Wilson Audio Sabrina V in Concert at Imacustica - Lisbon by JVH-1

Wilson Audio Sabrina V — The Princess Returns
The Sabrina V is more than just an update of the original version. The new model replaces the Sabrina X and integrates technology from high-end models, including the Chronosonic XVX, Alexx V, and Sasha V, to produce a more unified, natural, and, most importantly, musical sound.

So, the sound you hear in the video is the same as what you will listen to at Imacustica-Lisboa, with the caveat that the sound and image via YouTube are only illustrative – and not representative – of what you hear/see ‘live’. Having the feeling of being there and actually being there are two different things.
The Audition
Here are 3 tracks I have selected for you from the many I heard:

‘Bird on a Wire’ — Jennifer Warnes
Sabrina V is particularly happy with female voices. Warnes appears luminous, introduced by the solid impact of the percussion, but with substance in the mid-low register; there is none of that artificial sweetness that broadens the image but robs it of structure. The strings and light percussion sit on a broad and deep stage, maintaining a stable focus, even as the orchestration gains density. The AudioCapX-WA on the crossover allows the delicate texture of the acoustic fabric to pass through, as well as the air between the threads. It is an elegant and cohesive presentation, befitting a princess.
‘Smoke on the Water’ — Deep Purple
One of the criticisms from our YouTube followers is that we only select audiophile music that is easy to reproduce. Well, here it is — heavy rock to test muscle, attack, and control at full PA volume. The famous riff comes in angular yet heavy, with the snare drum seeming to crack with each impact; while the hi-hat and cymbals hang in the air, showing audible decay. Sabrina V doesn't hold back; it keeps the bass in check, without excessive kick, so the bass line doesn't become too fat when the volume is increased. The stage is layered, with the Hammond supporting without infringing on the vocal and guitar territory. Dynamic speed and rhythm are typical of the Wilson Audio school; it makes you nudge the volume up another notch — and it holds its poise, stage locked and tone intact. On Smoke on the Water it flat-out smokes!
‘The Sound of Silence’ — The Ghost of Johnny Cash
Sabrina V embodies the “ghost” of Johnny Cash in the room, who stands before us in this sombre rendition of the Simon & Garfunkel classic, with a solidly focused voice and that deep, grave baritone timbre, enveloped in the studio air, which only the QuadraMag knows how to reveal without hardening the consonants. He sings almost a cappella, and the breathing, the pauses, the weight of the words — all cut out against a black background, and just a splash of synthesised guitars with audible decay that helps to suspend time—a merit of the CSC, which extends the ethereal highs without harming the ears. At the low end, the 8" woofer reproduces the weight of the air in the studio, but without affecting the intimate contact, as if we were two metres away from the performer.
Sabrina V in concert at Imacustica-Lisboa (2025)
Note: The images and sound in the video were not captured simultaneously. I first recorded the video, which I edited to illustrate the sound of the excerpts from the tracks described above, captured by a Nagra DS digital recorder at 96/24 (courtesy of Ajasom), placed statically in the “sweet spot”. Everything you hear was recorded in the Imacustica-Lisboa auditorium directly from Sabrina, without processing or equalisation.


Conclusion
Sabrina V upholds the plug-and-play philosophy, foregoing the modular time-alignment that distinguishes Wilson Audio’s top-tiers. But it does not compromise scale, dynamics, or tonal accuracy. Give it enough power and take care with placement and floor coupling, and it repays you with a deep three-dimensional stage, propulsive timing, and a musicality that pins you to the chair—and steals the hours. It’s the kind of ‘V’ that sends you a shiVer down your spine.


Technical specifications
• Configuration - 3-way: 1‘ CSC tweeter, 7’ QuadraMag AlNiCo midrange (paper pulp composite cone), 8" woofer (paper pulp).
• Enclosure type: sealed tweeter; rear-vented midrange; rear bass reflex.
• Frequency response: 27 Hz – 24 kHz (±3 dB).
• Sensitivity: 87 dB; nominal impedance: 4 Ω (minimum 2.23 Ω).
• Minimum recommended power: 50 W per channel.
• Size/weight: approx. 99 x 30.5 x 39.1 cm; weight approx. 56 kg per speaker (slightly thinner, taller and heavier than the Sabrina X).
• Finishes and upgrades: WilsonGloss; threads for Acoustic Diode; rear access to resistors; V-MCD base.
• Price: € 39, 990
• Distributor: IMACUSTICA

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