Wilson Audio Cub Series 2 User Manual
Wilson Audio ® is a registered trademark of Wilson Audio Specialties, Inc.
Cub ® is a registered trademark of Wilson Audio Specialties, Inc.
This manual was produced by the Wilson Audio Engineering Department in cooperation with Sales
and Marketing. The information contained here in is subject to change without notice. Current Revision 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 here in 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.
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
CUB STANDARD VIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
CUB SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
CUB INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Design Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Enclosure Materials Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
CARE OF THE CUBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Care of the finish of your Cubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Break in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Binding Posts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
IN YOUR ROOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Room Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Resonances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Room Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Speaker Placement/Listening Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Choosing a Listening Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Speaker Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
SYSTEM SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Setup Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Completed Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
WARRANTY INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
APPENDIX A- TROUBLE SHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
APPENDIX B- REPAIR PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
T A B L E O F G R A P H I C S
FIGURE 1-REFLECTIVE COMB FILTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
FIGURE 2-ROOM SHAPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
FIGURE 3-PROPER SPEAKER ORIENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
FIGURE 4-CUB STAND SPIKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
FIGURE 5-BOLTING CUB TO STAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
FIGURE 6-CORRECT SPADE LUG CONNECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
FIGURE 7-CONNECTING CABLES TO CUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
FIGURE 8-COMPLETED SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
ii
C U B O W N E R ʼ S M A N U A L
CUB SERIES II:
CO M PO N E N T S A N D DIM E N S I O N S
CUB ENCLOSURE
22 IN.
NON-RESONANT
STAND
9.5 IN.
CUB BOLTS
TO STAND
SPIKES
19.5 IN.
HIGH
FREQUENCY
CROSSOVER
LOW
FREQUENCY
CROSSOVER
40 IN.
BINDING
POSTS
iii
C U B S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
CUB SERIES II:
SPECIFICATIONS
Nominal Impedance 4 ohms
Minimum Amplifier Power 10 Watts per channel
Woofer 2 - 6.5 inch double front ported
Overall Dimensions
Height - 22 inches
Width - 9.5 inches
Depth - 19.5 inches
Tweeter 1 - 1 inch inverted Titanium Dome
Weight (approx.): 75 lbs
Frequency Response
(with port contribution) 39 Hz - 22 kHz
Sensitivity 94 dB (2.83 volts at 1 meter)
iv
C U B I N T R O D U C T I O N
1
C U B I N T R O D U C T I O N
APPLICATIONS
Your CUB precision loudspeaker has been carefully designed to provide superb,
uncolored, limited full frequency range response in a single enclosure. Due to our very
successful research on the WATT/PUPPY and X-1 Grand SLAMM systems, the CUB has a
sonic character quite similar to its larger predecessors.
Using structural enclosure, speaker driver, and time alignment technologies developed for the WATT/PUPPY and the X-1 Grand SLAMM the CUB is truly the thoroughbred
of its class, and is well suited to carrying on the heritage of Wilson Audio speakers.
One of David Wilson’s most important criteria in speaker development is that a
speaker meets the accuracy and dynamic demands of studio monitoring, analytical hardware
and software evaluation and critical music listening. Therefore, the CUB has been designed
to deliver all of the speed, dynamics and musical accuracy to satisfy even the most demanding music lovers.
The CUB has also been engineered to take full advantage of today’s multichannel
surround formats, especially the latest AC-3 (Dolby Digital) and DTS (Digital Theater
Systems) formats. The CUB will provide the speed, dynamic impact and realism you have
come to expect in a high performance home theater systems.
1-1
C U B O W N E R ʼ S M A N U A L
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Your CUB has been designed to perform all of the specific functions of a high performance studio monitor in a less costly, scaled version of the WATT/PUPPY. This was
a difficult task, because a small enclosure is needed for high speed and linearity in lowermid to high frequency playback, yet the CUB needed to convincingly suggest the size and
weight of full scale, full range music. To accomplish this task David Wilson and his engineering department used some extraordinary materials and enclosure techniques. The discussion of a few of these materials follows.
ENCLOSURE MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY
The enclosure of the CUB uses the same proprietary techniques as have been very
successfully used in the X-1 Grand SLAMM, MAXX and the WATT/PUPPY systems. The
enclosure is made from a non-resonant material that is highly-cross braced to further reduce
cabinet resonance. The front baffle of the CUB, its most critical surface, is machined from
our proprietary Phenolic based structural material developed for the X-1 Grand SLAMM.
ADHESIVE
What’s in an adhesive? Everything. This often over looked element is crucial to the
proper performance 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.
1-2
C U B I N T R O D U C T I O N
DEPTH OF DESIGN
The combination of the best in composite materials and adhesive technology, provided to us by the leaders in their industry, allow us to design an enclosure with unmatched
performance. The Cub has been designed to eliminate vibration and cabinet signature, while
maintaining an internal acoustical integrity that is simply, the best.
Further, the Cub loudspeaker has over 340 constraining relationships defining the
placement of over 75 parts. These relationships ensure both dimensional stability and repeatability. In short, the first Cub built will be as good as the thousandth.
CONCLUSION
All of these structural aspects combine to allow 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.
1-3
C A R E O F T H E C U B L O U D S P E A K E R
2
C A R E O F T H E C U B L O U D S P E A K E R
CARE OF THE FINISH OF YOUR CUBS
Your Cub loudspeaker enclosures are 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
the Cubs during final manufacturing, shipment, and setup in your listening room, we have
applied a removable layer of protective film over the finish. We recommend that this film
be left in place until the speakers are in their final location in your listening room. Once
you have determined their final position, remove the film by peeling 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 the Cub be dusted carefully with the dust cloth, which has been provided. We recommend that the following procedure be observed 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. Always use the dust cloth. Stronger solvents are not recommended
under any circumstances. Consult your dealer for further information if required. Periodic
polishing may be desired over the years to maintain the high luster of the finish. We recommend a nonabrasive carnauba-based wax and soft cloth.
2-1
C U B O W N E R ʼ S M A N U A L
BREAK IN PERIOD
All audio equipment will sound its best after the components have been broken in for
some period of use. Wilson Audio breaks in all woofers and mid-range drivers for a 12 hour
period. All drivers are then tested, calibrated, and matched for their acoustical properties. In
your listening room, expect 25-50% of break-in to be complete after two hours of playing
music fairly loudly. Ninety percent of break-in is complete after 24 hours of playing. Playing a “disc repeat” overnight can accomplish this task quickly. Wilson Audio recommends
chamber music for this task.
BINDING POSTS
The binding posts used with the Cub are specifically made for Wilson Audio.
David Wilson and his engineering team spent many hours listening to a variety of
binding posts and making modifications to each until the most musical combination
was achieved.
Note:The binding posts should be tighted only snuggly. Over tightening can result in
the breakage of the posts. Please take care when attaching the spade lugs to the Cub.
2-2
C A R E O F T H E C U B L O U D S P E A K E R
T E C H N I C A L - N O T E
If the user wishes to test the polarity of the Cub with a battery, the plus (+) terminal of the battery is connected to the RED (+) input terminal of the Cub and
the negative (-) terminal of the battery is connected to the BLACK (-) terminal
of the Cub. The results of this test will show the Cub woofers to move outward.
This is the correct driver movement in response to a D.C. signal.
2-3
Loading...