Wharfedale Elysian 2 FloorstandingSpeaker Review
Welcome to our in-depth review of the Wharfedale Elysian 2 Floorstanding Speaker, an exceptional pair of speakers that promises to elevate your audio experience. Renowned for its rich heritage in speaker craftsmanship, Wharfedale has once again pushed the boundaries of audio innovation with the Elysian 2, a testament to its dedication to delivering unmatched sonic brilliance.
This comprehensive review delves into the meticulous engineering and design behind the Wharfedale Elysian 2, exploring how its purpose-built features seamlessly contribute to an unparalleled listening journey. From its exquisite AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter to the bespoke metal speaker stands every aspect of the Elysian 2 has been carefully crafted to optimize sound performance and visual appeal.
Design
In terms of appearance, the Wharfedale Elysian 2 by Wharfedale stands out from the speakers I have used before and even from most floorstanding speakers, such as JBL 4429 and TAD 2251. This is because it is somewhat slender and tall in proportion. This design evolved from the floor-standing speaker Elysian 4; they removed the lower part of the Elysian 4 cabinet to create the Elysian 2.
The cabinet’s dimensions are 700*332*460MM, weighing 31KG, with a sensitivity of 89dB and a frequency response of 35Hz to 22Khz. Additionally, Wharfedale offers original speaker stands that complement the speakers beautifully, making it challenging to find such a perfect match on the market.
The Wharfedale Elysian 2’s cabinet exudes an elegant and classic aesthetic. It features a genuine piano lacquer finish, which enhances its appearance and eliminates worries about fingerprints and cleaning issues compared to glossy finishes.
The piano lacquer finish comes at a considerable cost, resulting in a beautiful look and easy maintenance. The cabinet uses a sandwich structure, with multiple layers of HDF processed into unique curves, effectively reducing internal resonances and minimizing harmonic distortion.
The Wharfedale Elysian 2 adopts a three-driver design, with the most eye-catching element being the AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter. However, the true highlight lies in its midrange and bass performance.
Combining a 27*99MM AMT tweeter, a 5.25-inch midrange driver, and an 8.5-inch woofer equips the Elysian 2 with outstanding audio potential. Regarding the AMT tweeter, I first encountered it over a decade ago and was impressed by its exceptional resolution and transparent sound. Wharfedale’s AMT tweeter, with a size of 27*99MM , offers several advantages.
Compared to traditional dome tweeters, an AMT tweeter has a larger diaphragm surface, allowing it to move more air. The folded diaphragm design also enables adjacent surfaces to move relative to each other, resulting in less amplitude and faster movement when driving the same air volume. As a result, AMT tweeters generally offer better high-frequency extension and faster transient response with virtually no compression in their effective operating range.
Wharfedale Elysian 2’s midrange and woofer units are said to be custom-made by Wharfedale in collaboration with Scan-Speak. The midrange driver is similar to the 15M/4624G00 model found on the Scan-Speak official website, with a frequency response of 150Hz to 10KHz.
It features a foam surround and an NRSC-coated glass fiber diaphragm. On the other hand, the woofer unit resembles the 22W/8534G00 model, offering a frequency response of 30Hz to 5KHz, also with an NRSC-coated glass fiber diaphragm.
The crossover points of the Elysian 2 are set at 370Hz and 3.1KHz, allowing both drivers to perform optimally. The glass fiber diaphragm boasts high rigidity, ensuring the cone remains stable while pushing air and minimizing distortion. As a result, it has gained popularity among various brands and demanding DIY enthusiasts.
Observing the Wharfedale Elysian 2 from the front and back, you will notice that it does not have a bass reflex port. Could it be a sealed enclosure design? That’s not the case. It employs bipolar-controlled audio technology (2nd-order guiding).
The speaker’s bottom plate is equipped with an inverted tube. When the speaker emits sound, the rear-radiated sound waves pass through the inverted tube, combine with the sound waves from the front of the speaker, and then radiate forward together, enhancing the low-frequency performance.
Such a design has the advantage of being less demanding in the listening environment, particularly for users like me who have limited space and need to place the speakers closer to the rear wall.
The binding posts of the Elysian 2 are appealing, made of pure copper with a chrome plating finish. The dual binding post design allows users to experiment with bi-wiring configurations to improve sound performance. The speaker comes with silver-plated oxygen-free copper jumper cables, equipped with banana and Y-spade plugs, accommodating different types of speaker cable connectors.
To fully unleash the potential of the Elysian 2 speakers, Wharfedale has thoughtfully provided dedicated speaker stands that perfectly complement their appearance and color scheme. The stands have been meticulously crafted in terms of design and color coordination to create a harmonious and visually appealing aesthetic.
The spikes and pads of the stands are made of metal, and from the images, it is evident that they have undergone a thoughtful design process, making them more than just simple, standard cast iron feet. The height of the speaker stands is approximately 47CM, and when the speakers are placed on these stands, the total height of the setup reaches around 118CM.
Sound Performance
Firstly, the Wharfedale Elysian 2 benefits from its AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, which delivers a transparent and clear high-frequency response with excellent extension. The sound appears crystalline and pure when reproducing piano notes in the high-frequency range.
The Wharfedale Elysian 2’s high frequencies are more fluid and smooth, offering a softer and more delicate presentation, creating two distinct sonic styles.
The midrange of the Elysian 2 has moved away from the traditional warm and thick sound. Still, it maintains good density, making it suitable for portraying string instruments’ “sticky” feeling. It excels with male vocals, exhibiting magnetic allure, while female vocals may lack a bit of sweetness.
If JBL’s sound is like the scorching noon sun, passionate and exuberant, and Castle speakers represent the warm, slightly dim twilight, then the Elysian 2 can be likened to the 4 o’clock afternoon sun—healthy and vibrant without overly melancholic.
In the low-frequency domain, thanks to the prowess of the 8.5-inch Gentleman Woofer and the glass fiber unit, the Wharfedale Elysian 2’s bass performance is indeed commendable. It responds quickly with a powerful bounce, though it may not be the cleanest and crispest sound style.
Compared to the traditional British sound, it offers a refreshing change and a stronger impact, which surprised me. The bass extends quite deep, reaching a frequency response of 35 Hz.
However, I encountered a resonance in my setup, leaving me somewhat puzzled. Is this space better suited for smaller speakers? Compared to 15-inch JBL speakers, the Elysian 2’s bass is more loose and grand, delivering the same powerful impact as the TrueForce series. Its design orientation is moderate.
Regarding control and soundstage, I tested it with Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic’s Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
The soundstage of the Wharfedale Elysian 2 is relatively wide, with a decent portrayal of depth and moderate control. Compared to the JBL 4338, the Elysian 2 does not have the same level of vitality and wide dynamics, but overall, it still performs well in reproducing orchestral music.
So, what are the downsides of the Elysian 2? In my opinion, its sound may be slightly “dispersed,” lacking a bit of coherence. The high frequencies are also thin and not as soft and delicate. However, the Elysian 2 can be considered a genuine effort from Wharfedale.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Wharfedale Elysian 2 is committed to delivering an exceptional audio experience. From the exquisite AMT tweeter to the purpose-built metal speaker stands every element of the Elysian 2 has been thoughtfully designed to maximize sound performance and visual appeal.
With its transparent and clear high frequencies, captivating midrange, and commanding bass depth, the Elysian 2 impresses with its versatility and sonic finesse. Its controlled and wide presentation is equally captivating.
Though not without minor nuances, the Elysian 2 remains a compelling offering from Wharfedale, evoking admiration from audiophiles and discerning listeners alike. If you seek to elevate your music enjoyment with an audio gem that harmoniously balances artistry and engineering, the Wharfedale Elysian 2 should undoubtedly be on your radar.
Experience the symphony of sound it offers and embark on an enriching audio journey that will immerse you in musical bliss. The Elysian 2’s craftsmanship and technology pave the way for sonic brilliance, reaffirming Wharfedale’s status as a distinguished name in the world of premium speakers.
Wharfedale Elysian 2 Floorstanding Speaker Specifications
- General description: 3-way floor-standing speaker
- Enclosure type: bass reflex
- Transducer complement: 3-way
- Bass driver: 8.5″ (220mm) coated fiberglass matrix cone x 2
- Midrange driver: 6″ (150mm) coated fiberglass matrix cone
- Treble driver: 27 x 90mm AMT
- AV shield: No
- Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m): 89dB
- Recommended amplifier power: 25-250W
- Peak SPL: 109dB
- Nominal impedance: 4Ω (compatible 8Ω)
- Minimum impedance: 3.6Ω
- Frequency response (+/-3dB): 35Hz ~ 22kHz
- Bass extension (-6dB): 28Hz
- Crossover frequency: 360Hz, 2.9kHz
- Cabinet Volume (in litres): 17.5L, 43.6L
- Dimensions (mm):
- Height (on plinth): 700mm
- Width: 334mm
- Depth (with terminals): (432+30)mm
- Carton size: 580 x 460 x 830mm
- Net weight: 30.5kg/pcs
- Gross weight: 35.3kg/ctn
- Finish: Black/Walnut/White Piano Finish
- Standard accessories: rubber feet
