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Wilson Electronics Sophia Series 3 Owner's Manual

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S o p h i a S e r i e s 3 O w n e r ' s M a n u a l

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Summary of Contents for Wilson Electronics Sophia Series 3

  • Page 1 S o p h i a S e r i e s 3 O w n e r ’ s M a n u a l...
  • Page 2 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l ® W i l s o n A u d i o i s a r e g i s t e r e d t r a d e m a r k o f W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s , I n c . ®...
  • Page 3 a b l e o f o n T e n T S 1 – i � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 7 e c t i o n n t r o d u c t i o n 1 �...
  • Page 4 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 9 n c r A t i n g t h e o P h i A 3 �...
  • Page 5 a b l e o f o n T e n T S 7 � 3 – i � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 5 5 e c t i o n m p e d a n c e u r v e...
  • Page 6 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 7 S e c t i o n 1 – I n t r o d u c t i o n...
  • Page 8 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 9 Since her initial release, Sophia has changed the way many music lovers think of high-end loud- speakers – and Wilson Audio. Sophia challenged the idea that some audio qualities are, by their very nature, mutually exclusive: high resolution and musicality, very wide bandwidth and a relatively compact enclosure, large dynamic swings and a load almost any amp can drive.
  • Page 10 X-material, also contributes to Sophia’s performance by lowering resonance-borne colorations in its enclosure panels. Additionally, the Sophia Series 3 joins Sasha W/P in its use of Wilson’s latest pro- prietary composite – S-Material. Used in the mid/tweeter baffle of the Sophia Series 3, S-Material dramatically reduces measurable and audible noise.
  • Page 11 When it came to choosing a midrange driver, Dave and the engineers focused on using proven tools. Sophia Series 3 features a simplified version of the remarkable Wilson Audio cel- lulose/paper pulp composite midrange driver first developed for the Alexandria X-2 Series 2 and since implemented in the MAXX Series 3 and Sasha W/P.
  • Page 12 The proprietary Sophia woofer, which debuted in the Series 1, has been worked over with special attention to the driver’s frame and motor. The Sophia Series 3 woofer features a magnet structure twice the size of the earlier woofer. The goal was to retain the tunefulness of the original design, and increase the overall impact, speed, agility, and linearity of the bass.
  • Page 13 S e c t i o n 2 – I n Y o u r R o o m...
  • Page 14 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 15 C e d u r e Section 2.1 – The Wilson Audio Setup Procedure You are surely excited about setting up your Sophia Series 3 and doing some lis- tening, but before you begin, we would like to discuss some of the important room acoustical information that will help you set up your loudspeakers properly.
  • Page 16 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l your loudspeakers. Speaking in a moderately loud voice and at a constant volume, project your voice out into the room. Your voice will have an overly heavy, “chesty”...
  • Page 17 The careful application of these concepts, as you evaluate the acoustical characteristics of your own room configura- tion, will allow you to optimize the performance of your Sophia Series 3. Slap Echo Probably the most obnoxious form of reflection is called “slap echo.” With slap- echo, primarily midrange and high frequency sounds reflect off of two parallel hard surfaces.
  • Page 18 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l 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 stereo system in two ways: •...
  • Page 19 2 . 2 – r e C T i o n o o M C o u S T i C S listening room because most of these rooms have walls with a hard, reflective nature, only occasionally interrupted by curtains, wall art, or drapes. The best (but least prac- tical) solution to eliminate slap echo is nonparallel walls.
  • Page 20 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l the warmth region. Do not use diffusers on the wall behind the speakers or on the side- walls directly beside the speakers. It is our experience that all of these room treatment devices should be used judiciously.
  • Page 21 2 . 2 – r e C T i o n o o M C o u S T i C S structed of concrete or brick. These materials trap the bass in the room unless it is al- lowed to leak out of the room through windows and doors. In general, placement of the speaker in a corner will excite the maximal number of standing waves in a room and is to be avoided for most direct radiator, full-range loudspeaker systems.
  • Page 22 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l trolled by very careful speaker placement and by the judicious placement of Illbruck Sonex® or air duct panels applied to that part of the wall where the reflection occurs. Section 2.3 –...
  • Page 23 2 . 4 – Y e C T i o n o u r o o M rooms will resonate at a lower frequency and have more complex (better) modal distri- butions than will smaller rooms. Volume resonances, wall panel resonances, and low frequency standing waves combine to form a low frequency coloration in the sound.
  • Page 24 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l will have different standing wave frequency exaggerations depending on where you are sitting. Addition- ally, these long rooms are often quite lean in the bass near the center of the room.
  • Page 25 The Wilson Audio Setup Procedure (Section 2.1) is the best method with which to position your loudspeakers. Start with the speakers about 18” from each wall (as mea- sured from the rear of the enclosure) and, if you need to move them relative to the side wall, move them away from the wall, not closer.
  • Page 26 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l nite reduction in stage size and bloom as well as a deterioration of upper bass quality. You must find the proper balance of these two factors, but remember, if you are partial to bass response or air and bloom, do not overcompensate your adjustments to maxi- mize these effects.
  • Page 27 S e c t i o n 3 – U n c r a t i n g Y o u r S o p h i a s...
  • Page 28 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 29 Remove the lid. 2. One crate will contain the tool kit. 3. The Sophia Series 3 is shipped with casters installed. Carefully lift the crate upright so that the Sophia is now vertical. With the Sophia’s bot- tom toward the floor and one person holding the crate, the second person should reach in and gently roll the Sophia out of the crate, carefully, so as not to hit the Sophia on the crate and scratch the paint.
  • Page 30 Note: These two loudspeaker enclosures are very heavy and care should be taken to prevent injury. Section 3.2 – Crate Content Checklist Now that you have unpacked your Sophia Series 3, you can inventory all the addi- tional items in the crates. (See Figure 3.) •...
  • Page 31 3 . 2 – C e C T i o n r a T e o n T e n T h e C k l i S T • 1 – 1/8” Allen Wrench • 1 – 3/32” Allen Wrench •...
  • Page 32 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 33 S e c t i o n 4 – F i n a l S e t u p...
  • Page 34 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 35 C T i o n i n a l e T u p Note: Before setting up the Sophia Series 3, study carefully Section 2, “In Your Room.” It provides valuable information on determining the ideal room location for your speakers.
  • Page 36 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l 4: S igure pike SSemblY 2. Screw the acoustical diode onto the bolt until it fits snugly against the bottom of the Sophia. Do not overtighten. 3.
  • Page 37 4 . 4 – r e C T i o n e M o v i n g T h e r o T e C T i v e i l M output from the amplifier to the binding posts located on the bottom rear of the Sophia. Use the 1/2”...
  • Page 38 S w n e r a n u a l Note: Only Wilson Audio replace- ment resistors should be used in your Sophia Series 3s. Changing the value or brand of resistor will have a del-...
  • Page 39 S e c t i o n 5 – C a r e o f t h e S o p h i a...
  • Page 40 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 41 S h Section 5.1 – Care of the Finish The Sophia Series 3 loudspeakers are hand painted with WilsonGloss™ paint and hand polished to a high luster. While the finish seems quite dry to the touch, final cur- ing and complete hardening takes place over a period of several weeks.
  • Page 42 All audio equipment will sound best after its components have been broken in for some period of use. Wilson Audio breaks in all woofers and mid-range drivers for approximately 12 hours. All drivers are then tested, calibrated, and matched for their acoustical properties.
  • Page 43 MAXX. S-material, Wilson’s latest breakthrough in ultra-low resonant materials, came with the development of Sasha W/P. Even the best materials are not suited to all as- pects of enclosure construction. Therefore, like all Wilson loudspeakers, the Sophia is constructed of several proprietary materials chosen for their specific performance attri- butes relevant to different portions of the enclosure.
  • Page 44 Wilson Audio to deliver a product that maintains the strictest structural toler- ances, durability, and reliability. This also means that the Sophias will have consistent, repeatable performance, unaffected by the climatic conditions, anywhere in the world.
  • Page 45 S e c t i o n 6 – T r o u b l e s h o o t i n g...
  • Page 46 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 47 6 – T e C T i o n r o u b l e S h o o T i n g One channel is not operating: C h e c k t h e i n t e r c o n n e c t s f r o m s o u r c e . C h e c k t h e c o n n e c t i o n s o n t h e s p e a k - e r c a b l e s , b o t h a t t h e a m p l i f i e r a n d s p e a k e r e n d s .
  • Page 48 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l U s i n g t h e a p p r o p r i a t e A l l e n k e y, o p e n t h e X - m a t e r i a l d o o r o n t h e b o t t o m .
  • Page 49 6 – T e C T i o n r o u b l e S h o o T i n g Tu r n t h e a m p l i f i e r o f f . D i s c o n n e c t t h e s p e a k e r l e a d s a t t h e m a i n i n p u t t o t h e s p e a k e r .
  • Page 50 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 51 S e c t i o n 7 – S y s t e m S p e c i f i c a t i o n s...
  • Page 52 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 53 7 . 1 – S e C T i o n p e C i f i C a T i o n S Section 7.1 – Specifications Enclosure Type Sophia: Rear Ported Woofer: One – 10 inch {25.4 cm} aluminum cone Tweeter: One –...
  • Page 54 ’ o p h i a e r i e S w n e r a n u a l Section 7.2 – Sophia Dimensions W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 55 7 . 3 – i e C T i o n M p e d a n C e u r v e Section 7.3 – Impedance Curve 7: S igure ophia mpedance urve W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 56 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 57 S e c t i o n 8 – Wa r r a n t y I n f o r m a t i o n...
  • Page 58 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...
  • Page 59 Wilson Audio, an authorized Wilson Audio Dealer Technician or a service or repair center authorized by Wilson Audio to service or re- pair the product. Contact Wilson Audio at (801) 377-2233 for information on location of Wilson Audio Dealers and authorized service and repair centers.
  • Page 60 Purchaser must pay for shipping to Wilson Audio, and Wilson Audio will pay for shipping of its choice to re- turn the product to purchaser. A RETURNED PRODUCT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT.
  • Page 61 Wilson Audio by the dealer at dealer’s sole expense. Wilson Audio will pay return freight of its choice. A returned product must be accompanied by a written description of the defect.
  • Page 62 W i l s o n A u d i o S p e c i a l t i e s...