Wilson Benesch Precision Series Manuale utente

PRECISION SERIES

User Manual

Dear Valued Customer,

To the cognoscenti of British high-performance audio, the Wilson Benesch marque is recognised as one of the world’s leading loudspeaker design and manufacturing

companies. We are honoured that you have chosen a Precision Series loudspeaker for your audio system. Our team of engineers, craftspeople and designers have devoted

every effort to manufacture this series of loudspeakers and we are extremely proud to present it to you. Our products are engineered to last a lifetime and we wish you

many hours of enjoyment from your personal music collection with the Precision Series loudspeakers installed in your personal system.

Before starting your journey, we encourage you to pay special attention to the information contained in this manual. In order to extract maximum performance from the

product, it is critical that it is setup correctly. Should you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your authorised dealer or distributor.

On behalf of all the Team at Wilson Benesch,

Craig Milnes, Design Director Christina Milnes, Managing Director

1.0 Product Registration - P4

1.1 Unpacking: Important points before setup - P4

1.2 Removing the Tweeter Protector - P4

1.3 What’s in the Box - P5

2.0 The Subject of Room Acoustics - P6

2.1 Standing Waves - P6

2.2 Reection, Absorption, Diffusion - P7

2.3 Loudspeaker and Listening Position - P8

2.4 Speaker Toe-in - P9

2.5 Spikes & Speaker Rake Angle - P9

2.6 Loudspeaker Clearance and the Bass Port - P9

3.0 Terminals - P10

3.1 Precision Series loudspeaker Terminal Wiring - P10

4.0 Stable Listening Room Environment - P11

4.1 Running-in (168-hours) - P11

4.2 Partnering Products - P11

4.3 Magnet Precautions - P12

5.0 Limited Warranty - P13

5.1 Conditions - P13

5.2 Remedy - P14

5.3 Warranty Limited to Original Purchaser - P14

5.4 Demonstration Equipment - P14

Table of Contents

PRECISION SERIES MANUAL REV 1.3

1.0 Product Registration

Please register your product using the Warranty Registration Card provided in the product packaging within 30-days of reciept of your Wilson Benesch product. Return

within 30-days of reciept will validate a full 5-year warranty provided all conditions detailed in section ‘5.0 - Limited Warranty’ are satised. Please refer to our terms and

conditions at the back of this product manual for more information.

1.1 Unpacking: Important points before setup

On the outside of the shipping carton you will nd a QR code which will automatically load an unpacking video on your device. It is possible to unpack the Precision Series

products alone, but we recommend at least 2-people work together to avoid damage to the product or personal injury. Please observe normal procedures for lifting and

correct posture when handling the speakers. It is strongly recommended that all watches and jewellery be removed prior to unpacking and gloves worn to allow better

grip of the product and protection to the surface nish. Patient and careful setup is essential to obtain the maximum performance from this system.

Special care and attention must be taken to ensure that no pressure is applied to the drivers and in particular, the tweeter dome, when handling or moving the product

from the packaging.

Once both speakers have been stood in an upright position on their spikes the bags can be removed and the packaging stored for future use. This packaging is essential

for safe shipment of the loudspeaker. It is designed and tested specically for use with the Precision Series. Due to the bespoke nature of the packaging, replacement

costs are not insignicant and it is highly recommended therefore, that the packaging is retained for any potential later use.

1.2 Removing the Tweeter Protector

All Precision Series products come with a tweeter protector installed. The P1.0 tweeter protector is slightly different from the P2.0/P3.0. But the removal of the protector is

the same in each instance. Place two ngers from one hand on the faceplate and hold it in place, whilst using the other hand to pull the mounts away from the faceplate

freeing the protector. This is shown in the unpacking lm.

PRECISION SERIES MANUAL REV 1.3

1.3 What’s in the Box

Your Precision Series loudspeakers are supplied with carefully designed packaging that allow for the loudspeaker to be installed with a minimal amount of lifting. Please

use the QR code on the exterior of the shipping carton which shows an instructional video for unpacking the Precision Series products.

Also contained within the shipping container should be the following items:

- 1x Precision Series Manual

- 1x Wilson Benesch Spanner with a 13mm / 22mm end

- A full set of spikes that are pre-installed on each loudspeaker

- A tweeter protection brace which should be removed prior to listening

PRECISION SERIES MANUAL REV 1.3

2.0 The Subject of Room Acoustics

Acoustics is a complex subject and this text should be treated for what it is, a simple but informative guide. For a deeper understanding, we would recommend seeking out

a range of texts on the subject in conjunction with the purchase and use of basic measurement equipment.

It is important to have a strong appreciation of the huge role played by the room and surroundings on the overall sound of the audio system. The air contained within

the room is the link between the output of the loudspeaker and your ear. How this air behaves is dependent upon the attributes or characteristics of the room. It follows

that a better understanding of basic acoustics will assist in making decisions about the way in which the room and subsequently the system can be initially installed and

ultimately improved.

Room types fall between two extremes. A room can be ‘dead’ on the one hand - being full of highly acoustic energy absorbent materials - or very ‘lively’ on the other hand

with a high proportion of non-absorbent, hard, reective surfaces. A combination of materials with different characteristics to achieve a balance between these extremes is,

of course, preferable to either extreme where performance and accuracy will suffer.

The contents of a room will impact on its overall acoustic character. As you would expect harder surfaces like glass and concrete tend to reect and/or diffuse a broad

bandwidth of acoustic energy. Complimentary materials that are soft and thick in section such as heavy natural bre curtains will tend to absorb a broad band of

frequencies.

2.1 Standing waves

When sound waves reect between two parallel surfaces, the distance apart being equal to half the wavelength or less, dependent upon wave size, resonance modes

referred to as ‘standing waves’ are created. The standing waves in your room will distort the frequency response of your system sympathetically boosting or cancelling

certain frequencies. If a certain standing wave frequency is acoustically isolated from its modal neighbours its effect is more likely to be audible and problematic. This can

compromise the accuracy of any loudspeaker.

PRECISION SERIES MANUAL REV 1.3

2.2 Reection, Absorption, Diffusion

The upper-range of frequencies is generally affected more by room contents than room shape. The surfaces and how they reect, absorb or diffuse acoustic energy will tend

to describe the ‘sound’ of a room. As is the case with all forms of energy, acoustic energy cannot be destroyed it can only be converted or reected. The shape, thickness and

material type of a surface will determine how the sound is reected, how much of it is reected and also how much is absorbed and converted into heat or kinetic energy.

Depending on the frequencies in question, the thickness, density and material of the surface or boundary, some energy may pass through entirely. This behaviour is

commonly observed in the lower range of frequencies, being comprised of larger wavelengths that can pass through wall or ceiling boundaries and into an adjacent room,

while the upper frequencies are either absorbed or reected back inside the listening room.

Diffusion occurs when acoustic energy is reected by a surface and dispersed in a random and/or disordered fashion. Usually, diffusion will occur when the acoustic energy

meets a non-uniform or uneven surface. A tightly packed bookshelf with books of different sizes and proles is one example of a commonly found listening room boundary

which can result in diffusion of the upper frequencies.

Diffusion of sound energy at key areas of the listening room is often less damaging to system accuracy and therefore preferable to orderly reection. In the case of reection,

the quantity of indirect sound reaching the listening position will be greater and therefore more inuential. This mixing of indirect and direct sound at the listening position

can result in audible inaccuracies and artefacts.

It should be appreciated that sound waves behave in much the same way as light waves or ‘rays’. To imagine the loudspeaker driver as a oodlight can be helpful in

determining which areas of the listening space are critical to the performance and accuracy of the system. The key “rst points of reection” can be roughly identied by

having an assistant hold a mirror on each side wall while you are positioned in the listening chair. Once the speaker drivers can be seen in the mirror from the listening

position the impact of this identied area should be considered in light of the above basic principles. By the same token, the rst reection point on the ceiling can also be

considered for its inuence as the rst point of reection.

Although many listening rooms are unsuitable for professional acoustic treatment products due to their dual role as a living and listening space, it can still be possible to

make small but appreciable improvements by rearranging furniture, system components and of course the listening position. Consider the changeability of rooms; if the

room is dressed with heavy curtains simply changing the curtains position can alter the balance of the system. It is the goal that is the guide and the owner is the pivot in

this subtle balancing act.

PRECISION SERIES MANUAL REV 1.3

2.3 Loudspeaker and Listening Position

The system, comprised of different components, installed in a room with a unique acoustic character and every listener’s individual taste, should be appreciated as

a unique sum comprised of a great many variables. It should be considered that in this balancing act experimentation is critical to getting the best from the system

and more importantly, tuning to the listener’s own satisfaction. There is no one simple set of rules for speaker placement that will t for every scenario within which

a Precision Series loudspeaker is installed. It is for this reason that no minimum or maximum parameters are stated for the positioning of each product. The listening

position should also be evaluated in the same manner.

The distance between the speakers in relation to the distance from each speaker to the listening position will impact on the size of the sound stage presented.

Additionally, if the listening position is moved closer to the speakers, the proportion of reected sound to direct sound will decrease. A great many recommendations

describe an equilateral triangle, whereby the distance between each speaker and the listening chair are the same, but again, experimentation is the key. A larger distance

between the speakers can result in a larger and more engaging presentation. The distance between the speaker and rear and side walls should also be considered. Bass

performance, in particular, will often suffer wherever a speaker is too close to one of these boundaries, resulting in “boomy” or over-bloated bass and/ or cancellations.

This effect is more pronounced still when placing the speaker into a corner where two boundaries meet.

The most valuable commodity in this process is time. Be prepared to make small changes over long periods of time. Positioning the loudspeakers in approximate position

that you anticipate will work best and then wiring the loudspeakers up and commencing the burn-in period is advisable. During this burn-in period, the speaker will more

than likely sound somewhat forward and etched, critical appraisal of the sound at this stage should always be avoided.

Once the 168-hour running in period has elapsed, it is time to choose a rough nal position for the loudspeakers before making the nal adjustments to toe and rake

angles.

We would recommend selecting four musical passages as outlined below in helping you evaluate the various speaker positioning parameters and the effects of changing

these.

- Select one with a distinctive and easily heard human voice. Spoken voice is ideal.

- Select one passage with a full orchestra like The Pines of Rome.

- Select one that is very emotional for you.

- Select one that has a strong rhythm and a good portion of bass content, as found in a typical dance music track for example.

PRECISION SERIES MANUAL REV 1.3

2.4 Speaker Toe-in

The amount of speaker toe-in will dene a sharper centre image at the expense of image width. The upper frequencies will become more pronounced as you bring

the tweeters on axis with your ear at the listening position. While we generally recommend at least some speaker toe-in, the amount is not a precise or xed value.

Experimenting here is advisable and evaluation at the listening position, while an assistant makes toe-in adjustments, is one method to achieve the best balance.

2.5 Spikes & Speaker Rake Angle

The position of the tweeter has been designed to function best for listeners seated in conventional relaxed seating positions. However, the rake angle of the speaker can

be changed by adjusting the installed speaker spikes. Tilting the speaker back slightly will have the effect of projecting the perceived sound stage a little higher. This can

also change the perceived balance of the upper frequencies, as the tweeter will be most prominent when it is on axis with your ear at the listening position. All the spikes

in your Precision Series loudspeaker are adjustable to allow you to alter the loudspeaker rake angle.

2.6 Loudspeaker Clearance and the Bass Port

Both P2.0 and P3.0 loudspeakers feature a bass port on the underside of its foot that is in close proximity to the oor. The low-frequency augmentation of these two

loudspeakers will behave in much the same way that it would should you place the loudspeakers next to a wall. That is to say, adjustments in the overall clearance of the

P2.0 and P3.0 from the oor will change the overall balance in the system. Generally, it can be observed that a smaller clearance and closer placement to the oor will

result in a more augmented low- frequency characteristic to the loudspeaker presentation, where a larger clearance between the oor and the bass port will result in a

less augmented low-frequency characteristic to the presentation. This is a critical step in the loudspeaker setup procedure and in many cases, the balance of the system

will change considerably as this parameter is adjusted.

PRECISION SERIES MANUAL REV 1.3

3.0 Terminals

Wilson Benesch recommends the use of 8mm ring or spade connector cable terminations. A spanner is provided to tighten up the rhodium plated nuts. A light pinch of the

end of the supplied spanner is more than sufcient to tighten the nuts. Please be careful to not over tighten the terminals as this could result in damage to the terminal

plate or snapping of the terminal. The terminals will also accept 4mm banana plugs.

3.1 Precision Series loudspeaker Terminal Wiring

All Precision Series loudspeakers have one terminal losenge that is positioned at the rear loudspeaker. A single loudspeaker cable can be used to wire the Precision Series

to your amplier. As shown in the diagram below:

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