New Demo Arrivals: Wilson's CSC Upgrades for Mezzo & Alida
We are excited to announce that our Audition Room 1 now features two of the four recently-announced Wilson Audio speakers. In this system, the old Mezzo and Alida models gracefully make way for their successors, both touting the CSC technology. Complemented by the presence of Wilson Alexx V and the sophistication of Burmester electronics, this high-end home theater has enjoyed a significant improvement in transparency, dynamic response, and soundstage depth.
What's New with the Alida CSC & Mezzo CSC?
Alida CSC Surround Speakers
Wilson Audio's first wall-mount loudspeaker, initially part of the W.A.T.C.H. system for surround sound in 5.1 setups, proved to have outstanding performance. Users soon started using it as a wall-mounted speaker in two-channel music systems, especially in spaces where floorstanding speakers weren't feasible. Recognizing this demand, the original Alida was born. It is designed for main channel system playback while still excelling in multi-channel surround applications.The latest model Alida CSC--recently announced by Wilson along with the Mezzo CSC Center, WASAE Center, and Submerge Powered Subwoofer--includes numerous upgrades to its critical elements, most notably the Convergent Synergy Carbon (CSC) tweeter to the custom in-house built crossovers and the Mounting Bracket utilizing Wilson's proprietary V-Material.
Surface-mount loudspeakers face a significant challenge in dealing with negative effects from walls, ceilings, and the mounting itself. This results in uneven frequencies, emphasizing some and hiding others. The Alida CSC addresses this issue by minimizing resonant interactions with walls and ceilings through a redesigned mounting system.
The new Mounting Bracket of Alida CSC is designed for optimal performance in both time-domain and driver dispersion. With up to 30 degrees of rotation, it offers adaptability, particularly in challenging installations.
The new Mezzo CSC Center not only features the CSC tweeter, but an adjustable tweeter module. This allows users to customize center channel alignment for various installations, whether it's on the floor, Wilson's custom stands (we went with the elegant Hourglass option), or a cabinet. This improvement enhances the overall sound experience by seamlessly integrating the CSC tweeter with midrange and woofers. It ensures clearer micro-details and precise time alignment, regardless of the listening position.
Custom-built Wilson Audio binding posts have now also been integrated into Mezzo CSC. Both banana plug termination and traditional spade connections can be used with this binding post. This premier binding post offers a clean signal path with an upgraded and larger contact surface area for your speaker cables.
Beyond Equipment: The Importance of Room Treatments
The custom room treatments were designed and installed by our partners at Convergent Sound Treatments, headed up by Christian Maloof. We asked Christian about the customized solution in Room 1 and how it brings out the best sound possible for high-end performance systems like this one.
CM: Unlike equipment changes or even cables, our room treatments are targeted at improving the listening environment rather than making any changes to the "system." We do this by studying the inherent nodes of the room based on dimensions as well as potentially damaging reflections.
Seen here in Paragon's Audition Room 1, Convergent placed custom-designed and tuned quadratic residue diffusers in key reflection points. Previously this room had a great deal of absorption. Although this can quiet the room and noise floor it can also take out some life. We utilized a good deal of diffusion to try to maintain energy and life while at the same time, removing the "sound" of physical room boundaries (walls).
An often forgotten reflection point is the front wall (behind the speakers). We built functional diffusion here while still allowing the drop down screen (critical two-channel listening, which should be with the screen up). Front wall diffusion helps with the depth and black background of the soundstage.
To learn more about Convergent Sound Treatments & what led owner/builder Christian Maloof to the world of audio, check out our 2023 interview with him here. You can contact Convergent and learn more about their work on their official website.
Want to hear this powerful surround system in person? Contact us to schedule an audition or stop in during business hours--no appointment necessary!
