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Wilson Watt Puppy 5.1 diffraction pads and resistors

I bought a used set of Wilson Watt Puppy 5.1s and they need some work.  Looking for thoughts and advice..

1. Midrange drivers don't work.  I've ordered new resistors hoping that fixes the problem. Wilson gave me some instructions but any other advice is welcomed on how to replace and what issues I might run into.

2. Diffraction pads were removed and left a sticky residue. Removal seems easy but makes me nervous.  Any advice here?

3. Some have said they prefer the to leave the diffraction pads off, others prefer the diffraction pads on claiming they sound bright without them.  Thought here?

Thanks,
dtximages
dgarretson
2,592 posts
 
If you gently press the cone through its travel and feel rough friction, that’s a reliable indicator of a fried voice coil.

If the mid woofers are bad, I believe they are Scanspeak 8545-- possibly modified for Wilson.  But you can likely get close to the OEM performance with stock 8545 replacements.
dtximages OP
364 posts
 
@dgarretson yep, if you peel back the Wilson sticker on the woofer, it says Scanspeak.  I would doubt there's any modification to the driver.  That's a heck of alot cheaper than the $400 Wilson replacement.
dgarretson
2,592 posts
 
I don't know how the damage was done, but it's not uncommon for a DC pulse from an amp to take out a woofer without affecting the tweeter.  With any luck, you should be fine with a fresh driver.
If you want an upgrade from the 8545, consider the new Purifi 6.5" driver.  It has very similar specs, but sounds much better at twice the price.  I've made that substitution in a Merlin VSM speaker without modifying the crossover.
dtximages OP
364 posts
 
Do they make a 7.5 inch driver?  Im not too crazy about changing these to make them aftermarket products.  Feels like putting new rims on a Bentley or something.  idk.
dgarretson
2,592 posts
 
If it's the midwoofer in the Watt head unit that you're replacing, that should be 6.5".
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