What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Stunning achievement, they have nothing to fear from any rival.
Pros
- +
Immaculate detail resolution
- +
space-age materials and very refined drive units
Cons
- -
Bigger boxes will go deeper in the bass
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Wilson Benesch isn't shy about shouting out the advantages of its carbon composite cabinets. And considering just how inert and solid the A.C.T's metal/carbon frame feels, we're not surprised: this gives the tweeter, mid/bass and bass drivers a firm foundation to work from.
Insight to rival the very best
We know these drivers from other models, but have never heard them sound this dynamic and punchy. Listen to Shostakovich's String Quartet No.2, and the A.C.Ts are all subtlety and resolution.
They pinpoint details rival speakers barely hint at. Notes stop and start in an instant, making even the most complex pieces easy to follow. With something more brutal, like Massive Attack's mix of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Mustt Mustt, the A.C.Ts respond with drive, timing and punch.
Only at the very bottom end must they cede ground to significantly larger rivals, but even then the heavy dub stylings found on King Tubby's In Fine Style manage to retain their cosmic clarity.
We could go on about these speakers' mighty combination of refinement and top-end insight, or even their immaculate build, but space has beaten us once more... just rest assured that the A.C.Ts are truly world-class speakers.
