Wharfedale Aura CS Centre Speaker

The Wharfedale Aura CS Centre Speaker is a two-way design that is intended as the centre speaker in a surround sound setup. It is a two-way unit with a centre-mounted ribbon tweeter and two 5”(130mm) bass drivers. Centre speakers usually carry dialogue and some special effects. Power handling is up to 150 Watts.

The ribbon tweeter uses a folded design to achieve an improved transient response. Moreover, the two bass drivers feature woven fibre-glass cones and are carefully matched to provide a flat frequency response. Finally, the cabinet uses a Wharfedale-developed slotted port system for added bass extension. The frequency response is 56Hz- 22kHz.

Innovative, Aura AMT ribbon tweeter

An innovative ribbon tweeter is mounted in the centre of the Wharfedale Aura CS Centre Speaker's cabinet. This complex tweeter design features a folded diaphragm. The diaphragm contains conductors that work in conjunction with magnets to move the whole surface.

As a result, the output has very low distortion and a wide dispersion pattern. There is also an improved transient response.

Aura fibre glass coned drivers

Two 5” (130mm) woven fibre glass coned drivers are used by the Wharfedale Aura CS Centre Speaker. These provide punchy bass and are carefully matched to the tweeter to provide a flat frequency response. Fibre-glass is a superior material to the usual paper and gives a better transient response.

This is also helped by the flexible rubber surround. Additionally, the voice coils are placed in a high-flux magnetic field. This gives the cones a high excursion and a powerful output. Moreover, fine control is maintained by copper-clad pole pieces. Lastly, to prevent any resonances the drivers are attached using six high tensile bolts.

Slot-loaded bass reflex Port

As with the rest of the Aura range, the Wharfedale Aura CS Centre Speaker features a slot-loaded bass reflex port. This design was developed by Wharfedale’s founder, Gilbert Briggs in the 1930s.

Turbulence with a bass port can be a problem and the Slot system uses high-pressure, high-velocity airflow to reduce this. The system then provides a better match to the air in the room, improving efficiency.

Aura CS Centre Speaker, two-way crossover

The Wharfedale Aura CS Centre Speaker features a two-way crossover. Notably, Wharfedale was one of the first companies to use crossovers with speaker systems. Most speakers use a series of different-sized drivers for different frequency bands.

This is due to the fact that a single driver cannot reproduce the entire audio band on its own. High frequencies have a shorter wavelength and need a correspondingly smaller driver. Moreover, the inputs to each driver must be fed with only the appropriate frequency range. Hence the need for a crossover.

A crossover is simply a filter that cuts off the lower frequencies. This signal is then fed to the tweeter. However high-quality components have to be used to avoid temperature drift. Another important factor with speakers is the cabinet design.

Aura cabinet design

The Aura series cabinets are not only beautiful pieces of furniture but also have rounded corners to prevent standing waves. This smooths the airflow and prevents resonances. Another feature is the use of different woods that also prevent resonances. Black, white, and walnut veneer finishes are available.

As this is a centre speaker the end covers are matched for horizontal placement. For a surround sound setup two Aura 3s or Aura 4s can be used for the left and right front channels, while Aura 1s can be used for the surround channels. There are also two centre speakers available.