Wilson Benesch speakers

[Mikeandvan]

Been looking at a pair of WB Actors, floor standing speakers. Is there a general style to the WB sound? I find speakers can make some of the biggest differences to a hifi set up. I tried Spendors twice and hated them, the soundstage was small, music had no 'body', that was monitors and floorstanders so the sound signature clearly cuts across all ranges. Don't wanna make the same mistake again. Currently use Chario Syntars, but while I like them and the downward firing bass port suits my room, I wonder what a bigger more expensive speaker would do for my set up. At the same time I don't want to excite the harsh high frequencies my listening rooms acoustics seem to possess.

[hifi_dave]

WB are bright. Highlighting information by accentuating the HF. IMO of course.

[The Black Adder]

They can be bright. I agree. Very good overall though.

I had some The Arc speakers once. They sounded really good and I loved them.

Best amp I ran with them was a Densen.

So, they are great but synergy is paramount.

Sent from my 9001X using Tapatalk

[Mikeandvan]

Thanks, I heard they were bright, best avoided may'be.

[The Black Adder]

I wouldn't say avoid. They are very nice speakers, expensive though.

Like all speakers you need to match them properly with whats on the other end.

[Mikeandvan]

I wouldn't say avoid. They are very nice speakers, expensive though.

Like all speakers you need to match them properly with whats on the other end.

Well, my amps are Quad 909 + Croft 25, so quite suitable I'd guess, thing is even with those amps and my current speakers - Chario Syntar, my set up still produces quite unpleasant sibilance in the higher frequencies, I just think my listening rooms acoustics is pants and there's nowt I can do about it.

[hifi_dave]

Well, my amps are Quad 909 + Croft 25, so quite suitable I'd guess, thing is even with those amps and my current speakers - Chario Syntar, my set up still produces quite unpleasant sibilance in the higher frequencies, I just think my listening rooms acoustics is pants and there's nowt I can do about it.

If the very mellow Syntars produce "unpleasant sibilance", there is something else going on.

[AJSki2fly]

Well, my amps are Quad 909 + Croft 25, so quite suitable I'd guess, thing is even with those amps and my current speakers - Chario Syntar, my set up still produces quite unpleasant sibilance in the higher frequencies, I just think my listening rooms acoustics is pants and there's nowt I can do about it.

Mike, I have read through this thread and note your issues.

I have looked at each of your components from a general review point of view, IMO neither of your front ends Nottingham TT set up and Mission PCM would normally not produce the type of sound you describe, sibilance and harsh top end. If this is happening when playing vinyl only then it is likely your cartridge/arm is not set up properly and the arm is too high at the rear making the VTA wrong for your cartridge. If it is the same with vinyl or CD on then it is further down the system set up.

The QED XT40 cable have has had good reviews and it is unlikely to be these IMO. So that leaves you the Croft, and Quads, and possibly speakers. Firstly do you get the same issue with both the 909 and the 306? if yes then it is either the Croft, your interconnects or your speakers(unlikely IMO, they are not widely known but are not know for being harsh, I also noted you had the same issue with your previous speakers Raurk).

I do not know much about the Straight Wires, which are you using, if they are silver then they may be introducing a harshness, or emphasised top end.

So if it was me I would put back your QED cables first and then replace the Straight Wires with basic interconnects and see what happens, perhaps some one can lend you two pairs, I have several I can post you if you like.

If the above removes the sibilance you have the culprit, if not then I suspect it will be the Croft causing the harsh top end, one way to prove this is to remove the pre-amp and replace it with temporarily with a simple passive pre-amp(perhaps someone could lend you one), you should get enough voltage out of the CD or Phono stage to drive the Quads will just need a bit more volume. You should then get a clean signal path to the power amps and can judge if the harshness has gone. If not then it is time to move further on down the line, you have already tried speaker cables so possibly borrow/try out some other speakers (but I would say this is last resort).

I hope this helps in some way, having been there myself with systems sounding odd several times it can be frustrating getting to what is the cause.

[Mikeandvan]

Mike, I have read through this thread and note your issues.


I hope this helps in some way, having been there myself with systems sounding odd several times it can be frustrating getting to what is the cause.

Thanks Adrian, I'm pretty sure I had the same issue when I tried the 909 with a passive, I've also got new speaker cable now - VD hifi series 4mm, which has tamed things a bit, but sound is a tad soft now. The only thing left to change are the interconnects, I think straight wire are copper, I'll check. I will have a play around with trying the passive again, and the 306, and my tonearm, that does look a tad high at the back. I'm not too clued up on cartridge alignment, but don't think I'm missing anything major, use a gauge when setting up.

[hifinutt]

I was listening to the wb actors recently with a valve pre and ss/hybrid amps. Not at all bright in this set up. Very gentle really and non fatiguing