Boasting DNA from the flagship the Chronosonic XVX, Wilson Audio’s most ambitious and complex production loudspeaker to date, the maker has now introduced a new version of Wilson’s smallest floorstander, the SabrinaX.
Its creator says that, like the original Sabrina, the new X-version is a combination of traditional Wilson hallmark attributes such as bass authority, dynamic resolution, midrange beauty and integrity, and a sense of inherent musical ‘rightness’.
Wilson’s goal was to design a loudspeaker that could stand alongside much larger systems. Like its flagship sibling, the Chronosonic XVX, SabrinaX offers a level of dynamic contrast and harmonic expression that is the defining character of Wilson Audio loudspeakers. X-Material has long been the cornerstone of Wilson’s composite technology. In its third iteration, the manufacturer says X-Material remains unbeatable for its rigidity, inertness, intrinsic damping and extreme hardness.
For this reason, Wilson Audio’s engineers deploy X-Material in several different applications throughout Wilson’s model line-up. The original Sabrina used X-Material only in its baffle and lower spike plate. Now, the SabrinaX’s outer enclosure is constructed entirely from X-Material. The SabrinaX cabinet comes that much closer to the near-silent ideal Wilson has pursued for decades.
The music emerges through SabrinaX from a ‘blacker’ background, whilst ass transient performance and clarity are improved. Listeners will hear superior ‘silence between the notes’, which, among other factors, enhance SabrinaX’s rhythmic timing and pace. SabrinaX’s new bracing system augments all the above qualities by further reducing cabinet- born resonances.
Like all modern Wilson loudspeakers, the engineers use laser vibrometry in an exploration of the best cabinet geometries. Similar to those designed for the XVX’s midrange modules, a new low-turbulence vent replaces the aluminium unit used in the older model. The vent is milled directly into its X-Material enclosure. The intrinsic strength of X-Material makes complex vent shapes possible, which improves the musicality and the overall sonic presentation in the midrange.
The tweeter chosen for SabrinaX is the Convergent Synergy MK5, which the team developed initially for the limited-edition WAMM Master Chronosonic. The MK5 later became an integral part of the Chronosonic XVX’s design. The Wilson tweeter has been made to deliver ultra-low distortion, exquisite micro and macro contrast and ultra-high resolution, all of which are accompanied by a sense of ease, accessibility and supreme musicality, says the maker.
The 5.75in midrange driver is smooth throughout its bandwidth (which extends flat to 2 kHz, facilitating the elevated crossover point to the tweeter). Midrange honesty, resolution and beauty are the paramount qualities Wilson strives for with its loudspeakers and SabrinaX’s midrange is no exception. The crossover points allow the driver to perform optimally within the sweet spot of its range.
The new 8in woofer designed and developed for the Sasha DAW’s bass module now finds a home in the SabrinaX. This state-of-the-art driver is installed into an all-new, exceptionally inert bass cabinet, which provides a strong platform for the driver’s intrinsically excellent dynamic resolution and transient performance. Together, these elements contribute to a rich and yet ultra- fast midbass, which is, in turn, supported by an authoritative bass foundation.
Wilson further argues that SabrinaX’s bass articulation, transient speed and bottom-octave extension will demolish any preconceptions about the bass quality and accuracy that can be produced by such a small loudspeaker.
Unlike the plastic items found in many high-end loudspeakers, Wilson says it machines this critical element from a solid billet of 6061-T6 aluminum. For the SabrinaX, a new geometry reduces already low port noise. The new model uses the same Wilson designed and manufactured binding post as the XVX. It is easier to tighten by hand and also features a banana plug option.
Continued integration
The first Wilson loudspeaker to benefit from Wilson’s recent integration of capacitor design and manufacturer into its factory in Provo, Utah, was the Chronosonic XVX. Led by engineer Vern Credille, the design team developed a proprietary multi-wound capacitor specifically for the XVX, which the engineers dubbed AudioCapX-WA.
The team took a similar approach with SabrinaX which benefits from a version of the AudioCapX explicitly designed for its crossover. The new capacitor technology significantly lowers the noise floor to even greater extremes, allowing the listener to hear more detail and resolution. As is true for all Wilson loudspeakers, Wilson’s craftspeople painstakingly hand-assemble SabrinaX’s crossover.
Created in Provo, Utah and finished in Wilson Audio’s automotive-class paint facility, the SabrinaX starts shipping this month. UK RRP is £21,498 per pair in three standard colour options – Carbon, Galaxy Grey and Quartz. Three upgrade WilsonGloss colours are also available – Crimson, Ivory and Diamond Black – at £22,998 per pair. The range is distributed in the UK by Absolute Sounds.
