Wharfedale Aura 2 Speakers With Stand at Vinyl Sound Buffalo NY USA

The Aura 2 is a 3-way bookshelf loudspeaker from Wharfedale (Huntingdon, England), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Drawing directly from the technology developed for the flagship ELYSIAN series, the AURA 2 features a 27x90mm AMT (Air Motion Transformer) high-frequency transducer, a 4-inch (100mm) glass fibre matrix midrange driver, and a 6.5-inch (150mm) black glass fibre matrix bass driver. The frequency response spans 42Hz to 22kHz (+/-3dB) with a sensitivity of 88dB and a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Wharfedale's SLPP (Slot-Loaded Profiled Port) bass reflex system, the PROS (Panel Resonance Optimisation System) multi-layer cabinet construction, and the multi-layer piano-lacquered enclosure round out a speaker whose performance is described by reviewers as significantly exceeding its price point.

AMT Tweeter and Glass Fibre Matrix Driver Array

The centrepiece of the AURA 2's high-frequency section is Wharfedale's AMT transducer, a design proven in the award-winning ELYSIAN series and now made accessible in the AURA line. Unlike conventional dome tweeters that operate by pistonic motion, the AMT's folded diaphragm carries conductive elements immersed in a high-flux magnetic field. The folding multiplies air velocity relative to diaphragm movement, allowing the driver to achieve extremely low distortion and wide bandwidth with scintillating transient speed. The 4-inch glass fibre matrix midrange driver uses copper-clad pole pieces to suppress eddy currents and control inductance, while its die-cast aluminium chassis is secured to the cabinet by six high-tensile bolts for maximum structural rigidity. The 6.5-inch bass driver shares the same construction philosophy, using rubber trim rings at the chassis-to-cabinet junction to control resonance at the interface.

SLPP Bass Reflex, PROS Cabinet, and Precision Crossover

Wharfedale's SLPP (Slot-Loaded Profiled Port) bass reflex system routes the high-pressure, downward-facing port output through slot openings in the speaker plinth, distributing airflow to equalise internal pressure to room pressure without turbulence. This reduces port noise, improves bass reflex efficiency, and makes the speaker more tolerant of placement close to walls. The enclosure itself uses PROS (Panel Resonance Optimisation System), a multi-layer construction of different wood types bonded with acoustic damping compounds to suppress panel resonance below audibility and prevent sound leakage from the cabinet. The AURA 2's crossover was developed under the direction of Peter Comeau, IAG's Director of Acoustic Design, and refined over hundreds of hours of listening tests. Matched custom-engineered stands feature dark chrome trim materials for a premium appearance aligned with the speaker's lacquered cabinet finish.

Key Features

• 27x90mm AMT Tweeter: Air Motion Transformer high-frequency driver derived from the ELYSIAN flagship series, delivering ultra-low distortion, wide bandwidth, and exceptional transient speed.
• 3-Way Driver Configuration: Dedicated 4-inch midrange driver ensures clean separation of vocal and instrumental frequencies from bass and treble, a key advantage over 2-way standmount designs.
• 6.5-Inch Glass Fibre Matrix Bass Driver: Low-distortion motor system with copper-clad pole pieces mounted on a die-cast aluminium chassis secured with six high-tensile bolts.
• SLPP Bass Reflex: Slot-Loaded Profiled Port in the plinth distributes airflow evenly, reducing turbulence and enabling placement closer to walls than typical rear-ported designs.
• PROS Multi-Layer Cabinet: Panel Resonance Optimisation System uses multiple wood layers with acoustic damping glue to eliminate audible cabinet colouration.
• Piano-Lacquer Enclosure: Available in hi-gloss Walnut, White, or Black with smooth curved sides to reduce acoustic diffraction.
• Custom-Engineered Stands: Dark chrome trimmed dedicated stands included for optimal positioning and aesthetic coherence.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Wharfedale Aura 2?

The Wharfedale Aura 2 is a 3-way bookshelf loudspeaker from Wharfedale's AURA series, incorporating a 27x90mm AMT tweeter, a 4-inch glass fibre midrange driver, and a 6.5-inch bass driver, with a frequency response of 42Hz to 22kHz. It uses trickle-down technology from the flagship ELYSIAN series, including the AMT transducer, SLPP bass reflex, and PROS multi-layer cabinet construction.

How does the Aura 2 compare to the KEF R3 Meta?

The Wharfedale Aura 2 and the KEF R3 Meta are both premium standmount speakers targeting serious audiophiles. The KEF R3 Meta uses KEF's Uni-Q coincident driver array, where the tweeter fires through the centre of the midrange cone, creating a point-source radiation pattern. The Aura 2 takes a different approach with a conventional 3-way topology and an AMT tweeter, which many listeners find delivers a more spacious and tonally natural high-frequency character. The Aura 2's SLPP plinth port also gives it a placement flexibility advantage over the rear-ported R3 Meta.

What is the advantage of a 3-way bookshelf speaker?

A 3-way bookshelf speaker like the Aura 2 uses a dedicated midrange driver to reproduce the 520Hz to 4.5kHz range, the most critical frequencies for voice and instrument timbre. In a conventional 2-way design, a single woofer must handle both bass and midrange, which can lead to cone breakup and distortion at the crossover region. By isolating midrange reproduction to a smaller, purpose-designed 4-inch driver, the Aura 2 achieves lower distortion and greater clarity in the vocal and instrumental frequencies most sensitive to the human ear.

What amplifier is suitable for the Aura 2?

The Aura 2 is rated at 88dB sensitivity with a nominal 6-ohm impedance, making it compatible with integrated amplifiers from around 25W and above. Its minimum impedance of 3.5 ohms means that an amplifier stable into 4-ohm loads will drive it most comfortably. High-quality integrated amplifiers from brands such as Hegel, NAD, or Audiolab pair well with the Aura 2 for a musically balanced result.

Does the Aura 2 include stands?

Yes. The Wharfedale Aura 2 with Stand package includes purpose-engineered custom stands featuring dark chrome trim that complements the speaker's lacquered cabinet finishes, positioning the speaker at the optimal height for seated listening.

Where can I buy the Wharfedale Aura 2 in Buffalo, NY?

The Wharfedale Aura 2 with stand is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Wharfedale dealer in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound stocks the full AURA range and can arrange a full listening demonstration before purchase.