Wilson Audio Maintenance

[mauidan]

Here's some WA Maintenance recommendations I've seen posted on other forums:

1. Clean the resistor contacts. Debby Wilson posted that she changes out resistors every 6 months to a year.

2. Check the tightness of driver and ports fasteners/bolts.

Wilson recommends 20 in-lbs of torque on the fasteners/bolts.

I got a Wheeler Engineering FAT wrench, to ensure that I don't over tighten.

Note: Don't use the 3/32" Allen Wrench in the Wilson tool kit to tighten the four small black screws on the Focal tweeters. The heads aren't 3/32". These heads are 2.5mm.

 

[LL21]

Intuitively, tightening makes a lot of sense to me. But resistors every 6 months to year? Are they only supposed to last that long in Wilsons? Even at 24/7 playback, does that seem extreme to anyone? When was the last time someone replaced all their resistors (excepting when they broke/burned out) in their Wilsons? Or in any speakers where it is designed to be done by the consumer for that matter?

 

[XV-1]

If I got my resistors free from Dad, I would replace mine every 6 months as well

 

[rockitman]

Intuitively, tightening makes a lot of sense to me. But resistors every 6 months to year? Are they only supposed to last that long in Wilsons? Even at 24/7 playback, does that seem extreme to anyone? When was the last time someone replaced all their resistors (excepting when they broke/burned out) in their Wilsons? Or in any speakers where it is designed to be done by the consumer for that matter?

I don't anticipate changing out resistors for at least a couple of years.

 

[Steve williams]

but doesn't a resistor last until it fails?

Maybe Deb could chime in and explain only because I have seen this mentioned all over the internet for many years. I'd like to know what the sonic benefit of changing them every 6 months does.

AS to cost, that is an unfair statement to Deb because in the great scheme of things resistors are not very expensive and I have a whole kit full of replacements.

But then the question I must ask is whether there is a shelf life on resistors because if so I would be replacing mine just as I replace my tubes

 

[mauidan]

Here's an article on resistor testing by Martin Colloms:

http://www.duelundaudio.com/downloads/Resistorsvol5no3HIFICriticHiRes.pdf

 

[Lildebs888]

Here's some WA Maintenance recommendations I've seen posted on other forums:

1. Clean the resistor contacts. Debby Wilson posted that she changes out resistors every 6 months to a year.

2. Check the tightness of driver and ports fasteners/bolts.

Wilson recommends 20 in-lbs of torque on the fasteners/bolts.

I got a Wheeler Engineering FAT wrench, to ensure that I don't over tighten.
View attachment 11651
Note: Don't use the 3/32" Allen Wrench in the Wilson tool kit to tighten the four small black screws on the Focal tweeters. The heads aren't 3/32". These heads are 2.5mm.

The small screws in the mods on early model Maxx and WATT (and others that use the very small screws) you only torque to 5 lbs (or LIGHT hand tighten). Do NOT over torque them!

When it comes to resisters: I change them out often, yes. As I have said before, I feel it refreshes the sound. I see them like spark plugs in cars.

 

[LL21]

The small screws in the mods on early model Maxx and WATT (and others that use the very small screws) you only torque to 5 lbs (or LIGHT hand tighten). Do NOT over torque them!

When it comes to resisters: I change them out often, yes. As I have said before, I feel it refreshes the sound. I see them like spark plugs in cars.

Thank you...what about X1/Grand Slamms? What level of torque and how often would you suggest we check? (I do not have anything that measures torque, so is there any way to roughly gauge by hand?) Ie, a gentle turn of anything truly loose, and otherwise leave alone?

 

[cjfrbw]

This makes me feel that resistance if futile.

 

[DonH50]

Resistance can vary over time, especially if the resistors are stressed by high power levels. However, I have to think a competent design would build in plenty of margin, and modern resistor materials are available that are extremely stable. I would expect the drivers to change more than the resistors, but I don't know the details of Wilson's components.

Torque wrenches need maintainance, too, or they will be out of spec. I would be a little nervous having to re-torque; eventually I'd think you'd cause wear on the threads of the screws/bolts/nuts/whatever. Especially if the screws go into some sort of wood-related material and not a more more positive capture system using a harder material (e.g. some pro drivers way back when actually had a steel ring on the back side that acted as a clamp and had nuts attached so the mounting bolts just passed through the cabinet instead of screwig into the cabinet itself).

Loctite?

Another oft-cited maintainance tweak is to pull the cables to provide a little wiping action to reduce any oxidation effects. I have never found that to be terribly helpful unless things were really bad, but of course I have ears of clay.

 

[Lildebs888]

Thank you...what about X1/Grand Slamms? What level of torque and how often would you suggest we check? (I do not have anything that measures torque, so is there any way to roughly gauge by hand?) Ie, a gentle turn of anything truly loose, and otherwise leave alone?

Usually they don't loosen too much. I would just gently handtighten them if you find they are loose. Otherwise, yes, leave them alone.

 

[LL21]

Usually they don't loosen too much. I would just gently handtighten them if you find they are loose. Otherwise, yes, leave them alone.

Thank you, Debby...I have been spending more and more time thinking long term about XLFs and a great pair of mighty subs. A lot of that has to do with your company's great service, coverage, personalized setup and installation. Pedro of Abs Sounds is a gentleman and a scholar of beautiful sound and music.

 

[Lildebs888]

Thank you, Debby...I have been spending more and more time thinking long term about XLFs and a great pair of mighty subs. A lot of that has to do with your company's great service, coverage, personalized setup and installation. Pedro of Abs Sounds is a gentleman and a scholar of beautiful sound and music.

You're welcome! XLF's are fabulous (I am a little biased though). The guys at Absolute sound are great.

 

[Bruce B]

The guys were I got mine, Definitive Audio, have been out twice and tightened drivers and put the Stillpoints under them. I know they are sales people, but there was no hard sell. I only paid for them after a long demo. Now I feel they are almost mandatory for any Wilson owner!

 

[treitz3]

Hello all, I would tend to think that this would be more of a connection issue rather than a resistor issue. Perhaps it is easier to explain to consumers who own their speakers to replace a resistor rather than going through the benefits of the almost Audio God-like ritual of cleaning and preserving contact points within the signal path.

Tom

 

[LL21]

The guys were I got mine, Definitive Audio, have been out twice and tightened drivers and put the Stillpoints under them. I know they are sales people, but there was no hard sell. I only paid for them after a long demo. Now I feel they are almost mandatory for any Wilson owner!

+1 on Stillpoints for Wilsons for me.

 

[marcbrown]

Hi, I have the Sophia 3s where I replaced, years ago, the standard resistors with Duelund CAST resistors. I had read Martin Colloms article and was shocked and pleased with the positive differences they made. To comment on replacing them, in my case I can say after a year or so, I thought a tweeter was going out. Turned out resistor was going out. I play my music at above average levels especially when partying and you could see where resistors over-heated. I replaced them both to a noticeable improvement and now have a spare set on shelf. I also have Stillpoint's Ultra 5s under the speakers which made a huge improvement in sound, on multi-levels.

 

[marcbrown]

PS Meant to mention years ago I contacted Wilson and asked about Stillpoints which they recommended against. I was impressed with Debby when I read that she had Stillpoints. It showed she listens with her ears and not what the so called tech experts say.

 

[marcbrown]

PPS Shelf life should not much of an issue, but playing loudly can stress the resistors over time. Looking closely you could see the signs of stress.

 

[analogsa]

was shocked and pleased with the positive differences they made.

Interesting. I have no sufficient room for these in my WP7 but tried them in another crossover vs Mundorf Supreme. Initially i thought the Duelunds sounded great, but this impression did not last long at all: superdetailed but tiring and brittle. Being quite non-linear these are supposed to compensate for the heating up of voice coils but i don't know if this compensation works well in practice. One thing is for sure: no more Duelund resistors for me.