STAND MOUNTED LOUDSPEAKER
An audacious design evolved from the original Discovery before it that won the hearts and minds of the audiophile fraternity globally.
The Discovery II is a statement. It challenges the accepted norms of monitor loudspeaker design, delivering a convincing, musical performance with exceptional build quality, aesthetics and technological pedigree.
Who dares to challenge?
A design now inextricably linked to the Wilson Benesch brand, the original Discovery was a classic design with a legion of dedicated followers the world over. In 2016, Wilson Benesch breathed new life into this multi award-winning classic, announcing its return in the Geometry Series.
A 2.5-way monitor loudspeaker, the principle drive unit topology at the heart of the Discovery II remains a unique approach to monitor loudspeaker design. It places the company’s Isobaric Drive System, which is mounted in a clamshell formation directly on the underside of the loudspeaker, in close proximity to the Semisphere Tweeter and the dedicated Tactic II midrange drive unit. This compact, highly optimised topology delivers a thoroughly captivating soundstage, rich with dynamic, punchy bass, which is perfectly integrated with the midrange and the high frequency band. The character of the sound produced by the original design, won the hearts and minds of music lovers across the globe, garnering an almost cult following. Now in 2016, the design returns with even more power, more control and more bandwidth.
Aesthetically, the Discovery II retains its proportions. However the classic, high-technology appearance of loudspeaker has evolved into the modern era of Wilson Benesch design. Featuring a new machine finished alloy baffle, that terminates at its top and bottom extent into precision engineered CNC-machined alloy plates. Geometry Series aesthetic cues are visible across the design, but are most evident in the foot where the bevelled foot plate is finished with adjustable hand-wheels - a design common also to the A.C.T. One Evolution, Endeavour and Cardinal.
A design now inextricably linked to the Wilson Benesch brand, the original Discovery was a classic design with a legion of dedicated followers the world over. In 2016, Wilson Benesch breathed new life into this multi award-winning classic, announcing its return in the Geometry Series.
A 2.5-way monitor loudspeaker, the principle drive unit topology at the heart of the Discovery II remains a unique approach to monitor loudspeaker design. It places the company’s Isobaric Drive System, which is mounted in a clamshell formation directly on the underside of the loudspeaker, in close proximity to the Semisphere Tweeter and the dedicated Tactic II midrange drive unit. This compact, highly optimised topology delivers a thoroughly captivating soundstage, rich with dynamic, punchy bass, which is perfectly integrated with the midrange and the high frequency band. The character of the sound produced by the original design, won the hearts and minds of music lovers across the globe, garnering an almost cult following. Now in 2016, the design returns with even more power, more control and more bandwidth.
Aesthetically, the Discovery II retains its proportions. However the classic, high-technology appearance of loudspeaker has evolved into the modern era of Wilson Benesch design. Featuring a new machine finished alloy baffle, that terminates at its top and bottom extent into precision engineered CNC-machined alloy plates. Geometry Series aesthetic cues are visible across the design, but are most evident in the foot where the bevelled foot plate is finished with adjustable hand-wheels - a design common also to the A.C.T. One Evolution, Endeavour and Cardinal.
Discovery II text
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Technology
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Every Wilson Benesch product I’ve heard presents music with startling clarity. It comes at you with blistering speed from a velvety-black backdrop. Dynamics are incredible and the detailing always surprises and delights."
silk black
white gloss
oak satin
natural cherry satin
zebrano gloss
birdseye maple gloss
red birdseye gloss
red tulip gloss
burr walnut gloss
walnut gloss
ebonised walnut gloss
// P1 enzo //
// P1 champagne //
// P1 silverstone //
// P1 ettore //
Front
Side
BACK
SCHEMATIC
VOLUME (1)
VOLUME (2)
Poly-alloy hybrid construction
High performance carbon composite A.C.T. monocoque
Mid-range ported enclosure
Isobaric bass ported enclosure
2.5-way stand mounted monitor
Impedance: 6 Ω nominal / 4Ω minimal
Sensitivity: 89dB at 1 metre on-axis, 2.83V input
Frequency response: 38Hz - 30KHz +/- 2dB
Minimum amplification power recommendation: 100 W / channel
Height: 1105mm ( 43.5")
Width: 230mm ( 9.1")
Depth: 370mm ( 14.6")
Volume: 15L
Weight per channel: 30kg (66.1 lbs)
Black anodised baffle
Satin black spines, foot, base and stand
High gloss satin weave carbon fibre cabinet
High gloss black top
Bespoke side cheek options - see FINISHES above
construction
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 Isobaric bass drive units
Drivers
PERFORMANCE
DIMENSIONS
FINISHES
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Wilson Benesch Ltd | Falcon House | Limestone Cottage Lane | Sheffield | United Kingdom | T +44 (0)114 285 2656
Designed and Built by Wilson Benesch 2019 | All rights reserved
An audacious design evolved from the original Discovery before it that won the hearts and minds of the audiophile fraternity globally.
The Discovery II is a statement. It challenges the accepted norms of monitor loudspeaker design, delivering a convincing, musical performance with exceptional build quality, aesthetics and technological pedigree.
Who dares to challenge?
STAND mounted LOUDSPEAKER
A design now inextricably linked to the Wilson Benesch brand, the original Discovery was a classic design with a legion of dedicated followers the world over. In 2016, Wilson Benesch breathed new life into this multi award-winning classic, announcing its return in the Geometry Series.
A 2.5-way monitor loudspeaker, the principle drive unit topology at the heart of the Discovery II remains a unique approach to monitor loudspeaker design. It places the company’s Isobaric Drive System, which is mounted in a clamshell formation directly on the underside of the loudspeaker, in close proximity to the Semisphere Tweeter and the dedicated Tactic II midrange drive unit. This compact, highly optimised topology delivers a thoroughly captivating soundstage, rich with dynamic, punchy bass, which is perfectly integrated with the midrange and the high frequency band. The character of the sound produced by the original design, won the hearts and minds of music lovers across the globe, garnering an almost cult following. Now in 2016, the design returns with even more power, more control and more bandwidth.
Aesthetically, the Discovery II retains its proportions. However the classic, high-technology appearance of loudspeaker has evolved into the modern era of Wilson Benesch design. Featuring a new machine finished alloy baffle, that terminates at its top and bottom extent into precision engineered CNC-machined alloy plates. Aesthetic cues taken from the Geometry Series sketch book are visible across the design, but are most evident in the foot where the bevelled foot plate is finished with adjustable hand-wheels - a design common also to the A.C.T. One Evolution, Endeavour and Cardinal.
The Discovery II is a statement. It challenges the accepted norms of monitor loudspeaker design, delivering a convincing, musical performance with exceptional build quality, aesthetics and technological pedigree.
Find out more >
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.
TACTIC II DRIVE UNIT
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.
PORT TUBES
The Discovery II is a bass reflex ported enclosure. Two ports enhance the bass and midrange frequency output, with one port feeding the bass enclosure and the second feeding the midrange enclosure.
Each port has been tuned optimally through adjustments to their length in accordance with the specific characteristics of the Tactic II Drive Units.
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.
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.
CABINET CONSTRUCTION
The Discovery II makes considerable advances on the original design in every aspect. In terms of the fit and finish, perhaps the most tangible element visually that sets the two designs apart are the beautifully engineered top and base boards and the Geometry Series styled foot.
These components are each machined from large aluminium billets in house at Wilson Benesch to create a phenomenally stiff and perfectly crafted structure.
Much like the Endeavour, the precision CNC machined base board is an impressive structure designed to house the powerful Isobaric Drive providing unyielding structural integrity and housing other critical elements such as the port tubes, A.C.T. Monocoque, side cheeks and spine. Total engineering.
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.
Technology
“I don’t want to get carried away by the bass. There is a lot more to this loudspeaker than bottom end. It’s just that the loudspeaker does bass so well, and so deep; that unbraced cabinet makes it TARDIS like and far bigger on the inside than you’d expect and that means more cabinet volume and that means more bass - but the level of control the A.C.T. One Evolution has over that bass is insane.”
Alan Sircom, HiFi+, Issue 130
REVIEWS
FRONT
SIDE
BACK
VOLUMES I
VOLUMES II
specifications
DRIVERS
CONSTRUCTION
MEASUREMENTS
DIMENSIONS
FINISHES
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 Isobaric bass drive units
Poly-alloy hybrid construction
High performance carbon composite A.C.T. monocoque
Mid-range ported enclosure
Isobaric bass ported enclosure
2.5-way stand mounted monitor
Impedance: 6 Ω nominal / 4Ω minimal
Sensitivity: 89dB at 1 metre on-axis, 2.83V input
Frequency response: 38Hz - 30KHz +/- 2dB
Minimum amplification power recommendation: 100 W / channel
Height: 1105mm ( 43.5")
Width: 230mm ( 9.1")
Depth: 370mm ( 14.6")
Volume: 15L
Weight per channel: 30kg (66.1 lbs)
Black anodised baffle
Satin black spines, foot, base and stand
High gloss satin weave carbon fibre cabinet
High gloss black top
Bespoke side cheek options - see FINISHES above
Gloss: Piano Black, White, Zebrano, Birds Eye Maple, Red Birds Eye, Red Tulip, Walnut, Burr Walnut and Ebonised Walnut
Satin: Oak and Natural Cherry
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download brochure
download
white paper
compare specifications
find your
closest dealer
Wilson Benesch Ltd | Falcon House | Limestone Cottage Lane | Sheffield | United Kingdom | T +44 (0)114 285 2656
Designed and built by Wilson Benesch 2019 | All rights reserved