T.H.E. Show 2019

Wilson TuneTot speakers, Luxman L-509X integrated amplifier, MSB Discrete DAC, Innuos Zen mini music server, Bergmann Magne turntable, Ortofon A95 cartridge, D’Agostino Momentum phono preamplifier, and Kubala-Sosna Elation cabling

Jason Victor Serinus  |  Jun 12, 2019

Red was more than the color of my true love’s hair toward the end of T.H.E. Show Long Beach, as I moved from one winning red speaker to another. This time, from Alma Music & Audio, it was the Wilson Audio TuneTot ($9800/pair), the entry-level loudspeaker from Wilson, which I was hearing for the first time. Although engineered to perform optimally when placed near boundaries (e.g. on bookshelves or close to walls), here it sounded exceptionally fine sitting out in the open on unidentified stands.

We began with a DSD file of Henry Mancini’s “Theme from The Pink Panther,” which established how nice this system could sound. Next, from LP, Count Basie’s “Mountain Swing” literally started me with its wide dynamics when the brass got going. Really got going. Imaging, while not especially deep, was quite good, bass had punch (which was surprising for a speaker with limited low frequency extension), and highs were very fine. This system even managed to allow an early CBS digitally recorded LP of Wynton Marsalis playing Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto to shine.

Essential to the system’s success: Luxman L-509X integrated amplifier ($9450), MSB Discrete DAC ($10,000 + options), Innuos Zen mini music server ($1250), Bergmann Magne turntable ($14,000) with Ortofon A95 cartridge, D’Agostino Momentum phono preamplifier ($29,000), and Kubala-Sosna Elation cabling.

COMMENTS
Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on June 12, 2019 - 6:27pm

... essential to the system’s success, or would the phono preamp built into the Luxman L-509X have been more than up to the task?

Jason Victor Serinus's picture
Submitted by Jason Victor Serinus on June 12, 2019 - 6:32pm

However, without an analog rig and the opportunity to compare both in my reference system, I have no way to answer it.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on June 13, 2019 - 5:48am

Every Wilson speaker model deserves at least one D'Agostino component to contribute to the overall sound quality, even if said component costs 3 times the price of the speakers :-) .........

Stephen Scharf's picture
Submitted by Stephen Scharf on June 13, 2019 - 2:39pm

Yes, indeed, I was thinking the same thing.

thyname's picture
Submitted by thyname on June 13, 2019 - 6:26pm

.... You comment in every article bitching about how expensive stuff is. Let me break it to you: good stuff costs money. And if you cannot afford it, stop looking at it (and bitching about it)

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on June 13, 2019 - 6:36pm

"Good stuff costs money" ....... Really? ....... Thanks for that info ...... I didn't know that :-) .......

w1000i's picture
Submitted by w1000i on June 16, 2019 - 2:01pm

Nah, from what I read about people test Luxman it could outperform most of the best including D'Agostino

Stephen Scharf's picture
Submitted by Stephen Scharf on June 13, 2019 - 2:51pm

Jason, I feel like we are being inundated with audio shows of late: AXPONA, Munich High End, THE Show, next month the CA Audio show, then in October, RMAF. Do you think the industry is at risk for "audio show" burnout?

Jason Victor Serinus's picture
Submitted by Jason Victor Serinus on June 13, 2019 - 11:21pm

Hi Stephen,

Big companies can afford to exhibit at multiple shows, but even they sometimes participate only when their dealer local to the show decides to take part. This is how all those brands in the rooms from Scott Walker Audio, Sunny's Components, and Alma Music & Video ended up participating. Often (but not always) the manufacturers or their representatives were on hand, but the initiative, I believe, came from the local dealer.

In this respect, burnout is avoided. Of course, every company and dealer makes a choice as to which show(s) to participate in. More are choosing Capital Audiofest in November, for example, over the New York Audio Show. Few participate in the California Audio Show in Oakland. And sometimes manufacturers prioritize shows in Europe or the Far East, including Poland, Shanghai, and Tokyo, over some US shows.

In short, while coverage is expensive and time-consuming for publications, and participation is expensive for exhibitors, I think the market has the power to self-correct. If there are too many shows, manufacturers will speak up. They've already spoken up about CES, both CES proper and the former T.H.E Show Las Vegas. Some are also speaking up about this year's separation of less than a week between RMAF and CEDIA.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on June 14, 2019 - 6:55am

Another possible match for these Wilson Tune Tot speakers is Mark Levinson 5805 integrated ........ ML5805 has both phono as well as digital inputs :-) ..........

ML5805 is in the same price range as the Luxman 509-X :-) ..........

daveyf's picture
Submitted by daveyf on June 15, 2019 - 11:11pm

The Wilson Tune Tot was an interesting example of a small speaker that would be very good for a second bedroom system or as designed...for a desk top. Not, imo, for a full range system with any expectation of a full range sound. I think there are a number of better options for a full range system, many of them priced at or below what is being asked for the little Wilson.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on June 15, 2019 - 10:21pm

... Aston Martin Cygnet.
https://www2.astonmartin.com/en/heritage/past-models/cygnet

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on June 16, 2019 - 5:38am

...... Or, the Mercedes Smart car :-) ............

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on June 16, 2019 - 10:00am

Wonder whether the Cygnet comes with (or, came with) the Bang & Olufsen surround sound audio system, like the other Aston Martin models? :-) .........

Ali's picture
Submitted by Ali on June 15, 2019 - 7:33am

I wonder if these Wilson sound as musical as Apple HomePod...

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on June 15, 2019 - 7:48am

Apple HomePod doesn't have phono input :-) ........

Ali's picture
Submitted by Ali on June 15, 2019 - 8:01am

It ain't need it. But seriously, I sold my mighty AudioResearch pre/power, Wilson Sasha2 and other gigs last month, brought home pair of Hopmpod after reading several reviews from here and other publications, to be honest I am very happy with them and might not return back to those kind of stuff not that I criticize HiEnd, since I have been in this hubby for many god-knows how many years but all of sudden feel enough is enough at least for me.And also were thinking since shifted to hompod just maybe, with very small percentage of chance , I might one day buy these baby monitors and that's it. Maybe not. God help us all with this hubby...

pearce harrison's picture
Submitted by pearce harrison on June 15, 2019 - 9:03am

The little Wilson Tune Tot is a perfect example of this " The price does NOT fit the product".
While the speaker is fine for what it is, the price asked is simply not tenable, IMO. On my Opus 3 Lp, the whole lower end below about 75hz was missing in action. Personally, for ten large, i fully expect that to be a non issue...instead we have a speaker that clearly is wanting in this area. Too bad, as they could be a contender, but at a much much lower pricing structure. For those who think they are priced well, i call your attention to any number of competing products that can scale down easily into the 30Hz range...and with no real issues elsewhere. For less money, there are also a number of products that can compete with these...including, again IMHO, the several mini LS3/5 speakers that are reviewed by Art dudley in the current issue of Stereophile and many others. BTW, we are not even talking of some of the Maggie's that will embarrass this speaker in all areas...and at pricing that is typically a fraction of what is asked here. Folks, look elsewhere if you plan on spending $10K for these! Plain and simple. BTW, isn't it about time that some value judgements be attributed to some of these products by the staff at Stereophile...or is it that they think all of these products offer good value, LOL.

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on June 17, 2019 - 2:06pm

Someone who can dump 10 large on a pair of monitors can dump 5 more on a sub that will integrate differently in their room than a pair of floorstanders..

Wilson as a company has been completely successful in its endeavors, and offers its speaker systems for a particular purpose and need.

pearce harrison's picture
Submitted by pearce harrison on June 17, 2019 - 6:37pm

So, no big deal that Wilson only priced these at $10k, because the buyer will happily pony up another $5k for a sub, to take care of the deficiencies in the bottom end. I guess we should be thankful that Wilson didn’t price them at $20k, after all they would be a bargain at even that price..don’t you think...Dude!

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