In this review, we will be comparing AURA 1 and AURA 2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale AURA 1 and Wharfedale AURA 2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale AURA 1 | Wharfedale AURA 2 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.0625 x 3.5" AMT (Ribbon) | 1.0625 x 3.5" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Glass Fiber Matrix | 6.5" Glass Fiber Matrix |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-22k Hz | 42-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 25-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 12.50kg / 27.5lbs | 20.45kg / 45lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14-7/16" x 9-3/4" x 13-3/4"
367.0 x 248.0 x 350.0mm | 22-1/16" x 11-1/4" x 15-13/16"
561.0 x 286.0 x 402.0mm |
|---|
AURA 1 and AURA 2 are members of Wharfedale's AURA series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale AURA Series
History
What size room are the Wharfedale AURA 1 and Wharfedale AURA 2 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Wharfedale AURA 1 |
Wharfedale AURA 2 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that AURA 1 is a 2-way design whereas the AURA 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.
Wharfedale AURA 1Wharfedale AURA 2
MidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale AURA 1 |
Wharfedale AURA 2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0625 x 3.5-inch
|
1.0625 x 3.5-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
AURA 1 features a 1.0625 x 3.5" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" Glass Fiber Matrix Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.9kHz. On the other hand, the AURA 2 features a 1.0625 x 3.5" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Glass Fiber Matrix Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 520Hz, 4.5kHz.
Frequency Response
AURA 1 has a frequency range of 48-22k Hz whereas AURA 2 has a frequency range of 42-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the AURA 2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the AURA 1's min frequency of 48Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
AURA 1 and AURA 2 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. AURA 1 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the AURA 2's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale AURA 2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale AURA 1, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
AURA 2 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas AURA 1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the AURA 2.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both AURA 1 and AURA 2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale AURA 1's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Wharfedale AURA 2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both AURA 1 and AURA 2 have bottom firing ports.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Wharfedale AURA 1's and Wharfedale AURA 2's external dimensions. Wharfedale AURA 1 has external dimensions of 367.0 x 248.0 x 350.0mm (14-7/16inch x 9-3/4inch x 13-3/4inch) whereas Wharfedale AURA 2 has external dimensions of 561.0 x 286.0 x 402.0mm (22-1/16inch x 11-1/4inch x 15-13/16inch).
Wharfedale AURA 2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 38mm wider, 194mm taller and 52mm deeper than Wharfedale AURA 1.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale AURA 1 and Wharfedale AURA 2 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale AURA 1 and Wharfedale AURA 2 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Wharfedale AURA 1 is approximately 868.0cm2 / 134.5inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale AURA 2 is approximately 1149.7cm2 / 178.2inch2. The AURA 1 requires 25% less surface area than the AURA 2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Wharfedale AURA 1 weighs 12.50kg / 27.5lbs and the Wharfedale AURA 2 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the AURA 2 64% heavier than the AURA 1.
Here is a comparison of how AURA 1 and AURA 2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale AURA 1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of AURA 1:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper wires
- 8 Rubber feet
- Pair of white gloves
- User Manual
What's in the Box of Wharfedale AURA 2?
Here are the items that come with the AURA 2:
- 2 Stand-mount loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper wires
- 8 Rubber feet
- Pair of white gloves
- User Manual
 Minimum Impedance |
4.1 ohms
vs
3.5 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Height |
367mm
vs
561mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
868cm2
vs
1149cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1999USD
vs
2499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Wharfedale AURA 1 |
Wharfedale AURA 2 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
25-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.1 ohms |
3.5 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-22k Hz |
42-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Glass Fiber Matrix |
Glass Fiber Matrix |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0625 x 3.5" |
1.0625 x 3.5" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.9kHz |
520Hz, 4.5kHz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
367.0mm (14.4") |
561.0mm (22.1") |
| Width |
248.0mm (9.8") |
286.0mm (11.3") |
| Depth |
350.0mm (13.8") |
402.0mm (15.8") |
| Weight |
12.50kg (27.5lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Multi-layer wood |
Multi-layer wood |
| Available Colors |
Piano Black,Piano Walnut,White Gloss |
Piano Black,Piano Walnut,White Gloss |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-24" |
18-20" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Wharfedale's AURA series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Wharfedale AURA 2 digs deeper - 42Hz against 48Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Wharfedale AURA 2 is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
B |
Wharfedale AURA 2 takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Wharfedale AURA 1 is easier to place; Wharfedale AURA 2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Wharfedale AURA 1: bi-amping; Wharfedale AURA 2: bi-amping. |
| Price |
A |
Wharfedale AURA 1 is cheaper - $1,999 against $2,499, about 20% less. |
A Wharfedale AURA 1
B Wharfedale AURA 2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Wharfedale AURA 2 leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Wharfedale AURA 1 is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 48Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Wharfedale AURA 1 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Wharfedale AURA 1 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Wharfedale AURA 2 for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.