Wharfedale's Denton 1S is a revival of a 1974 space-saving oddity, and it's a fascinating example of how nostalgia can be reimagined in the audio world. The original Denton 1 was a peculiar design, with a moulded white plastic cabinet and a unique coaxial driver developed by Raymond Cooke, who later founded KEF. This driver used a 'whizzer' cone to push frequency response upward, an innovative approach at the time.
The Denton 1S takes a different path entirely, with a modern 2-way coaxial unit. It features a 6.5" enhanced polypropylene mid/bass driver and a 1" silk-dome tweeter, both sharing a single acoustic centre for time-aligned and phase-coherent sound. This design choice is a significant departure from the original, and it's interesting to see how Wharfedale has evolved the concept.
One of the key features of the Denton 1S is its crossover system, which employs Linkwitz-Riley 4th-order acoustic slopes at 2.6kHz. This is built around a silicon-iron-core bass inductor, polypropylene capacitors, and an air-core treble inductor on a 'short-path' PCB. The inclusion of a 'Brilliance switch' on the rear panel is a thoughtful addition, allowing users to adjust the response between 2kHz and 4kHz by 1.5dB, depending on their listening position.
The cabinet design has also been updated. Gone is the moulded plastic cabinet of the original Denton 1; instead, Wharfedale has opted for MDF with bracing to reduce panel resonances. The front baffle is mildly recessed, and the die-cast driver chassis adds rigidity to the front face. A bass reflex port lined with soft rubber is located at the rear, and it's here that you'll also find binding posts, the Brilliance switch, and a wall-mounting thread.
In terms of specifications, the internal volume is 11.5 litres, with bass extending down to 45Hz (-6dB). The sensitivity is 88dB (2.83V at 1m), and the nominal impedance is 8 ohms, dropping to a minimum of 4.5 ohms. Power handling is rated at 100W via a 44mm voice coil.
The Denton 1S is available in three matte finishes: black, blue, and white, with the latter paying homage to the 1974 original. The magnetically attached grilles feature the Heritage Series badge in silver, a subtle yet elegant touch. Pricing is set at £649/pair, with shipping starting in late May 2026. US and EU pricing is yet to be confirmed.
What makes this product particularly intriguing is the way it combines nostalgia with modern audio technology. The original Denton 1 was a space-saving design, and Wharfedale has managed to retain that essence while updating the driver and crossover systems. This approach is a testament to the brand's ability to respect heritage while pushing innovation.
In my opinion, the Denton 1S is a must-listen for audiophiles who appreciate the marriage of vintage aesthetics and contemporary performance. It's a refreshing take on a classic design, and it showcases Wharfedale's commitment to innovation and heritage. As an audio enthusiast, I'm excited to see how this revival plays out and whether it will become a new staple in the world of hi-fi.
