In this review, we will be comparing Elysian 4 and Elysian 3 R, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Elysian 4 and Wharfedale Elysian 3 R first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Elysian 4 | Wharfedale Elysian 3 R |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) | 3.5" AMT |
|---|
| Midrange | 6" | 6" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 8.5" Coated Fiberglass | 2 x 7" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 30-22k Hz | 44-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-250 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 49.60kg / 109.1lbs | 28.44kg / 62.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 46-3/4" x 15-13/16" x 18-3/16"
1188.0 x 402.0 x 462.0mm | 41-5/16" x 10-7/16" x 12-7/16"
1049.3 x 265.1 x 315.9mm |
|---|
Elysian 4 and Elysian 3 R are members of Wharfedale's Elysian series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale Elysian Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Elysian 4 and Elysian 3 R are 3-way speakers.
Wharfedale Elysian 4Wharfedale Elysian 3 R
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 4 |
Wharfedale Elysian 3 R |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
27x90mm-inch
|
3.5-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6-inch |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 8.5-inch
|
2 x 7-inch
|
Elysian 4 features a 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 8.5" Coated Fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 340Hz and 3100Hz. On the other hand, the Elysian 3 R features a 3.5" AMT Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 7" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Elysian 4 has a frequency range of 30-22k Hz whereas Elysian 3 R has a frequency range of 44-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the Elysian 4 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
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 4 and Elysian 3 R have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Elysian 4 sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Elysian 3 R's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Elysian 4 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Elysian 3 R, 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 4 and the Elysian 4 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
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
Elysian 4 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.
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 4's and Wharfedale Elysian 3 R's external dimensions. Wharfedale Elysian 4 has external dimensions of 1188.0 x 402.0 x 462.0mm (46-3/4 x 15-13/16 x 18-3/16inch) whereas Wharfedale Elysian 3 R has external dimensions of 1049.3 x 265.1 x 315.9mm ().
Wharfedale Elysian 4 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 136.9mm wider, 138.7mm taller and 146.1mm deeper than Wharfedale Elysian 3 R.
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 Elysian 4 needs about 122% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale Elysian 4 is 146mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale Elysian 4 is 139mm 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 4 is approximately 1857.2cm2 / 287.9inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is approximately 837.5cm2 / 129.8inch2. The Elysian 4 requires 122% more surface area than the Elysian 3 R 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 4 weighs 49.60kg / 109.1lbs and the Wharfedale Elysian 3 R weighs 28.44kg / 62.6lbs. This makes the Elysian 4 74% heavier than the Elysian 3 R.
Here is a comparison of how Elysian 4 and Elysian 3 R's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Elysian 4?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Elysian 4:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Spike feet
- User Manual
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
8.5 inches
vs
7 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
44 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1049mm
vs
1188mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
837cm2
vs
1857cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale Elysian 4 |
Wharfedale Elysian 3 R |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
30-22k Hz |
44-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8.5" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
Coated Fiberglass |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
Foamed Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
27x90mm" |
3.5" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
AMT |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
6" |
| Crossover Frequency |
340Hz and 3100Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1188.0mm (46.8") |
1049.3mm (41.3") |
| Width |
402.0mm (15.8") |
265.1mm (10.4") |
| Depth |
462.0mm (18.2") |
315.9mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
49.60kg (109.1lbs) |
28.44kg (62.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Piano Black, Piano Walnut,White |
Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Wharfedale's Elysian series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Wharfedale Elysian 4 digs deeper - 30Hz against 44Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Wharfedale Elysian 4 is more sensitive (92dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is easier to place; Wharfedale Elysian 4 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | Wharfedale Elysian 4: bi-amping. |
A Wharfedale Elysian 4 B Wharfedale Elysian 3 R
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 4 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. In a large or open-plan room, Wharfedale Elysian 4 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is the easier speaker to get right.
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.