Wharfedale has unveiled its new Elysian R series, an updated flagship loudspeaker range designed to build on the performance and technology of the existing Elysian lineup. The new generation introduces improvements across the tweeters, midrange and bass drivers, cabinet construction, and crossover networks, while retaining the distinctive design and engineering approach that has defined the Elysian family.
The updated range now consists of five models, giving listeners more options across both bookshelf and floorstanding formats. The lineup includes the two-way Elysian 1R, three-way Elysian 2R, three-way Elysian 3R and Elysian 4R floorstanding speakers, and the Elysian CR center channel speaker for home theater systems.
At the heart of the new Elysian R series is an improved version of Wharfedale’s Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter. The updated design uses a mass-reduced corrugated diaphragm, which is intended to improve the tweeter’s responsiveness, while a newly designed acoustically damped rear chamber helps control unwanted energy behind the driver.
The result is a tweeter designed to deliver the detailed, open high-frequency performance expected from a flagship loudspeaker, while improving control and reducing unwanted resonances.
New Midrange and Bass Drivers Across the Elysian R Range
Wharfedale has also upgraded the drive units used throughout the new Elysian R family. With the exception of the entry-level Elysian 1R, every model features a dedicated 15cm midrange driver using a woven glass fiber matrix cone.
The same material technology is used for the larger 18cm and 22cm bass drivers found in the floorstanding models. Wharfedale has upgraded not only the drivers themselves but also their associated magnet systems, with the goal of improving overall driver performance and control.
These changes are particularly significant for the larger Elysian 3R and Elysian 4R floorstanders, where the combination of upgraded drive units and redesigned motor systems is expected to provide greater authority at lower frequencies while maintaining the refinement associated with the Elysian series.
Wharfedale Focuses on Cabinet Resonance
The new Elysian R models continue to use Wharfedale’s signature slotted bass reflex port, but the company has also placed considerable emphasis on controlling cabinet resonance.
All five models incorporate Wharfedale’s Panel Resonance Optimization System (PROS). The system uses sandwiches of wood materials with different densities to help suppress unwanted panel vibrations and reduce the influence of cabinet resonances on the sound.
Additional internal bracing has also been incorporated into the cabinets to further strengthen the enclosure. For high-end loudspeakers, cabinet construction can have a significant influence on perceived clarity, particularly when the speakers are reproducing complex musical passages at higher volume levels.
By combining layered cabinet materials with additional bracing, Wharfedale is aiming to create a more inert platform for the drive units to operate from.
Redesigned Crossovers for the Elysian R Series
The crossover networks have also received a substantial redesign. Wharfedale has modified both the component base and printed circuit board layout, allowing the company to shorten signal paths and reduce electromagnetic interference within the crossover.
These may sound like relatively small engineering changes, but crossover design plays a crucial role in integrating multiple drivers and ensuring that the transition between frequencies remains smooth.
The redesigned circuitry is intended to improve signal integrity and optimize the interaction between the AMT tweeter, midrange drivers, and woofers across the Elysian R range.
Five Models, Three Finishes
The Wharfedale Elysian R series will be available in three finishes: Matte Black, Matte Gray, and Lacquered Walnut.
The new speakers are scheduled to become available by the end of June, with availability in Russia following in July. In the United States, the range will occupy a firmly premium position, with prices starting at $6,000 per pair for the smallest Elysian 1R bookshelf speaker.
US pricing for the new Elysian R lineup is as follows:
- Elysian 1R bookshelf speakers: $6,000 per pair
- Elysian 2R bookshelf speakers: $8,500 per pair
- Elysian 3R floorstanding speakers: $10,000 per pair
- Elysian 4R floorstanding speakers: $12,000 per pair
- Elysian CR center channel speaker: $6,000
With the Elysian R series, Wharfedale is clearly positioning its flagship range as a more comprehensively engineered alternative to the previous generation. The combination of redesigned AMT tweeters, upgraded driver and magnet systems, improved cabinet resonance control, and revised crossover networks represents a series-wide effort to refine the platform rather than simply introduce a cosmetic update.
For listeners building a serious two-channel system, the Elysian 1R and 2R provide compact options, while the larger Elysian 3R and 4R floorstanders are aimed at enthusiasts looking for a more ambitious full-range setup. The Elysian CR, meanwhile, completes the range for those who want to build a high-end multichannel home theater around the same speaker family.
With prices reaching $12,000 per pair for the flagship Elysian 4R, the new range moves firmly into high-end territory. Whether the updated drivers, crossover refinements, and enhanced cabinet construction deliver a meaningful performance advantage over the original Elysian models will ultimately be determined by listening tests, but on paper, the Elysian R series represents a significant technical evolution of Wharfedale’s flagship loudspeaker platform.
