Loudspeakers

Wilson Audio has ploughed significant resource into its driver development which probably explains why it has fewer individual driver types than it has speaker models. For example, its Convergent Synergy Carbon (CSC) tweeter, developed for the Alexx V [HFN Jan ’22], is also deployed across the range in the Alexia V [HFN Jan ’23], Sasha V [HFN Sep ’23], The WATT/Puppy [HFN Sep ’24], Mezzo CSC and Alida CSC as well as the new Sabrina V auditioned here. The 200mm woofer of the Sabrina V is also used in the Sasha V, The WATT/Puppy and Mezzo CSC, but differs from the Alexx V’s 200mm unit which was designed to complement a partnering 255mm woofer, these both derived from the flagship WAMM Master Chronosonic. However, it’s the 178mm QuadraMag midrange, originally developed for the Chronosonic XVX, that’s most extensively ‘trickled down’ into the Alexx V, Alexia V, Sasha V, The WATT/Puppy and Mezzo CSC as well as the Sabrina V.

Inevitably, both the QuadraMag midrange and woofer are best suited to specific cabinet volumes so Wilson’s expertise comes into play where the cabinet volume falls below this ‘sweet spot’. In practice, the driver loading is optimised by adjusting the cabinet dimensions for a given air volume, in addition to the crossover, the venting and the internal acoustic damping. Ultimately, ‘Listening and fine-tuning this equation brings us to what sounds “ideal” given the audio band the driver is responsible for reproducing’, says CEO Daryl Wilson. ‘It is a blend and balance of science and art.’ PM