British audio brand Wharfedale has revived one of its most distinctive 1970s speakers, unveiling the new Denton 1S bookshelf speakers with a modern coaxial driver design and a retro-inspired aesthetic aimed at compact living spaces and desktop audio setups.

The Denton 1S reimagines the original 1974 Denton 1, a speaker notable for its unconventional curved plastic cabinet and coaxial driver layout.

The updated model retains the compact form factor and vintage styling cues but replaces the original design with a newly engineered two-way coaxial driver system featuring a 25mm silk-dome tweeter mounted inside a 165mm polypropylene mid/bass driver.

Wharfedale says the shared acoustic centre improves timing, stereo imaging and tonal consistency across a wider listening area – a design philosophy popularised by brands such as KEF.

The new speaker also introduces a rear-panel ‘Brilliance’ EQ switch designed to optimise sound when placed close to walls, making the Denton 1S suitable for apartments, offices and smaller home entertainment spaces.

Wharfedale has moved away from the original moulded plastic cabinet in favour of a reinforced MDF enclosure with internal bracing to reduce resonance and improve bass performance. Bass extension is rated down to 45Hz, with 88dB sensitivity and compatibility with amplifiers rated between 30W and 100W.

Available in matte black, white and blue finishes, the Denton 1S will launch globally later this month for A$1,799 per pair.