Designing a record console that performs to the highest standard of audio requires meticulous attention to vibration, sound stage, and materials. At the Wrensilva workshop in San Diego, every console is rigorously tested to ensure it performs flawlessly at every volume.
THE CABINET SHAPE AND EDGE DETAILS HAVE A HUGE EFFECT ON SPEAKER PERFORMANCE. OUR PHYSICAL DESIGN STRATEGIES, FROM DOOR GEOMETRY TO INTERNAL CIRCUITRY, ACCOUNT FOR EVERY WAY THE CABINET CAN SHAPE THE SOUND.
Co-founder Scott Salyer and our Director of Wood Production, Adam Baumhardt, take us inside the process of crafting consoles that balance design, durability, and sound.
What are the acoustic challenges unique to a media console?
Scott: We know the console cabinet shape and edge details will have a huge effect on the performance of the speaker, and not always in a good way. For this reason, we use specific physical design strategies to reduce the impact of the cabinet. As an example, the design of our doors disperses, or breaks up, the sound waves in a way that they have little effect on speaker response. Then the circuitry of the speaker is tuned to counteract any of the negative effects that other parts of the cabinet can have on the sound. We know how far apart they will be, how close to the floor they will live, and all the details of the cabinet that can reduce the purity of the speaker's output. Those factors are all accounted for in the design of the speakers’ internal electronics. Ultimately, we know EXACTLY what the speakers are interacting with and how it can affect their performance.
How do the different materials influence the acoustic qualities of the console?
Adam: Certain materials absorb and dampen the effects of vibration coming from the speakers. Others allow us to isolate the effect of ambient noise, such as that coming from the turntable motor. Knowing how materials interact with each other is a fundamental part of how we design our consoles.
Hardwood is often chosen for strength, aesthetic allure and durability. We use hardwood for a variety of parts, such as doors, molding, and trim details. However, a console entirely made of hardwood would have limitations in consistency and vibrational control. We use laminated wood construction in the cabinetry as it allows for greater stability and weight to density ratio. Other composite materials are excellent at suppressing vibration created by the speakers, preventing it from spreading to other sensitive audio components.
We know exactly what the speakers are interacting with and how it can affect their performance.
Can you walk us through a day in the workshop as you craft a console?
Adam: Imagine a lot of sound. Depending on where you are in the shop, you’ll hear music, machines, audio testing, or friendly conversation. We lean hard on collaboration and teamwork between each area of the workshop. A big focus is on selecting the optimal materials for each specific part of every console. Our goal is to build the foundation of each console exactly the same, utilizing quality control guidelines to make sure each part meets our specific quality standards before being added. After the foundation is laid and the audio components are installed and tested, we focus our attention on making sure every exterior part of the console exemplifies bespoke design elements like tone matching, grain matching, and grain balancing in order to achieve seamless transitions from one area of the console to the next.
How do you test a console’s sound before it leaves the workshop?
Scott: Every console is referenced at multiple stages of the build against master files developed during extensive R&D, anchoring each unit to the signature Wrensilva sound. These checkpoints are designed to surface any issues as early as possible.
The final testing is all done by ear. Our final assembly and QC staff put every console through detailed listening tests to confirm they perform not only at low to moderate levels but also when the volume is pushed to the max.
Every Wrensilva record console tells a story of craft, collaboration, and careful consideration of both form and function. From the choice of materials to the final listening tests, no detail is too small when it comes to preserving the purity of sound while creating furniture that lasts generations. By understanding how wood, design, and engineering interact, our team ensures that each console not only delivers exceptional audio but also stands as a timeless piece of craftsmanship, ready to bring music and life to its new home.
