Three brands from Audio Reference’s product lineup are among the winners of the 2026–2027 EISA Awards. The international panel of experts honored the Wilson Audio Sabrina V floor-standing speaker, the SME Model 35 turntable, and the Perlisten D3is in-wall subwoofer in three different categories.
The EISA Triple thus covers three areas of the high-end audio segment: classic stereo speakers, analog music playback, and custom-integrated home theater systems. Wilson Audio and SME took top honors in two high-end categories, while Perlisten received a subwoofer award specifically tailored for wall-mounted and built-in solutions.
Wilson Audio Sabrina V: The Smallest Wilson Makes a Big Impact
The Wilson Audio Sabrina V has been named the EISA High-End Floorstanding Loudspeakers 2026–2027. It is the smallest floorstanding speaker from the American high-end specialist and replaces the SabrinaX.
Although it is relatively compact within the Wilson lineup, the Sabrina V incorporates numerous technologies from larger models. Its enclosure combines the manufacturer’s proprietary X, V, and H materials. The new H material is used, among other places, on the baffle, where it is designed to create a low-resonance operating environment for the drivers.
The midrange is handled by a 178-millimeter AlNiCo QuadraMag driver, which Wilson originally developed for significantly larger flagship models. It is complemented by the Convergent Synergy Carbon tweeter—CSC for short—and a 203-millimeter woofer. The latter is also used in the Sasha V and the current WATT/Puppy.
The Sabrina V is available in various standard colors as well as in numerous special and custom finishes for an additional charge.
SME Model 35: High-End for Vinyl
The SME Model 35 was named the EISA High-End Turntable of 2026–2027. The British manufacturer developed the turntable as a modern successor to the long-standing Model 30, incorporating technical solutions from the flagship Model 60.
A 24-pole AC motor drives the 4.6-kilogram aluminum alloy platter. The DSP-based motor control system and a separate power supply are designed to keep the rotational speed particularly constant and reduce the transmission of motor vibrations.
The subchassis is suspended within the three-pillar structure by a total of 15 composite rubber rings. In addition, SME uses a hydraulically damped main bearing and multi-stage decoupling via the height-adjustable feet.
The Model 35 features the advanced SME Series Vi tonearm. Its one-piece tonearm tube is made of a high-density, rigid polymer material and is designed to achieve exceptionally low inherent resonance thanks to its circular construction.
Perlisten D3is: Three Drivers for Wall Mounting
In the EISA On-Wall Subwoofer 2026–2027 category, the Perlisten D3is came out on top. Its slim, sealed enclosure is suitable both for visible mounting on a wall and for integration into a wall or piece of furniture.
Three 215-millimeter long-throw drivers with carbon-fiber cones provide low-frequency reproduction. An external DSP amplifier with 1,500 watts RMS powers the system. Because all of the amplifier electronics are housed externally, the subwoofer enclosure itself can be designed to be particularly slim.
To adapt to the room, the D3is offers a 10-band parametric equalizer and various sound programs. The Perlisten app provides, among other things, presets for small and large rooms as well as a THX mode. In larger installations, up to eight subwoofers can be grouped and coordinated in terms of level and delay.
Special isolation mounts are designed to prevent vibrations from being unnecessarily transmitted to walls or furniture. As a result, the D3is is particularly well-suited for high-end home theaters and custom-designed installations.
Three Awards for Three Categories
Three manufacturers—Wilson Audio, SME, and Perlisten—were honored; Audio Reference distributes their products exclusively through German specialty retailers. The product range spans from compact high-end floor-standing speakers to an intricately engineered turntable and a home theater subwoofer that can be flexibly integrated into any setup.
Further information:
https://www.audio-reference.de/
