Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2. It ranks #13 of 157 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $2,799. The Wharfedale Aura 1 ranks #17, rated 4.2/5, at $2,199, $600 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Wharfedale Aura 2 does well: Three-way “mini tower” design with a 27x90mm AMT tweeter, 4” mid-range, and 6.5” midwoofer, using an unusual bottom-firing port. The tradeoff: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
What the Wharfedale Aura 1 does well: Compact 2-way standmount monitor in the Aura series equipped with a 5-inch woven glass-fibre cone woofer and a proprietary 27x90mm AMT ribbon tweeter. The tradeoff: Rating estimated based on Aura series sibling testing.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $600 you would save on the Wharfedale Aura 1 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Aura 2 | Wharfedale Aura 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2799 per pair | $2,199.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 157 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #17 of 122 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) | 15.2”H x 9.7”W x 11.8”D (386 x 246 x 300 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter | 27x90mm AMT ribbon tweeter, 5” (130mm) woven glass fibre matrix cone woofer |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.03 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 48Hz - 22kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 44Hz (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Wharfedale Aura 2 compares with other leading options:
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
- AsciLab C6B vs Wharfedale Aura 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 5, 2026 at 10:21 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Aura 2: $2799 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Smaller model: the Wharfedale Aura 1 (estimated 4.2/5).
Larger models: the Wharfedale Aura 3 (estimated 4.6/5) and the Wharfedale Aura 4 (estimated 4.7/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Why the Wharfedale AURA 2 Will Blow Your Mind More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- 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
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs KEF R3
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs KEF R3 Meta
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Buchardt Audio E50
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 8
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Revel M106
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs AsciLab C6B
- See all 52 comparisons
Wharfedale Aura 1: $2,199.00 per pair Estimated Wharfedale eBay
Larger models: the Wharfedale Aura 2 (rated 4.6/5), the Wharfedale Aura 3 (estimated 4.6/5) and the Wharfedale Aura 4 (estimated 4.7/5).
Pros: Compact 2-way standmount monitor in the Aura series equipped with a 5-inch woven glass-fibre cone woofer and a proprietary 27x90mm AMT ribbon tweeter. Features the SLPP downward-firing slot reflex system, delivering remarkable high-frequency resolution, low distortion, and refined tonal linearity in a smaller footprint.
Cons: Rating estimated based on Aura series sibling testing. Vertical listening window is relatively narrow due to the tall physical height of the AMT driver, requiring ear-level placement on dedicated stands.
Full Wharfedale Aura 1 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 44Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 9.7”W x 11.8”D (386 x 246 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 27x90mm AMT ribbon tweeter, 5” (130mm) woven glass fibre matrix cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 22kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons