WHARFEDALE AURA 2 > Lite Magazine review
“Wow, wow, wow”: That could be the summary of the Wharfedale Aura 2 article. This speaker is elegantly designed, exquisitely crafted and lavishly equipped. Our test showed that the Aura 2 also sounds fantastic. But that's not all, because this complete package is available for a surprisingly attractive price. Oh yes, the British also offer tripods that perfectly support the look. We have dedicated another video to the elegant setup:
Maximum bass (c) excursion
Wharfedale has come up with something special when it comes to the reflex port: In the Aura 2 loudspeaker it is located in the bottom of the housing and radiates onto the permanently mounted base plate. From here, the bass components are then channeled out through openings on the side. Clever, because this means the speaker can be positioned more flexibly and closer to the wall.
Super nimble
Meanwhile, the Air Motion Transformer (AMT) sits enthroned in the upper compartment of Wharfedale. This magnetostat consists of a folded, extremely thin membrane on which the conductor tracks carry the signal. Surrounded by a permanent magnet, this film moves and converts the electrical signal into audible air movements. The advantage of this expensive construction is the impressively high efficiency. This AMT is also characterized by a comparatively gentler and less sharp-sounding sound.
Sound master
The slight hint of warmth should suit most listening habits. The flexibility of the Wharfedale is also very practical. Even with a distance of around 30 centimeters from the wall, the chic British model doesn't tend to become annoyingly thick in the bass or boom around uncontrollably. In “Fast Car” Tracy Chapman’s voice is reproduced in all its facets and harmonizes perfectly with the crystal-clear accompanying guitars. The drums, which operate more in the background, consisting of bass drum and rim shots, fit seamlessly into the overall sound in the verses. The cymbals breathe gently in the chorus, while the snare provides the necessary punch to lighten up the rather crisp chorus. The performance always remains balanced and delights with a clear plasticity. We describe further listening impressions, including how the Aura 2 handles highly dynamic songs, in our detailed test report.
- Roman Maier, LiteMagazine, Nov 2023