Though taller, narrower, deeper, more gracefully sculpted, and even more mantis-like than the MAXX Series 2 that I <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/805wilson">reviewed</A&gt; in the August 2005 <I>Stereophile</I>, at first glance the Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3 seems little more than a minor reworking of its predecessor with a major increase in price: from $44,900 to $68,000 per pair. But first looks can be deceiving. Take a closer, longer gaze&#151;or, better yet, spend some time <I>listening</I> (especially if you've spent time with the MAXX 2)&#151;and you'll quickly realize that while the familiar Wilson design concepts remain in play, the MAXX 3 is <I>far</I> more than a minor reworking of an older model.

Though taller, narrower, deeper, more gracefully sculpted, and even more mantis-like than the MAXX Series 2 that I <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/805wilson">reviewed</A&gt; in the August 2005 <I>Stereophile</I>, at first glance the Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3 seems little more than a minor reworking of its predecessor with a major increase in price: from $44,900 to $68,000 per pair. But first looks can be deceiving. Take a closer, longer gaze&#151;or, better yet, spend some time <I>listening</I> (especially if you've spent time with the MAXX 2)&#151;and you'll quickly realize that while the familiar Wilson design concepts remain in play, the MAXX 3 is <I>far</I> more than a minor reworking of an older model.

Though taller, narrower, deeper, more gracefully sculpted, and even more mantis-like than the MAXX Series 2 that I <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/805wilson">reviewed</A&gt; in the August 2005 <I>Stereophile</I>, at first glance the Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3 seems little more than a minor reworking of its predecessor with a major increase in price: from $44,900 to $68,000 per pair. But first looks can be deceiving. Take a closer, longer gaze&#151;or, better yet, spend some time <I>listening</I> (especially if you've spent time with the MAXX 2)&#151;and you'll quickly realize that while the familiar Wilson design concepts remain in play, the MAXX 3 is <I>far</I> more than a minor reworking of an older model.

Though taller, narrower, deeper, more gracefully sculpted, and even more mantis-like than the MAXX Series 2 that I <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/805wilson">reviewed</A&gt; in the August 2005 <I>Stereophile</I>, at first glance the Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3 seems little more than a minor reworking of its predecessor with a major increase in price: from $44,900 to $68,000 per pair. But first looks can be deceiving. Take a closer, longer gaze&#151;or, better yet, spend some time <I>listening</I> (especially if you've spent time with the MAXX 2)&#151;and you'll quickly realize that while the familiar Wilson design concepts remain in play, the MAXX 3 is <I>far</I> more than a minor reworking of an older model.

<B>Willie Nelson: <I>American Classic</I></B><BR>
Blue Note 5099926719726 (CD). 2009. Tommy LiPuma, prod.; Al Schmitt, Steve Genewick, engs. AAD? TT: 45:33<BR>
Performance ****&#189;<BR>
Sonics ****

<I>And every time, this thought hit me: It wasn't a record she was handling. It was a fragile soul inside a glass bottle.</I>&#151;From <I>South of the Border, West of the Sun</I>, by Haruki Murakami