Wharfedale Elysian 2 Bookshelf Loudspeakers (pair)

An 89 dB vented three-way with 3.5" AMT tweeter, 6"mid, and 8.5" bass.

The Elysian series is the result of the most ambitious research and development project in Wharfedale’s 90-year history. The design team took on the goal of retaining all that audiophiles have admired about the “British sound,” such as warmth, intimacy, freedom from listening fatigue, and uncolored response. Simultaneously, they sought to improve those qualities that audiophiles of today value, such as fine detail retrieval, spacious, three-dimensional imaging, and freedom from enclosure-induced colourations. 

The Elysian uses the Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter from the EVO4 range. The large, pleated lightweight diaphragm is driven across its surface by rows of strategically placed magnets. Not only is this an efficient way of moving air, but it is also very accurate as the extremely low-mass diaphragm is under close control of the motor system at all times. The result is a wide bandwidth transducer that achieves low distortion and delivers exceptional musical detail without being fatiguing.

AMT tweeters are fast, and need dynamic drivers that can keep up. The Elysian uses a woven glass-fiber matrix cone with an ideal combination of low mass and strength. A high plasticity coat provides damping to suppress high-frequency resonance. A specially shaped central phase plug linearises the output across a wide bandwidth, even well off-axis for exceptionally natural sound throughout the room. 

The woofer cones are the same low mass yet stiff woven glass fibre matrix as the midrange driver.  

The bass port uses Wharfedale's SLPP system in which both ends of the port tube are flared with a semi-parabolic flange to linearise airflow. The low-frequency energy is then vented to a slot at the speaker’s base, specially profiled to equalize the high internal pressure to the room’s low pressure. The result is an entirely natural recreation of bass instruments’ fundamental notes presented with authority and articulation, without port-induced distortion and noise.

Non-Resonant Wood Sandwich

Underneath the hand polished piano lacquer finish of the Elysian, lies a multi-layer enclosure composed of layers of different wood products sandwiched together. The dissimilar resonance characteristic of each material serves to cancel the other’s resonance for vibration and coloration-free performance. All of the drivers’ acoustic energy launches directly into the room instead of vibrating the enclosure panels. You will enjoy the kind of clarity, detail and three-dimensional imaging one expects from the costliest loudspeakers (but at a far more accessible price). 

Wharfedale offers the Elysian 2 Stand, sized to raise the speaker to the ideal height for seated listeners. It, too, provides the four adjustable spikes for stability on any floor surface. As a bonus, it provides a space to store vinyl records.

Specifications

Design: 3-way vented-box

Enclosure Type: Bass reflex

Drivers
Treble: 3.5" (90 mm) Air Motion Transformer
Mid: 6" (150 mm)  coated fiberglass matrix cone
Bass: 8.5" (220 mm) coated fiberglass matrix cone

Sensitivity: 89 dB

Nominal Impedance: 4 Ω

Frequency Response (+/-3 dB): 35 Hz ~ 22 kHz

Crossover Frequency: 360 Hz, 2.9 kHz

Dimensions (HWD): 27.6" x 13.1" x 17"

Net Weight: 67.2 lb.