Wharfedale Aura 2 Review: Ranked #13 of 141

Last updated: October 5, 2026

The Wharfedale Aura 2 ranks #13 out of 141 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.

Brand: Wharfedale

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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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Wharfedale Aura 2 - ranked #13 of 141 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers · Editor's rating 4.6/5
Check price at Crutchfield ($2799 per pair) →

#13 Wharfedale Aura 2: $2799 per pair Crutchfield eBay

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.

How it compares: Just above it: AsciLab F6B - $1819 cheaper, 2Hz lower bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: DIYSG HTM-12 v2 - $2339 cheaper, 4Hz higher bass extension (-3dB).

Bass Extension (-10dB)30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm)
Drivers6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter
Impedance6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Sensitivity87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score6.03
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.65
Weight45 lbs (20.4 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, rear
Check current price at Crutchfield ($2799) →Search eBay for Wharfedale Aura 2 →

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