Wharfedale Nova 12

Active subwoofer with passive radiator, Nova series.

Nova 12: the design

The Nova 12 is designed for medium to large rooms and for systems where the bass needs more scale without losing definition, in music as in films. Instead of a reflex port it uses a 300 mm down-firing passive radiator, which works with the active driver to extend the response down to 23 Hz without the chuffing and compression typical of a port.

The DSP adapts the equalisation to the listening level in real time and offers two modes: Music, faster and better integrated with the main speakers, and Movie, with more weight and impact for soundtracks. In the woofer's motor, aluminium shorting rings improve transient response and reduce distortion.

Specifications

• Power: 280 W nominal, 770 W peak (Class D amplifier)
• 1 × 300 mm long-throw woofer
• 1 × 300 mm passive radiator with paper cone, down-firing
• Bass extension: 23 Hz (-6 dB)
• Adjustable crossover 40-160 Hz, adjustable phase and level, Music and Movie modes
• Inputs: stereo line (2 RCA, the right one also as LFE), speaker level (4 × 4 mm binding posts)
• Stereo line output (2 RCA), 12 V trigger, USB for updates
• Matte black finish
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 435 × 443 × 487 mm, including plinth, feet, grille and terminals
• Weight: 29.3 kg