Bj,
Accepted and thanks for "manning up" the net is full of "Keyboard Ninjas" that post utter nonsense and insults, hiding behind a moniker with no consequences.
I don't know why the Wilson team has chosen this approach, which to me and to others here seems questionable, only they can answer that question.
One thought can come to mind, they simply do not want a driver failure. Because of a marketing position they view that a blown resistor is more palatable to their target group than that of a driver failure, even if this solution comes with some sonic degradation happening over time. Before you and Polk get all puffy again, there is no way this does not happen because of the "resistor fuse" heating up over and over again, and eventually failing. If a resistor is used as a fuse it will have to be run too close to its maximum power handling capabilities even when playing moderately loud to have any effect to that cause.
In your example you were cranking it up while zipping wine and the speaker gave up, had the resistor had adequate power handling you would have rocked on and that would have been the end of it. I would not worry about damaging drivers, if they are behind a properly designed crossover they are pretty sturdy.
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.
When you are buying a Wilson speaker you are buying more than just a loudspeaker you are buying a status symbol. They more than anyone have been very successful at conveying that message to their potential group of customers. They come in very fancy cabinets, have leather bound manuals etc. All which of course have nothing to do with that actual purpose of the product, which is to make sound, but it certainly enhances the perception of the speaker.
That of course also the reason that you and Polk react the way you did "how dare someone tell me that my loudspeakers are not perfect ! I was told they were"
Good Listening
Peter
