Wharfedale Airedale Heritage Loudspeaker sets an absolute standard in music reproduction. Its manufacture follows the finest traditions of artistic craftsmanship and; represents both the contemporary and the traditional. Uncompromising and completely hand-built, each and every drive unit and component employed in the Airedale loudspeakers are of the finest materials available.
Only the utmost standards of manufacture and performance are fundamental to Wharfedale's statement loudspeaker, the Airedale Classic Heritage. With every single part of every drive unit and component manufactured in our own factory, we have complete control over each and every aspect of quality in manufacturing our loudspeakers to ensure they can provide their owners with a lifetime of indulgence.
As a statement loudspeaker, we ensure the very highest standards of manufacture and performance are maintained for all Airedale models.
To this end, each individual drive unit is tested and certified by an engineer. Each completed loudspeaker is subjected to a rigorous testing procedure, the results of which have to be approved by Head of Engineering, Steve Hewlett.
Each pair of speakers is supplied with full certification and individual frequency response graphs for each drive unit - so that perfect replicas can be created should anything happen in the future.
The performance expected from a speaker such as Airedale is of the very highest standard. Such a result can only be achieved through complete design synergy.
Uniquely to Wharfedale, every single part of every drive unit and component is manufactured entirely in-house. From casting the drive unit chassis and winding the voice coils to producing the crossover PCBs and the craftsman-built, furniture-grade cabinet.
This allows us to control each and every aspect of quality - ensuring that no compromise is taken and that the finished loudspeakers can provide a lifetime of pleasure.
Airedale has been engineered to offer something above the ordinary. To be considered a superlative music reproduction instrument, it must meet a number of exacting criteria.
Firstly, it must offer breathtaking detail and resolution. This requires a tweeter with a response well into the inaudible frequency spectrum.
Then, it must have a neutral, realistic midrange - uncoloured by cabinet boxiness and revealing of the true recording.
Furthermore, it must have exceptional bandwidth - capable of plumbing the depths of timpani with not a breath of overhang.
Finally, it must gel completely in a package that is ambivalent to room surroundings - exhibits a broad, even dispersion without phase interference or colouration. It must at all times sound relaxed and effortless as it traverses octaves.
It must present an almost holographic representation of the recording which leaves you in no doubt that you are in the presence of a truly great loudspeaker system.
The design philosophy of the Airedale models follows traditional audiophile principles. Each drive unit is meticulously engineered for rigorous use, but under normal conditions operates with around ten per cent of capacity.
Each driver is only asked to reproduce a fraction of the frequency response it is capable of. In particular, the dome midrange covers the entire vocal spectrum with an unbroken response - critical for a realistic, natural sound.
The tweeter operates only at frequency extremes, whilst the "ambient" tweeter of the Airedale Heritage enhances room integration, adding to the remarkable soundstage.
The bass driver is a revolutionary "Tri- Laminate" cone, using a layer of woven Carbon fibre between two layers of glass fibre. Fast, light and strong, this diaphragm is completely pistonic even under duress.
Each driver is time-aligned, using the angled front baffle, for an exceptionally integrated sound, crystal clear mid-range and complete absence of bass overhang.
Integration of dispersion is equally important. Ensuring that all drivers are effective, even at obtuse listening angles, dramatically enhances room integration - both Airedale models demonstrate remarkable off-axis responses - attributable to superb driver dispersion integration.
The Bass driver has been engineered around a new design of the cone. By sandwiching glass and carbon fibres together the cone has been made incredibly rigid. With the rim of the cone also being stiffened, energy losses in the cone transfer mechanism are extremely low.
The Chassis on the drive units is of an open design; where narrow legs and the largest openings are cleverly used to minimise back reflections.
The performance of the driver is enhanced through mechanical damping using a dual spider configuration, as well as a high-performance, Alnico magnet system; which is fully vented.
Motional noise has been eliminated by placing vents not only in the spider but also in the cone and coil, the magnet system and the chassis.
The Midrange driver and tweeter have been mounted in a die-cast aluminium fascia plate. This allows the units to be placed as close together as possible for the very best integration.
The close configuration of the midrange gives the Airedale great coverage and very low distortion over its entire working range, typically less than 1% for 100dB at 1 metre.
The highest frequencies are handled by the soft dome tweeter(s), designed in synergy with the midrange drivers. This adds to the minimal distortion and much wider dispersion.
The upward-firing tweeter has its own switch and can be used to enhance the ambient nature of the sound - widening the soundstage and adding depth.
| Brand | Wharfedale |
|---|---|
| Speaker Type | Floorstanding Speaker |
| Enclosure type | Sealed and Bass Reflex Cabinet |
| Frequency Response | 25 Hz - 45 kHz |
| Power | 400 Watts |
| Woofer Bass Driver Size (mm) | 380 mm |
| Midrange Size mm | 75 mm |
| Mid/Bass Driver | 203 mm |
| Tweeter | 25 mm |
| Impedance (Ω) | 6 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB |
| Item Sold As | Single |
| Warranty | Australian Manufacture Warranty |
Digital Cinema strives to make every purchase a happy one.
Please read our Refund, Return Warranty Policy before making a purchase from Digital Cinema, our Outlined are Our policy on refunds, returns and repairs and your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
Always inspect any products that we have delivered to you or that you picked up from the Digital Cinema store, to make sure you are completely satisfied with the condition of the products, including that the products are of merchantable quality.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact our staff on 1300 859 905 or click here to email.
Please choose carefully as refunds for change of mind would only be accepted with a restocking fee subject to approval. We recommend you carefully choose any products before adding them to your cart and continuing with your order. The restocking fee is 25% if approved.
If any products are delivered damaged, please contact our Customer service Staff as soon as possible. Digital Cinema will organise to have your products returned to Digital Cinema and to arrange for a replacement of your products fast. Damaged products need to be returned in the same condition received by you with all original packaging, accessories and manuals.
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Digital Cinema will refund all delivery charges in the event an item has to be returned due to a fault or damage and no replacement items can be found. Delivery refund will only be approved within 14 days of purchase and all original packaging, accessories and manuals are included.
Refer to Consumer Guarantee laws for more information.
Any Refunds will be made by Digital Cinema using the same method of payment used to make your purchase. Refunds will normally be processed within five (5) days.
Digital Cinema reserve the right to refund and cancel any order when the below occurs.
You will be contacted by email to explain why a refund has been issued and products not delivered.
Before returning any goods please contact our service team for approval and return merchandise number 1300 859 905
You may also contact Digital Cinema on 1300 859 905 or visit the store where the items were collected. A Digital Cinema team member will help you with any return or repair. This will include inspecting the products, organising for the products to be repaired, or offering you a replacement.
Products need to be returned within a reasonable time period. This timeframe may vary from product to product and may depend on the type of product you purchased and the price you paid.
If any goods cannot be easily returned to the Digital Cinema store, due to where you are located please contact our service staff for help with logistics 1300 859 905
Products returned under warranty will be assessed and/or repaired within a reasonable time period. You will be provided with a repair time after the item is assessed. This time may vary due to reasons beyond our or the manufacturer's control, such as parts availability and incorrect fault advice given.
You may be required to pay labour, assessment or freight costs, such as where goods are assessed to have been damaged by misuse or accident, or where the goods are assessed not to be faulty. We will provide you with a cost if this case arrises.
If any electrical goods that you returned may lose settings or user saved preferences during the resetting and rebooting phases in a repair sequence.
Purchasing from Digital Cinema is an acceptance of the above policies.
If you have any questions relating to your Order, please contact us on 1300 859 905 or email customer support on enquiry@www.digitalcinema.com.au.
