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GoldenEar Aon 3 vs Wharfedale Elysian 2
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor

Passive Bookshelf | 38-35k Hz

GoldenEar Aon 3
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Wharfedale Elysian 2

Passive Bookshelf | 35-22k Hz

Wharfedale Elysian 2
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor vs Wharfedale Elysian 2 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Elysian 2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from GoldenEar and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features of GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Wharfedale Elysian 2 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Key Specs

  • " Folded Ribbon Tweeter
  • 7" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 38-35k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-250watts
  • Weight:6.82kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 356.0" x 9" x 11-1/16"( 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm )

Wharfedale Elysian 2 Key Specs

  • 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter
  • 6" Midrange
  • 8.5" Coated Fiberglass Woofer
  • 6" Midrange
  • 35-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:25-250watts
  • Weight:30.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 700.0" x 13.1" x 18.1"( 700.0 x 334.0 x 462.0mm )

In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Wharfedale Elysian 2 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor is a 2-way design whereas Elysian 2 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 7" Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, Elysian 2 features a 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 1 x 8.5" Coated Fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 360Hz and 2900Hz.

Frequency Response

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a frequency range of 38-35k Hz whereas Elysian 2 has a frequency range of 35-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor can go slightly deeper then the Elysian 2's min frequency of 35Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers under Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Wharfedale Elysian 2
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Wharfedale Elysian 2
Min
Average
Max

Impedance and Sensitivity

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor is a 8 ohms speaker compared to Elysian 2 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and Elysian 2's is at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Elysian 2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Wharfedale Elysian 2
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a power range of 10-250 watts RMS whereas Elysian 2 has a power range of 25-250 watts.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Elysian 2 features Post posts which makes bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Terminals
GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's 5-way post terminals

Wharfedale Elysian 2Post Terminals
Wharfedale Elysian 2's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a rear firing port whereas Elysian 2 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale Elysian 2's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor with its rear-firing port.

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, We are going to compare GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's and Wharfedale Elysian 2's external dimensions. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has external dimensions of 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm ( 14 x 9 x 11-1/16inch) whereas Wharfedale Elysian 2 has external dimensions of 700.0 x 334.0 x 462.0mm ( 27.5 x 13.1 x 18.1inch) .

Wharfedale Elysian 2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 105mm wider, 344mm taller and 181mm deeper than GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor.



Reasons to choose GoldenEar Aon 3 over Wharfedale Elysian 2
Sensitivity 90 dB vs 89 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
High Frequency Response 35k Hz vs 22k Hz Generates higher frequency
Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
Passive Radiator two 8-inch side-mounted vs None Increases the bass performance
Height 356mm vs 700mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Width 229mm vs 334mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Depth 281mm vs 462mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Reasons to choose Wharfedale Elysian 2 over GoldenEar Aon 3
Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
Woofer Size 8.5 inches vs 7 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 35 Hz vs 38 Hz Generates deeper bass
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor vs Wharfedale Elysian 2 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General GoldenEar Aon 3 Wharfedale Elysian 2
Brand GoldenEar Wharfedale
Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
Power Range 10-250 watts 25-250 watts
Sensitivity 90 dB 89 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 4 ohms
Frequency Response 38-35k Hz 35-22k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 7" 8.5"
Woofer Composition Polypropylene Coated Fiberglass
Woofer Surround Material Rubber Foamed Rubber
Tweeter Size " 27x90mm"
Tweeter Type Folded Ribbon AMT (Ribbon)
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No 6"
Crossover Frequency n/a 360Hz and 2900Hz
Firing Direction rear bottom
Physical Specs
Height 356.0mm (14") 700.0mm (27.6")
Width 229.0mm (9") 334.0mm (13.1")
Depth 281.0mm (11.1") 462.0mm (18.2")
Weight 6.82kg (15lbs) 30.50kg (67.1lbs)
Enclosure Acoustic Suspension Bass Reflex
Finish MDF/Lacquer MDF/Wood-veneer
Available Colors Black Walnut
Mounting Bracket Yes No
Recommended Stand Height 24-26" 16-22"
Grille n/a Yes
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs No Yes
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 years


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