Wilson Audio drivers

[microstrip]

It has long been rumored that Wilson uses "of the shelf" drivers. If true (...)

It is wrong. Since long Wilson have distributed literature and marketing highlighting their customizing of drive units.
They are known to use elements from the top drivers of ScanSpeak, Focal and SB Acoustics.

 

[Gregadd]

this is what you do when someone takes your statement out of context.
"...there is nothing wrong usind "spec" drivers."
Indeed that may actually increase cost because you have inserted a middleman.
"

 

[tima]

FWIW, John is now a high level employee at dCS. He is a very nice guy and, in my view, a good writer.

I agree. As former Director of Sales and Marketing at Wilson I suspect John Giolas is sorely missed. He was with them for a long time. I knew him as he set up each of my three Wilson speakers. He is a superb writer; I read the difference between his work and what has come after. He is also a top-notch large format photographer. A true asset to the industry.

 

[DasguteOhr]

And finally, the experience and knowledge. Which is priceless. Skilled craftsmen and engineers are worth their weight in gold.

that's exactly why all the big companies buy their speakers here or have them manufactured there according to their specifications. companies like scanspeak only select or build the components together coil, membrane etc.. production is in germany

Dr. Kurt Müller – Engineering Creates Sound

wp13470711.server-he.de

 

[ScottK]

I own a pair of Magico A-5's in a second system. My main stereo has Wilson Alexx V. The A-5 was well reviewed and I was curious about the sound from a company known for the use of exotic cone technology. Understanding price differences I heard nothing better from the Magico speaker cone technology than Wilson except for a slight preference for the A-5 Beryllium tweeter. Ultimately I think its the way in which the speaker components (i.e cabinet, crossover, design typology, etc ) work together that is the key rather than some single "super" material.

 

[Audiophile666]

I own a pair of Magico A-5's in a second system. My main stereo has Wilson Alexx V. The A-5 was well reviewed and I was curious about the sound from a company known for the use of exotic cone technology. Understanding price differences I heard nothing better from the Magico speaker cone technology than Wilson except for a slight preference for the A-5 Beryllium tweeter. Ultimately I think its the way in which the speaker components (i.e cabinet, crossover, design typology, etc ) work together that is the key rather than some single "super" material.

Yes
It's just at the price of which the Wilsons are sold I'd expect more exotic drivers
Focal uses Beryllium on much cheaper speakers

 

[Ron Resnick]

Why don't they use exotic materials like Beryllium or diamond ?

Totally subjectively I have yet to find a single box speaker using beryllium drivers* or diamond drivers that I like the sound of. Inevitably I find box speakers using such drivers to be too dry or sterile or analytical or bright for me.

Just because a component is expensive or exotic, you cannot assume that you will subjectively like the sound of it.

*Rockport's beryllium tweeters are an exception to this general finding for me.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Totally subjectively I have yet to find a single box speaker using beryllium drivers* or diamond drivers that I like the sound of. Inevitably I find box speakers using such drivers to be too dry or sterile or analytical or bright for me.

Just because a component is expensive or exotic, you cannot assume that you will subjectively like the sound of it.

*Rockport's beryllium tweeters are an exception to this general finding for me.

You said jehovah( life of brian) all the TAD boys are already fetching pebbles ...joke.
this speaker can produce beautiful trebles with berlliyrum. one of the best speakers I know.

ARA - Suesskind Audio

Back Next ARA 7 years ago a journey began which after many errors, confusion and coincidences led to our new reference loudspeaker ARA. We were even surprised by the cliffs we had to avoid to really reach the top of the pyramid. If you don't shy away from the enormous costs, you can actually...

suesskindaudio.de

P.S Beryllium is known as the "most toxic non-radioactive element". No way in my home

 

[Gregadd]

There are two approaches to design. You can try to perfect existing technology, or you can innovate. According to the law of diminishing returns sometimes the former can be very expensive.

 

[ScottK]

There are two approaches to design. You can try to perfect existing technology, or you can innovate. According to the law of diminishing returns sometimes the former can be very expensive.

True. Sometimes there is a radical break thru but it's rare. Most "improvement' is refinement. Charles Eames said "invent at last resort". I think Wilson has years of experience with paper and has constantly pushed its development while keeping an eye on other materials. In the same way I'm amazed vinyl, after over 100 years, still sounds so good compared to other "high tech" alternatives.

 

[andromedaaudio]

1898: Oliver Lodge developed the first experimental moving coil loudspeaker in 1898. 1915: Peter L. Jensen and Edwin Pridham designed the first practical moving coil loudspeakers.

 

[Another Johnson]

Totally subjectively I have yet to find a single box speaker using beryllium drivers* or diamond drivers that I like the sound of. Inevitably I find box speakers using such drivers to be too dry or sterile or analytical or bright for me.

Just because a component is expensive or exotic, you cannot assume that you will subjectively like the sound of it.

*Rockport's beryllium tweeters are an exception to this general finding for me.

I have owned both B&Ws with diamond, and Revel with Be.

I loved both … but prefer Wilson’s musicality.

 

[HenryD]

I own a pair of Magico A-5's in a second system. My main stereo has Wilson Alexx V. The A-5 was well reviewed and I was curious about the sound from a company known for the use of exotic cone technology. Understanding price differences I heard nothing better from the Magico speaker cone technology than Wilson except for a slight preference for the A-5 Beryllium tweeter. Ultimately I think its the way in which the speaker components (i.e cabinet, crossover, design typology, etc ) work together that is the key rather than some single "super" material.

Are they both set up the same? There is a huge difference, both in bass and midrange (and tweeter obviously). Particularly in micro dynamics, overall resolution and compression at high SPL (on tweet). If you are not hearing that, you may have not optimized your A5 setup.

 

[ScottK]

Are they both set up the same? There is a huge difference, both in bass and midrange (and tweeter obviously). Particularly in micro dynamics, overall resolution and compression at high SPL (on tweet). If you are not hearing that, you may have not optimized your A5 setup.

No, and I realize the comparison is very casual. Different rooms and electronics. All I can say is up until 6 days ago I had the Alexia 1 in my main system which was a 12 year old design with paper speakers. I still preferred its sound, especially the imaging. Wilson time alignment strategy is very effective. Honestly I love the A-5's but I'm just pointing out that paper is still very competitive.

 

[HenryD]

Totally subjective. I am surprised you like the A5; typically, Magico and Wilson are at the opposite people's tastes. I had the Alexia 2 in my system for couple of weeks. Lets just say that I do not share your observations.

 

[ScottK]

Totally subjective. I am surprised you like the A5; typically, Magico and Wilson are at the opposite people's tastes. I had the Alexia 2 in my system for couple of weeks. Lets just say that I do not share your observations.

Everything in audio is subjective. That's well understood. And yes I like a wide range of sound and speakers just like I like a wide range of music and food etc. Never understood the there's only one speaker for me philosophy.

 

[HenryD]

YOu

Everything in audio is subjective. That's well understood. And yes I like a wide range of sound and speakers just like I like a wide range of music and food etc. Never understood the there's only one speaker for me philosophy.

...I still preferred its sound, especially the imaging. Wilson time alignment strategy is very effective.

Your words. Why not keep the Alexia if that is what you prefer? It's rhetorical, I am good

 

[Robh3606]

You said jehovah( life of brian) all the TAD boys are already fetching pebbles ...joke.
this speaker can produce beautiful trebles with berlliyrum. one of the best speakers I know.

ARA - Suesskind Audio

Back Next ARA 7 years ago a journey began which after many errors, confusion and coincidences led to our new reference loudspeaker ARA. We were even surprised by the cliffs we had to avoid to really reach the top of the pyramid. If you don't shy away from the enormous costs, you can actually...

suesskindaudio.de

P.S Beryllium is known as the "most toxic non-radioactive element". No way in my home

The Beryllium foils used are completely safe. For Be to be dangerous you would need to grind it and inhale the dust.

Rob

 

[DasguteOhr]

The Beryllium foils used are completely safe. For Be to be dangerous you would need to grind it and inhale the dust.

Rob

This foil is usually coated as long its intact it is safe, I agree with you. if anyone is looking for good tweeters here

BlieSMa T34B-4 Beryllium Dome Tweeter | HiFiCompass

hificompass.com