Wharfedale Elysian R Series Speakers

Elysian R: heavenly flagship speakers upgraded...

Wharfedale has refined its top-tier Elysian Series to deliver the ultimate expression of pure musical enjoyment embedded at the heart of this famous British brand

Cambridgeshire, England -- The Elysian Series – the finest range of loudspeakers Wharfedale has ever produced – first appeared in 2020, the culmination of a three-year R&D project. Two models launched initially, a large three-way standmount called Elysian 2 and a floorstander named Elysian 4, earning instant acclaim for their first-class build and performance.

Further Elysian speakers followed during the next three years – smaller standmount and floorstanding models, the Elysian 1 and Elysian 3, and a centre speaker for home cinema systems called the Elysian C. These speakers are not inexpensive; after all, Elysian is the flagship range from one of the world’s most esteemed loudspeaker manufacturers. And yet, they continue Wharfedale’s ethos of delivering exceptional value for money, effusing levels of acoustic engineering, cabinet construction and sonic engagement that puts many more costly high-end speakers to shame.

But Wharfedale’s multi-award-winning engineering team, led by globally renowned speaker designer Peter Comeau, never stands still. The R&D project that produced the Elysian range continued beyond its launch, refining the design of each model in anticipation of a second Elysian generation. Now, Wharfedale is ready to introduce the fruit of its labour to the world. The new Elysian R Series replaces all five Elysian models with new finishes, elevated engineering and an even more captivating musical performance.

Elysian R: the ethos

Left The two-way Elysian 1R is the most compact speaker in the range, shown here on its optional stands In Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields are a heavenly place where the heroic and the virtuous are rewarded in the afterlife. Elysian, as an adjective, means blissful – a fitting name for Wharfedale’s flagship loudspeakers, conceived to deliver blissful sonic reward to music lovers seeking heavenly respite from the rigours of daily life.

The original Elysian Series redefined expectations of what a genuinely high-end loudspeaker could deliver at relatively affordable prices, with even the largest model, the Elysian 4, weighing in below £7,000 per pair. Fusing uncompromising engineering, refined craftsmanship and a distinctly expressive, immersive sound, it established itself as a new benchmark in the sub-£10,000 loudspeaker arena.

Rather than a complete reinvention, the Elysian R Series is a disciplined evolution – a comprehensive refinement of an already exceptional platform. Every element has been revisited with intent: from driver performance and crossover execution to cabinet behaviour and material integrity. Each improvement is measured, purposeful and rooted in the pursuit of greater accuracy, transparency and musical realism.

Designed by Elysian’s original development team with Peter Comeau at its helm, Elysian R benefits from continuity of vision and a deeper understanding of the platform’s full potential. The result is not a departure from Elysian’s identity but its natural progression – more resolved, more precise and more revealing. A genuine example of luxury audio, Elysian R offers indulgence in design, materials, finish and performance, with every component engineered in harmony and without compromise to push the limits of what is possible at this level.

Generation R

The Elysian R Series builds upon the proven foundation of the original series, enhancing performance through refinements in crossover execution, driver performance and cabinet behaviour. Enhanced AMT high-frequency drivers deliver even greater resolution and transient accuracy; refined glass fibre matrix bass and midrange drivers improve clarity and control; advanced crossover modelling ensures superior phase integration; and cabinet refinements deliver even greater acoustic transparency.

The result is a range of five loudspeakers that retain Elysian’s unmistakable sonic character – effortless, dynamic, expansive – whilst delivering greater precision, refinement and realism.

Aesthetic evolution

The build and finish quality of the original Elysian models has garnered universal admiration, with all three finish options – black, white and walnut – lavished in high-gloss piano lacquer. The standard has not dropped for the Elysian R Series, but a new ‘matt’ approach aligns with contemporary design trends, complementing modern interiors while preserving Elysian’s unmistakable presence and luxurious feel.

The original piano lacquered black and white finishes have been replaced with smooth, deeply layered matt black and matt grey. The popular walnut wood option has been retained, complete with its highgloss lacquered finish, but refined matt black trims, driver detailing and metalwork contribute to an updated visual identity. The result is modern yet timeless, elegantly understated without compromising the sense of upscale craftsmanship.

Elysian R drivers: AMT treble unit

A key element of Elysian speakers is the AMT (Air Motion Transformer) high-frequency driver – an inherently superior transducer capable of delivering wide bandwidth, ultra-low distortion and exceptional speed. Unlike conventional dome tweeters, the AMT uses a pleated diaphragm to move air with remarkable efficiency and precision, resulting in greater detail, faster transient response and more natural high-frequency reproduction.

The new Elysian R AMT driver has been further enhanced, featuring an ultra-lightweight PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) diaphragm with an enlarged, high-specification design and acoustically damped rear chamber. This delivers an even more open, extended and effortless high-frequency performance than the original Elysian models.

Elysian R drivers: midrange unit

All the Elysian R speakers bar the Elysian 1R incorporate a dedicated midrange driver with a 150mm cone made from a proprietary woven glass fibre matrix. This has been further refined from the driver used by the original Elysian models to deliver astonishing realism and tonal accuracy.

Enhancements to the low-mass, high-strength cone construction complement the new driver’s advanced motor system. A high-plasticity coating controls the cone’s acoustic behaviour, coupled with a special acoustic damping frame, low-damping cone surround, heavy die-cast chassis and an aluminium demodulation ring that improves distortion control. A custom-designed phase plug helps to ensure wide dispersion and a linear response.

This midrange driver enables Elysian R speakers to deliver voices and instruments with astonishing realism. Vocalists seem to be present in the room with the listener – simply close your eyes and listen to the palpable presence of singers in the acoustic space.

Elysian R drivers: bass units

The Elysian R series continues to set the standard for bass performance in its class, with refined glass fibre matrix bass cones – 180mm or 220mm depending on the model – and improved low-distortion motor systems delivering a deeply satisfying combination of depth, authority and control.

Bass extends below 30Hz in the larger models, aided by an advanced version of Wharfedale’s signature SLPP (Slot-Loaded Profiled Port) system to ensure the rear output of the bass units is not wasted. The lowest frequency energy is vented to a slot at the base of the speaker, specially profiled to equalise the high internal pressure to the low pressure in the room. This reduces the distortion that is typical of bass reflex systems and increases the port’s efficiency. Also, because the air is dispersed uniformly in the room, the speakers are less sensitive about positioning.

In combination, the bass units and SLPP system deliver low frequencies that are not only powerful but also clean, fast and consistent across different listening environments. This is the foundation upon which the rest of the musical performance sits, revealing the full body and impact of every recorded sound, from percussive, stringed and wind instruments to deep electronic basslines.

Elysian R crossovers

The crossover network is a vital part of two- and three-way loudspeaker systems, responsible for blending the drive units into a seamless sonic whole. For the Elysian R Series, the crossover in every model has been revised and improved.

Individual components have been selected for their transparency, featuring high-silicon-iron-cored coils for the bass that provide low DCR (Direct Current Resistance) and enable the amplifier to exert excellent control over the drivers. Air core coils are used for the midrange and treble, complemented by Super Audiophile Polypropylene capacitors throughout the signal path. All resistors are low inductance types, specially chosen for their neutral effect on music signals.

All components are mounted on newly designed 'direct path' circuit boards, optimised for the shortest possible signal route. In the three-way models the network is split onto two separate PCBs, ensuring that electromagnetic interference from the bass crossover components does not affect higher frequency signals. The PCBs are connected to the drive units with cables containing LC-OFC high-purity copper strands in PET insulation – all of which contributes to a superior full-range performance compared to the original Elysian models.

Elysian R cabinets

The Elysian R speaker cabinets are designed to enhance the acoustic output of the drivers whilst providing an eye-catching piece of furniture of which the owner can be justly proud. All five Elysian R models feature the latest evolution of Wharfedale’s PROS (Panel Resonance Optimisation System), comprising a multi-layer construction of woods of differing density accompanied by strategic bracing optimised by advanced computer modelling.

This constructive system enhances structural integrity and reduces panel resonance to below audibility. It also prevents energy that is generated within the cabinet from leaking out, eliminating any interference with the forward output of the drive units.

All three cabinet finish options are enhanced and protected by lavishly applied lacquer coatings, handpolished to six levels of depth – matt lacquer for the new black and grey finishes and high-gloss piano lacquer for the walnut wood veneer. Not only do Elysian R speakers make a striking visual impression, but their construction also ensures their cabinets are acoustically inert, allowing the drivers to deliver maximum clarity with minimal colouration.

Advanced production and material control

Beyond design and engineering, the Elysian R Series benefits from advancements in production processes and material control that contribute directly to its elevated performance. Refinements in driver manufacturing ensure tighter tolerances and greater consistency across every unit, allowing the system to perform exactly as intended. Improvements in cabinet construction techniques further reduce structural variance, enhancing the effectiveness of resonance control strategies.

Material selection has been carefully evaluated, from diaphragm coatings to crossover components, ensuring that each element contributes to a more stable, predictable and acoustically transparent system. These developments, while subtle in isolation, combine to deliver a loudspeaker that is more consistent and ultimately more faithful to the original musical signal.

Heavenly sound for earthly pleasure

Speaking about the development of the Elysian R Series, Wharfedale’s Director of Acoustic Design, Peter Comeau, said: “The Elysian Series was conceived as a flagship loudspeaker range worthy of the illustrious Wharfedale name, encapsulating the innovation and ingenuity with which it has been associated for close to 100 years. Wharfedale speakers are not only highly accomplished; they also deliver excellent value for money, and the Elysian Series is no exception – whilst far from cheap, Elysian speakers deliver qualities that match and exceed much more expensive high-end designs.

“The new, second-generation Elysian R Series takes the Elysian concept to the next level, further elevating the speakers’ engineering, aesthetic quality and sonic performance. The holistic and uncompromising approach to every element of the loudspeaker system – the drivers, the crossover, the cabinet – allows every Elysian R model to convey the full-bodied character of instruments like cello and bass guitar, without constraining the dynamics of the musical recital. Whether you’re listening to solo piano, a full orchestra, a jazz trio, an electronic composition or a guitar-based rock band – or even a rip-roaring movie soundtrack – these speakers bring the thrill and excitement of the performance to your listening room.”

All five Wharfedale Elysian R Series models are available from late June in a choice of matt black, matt grey or piano lacquered walnut wood veneer. For retail pricing, please see the table on page 2 of this press release.

The speakers come with high-stability spikes, spike shoes for hard floors, high-quality jumper cables and a pair of white handling gloves. Dedicated speaker stands made from hardened carbon steel can be purchased for the Elysian 1R, 2R and CR, custom-designed to optimise the height and acoustic performance of each individual model.