WHARFEDALE ASTON: A NEW LIMITED-EDITION SIGNATURE LOUDSPEAKER

Wharfedale has announced the release of the new Wharfedale Aston, a new limited-edition standmount loudspeaker designed and manufactured in the UK.

The Aston is a signature model by Peter Comeau, Wharfedale’s Director of Acoustic Design, marking over four decades of his contribution to high-performance loudspeaker engineering.

WHARFEDALE ASTON LOUDSPEAKERS

While part of Wharfedale’s Heritage Series, the Aston is not a reissue but an all-new design with a retro aesthetic. Taking inspiration from classic British speaker design, it blends traditional craftsmanship with modern acoustic technology. Unlike mass-market offerings, production is limited to just 500 pairs.

A TWO-WAY DESIGN

The Wharfedale Aston features a two-way bass-reflex design, incorporating newly developed drivers built in-house. The 15cm carbon fibre mid/bass driver, housed in a rigid die-cast chassis, delivers bass below 50Hz, while a gold-coloured phase plug enhances midrange clarity. The high-frequency unit is inspired by the design used in Wharfedale’s flagship Dovedale model, incorporating a 25mm fabric dome and a damped rear chamber to ensure a smooth and detailed treble response.

PRECISELY ENGINEERED CROSSOVER

To achieve seamless integration between drivers, the Aston’s crossover design includes high-specification air-core inductors and polypropylene capacitors. The crossover slopes and power response have been refined through extensive listening tests.

WHARFEDALE ASTON CABINET CONSTRUCTION

Measuring 34x20x25.5cm, the Aston’s cabinet is constructed using a multi-layered wood composite to control resonance. A combination of high-density particle board and MDF, bonded with a resonance-damping adhesive, ensures minimal cabinet colouration. The exterior is finished in real-wood veneer, available in walnut, mahogany, or black oak, with each pair carefully matched for consistency.

DESIGNED TO BE HEARD WITH GRILLES ON

A vintage-style grille attaches magnetically to the Aston’s recessed baffle and is designed to remain in place during listening. The grille’s internal shaping optimises the speaker’s power response while minimising reflections, a design choice that aligns with the speaker’s classic aesthetic and performance characteristics.

Wharfedale has designed bespoke floor stands to complement the Aston, constructed from British steel with furniture-grade glass inserts. Most of the stand’s uprights are filled with damping material, while one remains open for discreet cable management. The stands come with a choice of stainless-steel or black spikes and include spike seats and handling gloves for setup.

MANUFACTURED IN THE UK

The Wharfedale Aston is part of the company’s ‘Made in the UK’ initiative, which has brought back production of select high-end models to its Huntingdon facility. The new 9,000ft² production space within Wharfedale’s headquarters enables precise manufacturing and assembly, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to British craftsmanship. Alongside the Aston, the Huntingdon facility also produces the larger Dovedale speakers and select models from Wharfedale’s sister brands, Mission and Castle.

PETER COMEAU’S VISION

Reflecting on the Aston’s development, Peter Comeau described it as the culmination of a lifelong passion for compact loudspeakers that deliver a full-scale sound. His goal was to create a speaker that maintains the wide-bandwidth performance he sought in his first commercial design in the late 1970s. With the Aston, Wharfedale has combined modern engineering with classic British speaker principles to achieve a balanced, engaging, and immersive listening experience.

WHARFEDALE ASTON LOUDSPEAKERS PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The Wharfedale Aston will be available from late February 2025 in walnut, mahogany, and black oak finishes. Pricing is set at £1,999 per pair with stands, or £1,699 without. The stands can be purchased separately for £499 per pair. Limited to 500 pairs.

HiFi PiG Says: The public’s penchant for retro inspired designs should be satisfied with the new Wharfedale Aston loudspeakers.