Short answer: the March Audio Sointuva AWG. It ranks #5 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $4,150. The Wharfedale Aura 2 ranks #13, rated 4.6/5, at $3,799, $351 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick the Wharfedale Aura 2: A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms. The catch: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
The March Audio Sointuva AWG is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A Purifi powered bookshelf speaker with extremely flat sound, very low distortion, and unusually deep bass for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.95 against 6.03 for the Wharfedale Aura 2. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 56Hz for the Wharfedale Aura 2. Watch for: Correct listening axis sits about 7° above the tweeter line, which means shorter stands (around 24”) than typical bookshelf stands are sold at: get the height wrong and the sound scoops out in the mid/high frequencies.
Buy the March Audio Sointuva AWG. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $351 you would save on the Wharfedale Aura 2 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the March Audio Sointuva AWG scores 8.4 against 7.7 for the Wharfedale Aura 2 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the Wharfedale Aura 2 is rated at 87 dB sensitivity against 82.4 dB for the March Audio Sointuva AWG, so it plays as loud with roughly half the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (30 Hz vs 30 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Aura 2 | March Audio Sointuva AWG | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,799.00 per pair | $4150 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #5 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (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) | 17.7”H x 9.4”W x 8.7”D (449.6 x 238.8 x 221 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Drivers | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter | 6.5” Purifi PTT-OEM Midwoofer, Satori TW29BNWG-4 Beryllium Dome Tweeter with Waveguide |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | passive radiator |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.03 | 6.95 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 | 8.45 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Wharfedale Aura 2: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- March Audio Sointuva AWG: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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