Why the US$179,000 Eminence loudspeaker is a sound investment
The loudspeaker uses cutting-edge composite materials, features a sophisticated cabinet architecture, and strikes the right balance between aesthetics and engineering
WHY: Wilson Benesch is renowned for its hi-tech luxury home audio products. With proprietary materials in development for aerospace engineering beyond 2020, the British-owned brand is breaking new ground with its latest release, Eminence.
The pre-eminent loudspeaker ticks all the boxes of Wilson Benesch brilliance – cutting-edge composite materials; sophisticated cabinet architecture that stands out from the generic blur of its competitors; and a harmonious relationship between aesthetics and engineering – achieved by having the design, development and manufacturing teams all under one roof.
At 1.74 metres, Eminence is taller than the Cardinal, upon which it builds its legacy, packing powerful audio dynamics and a superior sculptural form.
Of note is the high-gloss, carbon composite (A.C.T. 3ZERO Monocoque) enclosure – the most highly damped enclosure ever manufactured – with the lowest signal-to-noise ratio in the industry.
Wilson Benesch’s own Isobaric Drive System offers accurate bass, while the silk-carbon hybrid tweeter – boasting Fibonacci technology – guarantees high audio frequencies, and a new design where the motor is decoupled from the rest of the chassis.
Finishes for the sides include seamless black graphite or a burr walnut gloss, while the carbon-fibre faceplate comes in vivacious red Enzo, royal blue Ettore, or Silverstone. Customisation is available.
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