of W/P8 is very narrow, my wife said to me that it is single person speaker... It is also not very best at lower volume settings...

What I liked is bass power and complete dynamic capabilities of W/P8's.

Can you describe 20T's soundwise, specially its bass depth and power capabilities.

I currently use Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario's and want something more dynamic and truthfull(yes, I am little bit tired with some SF colorations)...

Kreso

Welcome Kreso!

My Wilson dealer is also an Aerial dealer. Both are fine loudspeakers, but I find that they quite different sounding. The Wilson 8 is a more in your face dynamic sound. The Aerial is more refined on the high end. You will have to listen to both to really determine what "sound" is for you.

This is what makes this hobby fun! We all don't have to like the same thing. A friend of mine just aquired Marten Design Birds. I am looking forward to hearing them. Not that I am unhappy with my WP8s, but I enjoy listening to other systems.

Steve

Thanks Steve,

Marten Bird is also on my list as well as new Revel Ultima Salon2.

I very much like the idea of having speakers with down firing ports(Aerial Model 20T, Marten Bird or Revel Ultima Salon2)... One of this three or W/P8 will replace my Amati Anniversario's, just which one? More audition I guess...

BTW, what about resistor change in W/P8 crossover? I live in Europe and my room, although big enough(40m2) is not as bass friendly as USA open frame rooms...

Kreso,

E-mail Wilson concerning the fuses. They are very responsive to your questions. I also wonder if Wilson voices the European product differently than that for the US market.

Steve

Jim,
Thank you for your response. Reason for my W/P8 vs. latest Model 20T comparison question is that I had a chance to audition W/P8. I liked "huge sound from small speaker" presentation but, I also found few shortcomings that I did not like... Horizontal sweet spot of W/P8 is very narrow, my wife said to me that it is single person speaker... It is also not very best at lower volume settings...

What I liked is bass power and complete dynamic capabilities of W/P8's.

Can you describe 20T's soundwise, specially its bass depth and power capabilities.

I currently use Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario's and want something more dynamic and truthfull(yes, I am little bit tired with some SF colorations)...

Kreso

Sorry, I'm on my way out so have to make this quick....

I like the dynamic capabilities of both speakers. The 20T's certainly hold there own here as well. They are quick and accurate to my ears. In the mids, there is just this 3-dimensional transparency I've not found in other lines. The ribbon produces incredible clarity and the mid /ribbon combo with the 20T's produces a very detailed, but mellow sound. Bass goes low. It is quick and unmuddied (if that's a word), response is flat to 30hz, however I cross at 40hz to the Aerial SW12, as I find that best in my room.
You do need room (space) here, and a reasonable amount of power/current. Although sitting at 90, they still love power, and perform better with some space (larger rooms, my room is 18' x 34' w/10' ceilings). Low volume play results in a very different sound and frankly a loss in some of the better characteristics (3-d, soundstaging) you would get with the proper power feed.

Nothing substitutes for hearing these in person.

Jim

Ok. Yesterday I auditioned Model 20T(latest version) for more then two hours...
System was Mark Levinson No.436/No.326S and Esoteric X-01 LTD, all Kimber Select cables(speaker KS3038).

Most of you were right, it is very fine speaker. Its highs and midrange are pure and with nice presence. Details are much better then on my SF Amati Anniversario's but, not nearly as good as Avalon Isis or Krell LAT-1000.

Bass is well, not what I hoped for. It is almost the same power and depth as my Anniversario's, it is tighter and little bit more dynamic. 20T clearly can play louder without strain then Anniversario's.

W/P8 are more upfront in soundstage and have more midbass power then 20T. Aerial Model 20T is having tighter bass then W/P8.

Musicallity? It is very personal impression IMHO so, for me both are in the same category. Problem is that for my ears they are not much better then SF Amati Anniversario in few key performance areas... For example Avalon Eidolon Diamond is IMO more musical speaker then both Aerial Model 20T or W/P8.

In the end I could live with either 20T or W/P8 but, I will probably look for something else for my second system...

I auditioned Aerial Model 20T again today and to my big suprise they sounded much better then one week ago!
Despite the fact that I liked their sound on first session 20T's sounded much more relaxed and spacious today. Apparently, something needed break-in period(Levinson amp, my guess...)...

20T's have truly excellent soundstage and they are really dynamic. Bass is now just warm enough in midbass and very tight in deep bass. Still, I feel that 20T can not go below 25Hz in room, even with room gain(keep in mind that it was 35m2 room). BUT, they sound pretty honest to my ears.

So, I put them back on my list. Aerial Model 20T or Revel Ultima Salon2, that is the question...

Ok. Yesterday I auditioned Model 20T(latest version) for more then two hours...
System was Mark Levinson No.436/No.326S and Esoteric X-01 LTD, all Kimber Select cables(speaker KS3038).

Most of you were right, it is very fine speaker. Its highs and midrange are pure and with nice presence. Details are much better then on my SF Amati Anniversario's but, not nearly as good as Avalon Isis or Krell LAT-1000.

Bass is well, not what I hoped for. It is almost the same power and depth as my Anniversario's, it is tighter and little bit more dynamic. 20T clearly can play louder without strain then Anniversario's.

W/P8 are more upfront in soundstage and have more midbass power then 20T. Aerial Model 20T is having tighter bass then W/P8.

Musicallity? It is very personal impression IMHO so, for me both are in the same category. Problem is that for my ears they are not much better then SF Amati Anniversario in few key performance areas... For example Avalon Eidolon Diamond is IMO more musical speaker then both Aerial Model 20T or W/P8.

In the end I could live with either 20T or W/P8 but, I will probably look for something else for my second system...

i think the levinson components could be the culprit.

can't go wrong with Eidolons either. I've heard the 20Ts and musicality was never an issue