WHARFEDALE

ELYSIAN 1

ELYSIAN 1 is the latest addition to the flagship loudspeaker series from Wharfedale, pushing the boundaries of capability and performance. A genuine example of luxury audio, ELYSIAN offers indulgence in design, materials, aesthetics and performance, now in a more compact standmount format.

Each component part is engineered to the very highest standard. The drivers, the crossover, the cabinet every aspect has been developed in harmony and without cost constraint to push the project to its performance limit. This thorough and no-compromise approach has led the Wharfedale engineers to create a benchmark in affordable, audiophile-grade luxury loudspeakers. Cutting-edge design and class-leading technology are combined to deliver musical reproduction that will proudly challenge the world’s finest loudspeakers.

A proven concept in the form of the award winning ELYSIAN 4 and ELYSIAN 2 models, the ELYSIAN 1 continues with the specially engineered AMT HF driver; a radically different way of moving air, using a large, pleated, lightweight diaphragm driven across its surface by rows of strategically placed metallic strips immersed in a strong magnetic field. The pleats in the diaphragm contract and expand under the influence of the musical drive, squeezing the air between them to form the desired waveform. Featuring an ultra-lightweight diaphragm material called ‘PET‘ and an acoustically damped rear chamber, the ELYSIAN AMT stands out against comparable high-frequency units by delivering even more spellbindingly clear and sweetly extended high frequencies.

Operating in a two-way configuration, ELYSIAN 1 is also fitted with a custom, glass fibre matrix cone bass unit. Terminated with a highly flexible rubber surround and driven by a specially developed low-distortion motor system, the 180mm (7”) bass units are capable of reaching down below 49Hz, revealing the full body and impact of percussion, stringed and wind instruments with detail and depth that other standmount speaker options just cannot reach.

The performance of ELYSIAN 1 is enhanced with an advanced version of Wharfedale’s signature slot-loaded port. Christened SLPP (Slot-Loaded Profiled Port), it ensures that the rear output of the bass units is not wasted. Instead, the lowest frequency energy is vented to a slot at the base of the speaker, specially profiled to equalise the high internal pressure to the low pressure in the room. This reduces the distortion that is typical of bass reflex systems and increases the port’s efficiency. In addition, because the air is dispersed uniformly in the room, the speakers are less fussy about placement.

In combination, the bass units and SLPP bass reflex system provide the massive foundation upon which the rest of the musical performance sits, letting you feel as well as hear the full impact of thunderous low-frequency information. High overall system sensitivity allows any amplifier to reveal the full dynamic range of the music fed to it, without strain or limitation.

The drivers’ output is combined via a sophisticated crossover network, fine-tuned over hundreds of hours of listening tests to ensure a seamless blend between the drive units.

Of particular note is the phase consistency across the driver output, permitting a wide range of seating positions and encouraging the power response to be highly linear throughout the listening room. Only the highest grade, acoustically transparent components are used throughout the crossover network, ensuring all the musical detail is heard with nothing held back.

Beautifully finished, the ELYSIAN speaker cabinets are designed to enhance the acoustic output of the drivers and provide a piece of furniture of which the owner can be justly proud. Handcrafted veneers are enhanced by true piano finish lacquers, hand-polished to six levels of depth. This exquisite touch offers a truly standout aesthetic, unmatched at this price-point.

ELYSIAN 1 is truly another audio engineering work of art. The degree of natural transparency will leave you breathless and questioning, how is this possible in this price-class?

Wharfedale ELYSIAN is a new flagship loudspeaker series that pushes the boundaries of capability and performance from a speaker at this price-point. A genuine example of luxury audio, ELYSIAN offers indulgence in design, materials, aesthetics and performance. A thorough and no compromise approach has led the Wharfedale engineers to create a benchmark in affordable, audiophile-grade luxury loudspeakers. Cutting edge design and class-leading technology are combined to deliver musical reproduction that will proudly challenge the world’s finest loudspeakers.
One for the connoisseur and one for the history books, ELYSIAN will leave you questioning, how is this possible in this price-class?

ELYSIAN is truly an audio engineering work of art.

From the genuine Piano-Lacquer finished cabinet, created with details of true craftsmanship, through to the AMT (Air Motion Transformer) high frequency transducers and European manufactured bass drivers, ELYSIAN represents a new standard in the world of home audio experiences. The resultant sound, from the finely balanced driver selection and expert crossover design, matches the pristine design with a degree of natural transparency that will leave you breathless.

ELYSIAN AMT
The AMT (Air Motion Transformer) is a radically different way of moving air. A large, pleated, lightweight diaphragm is driven across its surface by rows of strategically placed metallic strips immersed in a strong magnetic field. Under the influence of the musical drive the pleats in the diaphragm contract and expand, squeezing the air between them to form the desired waveform. Not only is this an efficient way of moving air but it is also very accurate as the diaphragm is under close control of the motor system at all times. In addition the AMT is a velocity, rather than pressure, transducer, capable of producing scintillatingly fast transients and dynamics. The result is a wide bandwidth device that achieves low distortion naturally and delivers wonderful musical detail.

ELYSIAN Midrange
Determined to match the sensitivity and accuracy of the AMT, we settled on a unique woven glass fibre matrix for the cone, which gives a wonderful combination of low mass and strength, and then gave this a coating of high plasticity to control its acoustic behavior. With such a low mass only a low-damping, foamed rubber-like material would match for the surround, again coated for durability. A central phase plug is specially shaped to linearise the output across a wide bandwidth, even well off-axis, enhancing a natural response to the music which can be heard anywhere you wish to sit. What you will hear is astonishing reality to voices and instruments. Vocalists seem to be present in the room with you – close your eyes and listen to the palpable presence of singers in the acoustic space presented by ELYSIAN.

ELYSIAN Bass
The bass units are loaded by the most advanced version of the unique Wharfedale Slot Port yet. Christened SLPP (Slot Loaded Profiled Port) the rear output of the bass units is not wasted. Instead the lowest frequency energy is vented to a slot at the base of the speaker, specially profiled to equalize the high internal pressure to the low pressure in the room. Overall system sensitivity is incredibly high, typically more than 92dB output for just 1 watt of input, allowing any amplifier to reveal the full dynamic range of the music fed to it without any strain or limitation. In combination the bass units and SLPP bass reflex system provide the massive foundation on which the rest of the musical performance sits, letting you feel as well as hear the full impact of thunderous low frequency information.

ELYSIAN Crossover
Combining the outputs of the drivers is an advanced computer modeled crossover that has been developed over hundreds of hours of listening tests, fine tuned to make sure that the blend between the drive units is seamless. Of particular note is the phase consistency across the drive unit output, allowing a wide range of seating position and encouraging the power response to be highly linear throughout your listening room. And, of course, we have only used the highest grade, acoustically transparent components throughout the crossover construction, ensuring that you hear all the musical detail with nothing held back. You’ll hear the full body of instruments like cello and bass guitar, without straining to enjoy the complete dynamics of the musical recital. Whether you are listening to solo piano, a full orchestra or a jazz trio or multi-instrument rock performance, ELYSIAN is more than capable of bringing the thrill and excitement of the performance into your listening room.

General description 2-way standmount speaker
Enclosure type bass reflex
Transducer complement 2-way
Bass driver 7" (180mm) coated fibre glass matrix cone
Midrange driver
Treble driver 27 x 90mm AMT
AV shield No
Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m) 89dB
Recommended amplifier power 25-175W
Peak SPL 108dB
Nominal impedance 4Ω (compatible 8Ω)
Minimum impedance 3.8Ω
requency response(+/-3dB) 49Hz ~ 22kHz
Bass extension(-6dB) 44Hz
Crossover frequency 2.6kHz
Cabinet Volume(in litres) 21.6L
Dimensions (mm)
Height (on plinth) 490mm
Width 263mm
Depth (with terminals) (285+30)mm
Carton size 690 x 445 x 625mm
Net weight 15kg/pcs
Gross weight 33.2kg/ctn
Finish Black /Walnut/White Piano Finish
Standard accessories rubber feet

Retail price is for 1 pair.