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Wharfedale Elysian 2 vs JBL L100 Classic Comparison

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Wharfedale Elysian 2

Passive Bookshelf | 35-22k Hz

Wharfedale Elysian 2
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JBL L100 Classic

Passive Bookshelf | 40-40k Hz

JBL L100 Classic
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Wharfedale Elysian 2 Wharfedale Elysian 2
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JBL L100 Classic JBL L100 Classic
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Wharfedale Elysian 2
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JBL L100 Classic
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Wharfedale Elysian 2 vs JBL L100 Classic Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Elysian 2 and L100 Classic, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and JBL.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale Elysian 2 and JBL L100 Classic first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Wharfedale Elysian 2 Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter
  • 6" Midrange
  • 8.5" Coated Fiberglass Woofer
  • 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 )

JBL L100 Classic Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 5.25" Midrange
  • 12" Pulp Woofer
  • 5.25" Midrange
  • 40-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:25-200watts
  • Weight:26.70kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 636.5" x 15.3" x 14.6"( 636.5 x 389.6 x 371.5mm )

What size room are the Wharfedale Elysian 2 and JBL L100 Classic 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 Elysian 2 JBL L100 Classic
Near-field Poor Poor
Small Room Poor Average
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Good Average
Very Large Room Average 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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale Elysian 2 and JBL L100 Classic compare 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

Both Elysian 2 and L100 Classic are 3-way speakers.

Driver Wharfedale Elysian 2 JBL L100 Classic
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 27x90mm-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 6-inch 1 x 5.25-inch
Woofer 1 x 8.5-inch 1 x 12-inch

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. On the other hand, the L100 Classic features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 3500Hz.

Frequency Response

Elysian 2 has a frequency range of 35-22k Hz whereas L100 Classic has a frequency range of 40-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Elysian 2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the L100 Classic's min frequency of 40Hz.

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

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Elysian 2
L100 Classic
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale Elysian 2
JBL L100 Classic
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Elysian 2 and L100 Classic have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Elysian 2 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the L100 Classic's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the JBL L100 Classic a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Elysian 2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Elysian 2 and the Elysian 2 can provide this impedance level.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Elysian 2
L100 Classic
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

Elysian 2 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas L100 Classic has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Elysian 2.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Elysian 2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. L100 Classic has a Five-way gold-plated binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

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

JBL L100 Classic Terminals
JBL L100 Classic's Five-way gold-plated binding posts terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Elysian 2 has a bottom firing port whereas L100 Classic has a front firing ports. JBL L100 Classic's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Wharfedale Elysian 2 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 Wharfedale Elysian 2's and JBL L100 Classic's external dimensions. Wharfedale Elysian 2 has external dimensions of 700.0 x 334.0 x 462.0mm ( 27.5 x 13.1 x 18.1inch) whereas JBL L100 Classic has external dimensions of 636.5 x 389.6 x 371.5mm ( 25.0 x 15.3 x 14.6inch) .

JBL L100 Classic is 63.5mm shorter and 90.5mm less deeper than Wharfedale Elysian 2 but it is also 55.6mm wider.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale Elysian 2 and JBL L100 Classic in scale.

Wharfedale Elysian 2 vs JBL L100 Classic Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Wharfedale Elysian 2 and JBL L100 Classic 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 Elysian 2 is approximately 1543.1cm2 / 239.2inch2 and base area of the JBL L100 Classic is approximately 1447.4cm2 / 224.3inch2. The Elysian 2 requires 7% more surface area than the L100 Classic which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Elysian 2 weighs 30.50kg / 67.1lbs and the JBL L100 Classic weighs 26.70kg / 58.7lbs. This makes the Elysian 2 14% heavier than the L100 Classic.

Here is a comparison of how Elysian 2 and L100 Classic's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Wharfedale Elysian 2
JBL L100 Classic
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Wharfedale Elysian 2?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Elysian 2:
  • Stand-mount loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 2 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)
  • User Manual
  • What's in the Box of JBL L100 Classic?

    Here are the items that come with the L100 Classic:
  • Bookshelf loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Owner's Manual

  • Reasons to choose Wharfedale Elysian 2 over JBL L100 Classic
    Max Input Power 250 watts vs 200 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Low Frequency Response 35 Hz vs 40 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections

    Reasons to choose JBL L100 Classic over Wharfedale Elysian 2

    Sensitivity 90 dB vs 89 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 12 inches vs 8.5 inches Larger woofer
    High Frequency Response 40k Hz vs 22k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 636mm vs 700mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 1447cm2 vs 1543cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 4400USD vs 6996USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    Wharfedale Elysian 2 vs JBL L100 Classic Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Wharfedale Elysian 2 JBL L100 Classic
    Brand Wharfedale JBL
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 25-250 watts 25-200 watts
    Sensitivity 89 dB 90 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 4 ohms
    Frequency Response 35-22k Hz 40-40k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 8.5" 12"
    Woofer Composition Coated Fiberglass Pulp
    Woofer Surround Material Foamed Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 27x90mm" 1"
    Tweeter Type AMT (Ribbon) Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 6" 5.25"
    Crossover Frequency 360Hz and 2900Hz 450Hz and 3500Hz
    Firing Direction bottom front
    Physical Specs
    Height 700.0mm (27.6") 636.5mm (25.1")
    Width 334.0mm (13.1") 389.6mm (15.3")
    Depth 462.0mm (18.2") 371.5mm (14.6")
    Weight 30.50kg (67.1lbs) 26.70kg (58.7lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-veneer Genuine walnut veneer
    Available Colors Piano Black, Piano Walnut,White Walnut
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 16-22" 18"
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 years 5 Years

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