Wharfedale Aura 1 Speakers With Stand at Vinyl Sound Buffalo NY USA

The Aura 1 is a 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker from Wharfedale (Huntingdon, England), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Part of Wharfedale's AURA series, developed with direct technological inheritance from the flagship ELYSIAN series, the AURA 1 pairs a 27x90mm AMT (Air Motion Transformer) high-frequency transducer with a 5-inch (130mm) black glass fibre matrix bass driver. The speaker achieves a frequency response of 48Hz to 22kHz (+/-3dB), bass extension to 44Hz (-6dB), and a sensitivity of 86dB with a 6-ohm nominal impedance. The PROS (Panel Resonance Optimisation System) multi-layer cabinet and Wharfedale's SLPP (Slot-Loaded Profiled Port) are both present, and matching custom-engineered stands with dark chrome trim are included.

AMT High-Frequency Performance in a Compact 2-Way Format

The AURA 1's AMT tweeter operates on the same principle as the unit found in the flagship ELYSIAN and higher AURA 2 models. The folded diaphragm carries conductive elements in a high-flux magnetic field, generating a pressure wave with far greater air velocity than the diaphragm's own movement. This means the AMT is not mass-limited in the way a conventional dome tweeter is, allowing it to track transients precisely even at high frequencies without the diaphragm breakup or ringing that affects lighter conventional dome designs. The result is a high-frequency character described as extended, naturally detailed, and free of listening fatigue, a quality that reviewers have highlighted as the AURA 1's standout attribute. The 5-inch bass driver uses a woven glass fibre matrix diaphragm terminated with a high-flexibility rubber surround, immersed in a high-flux magnetic field with eddy current suppression via copper-clad pole pieces.

SLPP Bass Reflex, PROS Cabinet, and Precision Crossover

The AURA 1 uses the same SLPP (Slot-Loaded Profiled Port) bass reflex system found in the AURA 2 and the ELYSIAN series. The downward-facing port routes high-velocity airflow through slots in the plinth, distributing bass energy evenly and reducing turbulence for a tighter, more accurate bass response. The multi-layer PROS cabinet construction uses different wood species bonded with acoustic damping compounds to bring panel resonance below the threshold of audibility, while also preventing sound leakage from inside the enclosure that would otherwise interfere with the forward output. The crossover network, including separate PCBs for each driver to minimise noise as confirmed by independent reviews, has been refined under the supervision of Peter Comeau, IAG's Director of Acoustic Design. Matching stands with dark chrome trim are included, positioning the AURA 1 at the optimal height for seated listening.

Key Features

• 27x90mm AMT Tweeter: Air Motion Transformer high-frequency driver from the ELYSIAN series delivers low-distortion, wide-bandwidth treble with fast transient response and no listening fatigue.
• 5-Inch Glass Fibre Matrix Bass Driver: Woven fibre matrix cone with copper-clad pole pieces and high-flexibility rubber surround for accurate, well-controlled bass from a compact format.
• SLPP Bass Reflex System: Slot-Loaded Profiled Port in the plinth distributes airflow evenly, reducing turbulence and tolerating close-wall placement better than conventional rear-ported designs.
• PROS Multi-Layer Cabinet: Panel Resonance Optimisation System suppresses cabinet colouration to below audibility and prevents internal sound leakage.
• Separate Crossover PCBs: Individual boards for each driver channel minimise noise and allow high-quality component selection for each frequency band.
• Hi-Gloss Lacquer Finishes: Available in Walnut, White, or Black with smooth curved cabinet edges to reduce acoustic diffraction.
• Custom-Engineered Stands Included: Dark chrome trimmed dedicated stands match the speaker's aesthetic and provide optimal listening height.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Wharfedale Aura 1?

The Wharfedale Aura 1 is a 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker from Wharfedale's AURA series, featuring a 27x90mm AMT tweeter and a 5-inch glass fibre matrix bass driver with a frequency response of 48Hz to 22kHz. It uses technology derived from the flagship ELYSIAN series including the AMT transducer, SLPP bass reflex port, and PROS multi-layer cabinet construction. Custom-engineered stands with dark chrome trim are included.

How does the Aura 1 compare to the Aura 2?

The Aura 1 and Aura 2 share the same AMT tweeter, SLPP bass reflex, PROS cabinet construction, and crossover design philosophy. The key difference is that the Aura 2 is a 3-way design with a dedicated 4-inch glass fibre midrange driver, allowing it to handle the critical 520Hz–4.5kHz midrange band separately from the bass driver. The Aura 1's 2-way topology requires the 5-inch bass driver to manage both bass and midrange, making it better suited to smaller rooms and more modest listening levels, while the Aura 2 offers greater midrange clarity and dynamic reserve for larger spaces.

How does the Aura 1 compare to the Dynaudio Emit 20?

The Wharfedale Aura 1 and the Dynaudio Emit 20 are both premium compact standmount speakers. The Emit 20 uses Dynaudio's proprietary soft-dome Cerotar tweeter and an Esotec+ woofer with a fabric-reinforced cone, delivering the precise, slightly analytical character typical of Dynaudio engineering. The Aura 1's AMT tweeter produces a fundamentally different and typically wider high-frequency dispersion than a dome tweeter, with many listeners finding the AMT presentation more open and relaxed, particularly on acoustic instruments and vocals.

Is the Aura 1 suitable for a small room?

Yes. The Aura 1's compact cabinet volume of 16.5 litres and 386mm height make it well suited to small and medium listening rooms and desktop applications. Its SLPP plinth port also allows placement closer to rear walls than rear-ported designs, providing additional flexibility in room positioning.

What amplifier power does the Aura 1 need?

The Aura 1 accepts 25W to 100W of amplifier power, with a sensitivity of 86dB and a nominal 6-ohm impedance. A quality integrated amplifier from 50W upward will drive it to its full potential, and its minimum impedance of 4.1 ohms means it remains stable and compatible with a wide range of amplifier designs.

Where can I buy the Wharfedale Aura 1 in Buffalo, NY?

The Wharfedale Aura 1 with stand is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Wharfedale dealer in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound can demonstrate both the AURA 1 and AURA 2 side by side to help determine which model best suits your room and system requirements.