The Reference .50 tweeter incorporates advanced Air Motion Transformer technology. The AMT tweeters use groundbreaking transducer technology to provide ultra-clean, detailed, and dynamic treble output. The pleated ribbon diaphragm of an AMT provides a large acoustic radiating area condensed into a compact chassis, for extremely high output and improved power handling. . This high frequency driver blends seamlessly with the incredibly articulate, specially developed anodized aluminum mid-woofer. This unique ATM tweeter ensures that high frequency content is reproduced as transparent and effortless as possible, assuring unbeatable Monitor performance.
The Reference Series Woofer utilizes a super low-distortion motor system with two short-circuit paths and a rigid but light black anodized aluminum cone. The low-distortion characteristics and high excursion capabilities provide exceptional clarity, detail, and wonderful dynamics. They also feature a low restriction cast frame, low-loss rubber surround, and a solid aluminum phase plug. When these components are combined in the Wathen Reference Tension/Rib enclosure, the outcome is extremely live and engaging with no fatigue.
Specifications:
Impedance: 8 ohms
Frequency response: 24-22,000 Hz
SPL: 89 dB
Suggested Amplifier: 20-200 clean watts
Dimensions: 14" H x 8" W x 10" D
The Reference Series Woofer utilizes a super low-distortion motor system with two short-circuit paths and a rigid but light black anodized aluminum cone. The low-distortion characteristics and high excursion capabilities provide exceptional clarity, detail, and wonderful dynamics. They also feature a low restriction cast frame, low-loss rubber surround, and a solid aluminum phase plug. When these components are combined in the Wathen Reference Tension/Rib enclosure, the outcome is extremely live and engaging with no fatigue.
Specifications:
Impedance: 8 ohms
Frequency response: 24-22,000 Hz
SPL: 89 dB
Suggested Amplifier: 20-200 clean watts
Dimensions: 14" H x 8" W x 10" D
Hello all, Billy Decker here.. I just finished up mixing Sony recording artist , “Chris Young's” new 2016 release and had the pleasure of using the Wathen Reference .5’s to aid in that process….
First off I have used the same set of speakers since I started mixing back in 1998, so I was a little apprehensive to try anything. “If it aint broke? Why fix it”….. A friend of mine introduced Carl, son of founder Don Thomas. He came walking in to my studio carrying the coolest “wooden” speakers….. Being an amateur woodworker myself, I was instantly intrigued? I was thinking to myself…”please sound as good as they look”.. lol
After Carl hooked up their proprietary amplified that pair’s perfectly with the Wathen Reference.5’s….. We let the fun begin….. The first thing I noticed was a speaker that was fun to listen to…. I went back and forth a/b-ing against my old standby’s and quickly noticed a very smooth midrange with “soft muted” highs…..the .5’s are a speaker that “everyday’ers” like myself can listen to without fatiguing… I was actually able to listen at much lower volumes, and still feel like I could hear my low end correctly…
After referencing some of my favorite records, I then dove into my stuff to see how that sounded….. I immediately realized i could now “really”, hear my reverb tails and delays trailing off…. If my old speakers were 2d, then the .5’s were 3d…. It was almost as if i could peer into them…..
I convinced Carl to leave them so I could take them out for a test spin… It just so happened I was starting on Chris’ new record the next day….. Well 2 #1’s later, I guess you have your answer?…. I am not only sold on the Wathens, I can’t live without them anymore…. They have become my main mixing speakers… Yes as you can see in the pictures, I still have my old ones, but they can get really loud and I’d rather let the client blow those up rather than the Wathens…hahahahaha……
So in summary, the answer to my question is yes……they do sound as good as they look!…
Billy Decker
Mixer of 11 country billboard #1’s
based out of Nashville TN
the Cabin at Westwood
First off I have used the same set of speakers since I started mixing back in 1998, so I was a little apprehensive to try anything. “If it aint broke? Why fix it”….. A friend of mine introduced Carl, son of founder Don Thomas. He came walking in to my studio carrying the coolest “wooden” speakers….. Being an amateur woodworker myself, I was instantly intrigued? I was thinking to myself…”please sound as good as they look”.. lol
After Carl hooked up their proprietary amplified that pair’s perfectly with the Wathen Reference.5’s….. We let the fun begin….. The first thing I noticed was a speaker that was fun to listen to…. I went back and forth a/b-ing against my old standby’s and quickly noticed a very smooth midrange with “soft muted” highs…..the .5’s are a speaker that “everyday’ers” like myself can listen to without fatiguing… I was actually able to listen at much lower volumes, and still feel like I could hear my low end correctly…
After referencing some of my favorite records, I then dove into my stuff to see how that sounded….. I immediately realized i could now “really”, hear my reverb tails and delays trailing off…. If my old speakers were 2d, then the .5’s were 3d…. It was almost as if i could peer into them…..
I convinced Carl to leave them so I could take them out for a test spin… It just so happened I was starting on Chris’ new record the next day….. Well 2 #1’s later, I guess you have your answer?…. I am not only sold on the Wathens, I can’t live without them anymore…. They have become my main mixing speakers… Yes as you can see in the pictures, I still have my old ones, but they can get really loud and I’d rather let the client blow those up rather than the Wathens…hahahahaha……
So in summary, the answer to my question is yes……they do sound as good as they look!…
Billy Decker
Mixer of 11 country billboard #1’s
based out of Nashville TN
the Cabin at Westwood