Introduction Wilson Audio Sabrina V

Describing Wilson Audio's Sabrina feels a bit like a paradox. On the one hand, it represents Wilson Audio's philosophy in its most compressed form, while on the other, it's laced with uncompromising Wilson Audio technology. Built on the pillars that characterize Daryl Wilson's top models, the Sabrina is Wilson Audio's most accessible loudspeaker, both in form and price. Yet, it defines a class that even the prestigious top models of fellow loudspeaker brands can't match. This makes the story of the modest-looking Sabrina both intriguing and impressive, with evolution being the key word. This progression, through time, insight, and knowledge, takes us from the original Sabrina and the later Sabrina X to the very latest model, which — in our opinion — represents a turning point in the Sabrina's growth curve and perhaps even in what is sonically possible from this footprint. Meet the Sabrina V.

While the Wilson Audio Tiny Tot (WATT) is the starting point and most well-known model from Wilson Audio, there is one specific model that is even more significant in shaping the Wilson Audio DNA: David's own Wilson Audio Modular Monitor (WAMM). A truly unique loudspeaker with the ability to be mechanically adjusted to the listening environment and distance for optimal integration in the time domain. It's a characteristic that forms the core ideal in Wilson Audio's philosophy. Fueled by the persuasion that every element in a loudspeaker plays a direct role in its acoustic performance, David Wilson developed his own unique, extremely low-resonance cabinet materials — a second building block in Wilson Audio's DNA. Timing and the absence of distortion. You hear it in every Wilson Audio speaker. An tremendous sense of liveliness and authenticity. Over the years, Wilson Audio has also become increasingly precise and refined. A direct result of the idea that you can only grow if you dare to ask yourself what can be improved. This evolution is undoubtedly also largely due to David's son, Daryl Wilson, who has managed to elevate Wilson Audio to an even higher level in every respect. The Sabrina V is undoubtedly an excellent example of this. Developed from the lines of the original, the third-generation Sabrina is actually in a completely different class, breathtakingly capturing the true Wilson Audio character in a beautiful cabinet.

Just like with the Alexia and Sasha, the V refers to the cabinet material used in structural areas with its exceptional damping properties. While the original Sabrina, with HDF as the basic cabinet material, made significant concessions to Wilson's ideal, the Sabrina X built on the much heavier and stiffer X-material. Simply because a loudspeaker cabinet, unlike a musical instrument, should not add anything to the sound of the recording. The addition of the high-damping V-material in specific areas of the cabinet further isolates mechanical vibrations. In addition to V-material in the Sabrina's bottom (no pun intended), Wilson Audio is introducing a completely new material in the speaker's baffle: H-Material. The composition of the H-Material composite is extremely dense yet slightly softer than the X-Material used previously. This combination provides improved internal damping, allowing mechanical vibrations from the crucial midrange to be isolated even further, preventing resonance flowing into the rest of the cabinet. The result is even more refined, cleaner, and natural sound, with a higher level of expression. Similar to removing the noise from a recording that obscures fine details, a Wilson Audio speaker reveals greater dynamic contrast with micro-details that, in other speakers, are swallowed up by sound-smearing cabinet vibrations. Not so with the Sabrina V.

The naked Sabrina V with H-Material baffle and X-Material cabinet construction. The predecessor, Sabrina X in comparison in the background.

The biggest leap in component selection is undoubtedly the midrange. Previous Sabrina models were built on a 14cm midrange unit, while all larger Wilson Audio models with a tweeter-midrange combination use an 18cm midrange driver. The Sabrina V breaks that tradition, forming its musical center around the 7" (18cm) QuadraMag midrange. Originally developed for the ultimate Wilson Audio XVX, this unique driver with an AlNiCo magnet structure now, for the first time, finds its way into the Sabrina V, via the Alexx V, Alexia V, Sasha V, and the Watt Puppy. This instantly lifts Wilson Audio's most compact floorstander into a different league. As good as the Sabrina X is, this is a different level. The expressiveness in the midrange, so important to Wilson Audio, is at a level most reminiscent of the recently introduced Watt Puppy. Rich and defined, with enormous engagement. The Sabrina V sings as if she has gained even more lung capacity, making everything even easier for her. Beautiful.

A direct result is the seamless integration with the Convergent Synergy Carbon (CSC) Dome Tweeter, also sourced from Wilson's top models. The cohesion between these two elements is simply fantastic. Of course, the intrinsic quality of these drivers is unattainable without proper coupling. This is where the quality of the crossover, featuring Wilson Audio's in-house developed AudioCapX-WA capacitors, truly shines.

Discreetly yet intelligently integrated into the base of the Sabrina V, coated with resin to eliminate unwanted vibrations, the crossover performs its function with exceptional precision. Extremely low-tolerance and with minimal energy retention, it forms the perfected path between the speakerterminal and the driver.

The Wilson Audio component DNA doesn't end with the midrange and tweeter; The 8″ (20cm) woofer is also taken directly from the larger Watt Puppy and Sasha V models. Combined with the modified cabinet and crossover, it gives the Sabrina V even more conviction and weight in the bass. It handles energy changes even more adroitly, tracking every bass note with even more precision and impact. Here, too, the Sabrina V's sound quality creeps closer to its bigger brother. It's a powerful to experience what Wilson Audio has managed to conjure from this Sabrina.

Unlike The Watt Puppy and all models above it, the Sabrina V consists of a single, ultra-solid cabinet. This makes the Sabrina V perhaps the most understated Wilson, both visually and technically. In terms of adjustability, you could describe the Sabrina V as a concession to the Wilson Audio ideal — but a very calculated one! While the timing between the drivers in relation to the seating position can be physically adjusted in larger Wilson Audio models, this is a fixed feature in the Sabrina V. The rearward-sloping baffle, combined with the speaker's limited height, ensures proper integration of the drivers, aligning with our average listening position. By experimenting with the spike height, the Sabrina V can then be further optimized. Here too, it emerges from the shadow of its larger members and creates a grand and rhythmic soundscape with the phenomenal live character for which Wilson Audio is renowned.

At Wilson Audio, timing is everything. In our opinion, "time" has done the Sabrina a world of good. She was always a true Wilson Audio, but what Daryl has achieved with the V is truly sublime. The subtle changes in the lines, where the front of the cabinet extends towards the rear, give the Sabrina V a visually more dynamic feel. It's as if her muscle mass has increased in all the right places. At the same time, her slightly higher shoulder line gives her a more slender appearance. In our opinion, she is the most refined-looking Wilson Audio speaker available today, yet she still manages to embrace the musical class of Wilson Audio's larger models more than ever. The Sabrina V is therefore not an evolution of the original, but a revolution – what an impressive speaker!

The Wilson Audio Sabrina V is available now, starting at €37.990,-

A complete Wilson Audio price list can be found via the download link below.