Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Improves instrumental line distinction, especially from the midbass down, resulting in a lighter and crisper sound
- Enhances soundstage depth and overall sound focus, making the audio sharper and better delineated
- Can transform bass performance, adding weight, heft, and definition, especially for speakers that tend to have overly rich bass
- Reveals buried detail in recordings while simultaneously smoothing out any harshness in the treble
- V-Material absorbs energy from the loudspeaker enclosure and prevents energy transmission from the environment
Product Considerations
- Installation, especially with larger speakers or subwoofers, can be challenging and potentially risky
- Adapters or spacers may be needed to ensure proper contact between the Acoustic Diodes and certain speakers, which could compromise performance
- The Acoustic Diode's top may be too wide to use with some speakers without something in between, which compromises contact between the speakers and the top of the Acoustic Diodes
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Wilson Audio Spikes—Acoustic Diodes were wholly positive and worthwhile upgrades
Takeaway: The Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode refines the sound of speakers, revealing more detail and improving bass performance. It is a worthwhile upgrade that builds upon existing technology to enhance the listening experience.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Acoustic Diode
reviews
[{"title":"Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode","link":"https://www.theaudiobeat.com/blog/wilson_audio_acoustic_diode.htm","source":"theaudiobeat.com","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
Materials
- Proprietary "V-Material” & Austenitic Stainless Steel
Dimensions
- Height = 2 1/32" – 2 17/32” (5.16 cm - 6.43 cm)
- Diameter = 2 5/16" (5.87 cm)
Weight Per Unit
- 12 oz (0.34 kg)
- 8 Units / Box
Available Thread Sizes
- Standard
- 1/2"-13
Additional Sizes Available Upon Request:
- 3/8"-16
- 5/16"-18
- 1/4"-20
- M6
- M8
- M10
- M12
- M14
Available Color Options
- Natural Stainless Steel
- Carbon Black
Description
The new Wilson Acoustic Diode isn't an optional device; it's an essential one. It dramatically lowers the noise floor, both boosting dynamics and revealing previously obscured musical details.
Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode
Building upon the research and development of Pedestal, the Special Applications Engineering Team is excited to announce the Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode™ (AD Spike for short). At the heart of the Acoustic Diode is our proprietary "V-Material." This superior constrained layer damping composite is unsurpassed in vibration absorption and resonance control.
Energy from the enclosure migrates into the V-Material where it is faced with the effective damping properties of this efficient material. The mass of the loudspeaker concentrated onto the very small ends of the spike tips results in significant levels of PSI that prevent detrimental vibrations from traveling upward into the footer. Those vibrations that do travel up the spike are absorbed by the mass of the Acoustic Diode and have to travel through the V-Material to have a chance to influence the enclosure.
Keeping the spike and threaded post separate prevent a direct path for vibrations to travel, or interplay, and are therefore dissipated and absorbed in either the V-Material or the footer housing. This distinctive design, combined with advanced vibration-mitigating materials, provides the best of both worlds; a solid base from which the drivers can launch as well as preventing the transmission of energy from the floor to the loudspeakers.
Building upon the research and development of Pedestal, the Special Applications Engineering Team is excited to announce the Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode™ (AD Spike for short). At the heart of the Acoustic Diode is our proprietary "V-Material." This superior constrained layer damping composite is unsurpassed in vibration absorption and resonance control.
Energy from the enclosure migrates into the V-Material where it is faced with the effective damping properties of this efficient material. The mass of the loudspeaker concentrated onto the very small ends of the spike tips results in significant levels of PSI that prevent detrimental vibrations from traveling upward into the footer. Those vibrations that do travel up the spike are absorbed by the mass of the Acoustic Diode and have to travel through the V-Material to have a chance to influence the enclosure.
Keeping the spike and threaded post separate prevent a direct path for vibrations to travel, or interplay, and are therefore dissipated and absorbed in either the V-Material or the footer housing. This distinctive design, combined with advanced vibration-mitigating materials, provides the best of both worlds; a solid base from which the drivers can launch as well as preventing the transmission of energy from the floor to the loudspeakers.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Wilson Audio emphasizes driver time-alignment in its designs, adjusting for listening position and amplifier characteristics, claiming increased realism in sound reproduction.
- The brand incorporates a proprietary mix of materials in their cabinets, such as X-Material, S-Material and V-Material, each chosen and implemented to control resonance and improve sonic performance.
- Wilson Audio places great importance on providing a bespoke level of service, offering a Wilson Audio Setup Procedure (WASP) that is performed by trained dealers in the client's listening room.
- Wilson Audio integrates key components manufacturing in-house, demonstrated by the acquisition and use of AudioCapX capacitors wound to exacting standards, allowing precise crossover design.
Select products
Select product comparisons
SabrinaX
- Positioning: The entry-level floor-standing loudspeaker.
- Description: Offers a compact design suitable for smaller rooms or spaces where placement flexibility is essential. Unlike higher-end models like the Sasha V, it lacks modular adjustability, making it less adaptable to varied listening positions.
The WATT/Puppy
- Positioning: A reimagined classic, positioned above the SabrinaX in the lineup.
- Description: This model pays homage to its iconic predecessor while incorporating modern technologies. Compared to the SabrinaX, it features an adjustable spike and bubble level for precise setup, enhancing its adaptability in different environments.
Sasha V
- Positioning: Sits mid-tier in the range, offering advanced features without reaching flagship status.
- Description: Incorporates V-Material in critical areas for improved vibration control, a feature not present in the WATT/Puppy. Additionally, it offers a two-position front spike track for enhanced time alignment, providing greater adaptability to various listening positions.
Alexia V
- Positioning: Positioned above the Sasha V, offering more advanced technologies and performance capabilities.
- Description: Features an all X-Material enclosure with V-Material strategically placed for superior vibration damping, surpassing the Sasha V's implementation. Its crossover has been refined for better impedance and sensitivity measurements.
Alexx V
- Positioning: A high-end model, positioned just below the flagship offerings.
- Description: Introduces an open gantry design and a QuadraMag midrange driver, advancements over the Alexia V. It also incorporates an all X-Material enclosure with V-Material in strategic locations, enhancing vibration control and sound clarity.
Chronosonic XVX
- Positioning: One of the flagship models, offering top-tier performance and technology.
Description: Features an ultra-precise time-domain adjustment mechanism, allowing for microsecond-level alignment, a capability beyond the Alexx V. Its modular design provides groundbreaking adaptability to various listening environments.
WAMM Master Chronosonic
- Positioning: The ultimate flagship loudspeaker, representing the pinnacle of design and engineering.
- Description: Offers true full-range performance without the need for a subwoofer, unlike earlier designs. It incorporates the most advanced time-domain adjustability and driver technology, setting it apart from the Chronosonic XVX and other models in the lineup.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
67
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
71
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
16
Founding Year
1974
Our take on the brand
Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
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