WHARFEDALE ELYSIAN 4

Wharfedale ELYSIAN is a remarkable expression of engineering artistry applied to high-end audio. In every aspect—refined design, material selection, flawless aesthetics, and acoustic performance—it embodies a no-compromise approach that redefines the concept of luxury loudspeakers. It is the result of a visionary project, where cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail come together to deliver a sound experience capable of rivaling the finest speakers in the world.

Every component of the ELYSIAN is crafted with near-artisanal care. The cabinet, finished in a glossy Piano-Lacquer and adorned with elegant wood veneers, is hand-built and polished in six stages to achieve extraordinary visual depth. Beneath this refined surface lies a multi-layer wood sandwich structure that employs the PROS (Panel Resonance Optimization System) to suppress panel resonance and effectively isolate unwanted internal vibrations.

At the heart of its sound reproduction lies the AMT (Air Motion Transformer) high-frequency transducer, a radically different technology from traditional tweeters. A pleated, ultra-light diaphragm contracts and expands at incredible speed, pushing air with exceptional accuracy and velocity. As a velocity-type rather than pressure-type transducer, the AMT delivers lightning-fast transients and brilliant dynamics, with breathtaking musical detail.

Complementing this high-frequency finesse, Wharfedale has developed a midrange driver with a 150 mm woven glass fibre matrix cone, coated with a high-plasticity treatment to finely control its acoustic response. The result is a perfect balance of lightness and rigidity, supported by a low-damping, foamed rubber-like surround and a 25 mm dual-layer voice coil immersed in a magnetic field enhanced by an aluminum ring, which reduces eddy currents and improves linearity.

The entire assembly is mounted on a die-cast aluminum basket with large ventilation windows to maximize transient response. A precisely shaped phase plug at the center optimizes both on-axis and off-axis output, ensuring natural sound reproduction throughout the listening space. Vocals rendered by this system are strikingly lifelike, evoking the presence of the artist right in the room.

The woofers use the same glass fibre matrix and are powered by a low-distortion motor system, engineered for extended and controlled low-frequency response. Their energy is channeled through the SLPP (Slot-Loaded Profiled Port) system, a specially profiled rear port that directs airflow to a slot at the base of the speaker. This design balances internal and external pressure, improving reflex efficiency, reducing distortion, and minimizing placement sensitivity.

All drivers are seamlessly integrated through a computer-modeled crossover, fine-tuned over hundreds of hours of listening tests. The slopes are optimized for each individual driver using Linkwitz-Riley characteristics, ensuring smooth transitions across frequency ranges. The phase consistency is especially noteworthy, delivering a stable soundstage even from off-center listening positions and maintaining a linear power response throughout the room.

The crossover components are selected for their sonic transparency: silicon-iron core inductors for bass and midrange, air-core coils for treble, and low-ESR polypropylene capacitors throughout the signal path ensure pure signal transmission with no loss of detail.

The final result is a loudspeaker that reproduces the full body and energy of instruments—from cello to electric bass—without compromising dynamics, control, or precision. Whether it’s a solo piano, a full symphony orchestra, a jazz trio, or a complex rock performance, ELYSIAN delivers the emotion and realism of the performance, redefining the experience of home listening.

Technical specifications:

• Enclosure type: bass reflex
• Transducer configuration: 3-way
• Bass drivers: 2 x 8.5" (220 mm) coated glass fibre matrix cones
• Midrange driver: 6" (150 mm) coated glass fibre matrix cone
• Tweeter: 27 x 90 mm AMT
• Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1 m): 92 dB
• Recommended amplifier power: 15–250 W
• Peak SPL: 110 dB
• Nominal impedance: 4Ω (8Ω compatible)
• Minimum impedance: 3.2Ω
• Frequency response (+/-3 dB): 30 Hz – 22 kHz
• Bass extension (-6 dB): 24 Hz
• Crossover frequencies: 340 Hz; 3.1 kHz
• Cabinet volume: 38 L; 79.4 L
• Dimensions (mm): height (with plinth) 1188 mm; width 402 mm; depth (with terminals) 462 mm
• Net weight: 49.5 kg each