Wharfedale Aura 1

AURA 1 AURA is the latest innovation in the family of class-leading Wharfedale speakers. Taking inspiration from the flagship ELYSIAN series through fit, finish and technological derivatives, AURA is another boundary-breaking model that challenges the norms of value while delivering all the detail, energy and thrill of your music collection with a class-leading performance but with a class-defying price tag. AURA AMT Equipped with the now world-famous Wharfedale AMT transducer, each AURA model emits breathtaking high-frequency definition. Unlike conventional dome or other ribbon and planar diaphragms, the Wharfedale AMT high-frequency transducer does not move forwards and backwards like a piston. It is, therefore, not constrained by the mass of its diaphragm, with the attendant blurring of transient response. Instead, the diaphragm is folded and carries conductive elements immersed in an immensely strong magnetic field. Not only is this an efficient way of moving air, but it is also highly accurate as the diaphragm is under close control of the motor system at all times. The result is a wide bandwidth transducer that achieves extremely low distortion and extraordinary musical detail, with scintillating speed and dynamic ability. AURA Cones As Wharfedale engineers found when designing the flagship ELYSIAN series, the transient accuracy and efficiency of the AMT need to be matched by the midrange and bass drivers for a seamless audio performance. Accordingly, AURA also uses a proprietary woven glass fibre matrix diaphragm for the midrange and bass cones terminated by high-flexibility rubber surrounds. The voice coils driving the cones are immersed in high flux magnetic fields, with eddy currents and inductance controlled by copper-clad pole pieces. These low-distortion motor systems are mounted on die-cast aluminium chassis, each fixed to the cabinet by six high-tensile bolts to maintain the rigidity of the structure and provide an accurate transient response. The rubber trim rings surrounding each chassis are not just a decorative feature but also control any resonance occurring at the junction of the aluminium chassis and wood cabinet. SLPP Wharfedale’s SLPP (Slot Loaded Profiled Port) bass reflex design was developed from the original idea of Gilbert Briggs, the entrepreneur who set up and ran Wharfedale from 1932 to 1964. In the AURA series, the high-pressure, high-velocity airflow from a downward-facing port is better matched to the low air pressure in the room by distributing the airflow through a series of slot ports in the plinth. This porting reduces unwanted turbulence from the port and improves the efficiency of the bass reflex system – another now design staple of the Wharfedale brand. AURA Crossover The crossover is at the heart of every loudspeaker, weaving the overall performance into a ‘sum-of-all-parts’. Wharfedale were one of the first domestic speaker manufacturers to utilise a crossover to divide the frequency band between drive units that were each optimised for bass, midrange and treble. With 90 years of learning, not to mention the benefit of having one of the world’s most respected crossover architects leading the development, in the form of Peter Comeau, IAG’s Director of Acoustic Design, the sophisticated crossover networks are fine-tuned over hundreds of hours of listening tests to ensure a seamless blend between the drive units. As with all Wharfedale series, only the highest grade, acoustically transparent components are used throughout the crossover network, ensuring all the musical detail is heard. Specifications: General Description 2 - way Bookshelf Speaker Enclosure Type Bass Reflex Configuration 2 - way Bass Driver 5" (130mm) Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone Midrange Driver High Frequency Driver 27mm * 90mm AMT Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m) 86dB Recommended Amplifier Power 25-100W Peak SPL 103dB Nominal Impedance 6Ω (8Ω compatible) Minimum Impedance 4.1Ω Frequency Response (+/-3dB) 48Hz - 22kHz Bass Extension (-6dB) 44Hz Crossover Frequency 2.9kHz Cabinet Volume (in Litres) 16.5L Dimensions (mm) Height (on Plinth) 386mm Width 246mm Depth (with Terminals) (300+52)mm Carton Size 640mm x 425mm x 510mm Net Weight 12.5kg / pcs Gross Weight 26.5kg / ctn Finish Hi-gloss Walnut, White or Black