Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
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WASAE
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
Description
Introducing the Wilson Audio Special Applications Engineering (WASAE) Center channel. Masterfully crafted with innovative materials and cutting-edge engineering, the WASAE Center offers exceptional sound quality and superlative listening experiences.
WASAE Center ChannelIntroducing the Wilson Audio Special Applications Engineering (WASAE) Center channel. Masterfully crafted with innovative materials and cutting-edge engineering, the WASAE Center offers exceptional sound quality and superlative listening experiences.WASAE Center ChannelThe WASAE Center is designed for ease of integration into any home audio setup. Its adjustable spikes allow for precise alignment of the drivers to the listener, ensuring the best possible on-axis response. With its 88 dB sensitivity, the WASAE Center easily unifies with other Wilson Audio products.It is engineered for on-axis center channel dialog and music listening, providing surprising micro-detail and scale for its tightly packed form. Its modest size is perfect for smaller rooms, while its impressive midrange clarity and transient speed make it a standout performer in any space.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Wilson Audio emphasizes driver time-alignment in its designs, adjusting for listening position and amplifier characteristics, claiming increased realism in sound reproduction.
- The brand incorporates a proprietary mix of materials in their cabinets, such as X-Material, S-Material and V-Material, each chosen and implemented to control resonance and improve sonic performance.
- Wilson Audio places great importance on providing a bespoke level of service, offering a Wilson Audio Setup Procedure (WASP) that is performed by trained dealers in the client's listening room.
- Wilson Audio integrates key components manufacturing in-house, demonstrated by the acquisition and use of AudioCapX capacitors wound to exacting standards, allowing precise crossover design.
Select products
Select product comparisons
SabrinaX
- Positioning: The entry-level floor-standing loudspeaker.
- Description: Offers a compact design suitable for smaller rooms or spaces where placement flexibility is essential. Unlike higher-end models like the Sasha V, it lacks modular adjustability, making it less adaptable to varied listening positions.
The WATT/Puppy
- Positioning: A reimagined classic, positioned above the SabrinaX in the lineup.
- Description: This model pays homage to its iconic predecessor while incorporating modern technologies. Compared to the SabrinaX, it features an adjustable spike and bubble level for precise setup, enhancing its adaptability in different environments.
Sasha V
- Positioning: Sits mid-tier in the range, offering advanced features without reaching flagship status.
- Description: Incorporates V-Material in critical areas for improved vibration control, a feature not present in the WATT/Puppy. Additionally, it offers a two-position front spike track for enhanced time alignment, providing greater adaptability to various listening positions.
Alexia V
- Positioning: Positioned above the Sasha V, offering more advanced technologies and performance capabilities.
- Description: Features an all X-Material enclosure with V-Material strategically placed for superior vibration damping, surpassing the Sasha V's implementation. Its crossover has been refined for better impedance and sensitivity measurements.
Alexx V
- Positioning: A high-end model, positioned just below the flagship offerings.
- Description: Introduces an open gantry design and a QuadraMag midrange driver, advancements over the Alexia V. It also incorporates an all X-Material enclosure with V-Material in strategic locations, enhancing vibration control and sound clarity.
Chronosonic XVX
- Positioning: One of the flagship models, offering top-tier performance and technology.
Description: Features an ultra-precise time-domain adjustment mechanism, allowing for microsecond-level alignment, a capability beyond the Alexx V. Its modular design provides groundbreaking adaptability to various listening environments.
WAMM Master Chronosonic
- Positioning: The ultimate flagship loudspeaker, representing the pinnacle of design and engineering.
- Description: Offers true full-range performance without the need for a subwoofer, unlike earlier designs. It incorporates the most advanced time-domain adjustability and driver technology, setting it apart from the Chronosonic XVX and other models in the lineup.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
67
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
71
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
16
Founding Year
1974
Our take on the brand
Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
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Wilson Audio
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What if you spend more?
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What competes at this price?
Perlisten
S7c
7995
/
Released
2021
At the center of it all and always the focus of any studio or home theater is the critical tonal balance provided by the center channel.
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The S7c center channel speaker is a standout performer and a tonal match to the mains and surrounds, creating a seamless blend across the main channels
- Movie dialogue was crystal clear from every seat with the S7c, and levels required no additional tweaking post-calibration
- Innovative in design and heavy duty in build quality
Product Considerations
- The price of the S7c and the system as a whole, may be intimidating for some
- The review sample had a lustrous high-gloss black with chromed silver binding posts and terminal plate
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Perlisten S7t speakers seem to be able to bend the room to their will to an even higher degree than the Revel F328Be speakers that were reviewed earlier
Takeaway: The S7c is a top-tier center channel speaker that delivers exceptional clarity and seamless integration with other speakers, making it a great choice for a high-end home theater system. It's a high-performing product, making movies and music sound their best.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
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Perlisten
S5c
5995
/
Released
2022
With the success of the S7c, the request for the S5c center for slightly smaller rooms and screens became too numerous to ignore. A world class center similar to the S7c with nearly the same SPL, sensitivity, and low frequency output. The S5c is sealed for the best integration into any room, and the same exquisite DPC array, for THX certified Dominus surround, or Ultra LCR home theater applications.
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Compact center channel designed to match the S7Ts without taking up too much space
- Properly designed to be a center channel, providing great off-axis performance
- When integrated as part of a system with S7Ts, it provides a cohesive sound, sounding very similar to the mains
Product Considerations
- Review mentions having to seal the bass drivers in the subwoofers and redo setup
- Review mentions it sounds best with 'really good musical subwoofers', which may mean it sounds less good without subwoofers
Takeaway: The S5C is a well-engineered center channel option that can be paired with other speakers to create an immersive sound experience. It offers great off-axis performance and a cohesive sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
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Monitor
Platinum C250 3G
5900
/
Released
2022
The Platinum C250 3G centre channel boasts an MPD III transducer, a 2,5" RDT III mid-range driver and two 6" RDT III bass drivers. It's designed to be the perfect partner with any combination of Platinum loudspeakers to create the last word in home theatre sound.
Monitor Audio is an independently owned hifi brand that has earned multiple Editors Choice awards for their Silver Series speakers, which feature proprietary driver designs. Their speakers are distinguished by unique technologies like the MPD tweeter and C-CAM drivers, which provide exceptional clarity while resisting distortion and listener fatigue.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- New features and performance for the brand's high-end home theater speakers
- The slim profile allows for easy integration into any room, distinguishing them from bulkier alternatives
- Cabinets are crafted using multiple laminated layers of MDF with a 36mm front baffle and feature dual binding posts, plus high-quality jumpers for better performance
- The series features an updated top-tier midrange and woofer with Rigid Diaphragm Technology III for improved audio performance
- Build quality is first-rate with no expense spared in using today's technology
Product Considerations
- The speakers sometimes seemed like they were holding back from being their best—lacking a live and emotional connection
Takeaway: The Platinum 3G speakers from Monitor Audio are an achievement in engineering and aesthetic design and are built for easy integration into any home. They presented very good technical performance and compatibility with different amplifier types.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Monitor Audio is an independently owned hifi brand that has earned multiple Editors Choice awards for their Silver Series speakers, which feature proprietary driver designs. Their speakers are distinguished by unique technologies like the MPD tweeter and C-CAM drivers, which provide exceptional clarity while resisting distortion and listener fatigue.
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Bowers & Wilkins
HTM81 D4
9500
/
Released
2021
The center-channel speaker is arguably the most important in home theater – and the HTM81 D4 has an enviable array of advanced technologies to reinforce that point, including Solid Body tweeter-on-top, a decoupled Continuum™ Cone midrange drive unit and twin 200mm (8-in) Aerofoil™ bass cones.
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The HTM81 D4 is designed specifically as a center speaker to partner with the 801, sharing the same tweeter and midrange assembly
- A very serious center speaker, with a frequency response of +/- 3dB at 28Hz
Product Considerations
- A large speaker, it takes up considerable space
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The HTM81 D4 is a physical center speaker, preferred by Bowers & Wilkins over in-wall designs for optimal performance when paired with the 801
Takeaway: The HTM81 is a serious center speaker that ensures tonal consistency across the front channels, making movies and music sound great. This center channel is worth considering for the best possible home theater experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
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Meridian
Special Edition DSP5200HC
10000
/
Released
A perfect partner for the freestanding Special Edition DSP5200, the Special Edition DSP5200HC provides full-range playback in a horizontal centre-channel package. The DSP5200SE HC is designed for mounting under a large-screen TV, behind an acoustically-transparent projection screen and is ideal for partnering with other Meridian free-standing or in-wall loudspeakers.
Meridian Audio pioneered digital surround-sound processing and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) in speakers, and developed the Meridian Lossless Packing technology that became the standard for DVD-Audio and Blu-ray formats. The brand's unique technologies include Enhanced Bass Alignment for time-aligned frequencies, SpeakerLink for simplified digital connections using Ethernet-style cables, and MQA for high-resolution audio streaming.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Confident, solid, and real presentation
- Beefy-solid sound with very good imaging and focus, and with much better layering front to back than anticipated
- Tweeters have a near-perfect combination of articulation and musical purpose, and are absolutely never bright or in your face
- Arguably, the strongest point is their solid and unwavering presentation regardless of volume level
- Has a live-performance-like quality
Product Considerations
- Overall resolution is good, but not spectacular, and perhaps less than one should reasonably expect at this price
- Tonal balance, compared to Apogee speakers, is definitely on the dark side
- Exact same toe in is needed, otherwise focus will tend to either side
- Bass was initially thumb–but was resolved by placement
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Apogee: DSP 5200's have a lower stage, also, tonal balance is darker
- Compared to Kharma: Kharma's are more open-sounding–but can be ear-piercing, while the DSP 5200's are never aggressive or harsh
Takeaway: The DSP 5200 SE speakers deliver a confident and solid sound, that does not lack power, and performs well at all volume levels. They are great at filling the room with sound and creating a thrilling listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Meridian Audio pioneered digital surround-sound processing and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) in speakers, and developed the Meridian Lossless Packing technology that became the standard for DVD-Audio and Blu-ray formats. The brand's unique technologies include Enhanced Bass Alignment for time-aligned frequencies, SpeakerLink for simplified digital connections using Ethernet-style cables, and MQA for high-resolution audio streaming.
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