The Aura series speakers utilize several technical concepts that were originally designed for the high-end Elysian series, yet they are available at a much more accessible price point. Additionally, the Wharfedale Aura 3 presents a more luxurious appearance than its price suggests, featuring elegantly curved cabinets and seamless panel connections. This model comes in a variety of finishes and is supported by a sturdy base that includes spikes for enhanced stability.
Wharfedale Aura 3 features a three-way design that delivers not only powerful bass but also clear and well-defined midrange frequencies. This speaker is ideal for music playback in a medium-sized room and performs equally well as front channels in a contemporary home theater setup. The Aura 3 is fitted with low-frequency drivers that utilize a Kevlar cone, a technology also found in the brand’s higher-end models. These woofers produce quick and deep bass, and their flexible suspension allows for substantial sound pressure without any coloration or significant distortion.
The midrange component of the Wharfedale Aura 3 features a 50 mm dome speaker. The use of this specific diaphragm design, as opposed to a conventional diffuser, necessitated careful calibration of the crossover filter. However, this adjustment significantly enhanced the accuracy and neutrality of the midrange frequencies. As a result, the Wharfedale Aura 3 reproduces vocals and acoustic instruments with remarkable naturalness, capturing all the subtle nuances of the sound.
The tweeter utilized in the acoustics is of superior quality, featuring a ribbon emitter AMT, which is a proprietary innovation from the company. When compared to traditional dome, ribbon, and planar high-frequency drivers, Wharfedale’s AMT HF emitters deliver outstanding accuracy and rapid response. The distinctive folded diaphragm, situated within a robust magnetic field, generates sound waves with exceptional precision, eliminating the blurring effect typically associated with the mass of conventional membranes. Consequently, high frequencies are rendered with remarkable realism and detail, showcasing the richness of harmonic overtones that enrich the listening experience of vocals and instruments.
The unique design of the tweeter’s frame effectively reduces distortions that arise from sound wave reflections. It features a broad directional pattern and maintains a consistent response across its entire frequency range. With its exceptional sensitivity, the ribbon emitter captures even the most subtle details of musical pieces, delivering a light and dynamic stereo representation.
The crossover serves as the core component of any speaker system, warranting meticulous attention to its design. The Wharfedale Aura 3 acoustics achieve a flawless transition between drivers through precise frequency band division and careful coordination of each driver’s acoustic properties. To reduce electromagnetic interference, the crossover is mounted on a dedicated board and has undergone extensive testing to ensure acoustic transparency.
Additionally, the Wharfedale Aura 3 features a unique slotted bass reflex system, with the output directed into a cavity at the bottom of the speaker. This design allows bass to radiate in all directions, significantly minimizing the room’s impact on low-frequency quality. The slanted side panels and the wider front panel compared to the back contribute to the damping of resonances and vibrations that could distort the sound. For amplifier connectivity, the model is equipped with two pairs of screw terminals.
Wharfedale Aura 3 specifications
- Input power of the amplifier: 25 – 150 W;
- Peak sound pressure level: 104 dB;
- Nominal impedance: 6 ohms (8 ohms compatible);
- Frequency range: 39 Hz – 22 kHz;
- Crossover frequencies: 460 Hz, 3.3 kHz;
- Revolutionary SLPP bass reflex system;
- HF driver: AMT 27 x 90 mm;
- MF driver: 4-inch dynamic with glass fiber matrix;
- LF drivers: two 5-inch dynamic with glass fiber matrix.
- Dimensions, mm 1037 x 229 x 330
- Weight, kg 23
