Wilson Audio Autobiography

Transducers – Crafted Anew

At the core of Autobiography lies a completely new driver complement. This is a five-way loudspeaker configured in an M(MTM)M array, with every transducer making its first appearance in this system. Each driver was conceived specifically for Autobiography, not developed as an isolated component, but as part of a unified acoustic architecture.

CSLS Front Firing Tweeter

The Convergent Synergy Laser Sintered (CSLS) front firing tweeter (FFT) represents the latest evolution of Wilson Audio’s Convergent Synergy technology. Its redesigned rear wave chamber improves energy dissipation, reduces internal reflections, and further lowers the noise floor. This refinement enhances clarity without introducing grit or exaggeration, allowing micro-dynamic information to emerge naturally.

2 inch Midrange

Flanking the CSLS tweeter are two newly developed 2 inch midrange drivers coupled with optimized sonic faceplates. Known as our 2″ MID (Midband Integration Driver) these units were created to bridge the gap between the speed of the tweeter high frequencies and the lush, life-like presentation of the larger midrange drivers. Their placement ensures symmetrical dispersion and precise time-alignment behavior through the most perceptually sensitive region of human hearing. The 2″ MID dissolves the boundaries between drivers, integrating the midband with such precision and natural flow that the listener perceives only music, not mechanics.

7 inch PentaMag Midrange

Above and below the MTM assembly sit two 7 inch PentaMag midrange drivers. These are a direct evolution of the QuadraMag platform, now employing five AlNiCo (Aluminum / Nickel / Cobalt) magnets arranged to produce greater motor strength, improved flux stability, and enhanced linearity under dynamic load. This advancement yields midrange reproduction that is both powerful and nuanced, capable of conveying the full emotional weight of voices and instruments without congestion or strain.

Rear Firing Tweeter

Autobiography incorporates an inverted dome Rear Firing Tweeter (RFT) designed to enhance spatial depth, ambient retrieval, and harmonic decay. This driver is constructed using aerospace grade unidirectional spread carbon fiber, selected for its exceptional stiffness, predictability, and consistency. The diaphragm employs a variable thickness profile that minimizes inertia while maximizing structural integrity. This RFT is a wide dispersion design, optimized to reproduce ambient information without drawing attention to itself. Its operating range spans from 6 kHz to 22 kHz. An integrated attenuation control allows adjustment from 0 dB to minus 40 dB, with the maximum setting calibrated to begin at minus 7 dB at 10 kHz relative to the FFT at typical listening distances. This flexibility enables precise tailoring to room acoustics and listener preference, providing subtle reinforcement of spatial cues and reverberant energy.

Woofers

These new woofers embody decades of Wilson Audio’s experience in resolving the complexities of recreating low frequency information realistically. The result is low frequency reproduction that is powerful without excess and extended precision without sacrificing emotional impact.

Materials 

Among the materials employed in Autobiography’s design are several versions of high-density phenolic resin composites (H-Material, internally damped constrained layer V- and X-Materials), carbon fiber, aerospace grade aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, etc. These elements are not used for marketing hype, but for function. Their refined application defines how energy is controlled, directed, dissipated, and ultimately rendered as music.

Metals 

The woofer baffle is reinforced with a damping mass of aluminum. Tying the crossover chamber together are dual metal cross braces reinforcing this space and ensuring structural solidity. Custom metal finishes, developed in collaboration with trusted local machine shop partners, reflect craftsmanship only found with the right artists behind the bits.

H-Material 

Stylistically, Autobiography represents an organic interplay between H-Material composites and precision machined aluminum throughout the gantry, including the baffle of each upper module. An interlocking phenolic damping sheath provides structural integrity and visual elegance.

V-Material 

Every enclosure and module interface incorporates V-Material, including all the surfaces that all the precision slide spikes touch. Additionally, secured in the middle of the sled arm is a V-Material core where the sled alignment pin rests in the pin cradle. A new version of V-Material has been developed for the entire bottom of the woofer enclosure to increase vibration control at the interface with the Acoustic Diodes. The gantry is secured to the top of the woofer enclosure with an isolating layer of V-Material. The crossover housing is mounted to a V-Material vibration sink.

X-Material 

Unlike previous woofer enclosure designs where X-Material was removed to accommodate flush mounting the woofers, Autobiography preserves the full thickness of X-Material behind the woofer baskets. This approach increases stiffness at the coupling surface, improving uniform low frequency reproduction.

Handcrafted

An autobiography is a personal chronicle. It is a record of lived experience shaped by time, intention, discovery, exploration, and refinement. It is a memoir- not simply of events, but of evolution. In that spirit, the Wilson Audio Autobiography stands as a sculpted narrative of the company’s history, pursuit of musical truth, and dedication to the refinement in craftsmanship. Not just a personal chronicle, but a personnel chronicle.

Time Alignment

Both the upper and lower PentaMag midrange modules are independently adjustable via the module alignment sled system. Each alignment indicator, all of the sled gears, and reference alignment scales are calibrated and easy to read by simply adjusting the rotating cam grip. The MTM crescent frame is similarly equipped. This innovative alignment hardware enables time domain precision that exceeds both the WAMM Master Chronosonic and the Chronosonic XVX.

Port Design

New port hardware enables rapid configuration changes and room integration without tools. Adjustments can be made to the port cover and port ring by pressing the two quick release buttons, simplifying setup without sacrificing effectiveness. The cross load flow porting system has been refined to allow controlled adjustment of low frequency interaction with the listening space.