British audiophiles must be snickering with delight this weekend with the knowledge that Wharfedale’s latest Heritage Series loudspeaker, the stand mounted Aston, is considerably cheaper on their side of the pond — and that’s even with the custom-made iron stands that complete this package that is limited to only 500 pairs.
Having just extolled the virtues of the highly underrated Wharfedale Super Denton Loudspeakers that are a bargain under $1,400 USD (stands not included), Wharfedale has introduced something even smaller for more than double the price. The Cabin Audiophiler is not amused. He’s also writing this from a less than ideal spot at the moment where the only music one can hear is emanating from the group therapy room.
The Wharfedale Aston will be available from late February in a choice of mahogany, walnut or black oak wood veneers. For UK customers, the Aston will retail at £1999 per pair in the UK with the stands included, or £1699 without stands. The stands are also available to purchase separately at £499 per pair.
Outside of the UK, the speakers and stands are available as a package, priced at $3000 USD / €2500 / AU$5000. No Canadian pricing so far but we will update when we have it.
Superior to the Super Linton?
Wharfedale’s Chief Engineer, Peter Comeau, is apparently bursting with anticipation to demonstrate these at the forthcoming Bristol Hi-Fi Show next week for the simple reason that they represent his “Statement” level product for the entire series.
Forget everything you know about the existing Linton, Super Linton, and Super Denton, because the Wharfedale Aston feature a completely new midrange/woofer and tweeter that are more akin to the models in the far more expensive Dovedale series.
The 1-inch fabric dome tweeter features a damped rear chamber to minimise the impact of vibrations that are directed from the rear of its diaphragm; in practical terms this means that the treble range should offer a greater sense of detail and airiness without sounding hard at higher listening levels.
The 5.91-inch midrange and woofer utilizes a carbon fiber cone designed to offer a “natural and expressive” performance; which is fancy marketing lingo for a less thick sounding upper bass and midrange compared to the Super Denton and Super Linton loudspeakers.
The cabinet features dual bass ports and a single set of high-quality binding posts.
Speaking of the cabinet, the Aston’s is constructed from a mixture of different woods which helps to scatter panel resonances and reduce noise or distortion. The Aston also features an inner layer of high-density particle board bonded to an external sheet of MDF by a special glue with resonance-damping properties.
Stand By Me?
The matching open-frame Aston stand is also made in England, from hardened high-carbon British Steel; this 560 x 265 x 255mm (22″H x 10.4″W x 10.03″D) stand is considered to be essential to maximise the performance of the loudspeaker.
Placed on the stands, the entire package comes in at 35″H x 10.4″W x 10.3″D (the speaker width is slightly narrower than the top plate).
Specifications
| General Description | 2-way vented-box / standmount |
| Enclosure Type | Bass reflex |
| Transducer Complement | 2-way |
| Bass Driver | 6″ (150mm) black Carbon Fibre cone |
| Treble Driver | 1″ (25mm) soft dome |
| AV Shield | No |
| Sensitivity (2.83V @1m) | 86dB |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 25-100W |
| Peak SPL | 95dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 4Ω |
| Minimum Impedance | 3.9Ω |
| Frequency Response (+/-3dB) | 55Hz – 20kHz |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 44Hz |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.3kHz |
| Cabinet Volume (in litres) | 10.8L |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 340 x 200 x 255 mm |
The Bottom Line
The Wharfedale Heritage Series has been one of their most successful since the launch of the company going back to 1932, and there is no question that they offer something for almost everyone at some good price points.
The Aston never drops below 3.9 ohms and the 86dB sensitivity rating makes it a relatively benign load for most integrated amplifiers that can produce at least 50 watts; which makes it ideal for the latest offerings from Leak, Audiolab, NAD, Cambridge Audio, Naim, and Rega. The recently reviewed MOON 250i v2 might be a suitable candidate as well but that will definitely depend on the overall tonal balance of the loudspeakers.
The “limited edition” angle (500 pairs is not a lot) will certainly help with sales, but will North American audiophiles pony up $3,000 USD for such a small loudspeaker and stands?
That feels like a rather valid question when you consider the price of the Super Linton (along with their stands) and the Super Denton which are 50% cheaper; one has to assume that the Super Linton will give these a genuine run for the money, play louder, and offer more resolute low end response.
These would almost be ideal for the Cabin Audiophiler if the price was closer to $2,000 versus $3,000.
For more information: Wharfedale Aston
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David
February 18, 2025 at 12:37 am
This is another good looking speaker from Wharfedale’s Peter Comeau. I find most of Comeau’s retro designs to have a very nice aesthetic, however, all of these speakers are designed to sound best with the grills on. Ugh. I want to be able to ogle those beautiful drivers AND get the best possible sound. #grillssuck
Ian White
February 19, 2025 at 6:34 pm
David,
And they do sound better with the grilles on. The Super Denton do — but I prefer them naked.
IW
ORT
February 18, 2025 at 12:53 am
Hello the house! Hail and well met indeed. I too am not at all amused at the cost and availability due to low production numbers of these absolutely freakin’ gorgeous speakers and their attendant stands!
Just because they are inefficient does not mean they are to be priced above the common audio enthusiast! I am soon to be giving away to a dear friend a pair of Klipsch Synergy F-300 speakers to make room for a pair of small stand mounts.
These Wharfedales did far more that tickle my fancy let alone my ego, rather their looks (and looks MATTER!!) drew me in as few speakers have done in my lifetime.
This isn’t by any measure “sour grapes”, this is my reality. I do not begrudge those that can afford (easily or through long time saving!) these beauties. I shall soon choose something suitable to both my Ortwellian taste and wallet. 🙂
I think I shall go even smaller than these marvelous Wharfedales. Really small and augmented by a 10 inch sub. Time to, as Steve Martin once said, get small.
Frugal need not be fugly, but still be functional. And in truth there is plenty of fun in functional.
The ORTicles at HelFi
Ian White
February 19, 2025 at 6:33 pm
ORT,
As much as I love them, and have multiple pairs of Wharfedale loudspeakers on the way to FL, the $3,000 asking price is way too high. The Super Denton are 1/2 the price and one can deal with their limitations by using the right amplifier.
I love the look of the Aston, and they would make sense in the smaller spaces that I will be dealing with — but the cost gives me pause.
IW
JGP
February 25, 2025 at 2:24 am
Five or six years ago, I spent $3000 CAD for a pair of Buchardt S400’s. No regrets. They are tiny compared to some of the others in the house, but they command respect.