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  1. Home
  2. Wharfedale Speakers
  3. Wharfedale Elysian 3 R vs Wharfedale Elysian C

Wharfedale Elysian 3 R vs Wharfedale Elysian C Comparison

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Wharfedale Elysian 3 R

Passive Floor-standing | 44-22k Hz

Wharfedale Elysian 3 R
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Wharfedale Elysian C

Passive Center Channel | 35-22k Hz

Wharfedale Elysian C
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Wharfedale Elysian 3 R Wharfedale Elysian 3...
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Wharfedale Elysian C Wharfedale Elysian C
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Wharfedale Elysian 3...
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Wharfedale Elysian C
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Wharfedale Elysian 3 R vs Wharfedale Elysian C Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Wharfedale. Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the Elysian C is a Center Channel speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale Elysian 3 R and Wharfedale Elysian C first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsWharfedale Elysian 3 RWharfedale Elysian C
BrandWharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932
Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932
Design3-way3-way
Tweeter3.5" AMT27 x 45mm" Air Motion Transformer (AMT)
Midrange6"6"
Woofer2 x 7"2 x 8.5" coated fiberglass matrix
Frequency response44-22k Hz35-22k Hz
Sensitivity89 dB91 dB
Impedance4 ohms6 ohms
Power range—50-250 watts
Weight28.44kg / 62.6lbs30.23kg / 66.5lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)41-5/16" x 10-7/16" x 12-7/16"
1049.3 x 265.1 x 315.9mm
12-5/8" x 32-11/16" x 14-9/16"
321.0 x 831.0 x 370.0mm

Elysian 3 R and Elysian C are members of Wharfedale's Elysian series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Wharfedale Elysian Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Wharfedale Elysian 2
  
Bookshelf 35-22k Hz 89 dB4Ω 1 x 8.5"
Wharfedale Elysian 4
  
Floor-standing 30-22k Hz 92 dB4Ω 2 x 8.5"
Wharfedale Elysian 1
  
Bookshelf 49-22k Hz 89 dB4Ω 1 x 7"
Wharfedale Elysian C
Center Channel 35-22k Hz 91 dB6Ω 2 x 8.5"
Wharfedale Elysian 3 R
Floor-standing 44-22k Hz 89 dB4Ω 2 x 7"
Wharfedale Elysian 3
  
Floor-standing 44-22k Hz 89 dB4Ω 2 x 7"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


Drivers

Both Elysian 3 R and Elysian C are 3-way speakers.

Tweeter - 3.5 inchMidrange - 6 inchWoofer - 7 inchWoofer - 7 inch
Wharfedale Elysian 3 R
Woofer - 8.5 inchMidrange - 6 inchWoofer - 8.5 inch
Wharfedale Elysian C

TweeterMidrangeWoofer

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

Driver Wharfedale Elysian 3 R Wharfedale Elysian C
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 3.5-inch 27 x 45mm-inch
Midrange 1 x 6-inch 1 x 6-inch
Woofer 2 x 7-inch 2 x 8.5-inch

Elysian 3 R features a 3.5" AMT Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 7" Woofer. On the other hand, the Elysian C features a 27 x 45mm" Air Motion Transformer (AMT) Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 8.5" coated fiberglass matrix Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 360Hz and 2900HZ.

Frequency Response

Elysian 3 R has a frequency range of 44-22k Hz whereas Elysian C has a frequency range of 35-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Elysian C can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Elysian 3 R's min frequency of 44Hz.

The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Elysian 3 R
Elysian C
Min
Average
Median

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

Elysian 3 R is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Elysian C 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 Elysian 3 R can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Elysian 3 R sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Elysian C's is rated at 91 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Elysian C a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Elysian 3 R, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

Elysian 3 R
Elysian C
Min
Average
Median

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.

Wharfedale Elysian 3 R
 
Wharfedale Elysian C
 

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Elysian C features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Elysian 3 R has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Wharfedale Elysian CBinding post Terminals
Wharfedale Elysian C's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

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 Elysian 3 R's and Wharfedale Elysian C's external dimensions. Wharfedale Elysian 3 R has external dimensions of 1049.3 x 265.1 x 315.9mm () whereas Wharfedale Elysian C has external dimensions of 321.0 x 831.0 x 370.0mm (12-5/8 x 32-11/16 x 14-9/16inch).

Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is 565.9mm narrower and 54.1mm less deeper than Wharfedale Elysian C but it is also 728.3mm taller.

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTWharfedale Elysian 3 R front: 265 x 1049 mm (10.4 x 41.3 in)Wharfedale Elysian C front: 831 x 321 mm (32.7 x 12.6 in)Wharfedale Elysian 3 R265 × 1049 mmWharfedale Elysian C831 × 321 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTWharfedale Elysian 3 R footprint: 265 x 316 mm (10.4 x 12.4 in)Wharfedale Elysian C footprint: 831 x 370 mm (32.7 x 14.6 in)Wharfedale Elysian 3 R265 × 316 mmWharfedale Elysian C831 × 370 mm
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 Elysian C needs about 267% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale Elysian C is 54mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is 728mm 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 Elysian 3 R is approximately 837.5cm2 / 129.8inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale Elysian C is approximately 3074.7cm2 / 476.6inch2. The Elysian 3 R requires 73% less surface area than the Elysian C which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of Wharfedale Elysian C?

Here are the items that come with the Elysian C:
  • Center channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 2 Terminal-jumpers
  • User Manual


Reasons to choose Wharfedale Elysian 3 R over Wharfedale Elysian C

Base Surface Area 837cm2 vs 3074cm2 Takes less floor space

Reasons to choose Wharfedale Elysian C over Wharfedale Elysian 3 R

Sensitivity 91 dB vs 89 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Nominal Impedance 6 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
Woofer Size 8.5 inches vs 7 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 35 Hz vs 44 Hz Generates deeper bass
Passive Radiator Foamed Rubber vs None Increases the bass performance
Height 321mm vs 1049mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Wharfedale Elysian 3 R vs Wharfedale Elysian C Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Wharfedale Elysian 3 R Wharfedale Elysian C
Brand Wharfedale Wharfedale
Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Center channel speaker
Sensitivity 89 dB 91 dB
Impedance 4 ohms 6 ohms
Impedance n/a 3.5 ohms
Frequency Response 44-22k Hz 35-22k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 2 2
Woofer Size 7" 8.5"
Woofer Composition coated fiberglass matrix
Tweeter Size 3.5" 27 x 45mm"
Tweeter Type AMT Air Motion Transformer (AMT)
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver 6" 6"
Crossover Frequency n/a 360Hz and 2900HZ
Firing Direction n/a rear
Physical Specs
Height 1049.3mm (41.3") 321.0mm (12.6")
Width 265.1mm (10.4") 831.0mm (32.7")
Depth 315.9mm (12.4") 370.0mm (14.6")
Weight 28.44kg (62.6lbs) 30.23kg (66.5lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex
Finish MDF/Wood veneer MDF/Lacquer
Available Colors Walnut Piano Black, Piano Walnut,White
Grille n/a Yes
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs n/a Yes
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

Verdict

Siblings in Wharfedale's Elysian series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.

AreaBetterWhy
BassBWharfedale Elysian C digs deeper - 35Hz against 44Hz. A subwoofer would even that out.
Amplifier needsBWharfedale Elysian C is more sensitive (91dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
Amplifier matchBWharfedale Elysian C is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it.
SizedependsSimilar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit.
TypedependsA Passive Floor-standing against a Passive Center Channel - a different job rather than a better one.
ExpandabilityBWharfedale Elysian C: bi-amping.

A Wharfedale Elysian 3 R  B Wharfedale Elysian C
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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 Elysian C has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 44Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Wharfedale Elysian C is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.

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.


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