Blind TesT

Mechanical Engineer Blake Schmutz is setting up a blind listening test, connecting speaker wire from a custom built switcher to three seemingly identical WATTs. Each enclosure, however, is constructed from a different combination of materials.

This is part of Wilson Audio's continuing materials research. It's preceded by some hard science-impulse testing and Fast Fourier Transform analysis, performed on literally hundreds of uniform samples, measures resonant frequencies, damping, and rigidity. FFT analysis revealed that Wilson's proprietary "X" material is essentially monotonic (it resonates at only one frequency), is as rigid as steel, and as well-damped as sorbothane. Listening tests showed its performance to be unsurpassed in bass enclosures. We also found it's an ideal interface material-used wherever cabinets couple to the floor or to each other. "M" material showed different resonant and damping characteristics, and listening revealed that its true magic appears in the midrange.

Other manufacturers make choices based on cost or convenience (MDF) or perceived cachet (exotic woods). At best they will use a single "pet" material throughout, regardless of how it interacts at various frequencies. Wilson Audio remains unique in the industry for its application of not just one, but multiple, custom materials to each cabinet design.