Wharfedale ELYSIAN 2R Three-Way Standmount Speaker at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The Wharfedale ELYSIAN 2R is the reference three-way standmount loudspeaker in the new ELYSIAN R Series flagship range from Wharfedale (Huntingdon, UK), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY USA. Positioned above the ELYSIAN 1R and below the ELYSIAN 3R floorstander, the ELYSIAN 2R occupies a unique position in the high-end loudspeaker market as a full-range three-way standmount with genuine large-speaker scale and authority. Its driver array combines an 8.5" coated glass fibre matrix bass driver, a dedicated 6" coated glass fibre matrix midrange driver, and the further-developed 27 x 90mm AMT high-frequency driver with updated ultra-light PET diaphragm and acoustically damped rear chamber, delivering an extraordinary frequency response of 35Hz to 22kHz (±3dB) with bass extension to 28Hz (-6dB) — low frequency performance that surpasses many floorstanders. The Generation R crossover uses high-silicon-iron-cored coils, air-core midrange and treble coils, Super Audiophile polypropylene capacitors, and low-inductance resistors on direct-path PCBs, with crossover points at 360Hz and 2.9kHz for each driver to operate within its optimum range at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA.

True Three-Way Architecture and Dedicated Midrange Driver

The ELYSIAN 2R's most significant advantage over the ELYSIAN 1R and most competing standmount loudspeakers is its dedicated 6" coated glass fibre matrix midrange driver, which assumes responsibility for the 360Hz to 2.9kHz frequency band while the 8.5" bass driver handles only the low frequencies below 360Hz and the AMT tweeter handles only frequencies above 2.9kHz. In a two-way design, a single bass/mid driver must reproduce both bass frequencies where large cone excursion is required and midrange frequencies where minimal distortion is critical — a compromise that no single driver can resolve perfectly. By separating bass and midrange to dedicated drivers, the ELYSIAN 2R allows the 6" midrange driver to operate with minimal excursion throughout the vocal and instrumental midrange frequencies, where the human ear is most sensitive to distortion and colouration. The 6" format provides sufficient surface area for natural midrange tonal weight and projection while remaining small enough to maintain wide horizontal and vertical dispersion across the critical midband, resulting in the outstanding vocal clarity, natural body, texture, and focus that Wharfedale specifically attributes to this driver in the ELYSIAN 2R's three-way system. The Generation R crossover refinement reworks the phase integration between all three drivers and shortens signal paths through direct-path PCBs with premium component selection, ensuring the acoustic outputs of the three drivers combine coherently at the listening position.

8.5" Bass Driver, SLPP Port, and 28Hz Bass Extension

The ELYSIAN 2R's 8.5" coated glass fibre matrix bass driver provides low-frequency performance and dynamic authority that its 30.5kg per speaker construction and dual cabinet volumes of 17.5 litres and 43.6 litres enable. The larger bass driver format compared to the ELYSIAN 1R's 7" unit provides greater cone area for bass output at equivalent excursion, delivering the depth, weight, and articulation in the bass register that Wharfedale describes as beyond conventional compact loudspeaker expectations. The SLPP (Slot-Loaded Profiled Port) bass management system enhances bass extension and reduces turbulence noise at high output levels, contributing to the 28Hz bass extension at -6dB — a figure normally associated with medium to large floorstanders rather than standmount designs. The ELYSIAN 2R's 89dB sensitivity, 4 ohm nominal impedance, and 25 to 250W recommended amplifier power range make it suitable for high-power amplifiers including the Accuphase A-48S, E-800S, Hegel H590, and NAD M33 available at Vinyl Sound Buffalo. At 700mm tall on its plinth and 334mm wide, the ELYSIAN 2R is physically larger than most competing three-way standmounts and benefits from the matching high-carbon-steel stands for optimal driver height at the listening position.

Key Features

• True Three-Way Design: Dedicated bass, midrange, and AMT tweeter drivers each operating within their optimum frequency range — bass below 360Hz, midrange 360Hz to 2.9kHz, AMT above 2.9kHz — for the openness, control, and dynamic ease normally associated with larger loudspeakers.
• 8.5" Coated Glass Fibre Matrix Bass Driver: Large-format bass driver for depth, weight, and articulation in the low frequencies, contributing to the 28Hz bass extension at -6dB.
• Dedicated 6" Coated Glass Fibre Matrix Midrange Driver: Purpose-designed midrange unit operating with minimal excursion across vocal and instrumental frequencies for outstanding clarity, natural body, and minimal colouration.
• Further-Developed 27 x 90mm AMT Tweeter: Updated ultra-light PET pleated diaphragm with acoustically damped rear chamber for improved resolution, transient accuracy, and effortless high-frequency extension.
• Generation R Crossover with Premium Components: High-silicon-iron-cored coils for bass, air-core coils for midrange and treble, Super Audiophile polypropylene capacitors, low-inductance resistors, and direct-path PCBs for clean signal routing and accurate phase integration at 360Hz and 2.9kHz crossover points.
• 35Hz to 22kHz Frequency Response (±3dB), 28Hz Extension (-6dB): Full-range bandwidth from a standmount format exceeding the bass extension of many floorstanders.
• SLPP Bass Management: Slot-Loaded Profiled Port for turbulence reduction, enhanced bass extension, and reduced placement sensitivity.
• 109dB Peak SPL: 1dB more than the ELYSIAN 1R, reflecting the larger driver complement and cabinet volume of the three-way design.
• 89dB Sensitivity / 4Ω Nominal Impedance: 25 to 250W recommended amplifier power; minimum 3.6 ohm impedance.
• Three Finishes: Walnut High Gloss, Matte Black, and Lunar Grey with refined matte-black trim detailing.
• Matching Stands Available: High-carbon-steel tube, top plates, and hardened base spikes, sold separately.
• 3-Year Warranty: Wharfedale 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Wharfedale ELYSIAN 2R?

The Wharfedale ELYSIAN 2R is the reference three-way standmount loudspeaker in the ELYSIAN R Series flagship range, available at Vinyl Sound Buffalo. It uses an 8.5" coated glass fibre matrix bass driver, dedicated 6" coated glass fibre matrix midrange driver, and further-developed 27 x 90mm AMT tweeter in a Generation R crossover with premium components at 360Hz and 2.9kHz crossover points, delivering a 35Hz to 22kHz frequency response with 28Hz bass extension. It is available in Walnut High Gloss, Matte Black, and Lunar Grey, weighing 30.5kg per speaker.

How does the ELYSIAN 2R compare to the ELYSIAN 1R and ELYSIAN 3R?

The ELYSIAN 2R advances over the ELYSIAN 1R through its three-way driver array with a dedicated 6" midrange driver and larger 8.5" bass driver, providing a dedicated midrange driver for vocal and instrumental clarity and bass extension to 28Hz versus the 1R's 44Hz. The 2R's 30.5kg construction versus the 1R's 15kg reflects the substantially larger cabinet and driver complement. The ELYSIAN 3R steps up to a floorstander format with a three-way design in a free-standing floor enclosure, providing even greater bass output and dynamic scale for larger rooms. The ELYSIAN 2R on matching stands occupies the space between these two, delivering near-floorstander bass extension in a standmount format.

Why does a three-way design provide better midrange performance than two-way?

In a two-way design, a single bass/mid driver must simultaneously reproduce bass frequencies that require large cone excursion and midrange frequencies where distortion and colouration caused by excursion are most audible to the human ear. The compromises required to serve both functions limit the performance achievable in either. The ELYSIAN 2R's dedicated 6" midrange driver covers only the 360Hz to 2.9kHz band where voices and the fundamental frequencies of most musical instruments are concentrated, operating with minimal excursion throughout this range for the maximum linearity and minimum distortion that this frequency region requires. The result is the outstanding vocal clarity, natural body, and texture that Wharfedale specifically attributes to the ELYSIAN 2R's three-way architecture.

What amplifiers pair best with the ELYSIAN 2R?

The ELYSIAN 2R's 4 ohm nominal impedance and 3.6 ohm minimum, combined with its 89dB sensitivity and 25 to 250W amplifier recommendation, are best served by amplifiers with stable 4 ohm output performance and sufficient power for the speaker's dynamic capability. Amplifiers at Vinyl Sound Buffalo well suited to the ELYSIAN 2R include the Accuphase E-800S and E-5000, Hegel H390 and H590, NAD M33, Rega Solis with Mercury preamplifier, and Leben CS-600X. The 250W upper limit reflects the ELYSIAN 2R's ability to handle high-power amplifiers for large rooms and demanding listening levels.

Does the ELYSIAN 2R need dedicated stands?

Yes, the ELYSIAN 2R requires dedicated stands for correct driver height and optimal acoustic performance at the listening position. Wharfedale's matching ELYSIAN 2R stands use high-carbon-steel tube construction with high-carbon-steel top plates and hardened high-carbon-steel base spikes, providing both the mechanical stability the 30.5kg per speaker ELYSIAN 2R requires and the acoustic isolation from floor-borne vibration that optimizes imaging and bass clarity. The stands are sold separately and are available through Vinyl Sound Buffalo.

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

The Wharfedale ELYSIAN 2R Three-Way Standmount Loudspeaker is available at Vinyl Sound USA Inc. in Buffalo, NY, your authorised Wharfedale dealer serving Western New York and the United States. Vinyl Sound carries the complete Wharfedale ELYSIAN R Series including the 1R, 2R, 3R, 4R, and CR models. Visit vinylsound.com or contact the Buffalo store for current availability, finish options, and expert system matching guidance.