The NOVA 10 sits second from bottom in Wharfedale's four-model NOVA subwoofer range, above the compact NOVA 8 and below the larger NOVA 12 and NOVA 15. It is an active design in which a down-firing auxiliary bass radiator takes the place of a conventional reflex port, and Wharfedale positions it for small to medium sized listening rooms, compact stereo systems and discreet home cinema installations. A 250mm long-throw active driver and a 250mm down-firing radiator work together in a cabinet just 391mm tall.
Driver and Bass Loading
The NOVA series uses a newly engineered long-throw driver built around a rigid, lightweight paper cone finished with a proprietary coating that adds stiffness and self-damping. The cone is carried on a heavy-duty die-cast chassis with an oversized high-roll surround and a high-excursion motor, and the large-diameter voice coil improves thermal efficiency and power handling.
Instead of a conventional reflex port, every NOVA model uses a down-firing mass-loaded auxiliary bass radiator (ABR) with a dual-suspension design. The radiator works with the active driver to extend low-frequency output without the turbulence, chuffing, port compression and unwanted resonance that ports can introduce, which is how the NOVA 10 reaches 29Hz (-6dB) from so compact an enclosure. Acoustic loading is optimised individually for each model in the range.
Motor Control and Distortion
Aluminium shorting rings are fitted within the NOVA motor system. As the voice coil moves through the magnetic gap, changes in inductance can introduce distortion and soften transient behaviour; the shorting rings reduce that inductance modulation so the motor behaves more consistently through the stroke, improving linearity and minimising distortion artefacts.
Amplification and DSP
A high-current Class D amplifier platform delivers 260W nominal with up to 500W peak output, giving the NOVA 10 headroom for sudden low-frequency transients. DSP-controlled Dynamic EQ manages the subwoofer's response in relation to input level, holding low-frequency extension steady from late-night listening through to full-scale playback while protecting the driver against overdrive.
Two DSP-controlled operating modes are provided. Music mode keeps bass tight, articulate and naturally integrated with the main speakers for two-channel listening, while Movie mode adds weight, scale and dynamic impact for films, games and soundtracks.
Connections and Setup
Stereo line-level inputs are provided on two RCA sockets, with the right input doubling as the LFE connection for an AV receiver or processor. Speaker-level connection is available on four 4mm binding posts for stereo amplifiers without a subwoofer output, and a stereo line-level output on two RCA sockets allows the signal to be passed on. A 12V trigger input accepts a 3.5mm mono jack so a connected amplifier or receiver can wake the subwoofer from standby, and a USB port is provided for firmware updates.
Level, crossover and phase are all adjustable on the rear panel. The crossover sweeps from 40Hz to 160Hz and has a maximum position that bypasses it for LFE feeds, phase switches between 0 and 180 degrees, and an auto-sense circuit puts the subwoofer into standby after 20 minutes without a signal, drawing less than 0.5W.
Cabinet and Finish
The NOVA 10 is finished in Matte Black and stands on a plinth with rubber feet that lifts the down-firing radiator clear of the floor. It measures 391 x 363 x 408mm (HxWxD) including plinth, grille and terminals, and weighs 22.2kg. A removable front grille is fitted, and the carton contains a power cord, a set of rubber feet pads and the user manual.