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Wharfedale Elysian 2 vs KEF Q350
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Wharfedale Elysian 2

Passive Bookshelf | 35-22k Hz

Wharfedale Elysian 2
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KEF Q350

Passive Bookshelf | 63-28k Hz

KEF Q350
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Wharfedale Elysian 2 vs KEF Q350 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Elysian 2 and Q350, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and KEF. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale Elysian 2 and KEF Q350 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 )

KEF Q350 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 11th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Aluminum Woofer
  • 63-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-120watts
  • Weight:7.60kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 358.0" x 8.2" x 12.0"( 358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0mm )

What size room are the Wharfedale Elysian 2 and KEF Q350 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 KEF Q350
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 KEF Q350 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

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Elysian 2 is a 3-way design whereas the Q350 is a 2-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. 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 Q350 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

Elysian 2 has a frequency range of 35-22k Hz whereas Q350 has a frequency range of 63-28k 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 Q350's min frequency of 63Hz.

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
Q350
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale Elysian 2
KEF Q350
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 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Q350 which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 Elysian 2 can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Elysian 2 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Q350's is rated at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Elysian 2 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q350, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Elysian 2
Q350
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 Q350 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 130 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. Q350 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

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

KEF Q350Post Terminals
KEF Q350's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Elysian 2 has a bottom firing port whereas Q350 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale Elysian 2's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to KEF Q350 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 KEF Q350'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 KEF Q350 has external dimensions of 358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0mm ( 14.0 x 8.2 x 12.0inch) .

Wharfedale Elysian 2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 124mm wider, 342mm taller and 156mm deeper than KEF Q350.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale Elysian 2 and KEF Q350 in scale.

Wharfedale Elysian 2 vs KEF Q350 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Wharfedale Elysian 2 and KEF Q350 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 KEF Q350 is approximately 642.6cm2 / 99.6inch2. The Elysian 2 requires 140% more surface area than the Q350 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 KEF Q350 weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs. This makes the Elysian 2 301% heavier than the Q350.

Here is a comparison of how Elysian 2 and Q350's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Wharfedale Elysian 2
KEF Q350
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 KEF Q350?

    Here are the items that come with the Q350:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Foam port plugs
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual
  • Warranty Registration Card

  • Reasons to choose Wharfedale Elysian 2 over KEF Q350
    Max Input Power 250 watts vs 120 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Sensitivity 89 dB vs 87 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 8.5 inches vs 6.5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 35 Hz vs 63 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Reasons to choose KEF Q350 over Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 22k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 358mm vs 700mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 642cm2 (210x306mm) vs 1543cm2 (334x462mm) Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 750USD vs 6996USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)


    Wharfedale Elysian 2 vs KEF Q350 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Wharfedale Elysian 2 KEF Q350
    Brand Wharfedale KEF
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 25-250 watts 10-120 watts
    Sensitivity 89 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance n/a 3.7 ohms
    Frequency Response 35-22k Hz 63-28k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 8.5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Coated Fiberglass Aluminum
    Woofer Surround Material Foamed Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 27x90mm" 1"
    Tweeter Type AMT (Ribbon) Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 6" No
    Crossover Frequency 360Hz and 2900Hz 2500Hz
    Firing Direction bottom rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 700.0mm (27.6") 358.0mm (14.1")
    Width 334.0mm (13.1") 210.0mm (8.3")
    Depth 462.0mm (18.2") 306.0mm (12")
    Weight 30.50kg (67.1lbs) 7.60kg (16.7lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-veneer MDF/Vinyl-wrapped
    Available Colors Piano Black, Piano Walnut,White Black, Walnut, White
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 16-22" 18-24"
    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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