Short answer: the Revel M106. It ranks #9 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Wharfedale Aura 2 ranks #13.
On the Revel M106 side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with no obvious resonances, and a listening window that sits comfortably above the on-axis curve. Set against that: Some directivity error and response variation shows up in the crossover region.
What the Wharfedale Aura 2 offers: Three-way “mini tower” design with a 27x90mm AMT tweeter, 4” mid-range, and 6.5” midwoofer, using an unusual bottom-firing port. Watch for: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
Buy the Revel M106 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel M106 | Wharfedale Aura 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $2799 |
| Ranked | #9 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" (16.5 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofer, 1" (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide | 6.5" Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4" Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg | 45 lbs / 20.4 kg each |
| Dimensions | 15"H x 8.3"W x 11"D (381.0 x 210.8 x 279.4 mm) | 22.1"H x 11.3"W x 15.3"D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- KEF R3 Meta vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
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- KEF R3 Meta vs Wharfedale Aura 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Revel M106: Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with no obvious resonances, and a listening window that sits comfortably above the on-axis curve. Predicted in-room response is called “near ideal” by the reviewer, with a smooth downward slope from bass to treble. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays well controlled through the midrange and treble.
Cons: Some directivity error and response variation shows up in the crossover region. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is on the narrower side. Vertical directivity requires staying within about ±20 degrees of the reference axis for accurate tonal balance. Minimum impedance dips to 4.6 ohms with several peaks, a moderately demanding load for a compact bookshelf speaker. Discontinued.
Full Revel M106 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15"H x 8.3"W x 11"D (381.0 x 210.8 x 279.4 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" (16.5 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofer, 1" (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Wharfedale Aura 2: $2799 Crutchfield
Pros: Three-way “mini tower” design with a 27x90mm AMT tweeter, 4” mid-range, and 6.5” midwoofer, using an unusual bottom-firing port. Nearly “ruler flat” on-axis linearity (within about 1.5dB for most of the range) apart from one specific breakup point. Exceptional output capability with very low distortion even at high volume - the reviewer reached about 100dB average at 10 feet with no audible strain, outperforming rivals like the KEF LS50 Meta in multitone distortion above 1kHz. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70° combined with excellent imaging and pair matching - passed demanding stereo-separation test tracks with precise instrument placement. Bass reaches a genuine 40Hz in most rooms, potentially eliminating the need for a subwoofer for material that doesn’t demand extreme sub-bass. About 20dB of usable dynamic range with no compression issues at 96dB/1m. Considered by the reviewer one of the best speakers he’s tested, potentially challenging his personal all-time top five.
Cons: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted. Minor midbase-to-midrange balance discrepancy (about 1dB), most noticeable if the speaker sits more than about 2 feet from the rear wall. Vertical listening window is narrower than typical, a consequence of the AMT ribbon tweeter’s tall physical size - staying within about ±15-20° of the tweeter reference axis (or slightly below it) is important. Impedance dips to about 3.1 ohms with a 1.4-ohm minimum EPDR, meaning a dedicated amplifier is recommended over an AVR due to potential power-supply strain. Distortion rises at the very lowest frequencies (an expected limitation of a 6.5” woofer), and the woofer audibly struggles with extreme 30-35Hz content at high volume. Horizontal directivity narrows from about ±70° to ±50° above roughly 6-7kHz as the ribbon tweeter’s pattern collapses inward.
Full Wharfedale Aura 2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 22.1"H x 11.3"W x 15.3"D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4" Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 45 lbs / 20.4 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Why the Wharfedale AURA 2 Will Blow Your Mind
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Wharfedale Aura 2
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Upgrade Your Sound with These 6 Surprisingly Affordable Speakers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Personal Favorite Speakers Under $2500
- Reddit Search for Wharfedale Aura 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Wharfedale Super Linton
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- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Wharfedale Linton 85
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Dynaudio Special Forty