Features
| Warranty length | 2 Years |
|---|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale Speakers |
| Product Award | HiFi World 5 Globes |
Tech Specs
Design
Digital Amp: with DSP
Core: 5.8GHz True Wireless Tech
Enclosure type: bass reflex
Control: +/- 6dB Bass Control
Mode selector: Left/Mono/Right
Connections
Digital In: Coax, Toslink Opt
Analog In: RCA x 2
Bluetooth: aptX (Priority), SBC
Performance
Input sensitivity: 350mV
Signal: 5.2/5.8GHz uncompressed
Freq resp: (+/-3dB) 40Hz–20KHz
Sampling rate: > 24bit/96kHz
Wireless Distance: 20m
Transducer complement: 2.5-way
Drivers
Woofer: 165mm Woven Kevlar x2
Tweeter: 25mm Soft Dome Tweeter
System Power Output: 100W
Peak SPL: 96dB
Bass extension (-6dB): 35Hz
Crossover frequency: 2.8kHz
General
Cabinet Volume: 38L
Dimensions (HWD): 912 x 210 x 300mm
Net Weight: 18.8 Kg
Hub (HWD): 28.8 x 150 x 156mm
Hub weight: 0.46kg
Product Description
Wharfedale Diamond A2 are active wireless floorstanding speakers that use a separate control hub to handle power and sources. This is the floorstanding version of the smaller Diamond A1 Active speakers. Wharfedale isn't the first company to produce wireless powered speakers but the majority of others require a cable to connect an active speaker to the passive sibling.
The Drivers
The Wharfedale A2 uses a proprietary 16.5cm woven Kevlar cone mid/LF driver for a deep bass coupled with a 25mm fabric dome tweeter, derived from the Diamond 200 series, for crystal clear highs. A specifically optimised crossover network in this active speaker gives an immersive, bold and cohesive performance which is as equally as impressively refined.
Connections
Whether you need digital optical, coaxial or RCA-phono inputs for analogue sources, the H1 hub has you covered. There is also Bluetooth aptX for wireless streaming. Other intuitive features include bass adjustment. The mono mode allows the speakers to be placed in different rooms for a very basic multi-room system.
The H1 Hub
Each speaker in the A2 pair is powered by its own 50W amplifier resulting in consistent and fully optimised stereo sound. Wharfedale's Diamond Active speakers use the H1 wireless hub to transmit left and right channel signals to the respective speaker. This means they are not tied together and can consequently be placed anywhere in a room.
Supporting both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands, the H1 hub can switch between either in order to maintain a stable speaker connection. The speakers must be kept within a 20m radius of the hub and near a power socket for mains connection.
Premium Finish
If you’ve seen a pair of speakers from the Diamond 200 series, then you’ll notice the design similarities carried across to the Actives, such as silver-coloured driver surrounds, but the Actives do get new rounded cabinet edges. The Wharfedale A2 comes in black leather style cabinets, with either gloss black or gloss white front baffles.
Press Reviews
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'Wharfedale’s new Diamond A2 floorstanders aren’t just active loudspeakers – they are wireless as well with a digital hub and DAC included. Just add sources for an excellent system.' (Hi-Fi World Magazine April 2017)
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'Getting the A2/H1 combination up and running is simplicity itself... From start to finish this took me less than a minute. More importantly the wireless connection stayed rock solid throughout the review period with no drop-outs - no matter where I placed the hub.' (Hi-Fi World Magazine April 2017)
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'Punchy and powerful are the first words that spring to mind as soon as you fire the Diamond A2s up. They have a large, authoritative sound with a pleasingly wide soundstage... I was struck by just how dynamic and well-sorted they made the music sound. Active operation pays dividends with the pace, pinpoint timing and general sense of scale it brings.' (Hi-Fi World Magazine April 2017)
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'It’s essentially a £1000 combination of loudspeaker, amplifier and DAC with digital and analogue inputs as well as Bluetooth capability... you’d be hard pressed to assemble a selection of separates that can match it in terms of sonic ability or ease of use at anywhere near the price. Add in the novel wireless operation and it is one very clever package indeed.' (Hi-Fi World Magazine April 2017)
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'FOR: big, powerful sound, smooth midrange, excellent bass, wireless operation, bluetooth... An innovative package from Wharfedale. The wireless operation provides great flexibility and the active speakers are sonically engaging.' (Hi-Fi World Magazine April 2017)
