Wharfedale Updates Elysian Flagship Loudspeaker

All Image Credit: Wharefdale

Wharfedale, the Cambridgeshire brand owned by China’s IAG, has updated its flagship Elysian range introduced in 2020 to the Elysian R. The new range is designated; the Elysian 1R (2-way standmounts), Elysian 2R (3-way standmounts), Elysian 3R and 4R (3-way floorstanders) and the Elysian CR centre-channel.

The bass reflex Cabinets use Wharfedale’s PROS (Panel Resonance Optimisation System), multi-layer bracing and are hand-polished to six lacquer layers. The original finishes of gloss black and white are now replaced with matt black and matt grey but the walnut veneer with its piano lacquer finish stays.

All the R series use the same Air Motion Transformer (AMT) high-frequency driver, updated for Elysian R with an ultra-lightweight PET diaphragm and an acoustically damped rear chamber. Wharfedale claims that the pleated AMT diaphragm moves air with greater efficiency than a conventional dome tweeter, creating faster transients and lower distortion.

Midrange driver construction

All models, except the entry-level 1R, receive a dedicated 6″ (150mm) glass fibre matrix midrange driver, refined from its predecessor with a high-plasticity coating, aluminium demodulation ring and custom phase plug.

Bass driver construction

Bass is handled using glass fibre matrix drivers, either 7″ (180mm) or 9″ (220mm), depending on the model. These are vented via Wharfedale’s Slot-Loaded Profiled Port (SLPP) system, which exhausts bass energy through a slot at the cabinet base. Wharfedale say that the benefit is reduced port distortion and reduced sensitivity to placement.

2 and 3 way crossover PCB’s

The crossovers have had a major overall. Bass sections use now high-silicon-iron-cored inductors, midrange and treble get air-core coils; “Super Audiophile Polypropylene” capacitors are used throughout together with low-inductance resistors. In the 3-way models, the crossover network is split across two PCBs in order to reduce electromagnetic interference between the bass and treble components.

All models support bi-amping or bi-wiring with the two pairs of rear panel speaker binding posts.

Specifications (partial):

All enclosure designs are Bass Reflex using Wharfedale’s Slot-Loaded Profiled Port (SLPP) system.

• 1R:
  • Low Frequency Driver: 7″ (180mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone
  • High Frequency Driver: 27 x 90mm AMT
  • Frequency Response (+/-3dB): 49Hz – 22KHz
  • Bass Extension (-6dB): 44Hz
  • Crossover Frequency: 2.6KHz
• 2R:
  • Low Frequency Driver: 8.5″ (220mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone
  • Midrange Driver: 6″ (150mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone
  • High Frequency Driver: 27 x 90mm AMT
  • Frequency Response (+/-3dB): 35Hz – 22KHz
  • Bass Extension (-6dB): 28Hz
  • Crossover Frequency: 360Hz, 2.9KHz
• 3R:
  • Low Frequency Driver: 7″ (180mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone x 2
  • Midrange Driver: 6″ (150mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone
  • High Frequency Driver: 27 x 90mm AMT
  • Frequency Response (+/-3dB): 44Hz – 22KHz
  • Bass Extension (-6dB): 35Hz
  • Crossover Frequency: 375Hz, 2.9KHz
• 4R:
  • Low Frequency Driver: 8.5″ (220mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone x 2
  • Midrange Driver: 6″ (150mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone
  • High Frequency Driver: 27 x 90mm AMT
  • Frequency Response (+/-3dB): 30Hz – 22KHz
  • Bass Extension (-6dB): 24Hz
  • Crossover Frequency :340Hz, 3.1KHz
• CR:
  • Low Frequency: 8.5″ (220mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone x2
  • Midrange Driver: 6″ (150mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone
  • High Frequency Driver: 27 x 45mm AMT
  • Frequency Response (+/-3dB): 35Hz – 22KHz
  • Bass Extension (-6dB): 27Hz
  • Crossover Frequency: 360Hz, 2.9KHz

All models are supplied with spikes, spike shoes for hard floors, jumper cables and white handling gloves.

Pricing (UK):

• 1R: £3,499/pair (optional stands £399/pair)
• 2R: £4,999/pair (optional stands £449/pair)
• 3R: £5,999/pair
• 4R: £6,999/pair
• CR: £3,499 (optional stand £449)

For more in formation visit the Wharfedale web site.

Related posts:

• Wharfedale New Elysian Speakers – Quick Look
• For more Wharfedale product posts click here
• Loudspeaker Basics 101 – Part  1 of 3