Wharfedale Aston Limited Edition Speakers
The Wharfedale Aston Speakers (Pair) represent a remarkable milestone in audio design, developed as a limited-edition model exclusively by renowned British designer Peter Comeau. With over 40 years of experience, Comeau has crafted a speaker that combines both classic and modern British design elements.
Drawing inspiration from Wharfedale's historical legacy, the Aston speakers are not a re-engineered version of older models but a completely new design that embodies retro appeal.
Limited to just 500 pairs, these speakers reflect Comeau’s commitment to delivering exceptional sound quality while maintaining a timeless aesthetic. Manufactured in the UK, the Aston speakers blend cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship, making them a true collector’s item for audiophiles.
A Design Guided by Heritage
Wharfedale's history of loudspeaker innovation stretches back to 1932, and for the past 16 years, Peter Comeau has managed the brand’s acoustic design. The Aston speakers are the latest addition to Wharfedale’s prestigious Heritage Series, which has brought forward the rebirth of iconic models like the Linton and Denton.
Unlike these re-imagined classics, the Aston features a new design, keeping the same compact size and two-way configuration as its predecessor from 1970 but with distinct advancements in performance and style. This project has been a labor of love for Comeau, free from commercial pressures, allowing him to refine every detail of the Aston to create an extraordinary listening experience.
Advanced Acoustic Technology
The Aston speakers employ a classic two-way ported speaker design, with entirely new drivers crafted specifically for this model. Both the mid/bass driver and treble unit are developed in-house to guarantee superior performance and consistency.
The mid/bass driver features a 150mm carbon fiber cone and a rigid die-cast chassis, paired with twin rear-firing reflex ports for deep, extended bass below 50Hz. The gold-colored phase plug at the center of the diaphragm ensures smooth and natural mid and upper-mid frequencies, contributing to the speaker’s overall expressive sound.
A Treble Unit Inspired by Excellence
The treble unit in the Wharfedale Aston Speakers (Pair) draws heavily from the design of Wharfedale’s Dovedale speaker, which is priced significantly higher. Featuring a ceramic magnet motor system and a 25mm fabric dome, this treble unit produces clear and detailed high frequencies.
A specially damped rear chamber absorbs the back output from the diaphragm, lowering the resonant frequency to below the crossover region. This sophisticated design allows the Aston speakers to deliver a full, dynamic treble response that complements the deep bass and midrange, ensuring a balanced and natural sound.
Precision in Crossover Design
The crossover in the Aston speakers plays a vital role in ensuring smooth frequency transition and an integrated output from the drivers. The components used in the crossover, including high-specification polypropylene capacitors and air-core inductors, have been carefully selected for their transparency and revealing character.
The crossover slopes and power response have been fine-tuned through extensive listening tests across various music genres. This results in a seamless blend between the bass, midrange, and treble, allowing the Aston to deliver a pure and accurate reproduction of the original recording.
Cabinet Construction and Aesthetic Appeal
The design and construction of the Aston's cabinet are equally sophisticated, ensuring that resonances are minimized and the sound is uncolored by unwanted vibrations. The cabinet features a unique combination of MDF and high-density particleboard layers, bonded together with resonance-damping glue.
Figured-grain, real-wood veneers are hand-polished and lacquered to a satin finish, adding to the luxurious look of the speaker. Every cabinet is matched carefully to ensure consistency and precision, while the internal bracing and damping materials control unwanted resonances to allow for an accurate, detailed sound.
Made in the UK
Wharfedale’s decision to bring some of their premium speaker production back to the UK has resulted in the Aston being manufactured in their newly expanded facility in Cambridgeshire. With state-of-the-art production capabilities, including an anechoic chamber for testing, Wharfedale has reinvigorated its UK manufacturing tradition.
Alongside the Dovedale speaker, the Aston speakers are produced with the highest level of craftsmanship, proudly showcasing British loudspeaker design. This move is part of Wharfedale's broader commitment to quality and innovation, ensuring that each Aston speaker is built to the highest standards for discerning audiophiles.
