American company Wilson Audio is releasing the new Sasha V speaker, which, according to the importer, combines “the essence of Sasha with the best features of the Alexia V and Alexx V.”
Importer Reference Sounds presents the new Wilson Audio Sasha V with an extensive press release. As virtually all the information about the newborn can be found there, we will make an exception and reproduce their text (almost) in its entirety. In short, here are the words of Reference Sounds regarding the Sasha V:
V for Material
Contrary to popular belief, the “V” in Wilson Audio’s Alexia, Alexx, and Sasha does not represent the fifth version but rather a unique type of cabinet material: V-Material. True to the idea that a speaker should convert the electrical signal into an acoustic signal without any form of distortion, Wilson Audio has been using specially engineered composite plate materials for its cabinets for years. Since each element has its own operating area and resonance characteristics, Wilson has increasingly utilized different compositions optimized for their specific locations within the cabinet. For example, the woofers’ baffle is made of X-Material, while the midrange, which requires a different level of internal damping, is housed in an S-Material baffle. Initially introduced in the Alexx V, the special composite sandwich material with an internal insulating layer now also finds its place in the Sasha V, such as in the spikes and top plate of the bass module. V-Material effectively impedes small resonances and vibrations, eliminating even the slightest traces of coloration. Additionally, the 25% thicker X-Material sidewalls of the bass module contribute to an even stiffer cabinet. With a weight of 111kg per speaker, the V is not lighter, but its beautiful, flowing lines on the sidewalls, continuing into the top section, give it a significantly more elegant appearance than the DAW.
Wilson Audio is known for its dynamics. The greater the absence of distortion and smearing, the greater the dynamics. This is one of the impressive characteristics of the Sasha V. Musical contrasts are rendered with even greater nuance. Silence becomes even quieter, and minute details gain more space without being exaggerated.
Straight to the Heart
The midrange is undoubtedly the heart of a 3-way loudspeaker, operating in the frequency range where our ears are extremely sensitive. The midrange is crucial for the authenticity of vocal reproduction and an integral part of the speaker. Sasha V owes its midrange to the extensive research that preceded the development of Wilson Audio’s flagship model, the Chronosonic XVX. The special QuadraMag midrange, unlike the standard single-ring-magnet configuration, utilizes four independent Alnico magnets around the voice coil. Aluminum, Nickel, and Cobalt are compact, offer high field strength, are highly heat resistant, and can be perfectly shaped for their function, allowing the magnetic field to concentrate precisely where it is needed—the voice coil. The shape and position of the magnets minimize compression and flow losses that obscure subtle musical nuances. With the Wilson Audio QuadraMag midrange, the Sasha V elevates its musical expression to the level of the larger Alexia V.
Carbon
The tweeter, not distinguishable from its predecessor at first glance, represents another choice by Wilson Audio. After a long history of “inverted titanium dome” tweeters, Wilson Audio has been opting for the Convergent Synergy textile soft-dome tweeter for years, marking a significant evolution in Wilson Audio’s sonic character, where subtlety and refinement go hand in hand with dynamic live performances. For the Sasha V, Wilson Audio selects the best they have to offer—the Convergent Synergy Carbon tweeter, with the true innovation occurring internally. Behind the special soft dome, there is a complete 3D-printed, acoustically optimized Carbon enclosure. With its unique shape, material, and precisely placed damping materials, Wilson Audio can convert every micro-detail in the electrical signal into extremely accurate high frequencies without distortion or smearing.
Cut the Cap
Of course, the tweeter is only as good as the signal it receives. Believing that maximum performance depends on maximum control, Wilson Audio strives to perform as many disciplines as possible in-house. The capacitors used in the crossover play an important role in this regard. In series with the signal path to the tweeter, the amplifier “looks” through the internal wiring and the capacitors towards the voice coil of the CSC tweeter. To build those capacitors, as well as all others in the crossover, to their own specifications and tolerances, Wilson Audio brought the production machine from Reliable Capacitors (RelCap) in-house a few years ago. With that machine, rapid prototyping, and the freedom to develop according to their own insights, Wilson Audio created a completely new capacitor—the AudioCapX-WA. Completely made of copper and handcrafted by Wilson Audio, this is the best capacitor they have ever been able to apply. It perfectly executes its simple function of blocking electrical signals below a specific frequency, simply because it doesn’t affect the electrical signal within its passband in any way, ensuring the purest possible transmission. Therefore, it’s a debut for the Wilson Audio Sasha V.
The Sum of It All
We can honestly say that the Wilson Audio Sasha DAW was perhaps our favorite Wilson Audio Speaker. It was the first model in the Wilson Line Up that could be physically adjusted in terms of listening distance and height because, like its predecessor from the mid-1980s, it consisted of two elements: the actual WATT and the Puppy. Over the years, this combination has evolved and grown physically but remained relatively compact. In that sense, the DAW represented a sort of sweet spot in the Wilson Audio family—adjustable and flexible like its larger siblings but not as massive. Additionally, the DAW was and still is a tribute from son to father. The new Sasha V retains all those ingredients and adds the V-material and the best features from Wilson’s flagship models. The sum of all these refinements, even higher-quality components, unique composite cabinet materials, and natural design elements could make the Sasha V our new favorite.
We have already placed our demo model on order and hope to have it rolling through the warehouse door at Reference Sounds in mid-September. Of course, after getting acquainted with it and allowing for the necessary break-in hours, we will introduce it to you extensively!
The Sasha V has a retail price of €62,490 based on the standard Wilson Gloss finish.