Wilson Audio MAXX resistors

PBN wrote "A high end system from my point of view certainly should be able to be played loud and proud at times without the risk of it shutting down. That being said gross abuse, amplifier oscillation etc, can and will cause driver failure even with the best designed crossovers. "

I agree. I do play loud and proud often but in this instance I was drunk. I had the remote upside down and thought I was turning it down when I was actually turning it up. I pushed well pass any listenable volume. I think I would have blown my tweeters without the resistor failure.

It may indeed be a marketing ploy or just a way to save the customer money when they do something stupid like I did. I think the tweeters are kind of expensive.

I must say that the degradation of the resistor over time from normal use is new to me. In my case it was unintentional abuse.

In regards to Resistors all are not equal.
I have replaced several Xovers and Duelund Graphite Silver
Have been the best ,they vary between 5-10% tolerance.
There is a new exceptional resistor out now hand made in Poland Path Audio . Audio connexion just started carrying these.
These are 1% tolerance ,these are smooth on top but exceptionally detailed and dynamic ?I personally think these are the best currently made.
They even have a 3rd wire a drain to negative for RF,from it's Copper outer jacket. Duelund are still very close a touch more nuetral in absolute terms
But, Path Audio is a bit more 3 dimentional IMO,the Duelund cast are$50 each ,Path are $15 less.Well worth the monies spent.

So much attitude and lack of information here. They are accessible for two reasons; in extreme environments you can adjust the balance to some degree. And yes, they are there for protection as well as equalization in the crossover network. Fuses were determined by Dave to adversely affect the sound and extremely high quality resistors did not. If you don’t want to know there are resistors in your crossover you’d better not look. I have replaced several sets over the years, mainly due to lightning strikes, once for acoustics. I’m getting ready to replace some in a 15 year old pair this week due to a lightning strike. I was a dealer for many years but no longer am. Those who criticize Wilson’s design capability have the right to their opinions. Let me spend some time with one of your designs and I’ll let you know whose opinion I value most...

Hifi,

I agree with the attitude, the ones that feel personally offended if one dares to question a design choice made by the maker of their speaker seem to have it in spades :-)

Anyway, I must clearly question your statement replacing said resistors due to "lightning strikes" are you serious ???  In the rest of the system that the speakers presumably were hooked up to at the time of the "Lightening Strike" there are components way way way more fragile than the above mentioned resistors, did you replace them too ??  Once a lightening strikes anything it usually disintegrates.  That would go for the Amplifiers Preamps etc which are connected to the electrical grid directly - your speakers are not  - they are only connected to the amplifier thats connected to the grid and it would be TOAST.  

So you'll have to come up with a better explanation to why the resistors needed replacing - if you read comments above you may find an answer.

And for the record, I never questioned the value/sound/looks of Wilson Speakers - In fact I think he has done a fantastic job with his company - what I do question is the use of resistors as fuses - electrically it makes  zero  sense.

Good Listening

Peter   


  

Little confusion. Electronics may have fusible/flame proof resistors. Usually these open under 1 watt. Nice to prevent an amplifier failure from cascading and melting the entire thing.

Not practical for a speaker. Actual fuses and self-resetting devices are much more practical, though for homes, honestly should not be used either. More parts to break and age over time. VERY useful for pro speakers.

Properly sized for a speaker’s power handling, a resistor should outlive all of us. Still, if you are going to play, I highly recommend Mills.

Best,

E