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Thread: Wilmslow Audio

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norfolk, UK

    Posts: 6,209
    I'm BigBobJoylove.

    Default Wilmslow Audio

    As I get closer to the next upgrade stage in my Hi-Fi journey (pending the increase in musicality that the bespoke balanced valve buffer that David is building me will undoubtedly produce), I’m looking at larger, and more capable / revealing / musical speakers - not that there’s anything really ‘wrong’ with my B&W 683s, they are spectacular given their price, but a little more involvement would be nice as they do seem rather ‘polite’ if that’s the correct term.

    Scanning the used speakers market at around the £3,000-£3,500 mark, I stumbled upon the Prestige model from Wilmslow Audio. A very nice looking speaker with great specs and a seemingly positive review from a user on their website.

    Now I’m not averse to carpentry and DIY, in fact I love it. I particularly enjoy buying something flat-packed and improving on it as I build. So this made me wonder if DIY speakers might be worth a shot.

    Comments on this particular model mention a little cabinet resonance from some folk (which should be relatively straight forward to cure at the build stage) and also improving the crossover components. Given the wealth of ‘Hi-Fi’ electronic components out there, and the fact I repair computers for a living, I’m also confident this should be relatively straight forward.

    So, your thoughts and experience please gents, with Wilmslow Audio speakers in general and your DIY knowledge.

    Worth a shot to get a superior speaker, or buy a used pair that are built by companies who specialise?

    Ben Duncan mains conditioner
    2022 MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro 10/16/16/16
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    Edifier S3000 Pro active speakers
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  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    Shades of Avalon there .

    Some very good drive units employed. Those bass drivers alone would cost the average bloke a week's pay.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  3. #3
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

    Posts: 4,779
    I'm Shaun.

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    Only my personal opinion of course but I think it is the only way to truly get exactly what you want.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norfolk, UK

    Posts: 6,209
    I'm BigBobJoylove.

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    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    Shades of Avalon there .

    Some very good drive units employed. Those bass drivers alone would cost the average bloke a week's pay.
    Yes, my thoughts exactly - both on the similarity to Avalons, and those mighty 12" bass drivers.

    Quote Originally Posted by Haselsh1 View Post
    Only my personal opinion of course but I think it is the only way to truly get exactly what you want.
    Again, that's what I had in mind. I find speakers the trickiest thing to swap in a system as the change in sound can either make or break the culmination of all the other components, whereas swapping boxes results (generally, if done carefully) in a quality increase only, or at worst a slight change in presentation.

    ____

    Have either of you chaps successfully built your own speakers?

    Ben Duncan mains conditioner
    2022 MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro 10/16/16/16
    Samsung QE75Q90T 75" QLED TV
    XMOS DSD Async USB to Coax converter
    RME Audio ADI-2 FS (AK4493) DAC
    Chord Clearway XLR interconnects
    Audioquest Crimson USB interconnect
    QED Quartz Reference optical interconnect
    Edifier S3000 Pro active speakers
    Atacama SE24 stands

  5. #5
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Filterlab View Post
    Have either of you chaps successfully built your own speakers?
    Probably fifty odd pairs of all sorts of design and size, including custom big Tannoy enclosures, 1/4 wave transmission lines and large folded horns, etc. Not built anything for years though, but I have recently stocked up on components for a project using only vintage parts, there'll be none of yer mucky ferrofluid in these babies .

    (I did sometimes build to sell and also took on bespoke orders at one stage)
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  6. #6
    Join Date: Mar 2017

    Location: Seaford UK

    Posts: 1,861
    I'm Dennis.

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    You are of course relying on the integrity of the designer, and I note no levels given for the frequency response range.
    My experiences of Wilmslow have all been good.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norfolk, UK

    Posts: 6,209
    I'm BigBobJoylove.

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    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    Probably fifty odd pairs of all sorts of design and size...
    Blimey! That's some good going. You're the man in the know then.

    Quote Originally Posted by Pharos View Post
    You are of course relying on the integrity of the designer, and I note no levels given for the frequency response range.
    My experiences of Wilmslow have all been good.
    Nice to hear that your experiences of WA are good. I'll email them and see if I can get a full spec sheet. I already have a BK Double Gem sub and Emotosound Super Tweeters (exceptional additions in both cases and can be tailored to match with ease), but it'd be interesting to know the in-room responses.

    Ben Duncan mains conditioner
    2022 MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro 10/16/16/16
    Samsung QE75Q90T 75" QLED TV
    XMOS DSD Async USB to Coax converter
    RME Audio ADI-2 FS (AK4493) DAC
    Chord Clearway XLR interconnects
    Audioquest Crimson USB interconnect
    QED Quartz Reference optical interconnect
    Edifier S3000 Pro active speakers
    Atacama SE24 stands

  8. #8
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,771
    I'm Martin.

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    I've heard the Prestige at Wilmslow Audio back when they actually were located in Wilmslow. A bloke came in who had just built the kit and wanted to compare his build with the demo version in the store. I tagged along on the demo.

    They were very good indeed, I wouldn't have any qualms about buying them if I had the competence to build them.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norfolk, UK

    Posts: 6,209
    I'm BigBobJoylove.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Macca View Post
    I've heard the Prestige at Wilmslow Audio back when they actually were located in Wilmslow. A bloke came in who had just built the kit and wanted to compare his build with the demo version in the store. I tagged along on the demo.

    They were very good indeed, I wouldn't have any qualms about buying them if I had the competence to build them.
    Thanks for the recommendation. I'm definitely even more tempted than I was an hour ago.

    Ben Duncan mains conditioner
    2022 MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro 10/16/16/16
    Samsung QE75Q90T 75" QLED TV
    XMOS DSD Async USB to Coax converter
    RME Audio ADI-2 FS (AK4493) DAC
    Chord Clearway XLR interconnects
    Audioquest Crimson USB interconnect
    QED Quartz Reference optical interconnect
    Edifier S3000 Pro active speakers
    Atacama SE24 stands

  10. #10
    Join Date: Oct 2016

    Location: London

    Posts: 313
    I'm David.

    Default

    Hi Rob,
    I bought and built and later sold some Prestiges. These were the model with the famed ATC mids. They were an easy build and sounded very indeed. Also easy to drive with valve or ss. The cabs could do with a bit of reinforcement.
    Do ask any more qs you have. Wilmslow service was a bit patchy eg a capacitor unsoldered on the crossover and after a 3 month wait they accidentally cancelled my mid range order
    David

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

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