IF you ever doubted the adage “old is gold”, do a reality check with the hi-fi industry. The world of audio may have changed drastically over the past few decades, but classics from eons ago are occasionally being drawn up to inspired new products or reissues.
Wharfedale, among the oldest speaker manufacturers in existence, is celebrating its 80th year in the business with a special version of one of its classics, the Denton, which was known for its warm and natural tones.
The 80th Anniversary Denton is a two-way design that is hand veneered in Vintage Mahogany by the company’s cabinet makers. The cloth grille is inset and titanium coloured. The looks, naturally, ooze an old-world charm. Beneath this retro skin, though, is a thoroughly updated speaker voiced by Peter Comeau, head of acoustics at Wharfedale’s parent company IAG.
The bass unit has a woven Kevlar cone on a rigid die-cast chassis, while a woven textile soft-dome tweeter ensures a fluid and well-extended treble. The crossover is designed for a seamless delivery.
The cabinet employs Wharfedale’s “sandwich” wall construction that uses different wood materials to diminish colouration. Rear-firing twin reflex ports push the lows to below 45Hz. Bi-wiring can be done with twin pairs of terminals.
The Dentons started shipping some weeks ago – audiophiles in Malaysia and Singapore with a yen for history will be glad to know they are due to arrive in this part of the world soon. We will essay to procure a pair for intense assessment.
