The Wilson Watt/Puppy 8

I thought it would be fun to share my initial listening impressions of the WP8 speakers.

The WP8s have reduced the level of grain in the midrange and high end. Not only does it sound more relaxed, but more information gets through. My wife stated that the new speakers sound less fuzzy than the old ones. The spatial reproduction with the WP8s is quite startling with familiar material. The slight midrange brightness and mid bass prominence of the 7s has also been significantly reduced. I suspect that this is the reason some folks think that the WP7s sound better than the 8s in the store environment. The WP8 is also more dynamic sounding than the 7s.

I am not suggesting that the WP7s are anything less than a wonderful speaker. I had these speakers for four years and loved them. But to suggest that Dave Wilson designed a new speaker that is not superior to its predecessor is simply not true. The man is definitely in tune with his market.

My system is composed of Levinson 33H amps and Levinson 32 preamp. Wilson Watch Dog II, Wavelength Audio Crimson USB DAC, Basis V Vacuum table with Graham Phantom tone arm and Koetsu Jade cartridge. Cables and AC cords are Revelation Audio Labs. PS Audio Premier Power Plants are also used.

Thanks for the complement OB.

I shared your view about the lateral move and avoided the upgrade from 7 to 8. An opportunity came my way that I decided to take. At that time I felt that the 8s were only a little better sounding than the 7s.

I was very surprised when I set up a pair of the 8s in my own system. I never expected such a large level of improvement. This has been confirmed by my audiophile friends. But the best complement came from my wife.

But, as OB stated, it is a journey and not a destination.

How right you are.

One new twist on the WP8 install I don't remember when doing the 7s. The even number serial number speakers are placed on the right; the odd on the left.