FIDELITY International, a renowned German high-end audio journal, has published an in-depth review of the Wilson Benesch IGx Infrasonic Generator. Reviewer Carsten Barnbeck spent a month evaluating the IGx in FIDELITY’s listening rooms. The full review is available on their website.
The IGx is designed to extend the low-frequency response of audio systems down to 12 Hz, aiming for a seamless and natural integration with existing speakers. It features an 18-inch driver made from a complex carbon and PET composite, resulting in a lightweight yet highly stiff cone capable of handling the most demanding acoustic loads. The driver is supported by a 16-kilogram steel rod, known as the IGx CORE, and utilises a dual-coil push-pull mechanism for precise power transmission.
The cabinet is constructed from interlocked aluminium segments, providing a rigid and stable enclosure that minimises unwanted vibrations. The IGx is powered by a Class D amplifier delivering 100 watts of continuous power and up to 500 watts of peak power, ensuring ample energy for demanding low-frequency reproduction. However, what is important to underline is that the IGx takes a very different approach to low-frequency sound reproduction. By using a push-pull motor design, Wilson Benesch has been able to deploy a relatively compliant spider and surround on the diaphragm and, in turn, coupling this with a very lightweight diaphragm, the requirement for high-power amplification to achieve dynamics and control is eliminated. The system is highly efficient and perfectly integrates thanks to this unique design.
FIDELITY International Magazine, Germany
“The Wilson Audio itself reaches down to around 33 Hertz, so it doesn’t really need a woofer. We therefore adjusted the level of the IGx to a moderate 0 dB and let it play along at what felt like idle. This actually resulted in a subtle gain in liveliness, stage size and plasticity, which we clearly felt after just a few words of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner”. If you switch off the woofer after a few minutes and restart the track, the previously subtle gain suddenly turns into a huge loss. Although the Sasha produces and reproduces music excellently on its own, it seemed unusually dull and two-dimensional after getting used to the IGx. The woofer presented itself in a similar and yet completely different way in combination with PS Audio’s “small” floorstanding speaker…. With a comparable effect: the reproduction became more palpable, more vivid and suddenly took on more comprehensible dimensions in the listening room without the character of the loudspeaker changing noticeably. The bass performance of the IGx is therefore exactly what the name of the wonderfully uncomplicated woofer promises: infrasonic, i.e. barely audible. However, the effect of the luxury basement ghost on the homogeneity and plasticity of voices, instruments or imaging is out of this world.”
Connectivity options include two-channel inputs via XLR or RCA, as well as a High-Level Input through a Speakon socket, allowing for flexible integration with various audio setups. The High-Level Input enables direct connection to a stereo power amplifier, facilitating a more homogeneous interaction between the IGx and the main speakers.
What we particularly enjoyed from Carsten’s report is that he highlights that the IGx is a versatile product that can be used with different loudspeaker systems, which Carsten demonstrates by seamlessly integrating the IGx with both Wilson Audio Sasha V and the PS Audio Aspen FR10. In recent weeks, Wilson Benesch has completed the installation of four IGx units with a large AvantGarde Trio G3 system, demonstrating again the power and versatility of the IGx.
In his review, Barnbeck notes that the IGx impressed right from the start, highlighting its smooth filter network and the ease with which it can be tuned to match different speakers. He emphasises that, when properly adjusted, the IGx enhances the listening experience without drawing attention to itself, providing a natural and cohesive extension to the low-frequency spectrum.
For a comprehensive understanding of the IGx’s performance and design, readers are encouraged to consult the full review on FIDELITY International’s website via this link.
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