In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Wharfedale. Wharfedale AURA CS is a Center Channel speaker whereas the AURA 2 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale AURA CS and Wharfedale AURA 2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale AURA CS | Wharfedale AURA 2 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.0625 x 3.5" AMT (Ribbon) | 1.0625 x 3.5" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5" Glass Fiber Matrix | 6.5" Glass Fiber Matrix |
|---|
| Frequency response | 56-22k Hz | 42-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-150 watts | 25-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 18.64kg / 41lbs | 20.45kg / 45lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-15/16" x 24-1/4" x 13-7/8"
253.0 x 616.0 x 353.0mm | 22-1/16" x 11-1/4" x 15-13/16"
561.0 x 286.0 x 402.0mm |
|---|
AURA CS 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 CS 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 CS |
Wharfedale AURA 2 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that AURA CS 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 CSWharfedale 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 CS |
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
|
2 x 5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
AURA CS features a 1.0625 x 3.5" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 2 x 5" Glass Fiber Matrix Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.4kHz. 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 CS has a frequency range of 56-22k 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 CS's min frequency of 56Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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 CS is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the AURA 2 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the AURA CS can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. AURA CS sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the AURA 2's is rated at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale AURA CS a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale AURA 2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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 CS and AURA 2 have the same power range of 25-150 watts.
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 CS and AURA 2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale AURA 2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
AURA CS has a side firing port whereas AURA 2 has a 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 CS's and Wharfedale AURA 2's external dimensions. Wharfedale AURA CS has external dimensions of 253.0 x 616.0 x 353.0mm (24-1/4) 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 CS is 308mm shorter and 49mm less deeper than Wharfedale AURA 2 but it is also 330mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Wharfedale AURA CS needs about 89% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale AURA 2 is 49mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale AURA 2 is 308mm taller.
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 CS is approximately 2174.5cm2 / 337.0inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale AURA 2 is approximately 1149.7cm2 / 178.2inch2. The AURA CS requires 89% more surface area than the AURA 2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Wharfedale AURA CS?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of AURA CS:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Base
- 2 Jumper wires
- 4 Self-adhesive 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