Wharfedale Denton 1S Loudspeaker
WHARFEDALE DENTON 1S REVIVES A 1970S DESIGN FOR MODERN LISTENING
Wharfedale has announced the Wharfedale Denton 1S, a new compact loudspeaker inspired by the original Denton 1 launched in 1974.
The Wharfedale Denton 1S Loudspeaker is the latest addition to the company’s Heritage Series takes design cues from the earlier model while introducing a completely new acoustic design aimed at modern systems and living spaces.
WHARFEDALE DENTON 1S LOUDSPEAKER
The original Denton range first appeared in 1967 and became known for delivering full-bodied sound from relatively compact cabinets. Wharfedale says the Denton 1S continues that tradition while reflecting the styling and flexibility that made the 1974 Denton 1 stand out from more conventional loudspeakers of the time.
WHARFEDALE DENTON 1S COAXIAL DRIVER DESIGN
Central to the Denton 1S is a newly developed coaxial drive unit that places a 25mm silk-dome tweeter within a 165mm polypropylene mid/bass cone. Wharfedale says the arrangement is designed to improve time alignment and phase coherence by allowing both drivers to radiate from a single acoustic centre.
The speaker uses a two-way bass reflex design with a rear-firing port and features a crossover tuned at 2.6kHz. Wharfedale has also included a rear-mounted “Brilliance” switch that raises output between 2kHz and 4kHz by 1.5dB for listeners positioning the speakers close to walls.
CABINET AND PLACEMENT
Unlike the polyurethane cabinet used in the original Denton 1, the new model employs a wood-based enclosure with internal bracing and varying panel thicknesses intended to reduce resonance. The cabinet retains the rounded styling of the 1970s speaker but is designed around contemporary construction methods.
Measuring 330 x 236 x 229mm, the Denton 1S is intended for flexible placement and can be used on stands, shelving, desks or mounted directly on a wall using a rear fixing point. Wharfedale states that the speaker has been voiced for close-to-wall positioning as well as more traditional free-space setups.
FINISHES AND SPECIFICATION
The Denton 1S will be available in three matt finishes: black, white and blue. The speaker also features magnetically attached grilles and updated Heritage Series badging finished in silver rather than the gold used on some of Wharfedale’s other Heritage models.
Specification highlights include an 88dB sensitivity, nominal 8-ohm impedance, recommended amplifier power of 30-100W and quoted frequency response of 50Hz-20kHz. Bass extension is stated as 45Hz (-6dB). Each speaker weighs 6.8kg.
WHARFEDALE DENTON 1S PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Wharfedale Denton 1S will be available from late May in matt black, white or blue finishes. UK pricing is set at £649 per pair.
HiFi PiG says: A Wharfedale 70s classic, reinvented for today.
