WILSON AUDIO Sophia User manual

WILSON AUDIO SPECIALTIES, INC.
Wilson Audio ® is a registered trademark of Wilson Audio Specialties, Inc.
Cub®, WATT/Puppy®, MAXX® and X-1/GrandSLAMM® are registered trademarks of Wilson Audio
Specialties, Inc.
SophiaTM, WATCH Center TM, WATCH SurroundTM, and WATCH DogTM are trademarks of Wilson Au-
dio Specialties, Inc.
This manual was produced by the Wilson Audio Engineering Department in cooperation with Sales
and Marketing. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Current Revi-
sion 1.0, if you are in need of a more recent manual please contact your dealer.
The information in this manual is the sole property of Wilson Audio Specialties, Inc. any reproduction in whole
or in part without the express written permission of Wilson Audio Specialties, Inc. is prohibited. No material
contained herein may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose,
without the express written permission of Wilson Audio Specialties, Inc.

WILSON AUDIO SPECIALTIES, INC. i
SECTION 1.0 SOPHIA INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1-1
SOPHIA ....................................................................................................... 1-1
SECTION 2.0 CARE OF THE FINISH ......................................................................... 2-1
CARE OF SOPHIA FINISH .............................................................................. 2-2
SECTION 2.1 BREAK IN PERIOD ............................................................................. 2-2
SECTION 2.2 ENCLOSURE TECHNOLOGY ................................................................. 2-2
ENCLOSURE MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY .......................................................... 2-2
ADHESIVE ................................................................................................... 2-3
DEPTH OF DESIGN ....................................................................................... 2-3
SECTION 3.0 ROOM REFLECTIONS ......................................................................... 3-1
SLAP-ECHO ................................................................................................ 3-1
STANDING WAVES ....................................................................................... 3-2
COMB FILTER EFFECT .................................................................................. 3-3
SECTION 3.1 RESONANCE ....................................................................................... 3-5
STRUCTURAL RESONANCE ............................................................................. 3-5
AIR VOLUME RESONANCE ........................................................................... 3-5
SECTION 4.0 FINAL LISTENING ROOM SETUP (VOICING) ........................................ 4-1
ZONE OF NEUTRALITY ................................................................................. 4-2
SPEAKER PLACEMENT VS. LISTENING POSITION .............................................. 4-3
TABLE O F C ONTENTS
SPEAKER ORIENTATION ................................................................................ 4-3

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SECTION 5.0 SOPHIA FINAL SETUP ........................................................................ 5-0
PREPARATION .............................................................................................. 5-1
UNCRATING SOPHIA .................................................................................... 5-1
SECTION 5.1 CONNECTING YOUR SOPHIAS ............................................................. 5-2
SECTION 5.2 INSTALLING SOPHIA SPIKES ............................................................... 5-2
ASSEMBLY .................................................................................................. 5-2
SECTION 6.0 SOPHIA SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................... 6-1
GENERAL .................................................................................................... 6-1
IMPEDANCE CURVE ...................................................................................... 6-2
SECTION 7.0 WARRANTY INFORMATION ................................................................. 7-1
TABLE O F C ONTENTS

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TABLE O F C ONTENTS
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S O P H I A INTRODUCTION

WILSON AUDIO SPECIALTIES, INC.

WILSON AUDIO SPECIALTIES, INC. 1-1
We at Wilson Audio Specialties would like to thank you for purchasing the
Sophia loudspeaker. The information contained within the pages of this manual will
inform and instruct you as to how you may enhance and prolong the enjoyment of
your Sophias.
The design objective for Sophia was at once simple and challenging: to build
a single cabinet, floor-standing loudspeaker that could provide a level of musical
enjoyment comparable to Wilson Audioʼs multi-cabinet speakers, the Watt/Puppy 6®,
the Maxx®, and the X-1 Grand Slamm®.
The result is a loudspeaker both visually and sonically beguiling. Sophia is
a full-range, three-way system using specially chosen drivers and Wilsonʼs Group
Delay™ technology to achieve a new standard in top-to-bottom coherency and
transparency. Every element of a singerʼs voice, for example—from upper-octave
sibilance to chest resonance—is properly aligned and seamlessly joined. The
soundstage is reproduced with a holographic clarity singular to Wilson Audio loud-
speakers.
Sophiaʼs remarkable tonal coherence is the result of painstakingly select-
ing drivers and matching them to our proprietary crossovers. The inverted titanium
tweeter is similar to the Cub II® and Watch Center® speakers. A seven inch mid-
range driver lies at the heart of Sophiaʼs sonic alchemy, creating the near perfect
balance between beauty and accuracy. And the ported 10” long-throw aluminum
woofer is unique to Sophia, crafted to reproduce the bottom octaves with dynamic
ease and authority.
Wilson Audio set the benchmark in non-resonant cabinet design through its
pioneering use of ultra high-density composites and mineral filled methacrylate poly-
mers. Sophia now joins the rank of Wilson products using this exclusive technology.
The benefits are not only audible, but also visual; this highly inert, nonporous mate-
rial underlies our patented Wilsongloss™ finish.
With Sophia, Wilson Audio determined to introduce not merely a more acces-
sible loudspeaker, but the best compact single cabinet loudspeaker we could build,
SECTION 1.0 SOPHIA™ INTRODUCTION
S O P H I A I NTRODUCTION

and the best loudspeaker in itʼs price range, period. Once again, Wilson Audio has
raised the bar in terms of performance, value, and sheer beauty.

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CARE O F T H E S O P H I A SYSTEM

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WILSON AUDIO SPECIALTIES, INC.
Your Sophia enclosure is hand-painted with Wilsongloss™ paint and hand-polished
to a high luster. While the paint seems quite dry to the touch, final curing and complete
hardening takes place over a period of several weeks. To protect the finish of Sophia during
final manufacturing, shipment, and setup in your listening room, we have applied a remov-
able layer of protective film over the painted surface. We recommend that this film be left
in place during the positioning process to prevent damage to the painted surface of your
loudspeaker. Once you have determined the Sophiaʼs final position, remove the film by peel-
ing it off. Do not leave this film on indefinitely, as it will leave impressions on the paint.
It is important that the delicate paint finish of Sophia be dusted carefully with the
dust cloth, which has been provided. We recommend that the following procedure be ob-
served when dusting the speakers:
• Blow off all loose dust
• Using the dust cloth as a brush, gently whisk
off any remaining loose dust
• Shake out the dust cloth
• Dust the finish, using linear motions in one direction parallel to
the floor. Avoid using circular or vertical motions
Because the paint requires a period of several weeks to fully cure, we recommend
that no cleaning fluids such as glass cleaners be used during this initial period of time.
When the paint is fully cured, heavy finger prints and other minor smudges may be removed
with a glass cleaner. When cleaning the painted surface of your Sophias, always use the
dust cloth. Stronger solvents are not recommended under any circumstances, as they may
damage the paint. Consult your dealer for further information if required. Periodic polish-
ing may be desired over the years to maintain the high luster of the finish. We recommend
a nonabrasive carnauba-based wax and soft cloth.
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CARE O F THE S O P H I A SYSTEM
SECTION 2.0 CARE OF THE FINISH

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S O P H I A O WNERʼS M ANUAL
SECTION 2.1 BREAK IN PERIOD
BREAK IN PERIOD
Any piece of audio equipment will sound its best after its components have
been broken in for some period of use. Wilson Audio breaks in all woofers and
midrange drivers for a 12 hour period. All drivers are then tested, calibrated, and
matched for their acoustical properties. In your listening room, expect 25 to 50% of
break-in to be complete after two hours of playing music fairly loudly. Ninety per-
cent of break-in is complete after 24 hours of playing. Playing a CD using the “disc
repeat” function overnight can accomplish this task quickly. Wilson Audio recom-
mends chamber music for this task.
SECTION 2.2 ENCLOSURE TECHNOLOGY
Wilson Audio has conducted many hours of research on the impact of ma-
terials on speaker enclosure performance. Through this effort, Wilson pioneered
the use of non-resonant materials, first with the use of mineral filled acrylic in the
WATT, and continuing with the further development of proprietary materials for X-1
Grand SLAMM, and MAXX. Even the best materials are not suited to all aspects of
enclosure construction. Therefore, like all Wilson loudspeakers, the Sophia is con-
structed of several exotic materials chosen for their specific performance attributes
relevant to different portions of the enclosure.
Sophia is constructed using non-resonant, high-density, composites which
are then highly-cross braced to further reduce cabinet resonance. Each of these
composites meets and exceeds the highest of ANSI test standards for its use, while
offering very tight tolerances, high hardness, uniform density, and dimensional sta-

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CARE O F THE S O P H I A S Y S T E M
ADHESIVE
The engineers at Wilson have performed extensive research to arrive upon
the adhesives used to construct our enclosures. This often overlooked element is
crucial to the proper performance and longevity of a loudspeaker. Correct modulus
of elasticity, coefficient of thermal expansion and natural frequency response are
just a few of the important elements.
A highly cross-linked, thermoset adhesive is used for the construction of the
enclosure. It was also chosen for its excellent bond strength, solvent resistance,
hardness and optimum vibrational characteristics.
DEPTH OF DESIGN
Sophiaʼs compellingly authentic performance and lasting value are achieved
through careful implementation of cutting edge design and engineering and then
executed using the highest performance materials. Wilson Audioʼs use of propri-
ety enclosure materials and adhesives are employed to achieve truly exceptional
speaker cabinet performance. The use of these materials in Sophia result in an
enclosure that is absolutely inert and non-resonant. All of these structural aspects
are combined allowing Wilson Audio to deliver a product that maintains the strictest
structural tolerances, durability and reliability. This also means that you will have
consistent, repeatable performance, unaffected by the climatic conditions, anywhere
in the world. Finally, like all Wilson Products, Sophia is hand-crafted with meticu-
lous attention to detail, with an unwavering commitment to excellence. Thus, So-
phia will impart to her owner beauty and pleasure for many years to come.
bility. In the most critical areas of the enclosure, the Sophia uses our proprietary
“X” material, a very dense, strong composite, developed for the X-1 Grand SLAMM.
The high hardness of these composites not only offers excellent acoustical proper-
ties but also provides an ideal surface for painting, ensuring that the high gloss fin-
ish will be as durable as it is beautiful.

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IN Y OUR R OOM

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IN Y OUR R OOM
SECTION 3.0 ROOM REFLECTIONS
There are 3 commonly encountered room reflection problems, slap-echo, standing
waves, and comb filter effects.
SLAP-ECHO
Probably the most obnoxious form of reflection is called “slap echo”. In slap echo,
primarily mid-range and high frequency sounds reflect off of two parallel hard surfaces. The
sound literally reverberates back and forth until it is finally dissipated over time. You can
test for slap echo in any room by clapping your hands sharply in the middle of the room and
listening for the characteristic sound of the echo in the mid-range. Slap echo destroys the
sound quality of a playback system primarily in two ways:
• Adding harshness to the upper mid-range and treble through
energy time storage.
• Destroying the delicate phase relationships which help to establish
sound stage and image localization clues.
Note: The following section contains general information on room acoustics and loudspeak-
er/room interaction. The concepts outlined below are equally relevant when dealing with
multichannel audio or home theater. The careful application of these concepts, as you evalu-
ate the acoustical characteristics of your own room configuration, will allow you to optimize
the performance of your Sophias.
Nonparallel walls do not support slap echo, but rather allow the sound to diffuse.

WILSON AUDIO SPECIALTIES, INC.
Slap echo is a common acoustical problem in the typical domestic listening
room, because most of these rooms have walls of a hard, reflective nature, usually being
only occasionally interrupted by curtains or furniture. Slap echo can be controlled en-
tirely by the application of absorptive materials to hard surfaces, such as:
• Sonex
• Airduct board
• Cork panels
• Large ceiling to floor drapes
• Carpeting to wall surfaces
In many domestic listening environments, heavy stuffed furnishings are the pri-
mary structural control to slap echo. Unfortunately, their effectiveness is not predict-
able. Diffusers are sometimes also used to very good subjective effect, particularly in
quite large rooms. Sound absorbent materials such as described above will alter the
tonal characteristic of the room by making it sound “deader”, much heavier in bass tonal
balance, less “bright and alive” and “quieter.” These changes usually make the room
more pleasant for conversation, but sometimes render it too dull in the high frequencies
to be musically involving. Diffusers, on the other hand, tend to not change the high
frequency tonal balance characteristic of the room. Used properly, they can increase
transparency. Used incorrectly, however, diffusers can rob the system of bass richness,
and add significant midrange colorations. A combination of absorptive and diffusive
treatments is usually the best approach.
STANDING WAVES
Another type of reflection phenomenon is standing waves. Standing waves cause
the unnatural boosting of certain frequencies, typically in the bass, at certain discreet lo-
cations in the room. A room generating severe standing waves will tend to make a loud-
speaker sound one way when placed in one location and entirely different when placed
in another. The effects of standing waves on a loudspeaker’s performance are primarily
as follows:
• Tonal balance- bass too heavy
• Low-level detail- Masked by long reverberation time LF standing
waves
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S O P H I A O WNERʼS M ANUAL