Sound & build quality, asthetics & technological excellence.
『始於原創』-『止於經典』
2001年 Wilson Benesch 發表新系列喇叭首創之舉 – Discovery。秉持 A.C.T. 技術的精神，融合碳纖聚合物與鋁合金材質製成，有著最強悍的音箱硬力系數，以及長久不變的耐力特性，創新了高性能揚聲器的典範。
甫一發表，Discovery 原型喇叭就立即被日本最專業、嚴謹的音響評論雜誌 Stereo Sound 決選為該年度最佳器材 Component Of The Year。其特別的全音域、含架式設計，巧妙地運用 Isobaric 等壓推挽模組而能縮小箱體容積，使得四只高性能單體能以最近之物理距離緊湊佈局，表為書架型，實則為全音域發聲，音色精準飽滿，掀起廣泛的討論與震撼，不少愛樂人士競相珍藏。
Discovery II Burr Walnut Gloss 刺紋胡桃木
Overview
歷經多年的技術升級與自有單體的研發運用，Discovery II 重回品牌戰線，成為不可或缺的陣容要角。新式的混合纖維半球體高音單元 Hybrid Dome Semisphere，Tactic II 二代戰略中音單體，經典的 Tactic II Isobaric 等壓推挽模組配置，構成 2.5音路、43Hz~30kHz 的高頻域性能表現。
使用法國達梭航太公司所研製的先進 3D 電腦輔助設計系統，輔以高精度 CNC 製作、碳纖維複材壓型製程，再在都使得 Discovery II 達到前所未有的性能成就與高精緻度。
不同以往，Discovery II 採用全金屬正面障板，連等壓推挽模組都是鑲崁於鋁合金基座之中，整體強度達到最高境界。進化的 Discovery II 配置了與 Cardinal、Endeavour 相同的動態單點式角錐設計，喇叭端子則配置於腳踝部，系統 底座以雙層弧線優美呈現，展現一體連貫之絕美感。
Technology
A.C.T. MONOCOQUE
A sophisticated three-layer composite structure comprised of carbon fibre, high compression blast core and glass fibre. In terms of energy damping and therefore signal-to-noise ratio, the A.C.T. Monocoque exceeds with consummate ease the materials traditionally used in loudspeaker design.
Wilson Benesch have optimised the A.C.T. Monocoque by creating a curved form. The geometric form of the cabinet negates standing waves by reducing the number of flat surfaces on the loudspeaker surface. Thus any sound waves interacting with the surface of the A.C.T. Monocoque are diffracted across a wide angle and thus diminished. As a result such distortions are impossible for the ear to detect, allowing the loudspeaker to disappear within the listening space; stealth like the loudspeaker creates a wide open and life like soundstage.
TACTIC II DRIVER
There are no transient delays in nature – when a singer sings, or a drummer strikes you hear the sound almost instantly. But when a drive unit tries to replicate this sound from a recording, the transient response time, although minute, is easily detected by the ear and the brain. When designing a drive unit, it is critical to reduce the transient response time as much as possible. Any delay, informs the brain that what is being listened to is in fact a recording and not a real human voice or instrument.
Wilson Benesch developed the original Tactic drive unit and subsequent Tactic II drive unit around this philosophy. We employed a light cone material, with phenomenally powerful NdFeB Rare Earth Magnets, with a highly evolved motor geometry to optimise flux. The result was a dynamic drive unit that could excurse through the in and out range of its movement during use very quickly and under a high degree of control. The original Tactic design was described as “lightning fast” in the first test reviews.
SEMISPHERE TWEETER
Designed and manufactured in house, the Semisphere has been developed to match the Tactic II Drive Unit, creating seamless integration across the mid-high frequency band. At the heart of the Semisphere is the Silk-Carbon Hybrid Dome. The hybrid dome tweeter, retains the natural sound of a soft dome tweeter, remaining free from sibilance. However the addition of carbon fibre through a proprietary technique, allows the Semisphere to remain flat through the frequency range to 30kHz.
Built around the dome is a combination of highly engineered components, which have been precision machined in house at Wilson Benesch. At the front a curved front plate creates the ideal launch surface for high frequency sound. To the rear of this is a complex motor front and rear plate that hold a ring of six powerful rare earth magnets. The design allows optimal venting and allows the Semisphere to remain cool during extended use.
ISOBARIC DRIVE SYSTEM
On the underside of the Discovery II, two Tactic II drive units combine to create an Isobaric Drive System. The Isobaric Drive is responsible for reproducing incredibly tight and controlled bass response that integrates perfectly with the midrange Tactic II drive unit.
The Isobaric Drive System results in two lightning fast, highly dynamic bass woofers which create the full range of bass notes up to 25Hz. Although the Isobaric Drive System operates at a much higher load than the midrange units, the load is shared by two drive units working together, allowing the Isobaric Drive System to remain perfectly integrated with the midrange units. This degree of speed and dynamics cannot be achieved with conventional large woofer designs.
KINEMATIC LOCATION
First introduced in the kinematic bearing design in the Wilson Benesch A.C.T. One Tonearm in 1991, the bearing was designed on the principles of kinematic coupling. The fundamental of kinematic coupling is to selectively eliminate each one or all of the six degrees of mechanical freedom that any physical body has.
In the Discovery II, three 14mm steel threads, each tipped with a 6.75mm steel ball, meet with three 6.75mm steel balls, held captive inside the floor protector. This creates a triangulated structure, with a contact point of less than 1mm Sq. This provides high-integrity, stable location of the loudspeaker.
Explore the Discovery II
Review / Award
Technical Details /// Discovery II
Description
Stand mounted Isobaric Monitor; 2.5-way, true linear phase, free space, ported enclosure, with integrated stand.
Drivers/ channel
1 x 25mm ( 1″) Wilson Benesch Semisphere tweeter
1 x 170mm ( 7″) Wilson Benesch Tactic II mid-range drive unit
2 x 170mm ( 7″) Wilson Benesch Tactic II bass drive units
Constructions
Poly-alloy hybrid construction
High performance carbon composite A.C.T. monocoque
Mid-range ported enclosure
Isobaric bass ported enclosure
Performance
2.5-way stand mounted monitor
Impedance: 6Ω nominal / 4Ω minimal
Sensitivity: 89dB at 1 metre on-axis, 2.83V Input
Frequency response: 43Hz – 30kHz +/- 2dB on-axis
Minimum amplification power recommendation: 100 W / channel
Crossover Topology
1st-Order Midrange
1st-Order Isobaric Bass Roll Off
2nd-Order High Pass Tweeter Filter
Crossover Frequencies: 500Hz / 5KHz
Input Connections
Bi-Wireable H-L (H: Tweeter+Mid / L: Isobaric Bass Driver), in-house machined rhodium plated copper alloy terminals mounted rear of loudspeaker foot.
Dimensions (H * W * D)
1105 mm * 230 mm * 370 mm
Internal Volume
15L
Weight
30 Kg/ channel
Finish
Black anodised baffle
Satin black spines, foot, base and stand
High gloss twill carbon fibre cabinet
High gloss black top
/Bespoke side cheeks as follows :
// Standard: Satin Black, Titanium
// Satin Wood: Natural Cherry, Oak
// Gloss Wood: Birds Eye Maple, Red Birds Eye, Burr Walnut, Ebonised Walnut, Walnut, Red Tulip, Zebrano
// HYPETEX P1 Coloured Carbon Fibre Finishes: Enzo Red, Ettore Blue, Champagne Gold, Silverstone Silver
Finishes Collection
