The Wharfedale Elysian Series is the British brand’s flagship loudspeaker range, and it continues to pick up awards years after its original launch. Spanning standmount and floorstanding models built around a shared AMT tweeter and bass-loading platform, the Elysian line-up has earned recognition from What Hi-Fi?, Stereoplay and Pursuit Perfect System, and remains Wharfedale’s clearest statement of what the century-old brand can do without compromise.
The range now spans five loudspeakers: the standmount Elysian 1 and Elysian 2, the Elysian 3 and Elysian 4 floorstanders, and the Elysian C centre channel, all built around the same driver philosophy and finished in genuine piano lacquer.
An Air Motion Transformer tweeter at the core
Every Elysian model is built around Wharfedale’s Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter, a pleated-diaphragm design that squeezes air between its folds rather than pushing it with a traditional dome. Wharfedale says the approach delivers fast transients, low distortion and wide bandwidth, and it’s paired with a woven glass-fibre midrange cone engineered for low mass and high accuracy, with a central phase plug that keeps the response linear well off-axis.
A reworked bass-loading system
Bass duties run through what Wharfedale calls its most advanced Slot Loaded Profiled Port (SLPP) yet, which vents low-frequency energy from the rear of the bass drivers through a specially profiled slot at the base of the cabinet. Wharfedale rates system sensitivity at over 92dB for one watt of input across the range, letting modest amplifiers drive the speakers to full dynamic range without strain.
Award-winning across the line-up
Individual Elysian models have picked up recognition steadily since the series launched: the Elysian 1 won Best Standmount Loudspeaker under €4,000 at Stereoplay’s Goldenes Ohr awards, the Elysian 3 was named Stand Out Product of 2023 by Pursuit Perfect System, and the Elysian 4 earned a five-star review from What Hi-Fi?, which called it “another jewel in its crown” for Wharfedale.
Pricing and availability
Pricing varies by model within the Wharfedale Elysian Series, from the standmount Elysian 1 and 2 through to the flagship Elysian 4 floorstander, and is set by local distributors. Full pricing and finish options are available through Wharfedale’s dealer network and official site.
Key specifications
- Line-up: Elysian 1, Elysian 2 (standmount), Elysian 3, Elysian 4 (floorstander), Elysian C (centre channel)
- High-frequency driver: Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter
- Midrange: woven glass-fibre cone with central phase plug
- Bass loading: Slot Loaded Profiled Port (SLPP)
- Sensitivity: typically over 92dB (1W)
- Cabinet finish: genuine piano lacquer
- Notable awards: Stereoplay Golden Ear (Elysian 1), PPS Stand Out Product 2023 (Elysian 3), What Hi-Fi? 5 stars (Elysian 4)
The Wharfedale Elysian Series sits above the brand’s EVO and Aura ranges as its flagship statement, continuing the trajectory of Wharfedale’s Super Linton speakers. Full details on every model are available from Wharfedale.
