Полочная акустика — Wharfedale Elysian 2

The Elysian 2 is a three-way standmount in the Wharfedale Elysian Series, positioned between the Elysian 1 and the Elysian 4 tower, and it uses an Air Motion Transformer tweeter instead of a dome. It is sold either alone or with dedicated Elysian 2 stands made from laser-cut high-carbon stainless steel with hand-polished base plates, adjustable spikes and space for vinyl storage. The Australian price is AUD 11,999.99 per pair.

Key specs that matter

The high frequencies are handled by a 90 mm AMT with a 27 x 90 mm diaphragm made from PET film. A 150 mm coated fibreglass matrix cone handles the midrange, and a 220 mm cone of the same material takes the bass. Crossover points are 360 Hz and 2.9 kHz. Wharfedale quotes 35 Hz to 22 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB and a sensitivity of 89 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m. The nominal impedance is 4 ohm, with a 3.6 ohm minimum, and the model is stated to be 8 ohm compatible. Peak SPL is 109 dB, and amplifier power of 25 to 250 W is recommended. Bass extension reaches 28 Hz at -6 dB. Each cabinet is 700 mm high, 334 mm wide and 432 mm deep, with 30 mm more for the terminals, and weighs 30.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

In the AMT, a large pleated diaphragm carries metal strips set in a powerful magnetic field, and as the pleats open and close they press air out from between the folds. The woven glass-fibre cones carry a high-plasticity coating, and a central phase plug is fitted. Bass loading uses Wharfedale's Slot Loaded Profiled Port, a reflex system with flared, parabolic vents. The crossover was computer-modelled and then refined through extensive listening tests. The curved enclosure uses a sandwich of several HDF layers and dissimilar wood products so that their resonances cancel, the Panel Resonance Optimisation System is included, and the cabinet edges are contoured to limit diffraction. Finishes are Piano Black, Piano Walnut with book-matched veneer, and Piano White, all with a six-coat hand-polished piano lacquer.

Pairing

This demanding impedance suits an amplifier that is stable into difficult loads, while the broad power recommendation accommodates a powerful transistor unit. Two pairs of pure copper, chrome-plated binding posts allow bi-wiring, letting the bass and upper sections each take their own cable. Stands are optional rather than bundled, so the speaker can be ordered alone.

Alternatives

The Wharfedale Denton 85 is a smaller standmount from the same brand with a 165 mm Kevlar cone and a 13.5 litre cabinet.