Wharfedale Aura 3 Floorstanding Speakers Walnut

The Wharfedale Aura 3 is the flagship floorstanding model in the Aura series, sitting above the Aura 2 and Aura 1 standmount in the range. It draws on engineering originally developed for Wharfedale's high-end Elysian project to deliver flagship-style materials and acoustic technology at a more accessible price point.

Each speaker is a three-way design with four drive units on a sculpted curved baffle. High frequencies are handled by a 27 x 90mm AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, whose folded ribbon diaphragm moves air with low mass and very low distortion, giving the Aura 3 its detailed, airy treble. Midrange duties are taken by a 4-inch (100mm) glass fibre matrix cone, while the lower registers come from twin 5-inch (130mm) glass fibre matrix bass drivers loaded by Wharfedale's Slot Loaded Profiled Port (SLPP). The SLPP system spreads port airflow through a profiled slot in the plinth, reducing turbulence and chuffing for cleaner, more articulate bass.

The cabinet uses multiple layers of differing woods bonded together as part of Wharfedale's Panel Resonance Optimisation System (PROS), which damps panel vibration so the enclosure contributes as little as possible to the sound. Gently curved side panels reduce internal standing waves and minimise the diffraction effects of sharp corners. Each driver sits in a die-cast aluminium chassis secured by six high-tensile bolts for a rigid, low-resonance mounting.

Performance figures reflect the Aura 3's flagship intent. Frequency response is quoted at 39Hz to 22kHz (+/- 3dB), with bass extension to 28Hz at -6dB, peak SPL of 104dB, sensitivity of 88dB (2.83V at 1m), nominal impedance of 6 ohms (8 ohm compatible) and a minimum impedance of 3.1 ohms. The recommended amplifier power range is 25 to 150 watts, suiting both refined valve amplifiers and powerful solid-state designs.

Each Aura 3 stands 1037mm tall on its supplied plinth, with a slim 246mm width and 352mm depth including terminals. Net weight is 23.0kg per speaker. The plinth carries integrated outrigger feet with adjustable spikes for stable coupling to the floor. The Aura 3 is supplied as a matched pair.

This listing is for the hi-gloss walnut finish. The Aura 3 is also available in hi-gloss black.