Floor Loudspeaker Reviews

WATT 3: Two-way, stand-mounted loudspeaker with reflex bass loading (QB3, quasi third-order Butterworth alignment fitted with 1"-diameter, 1.75"-deep port suitable for amplifiers with damping factors (DF) of 100 to 400; alternative port supplied for amplifiers with DF between 20 and 80). Drive-units: 1" inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" doped-pulp–cone midrange/woofer unit. Estimated crossover frequency: 3.7kHz. Frequency response: 58Hz–18kHz +1, –3dB. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms (measured minimum 1.7 ohms at 2.4kHz). Sensitivity: 91dBA/W/m. Amplifier requirements: 30W minimum. Subjective performance Q: 1 (–6gb points).
Dimensions: 13.625" H by 11.1" (11.9" wood-paneled) W by 16.5" D. Enclosure volume: 12 liters. Weight: 120 lbs/pair (166 lbs shipping weight).
Serial numbers of pair tested: 1243/1244.
Price: $6650/pair (laminated); $6950/pair (automotive gloss paint—finishes available: Diamond Black, Sierra Granite, Rossa Forte (red), Apricot Beige, El Dorado (gold), Rolls-Royce White, Nordic White, Linen Gray); $7350/pair (wooden side panels—veneers available: Zebrawood, Bolivian Rosewood, Oak, Walnut, Teak). Cost of update of WATT Series 2 to Series 3: $1050–$1800/pair (1991); replaced by new models (1995–2011).

Puppy: floorstanding subwoofer with integral high-pass crossover for WATT 2 and 3 and reflex bass loading. Drive-units: two 7.5" plastic-cone woofers. Estimated frequency response (–3dB) when driven by integral low-pass crossover: 30Hz–130Hz. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms.
Dimensions: 24" H by 11.3" W by 16.5" D.
Serial numbers of pair tested: 465/466.
Price: $4290/pair (laminated), $5790/pair (black gloss) (1991); replaced by new models (1995–2011).

Both: Warranty: five years, limited and transferable. Approximate number of dealers: 38. Neither WATT 3 nor Puppy 2 available (2011).
Manufacturer: Wilson Audio Specialties, Novato, CA 94945 (1991); Wilson Audio Specialties, 2233 Mountain Vista Lane, Provo, UT 84606. Tel: (801) 377-2233. Fax: (801) 377-2282 (2011). Web: www.wilsonaudio.com.