
SeCTion 1 . 1 – S ophia® S erieS 3 i nTroduCTion
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Wilson Audio Specialties
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Section 1.1 – Sophia® Series 3 Introduction
Since her initial release, Sophia has changed the way many music lovers think of high-end loud-
speakers – and Wilson Audio. Sophia challenged the idea that some audio qualities are, by their very
nature, mutually exclusive: high resolution and musicality, very wide bandwidth and a relatively compact
enclosure, large dynamic swings and a load almost any amp can drive. A designer had to choose; he
could include one of these qualities, but this meant omitting or at least compromising the other. And yet
Sophia possesses each of these qualities in nearly equal measure.
Perhaps because of this unusual combination of virtues, Sophia, in both Series 1
and 2 iterations, has attracted an almost cult following since her introduction in 2003.
When the decision was made to upgrade Sophia to Series 3, the primary engineering
goal was to preserve the qualities that endeared Sophia to so many music lovers. The
team had advanced the art of music reproduction in the Alexandria Series 2, MAXX
Series 3, and in the all-new Sasha W/P with a variety of new technologies developed
for those projects. In order to employ the same technical improvements in Sophia, it
became clear early on that it would be necessary to design an all-new loudspeaker. At
the same time, it was critical to Dave that he honor, preserve, and (ideally) build upon
those qualities that clearly define Sophia’s character.
The result of those efforts is the Sophia Series 3.
All-new Architecture with new Midrange Enclosure Material
When it comes to a loudspeaker’s architectural design, Wilson’s philosophy is driven by the notion
that a loudspeaker’s form is inextricably tied to its function. The unique physical features of correct propa-
gation delay and lowering enclosure panel resonances have for decades now given Wilson loudspeak-
ers their look. Arguably, there is a form of beauty singular to the congruent interplay of technology and
aesthetic ideals.
With Sophia, the primary engineering goal was to further reduce the already very low resonant
enclosure. To this end, the X-material enclosure panels of the upper and lower modules are thicker. A new