Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
With a minimum impedance load of 0.33 Ohms, we need an amp like the Relentless to drive them :-) .......
Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded (quasi third-order Butterworth tuning) loudspeaker system. Recommended placement: free space, on 24" stands. Drive-units: 1" inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" doped pulp-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: around 2kHz. Frequency response: 58Hz16kHz ±3dB. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms (but with a minimum of 1 ohm at 2kHz). Sensitivity: 89dB/W/m. Minimum amplifier power required: 50W.
Dimensions: 14" H by 12" W by 16.5" D. Internal volume: around 9 liters. Weight: 120lb/pair.
Standard finishes: white or black lacquer, black lacquer with wood side panels (oak, walnut, teak, rosewood, zebrawood).
Price: $5200/pair (2Pi panels, $500/pair, Gibraltar stands, $750/pair) (1988); no longer available in original form (2020). Approximate number of dealers: 20. Warranty: 5 years, limited and transferable.
Manufacturer: Wilson Audio Specialties, Novato, CA 94945 (1988); Wilson Audio Specialties, 2233 Mountain Vista Lane, Provo, UT 84606 (2020). Tel: (801) 377-2233. Web: www.wilsonaudio.com.
With a minimum impedance load of 0.33 Ohms, we need an amp like the Relentless to drive them :-) .......
... could have afforded the B&W 801 Matrix Series 2, the Infinity IRS Delta, the KEF R107, the Magnapan Tympani IVa or the Martin-Logan Monolith.
https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/506/index.html
http://www.infinity-classics.de/models/IRS-series+Beta+Gamma-Delta-Sigma-Epsilon-1988-95-98/IRS-Gamma-Delta/body_irs_gamma.html
https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/550/index.html
https://www.stereophile.com/content/magnepan-tympani-i-loudspeaker-stephen-w-watkinson-august-1985
https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/385ml/index.html
You are gonna receive thousands of 'hate-mail' from Wilson customers :-) .......
At the time I was blown away by the Concept 90 made by B&W. I heard so many other speakers at the time including the more expensive B&W's and Elipsons, but the Concept 90's where the ones I always wanted. I've been looking for a pair lately but most are pretty battered.
... were you "blown away" - the CM1 mini-monitor alone, or the CM1 plus the CM2 sub-bass module?
Frank Van Alstine raved about the Concept 90 speakers when they were introduced in 1987.
You can read his comments by downloading his newsletters here:
https://avahifi.com/pages/audio-basics-newsletters
The complete package. Played an MSO record on an Oracle table with an Ortofon MC cartridge. Do not remember the electronics, maybe Bryston. It was magnificent, and if I could find a nice pair in like-new condition, I would retire my Kans to a secondary system. I just loved those speakers sonically and esthetically.
Hi fi shark has some B&W Concept 90s for sale :-) .........
Reading this review including physical reality measurements, it's clear Mr Colloms is truly a kind gentleman. Hope he's safe and well.
AJ
Soundfield Audio
Reading this review including physical reality measurements, it's clear Mr Colloms is truly a kind gentleman. Hope he's safe and well.
I stay in touch with Martin on Facebook and he's doing okay, AJ. Thanks for asking.
John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile
Good to hear. Take care too John, happy Easter, hope all are staying safe and staying in, listening to music.
When I interviewed recording engineer Roy Halee (Simon and Garfunkel, The Byrds, Dylan etc.) back in the late 1980's he took me into his listening room where he had two systems set up. One was essentially Harry Pearson's system: Infinity IRS speakers, Jadis electronics and i think the same Goldmund turntable HP had. The other system in the room consisted of a pair of these WATT speakers and Mark Levinson electronics. Halee remarked looking at the WATT system "When I want to hear what's in the recording I use this, when I want to enjoy listening to music for pleasure i listen to those (the IRS system). Halee's recordings tell me there's no point arguing with him. Halee moved on to big Wilsons and stuck wilth various upgrades until a few years ago when he switched to Vandersteen 7s....which is what he now uses with Audio Research electronics and a Basis turntable. Yes, Roy prefers vinyl, but then what does he know? He should talk to some recording engineers..oh right! He is a legendary one!