Напольная акустика — Wharfedale Aura 3

The AURA 3 is a vented three-way tower and the smaller of the pair of towers in the Wharfedale AURA series. The range began shipping in October 2023, and in the UK the AURA 3 is priced at GBP 2,999 per pair. Buyers can choose piano-lacquered black or white, or a walnut veneer, and a three-year warranty is standard.

Key specs that matter

Two 130 mm woofers are joined by a 100 mm midrange, all with Black Glass Fibre Matrix cones, and a 27 x 90 mm Air Motion Transformer covers the treble. Crossover frequencies are 460 Hz and 3.3 kHz. Frequency response is 39 Hz to 22 kHz within 3 dB, extending to 28 Hz at minus 6 dB. Sensitivity is 88 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and peak SPL is 104 dB. The nominal impedance is 6 ohm, described as 8 ohm compatible, and the minimum is 3.1 ohm. Internal volume is 42.8 litres. On its plinth the AURA 3 stands 1037 mm tall, with a width of 246 mm and a depth of 352 mm including terminals. Net weight is 23 kg and gross weight 25 kg.

Engineering and use context

Instead of a dome, the AMT tweeter relies on a pleated diaphragm carrying conductive elements inside a powerful magnetic field, moving air by folding rather than by pistonic motion. The glass fibre matrix used for the woofers and midrange is a proprietary woven material, fitted with flexible rubber surrounds. Cabinet construction follows PROS, Wharfedale's Panel Resonance Optimisation System, which layers several different woods to lower panel resonance, and the enclosure has curved surfaces. Bass loading relies on SLPP, a slot loaded profiled port in which a port firing downward exhausts through slots in the plinth, lowering air turbulence. Wharfedale states that the AMT extends to 36 kHz, and the coated glass fibre cones with low-distortion motors are derived from the ELYSIAN range. The AURA series also includes the AURA 1 and AURA 2 standmounts plus the AURA C and AURA CS centre speakers, allowing a matched multichannel system.

Pairing

Wharfedale recommends 25 to 150 W of amplifier power. The low minimum means the load dips well below the nominal rating, so an amplifier able to drive 4 ohm speakers comfortably is the appropriate match. Optional stands in the series are made only for the AURA 1 and AURA 2 standmounts, as the AURA 3 rests on its own plinth.

Alternatives

The Wharfedale AURA 4 is the larger AURA floorstander, using two 150 mm bass drivers and a 67.2 litre cabinet.