Wharfedale Evo 4.1 - My Opinion❗

Just my take on this very unique set of speakers. Let's find out is it really the best you can get for 800$.
0:00 INTRO
0:20 LOOKS & BUILD QUALITY
1:31 TREBLE
2:34 MIDS
3:26 BASS
3:59 SOUNDSTAGE & FIDELITY
4:50 SUMMARY

[@inputerase]

You need a very good amp (80 watts or higher) it’s a very VERY good speaker! When new; the speaker needs some play time to show its potential!

[@goozlo]

I originally got the Diamond 12.2 and it was a box of distortion and harmonics , awful speaker. I returned the 12.2 and got the EVO 4.1 and what a difference. The EVO 4.1 is light years ahead , the sound is crystal clear , the amount of clarity and details you hear are immense, the base is super deep and tight, much better than Diamond 12.2. And the looks are to die for.

[@HZTK]

What amp did u get ? I'm planing to buy a Denon 600NE or maybe the Cambridge ax35 for these 4.1 speakers

[@goozlo]

@@HZTK NAD c275 and NAD c272

[@charlieliu007]

Use an amplifier with pre out, add a subwoofer, you will be more pleased.

[@tudordoru5388]

Thanks for the review! Indeed, to shine, these speakers need a strong amplification. I have a 150w amplifier on 8 ohms. Without it, Evo 4.1 would have an anemic character. On top of that I also attached a subwoofer. Now the sound took on a completely different dimension! In this setup I use them very well in a room of 15 square meters that communicates on the one side, through a large opening, with another room of 13 square meters

[@johnh539]

Until watching this review the 4.1's were/are my prefeed replacement for my Elac 5.2's. at louder volumes the Elac's are lovely but mid range up become muffled at lower volumes . I currently have a 100w wat per Chanel amp but before buying any speakers I am saving for an Emotiva basx ta2 integrated amp which I believe are 200w per Chanel so; My question is ,would a more powerful amp allow me to listen at lower volumes and still get a lively sound out of ither the Whafedale or my elac's?

[@Tom-bv3oh]

Ik heb sinds kort deze luidsprekers en ben zeer tevreden prachtige warme sound En laag genoeg Mooie afwerking

[@dennispelaez187]

I own the 4.2s and agree with the finicky sweet spot but the midrange and overall balance is superior to the 4.1 and I am happy living with them.

[@EsotericArctos]

What do you class as "low volume" and "higher volume"? What is your sound source? What style of music do you listen to during your testing? Different music styles will perform differently. Your reviews are very different to majority of other reviews so I am curious as to what you use for testing.

[@BootleggerMCMXX]

It is interesting to compare the sound with the previous generation reva-1 or 2 and with the diamond 11.2, 225 line with a similar design.

[@koszyklbn]

I have 4.2 and they need some special treatment with positioning, but when setup correctly they sound great! In my case solid stands helped a lot.

[@shaunyweaver1144]

Agree, but I had easy time setting up with 20" stands low sofa . They sound best with D class amplification for me .

[@HZTK]

This vs the Klipsch 500M2, which should I choose ? And what amp should I get ? Cambridge ax100 maybe ?

[@mjak993]

What is your recommendation for a speaker of similar price point and class of sound quality that is less picky about vertical placement? It has to be front or bottom ported, because due to space restrictions I will need to have them placed on a desk pushed right up to the wall. EDIT: I've been using a pair of ancient Diamond 8.2s for a decade or so, but I find them a bit too boomy and muddy now, with not enough clarity at the top. They were a huge step up from the Altec Lansing computer speakers I used to have before, but now I've got some dough to spend but very limited space, so... any tips?

[@MAudiophile]

I will restrain from definitive recommendation as of now since I haven't tested all of the good stuff on the market yet. What comes to my mind first, if I was in your place I would probably look at the options from Elac. Older B&W 685 might be an option (?) (review of those is up on the channel).

[@AromaFrank]

I like ur reviews very much! They are strait forward and to the point. And most of all you are not afraid to say out loud ur opinion, regardless the hype on line...Thanks so much!! Would like to know ur choice on high quality sound speaker for close listening (5 ft distance) and close to wall placement? Up to about $1000. have a Rel T/5x sub that will be paired.

[@MAudiophile]

Thanks! As for the recommendation, I would hesitate to give definitive one since I need to listen quite a few models yet, especially in your budget - not a small one. Personally, I went with the Quadral Platinum+ Two and they are pretty good in such distance. That said, you might look into something with front bass-port like Elac Uni-Fi Reference or Debut B6.2/Debut Reference. Another advice: if you consider something bigger (with 8" driver) like Monitor Audio Silver 100, forget it - not suitable for such use.

[@AromaFrank]

@@MAudiophile Thanks. Any advice between Elac reference, Lumina ii and Dali Menuet se ?

[@MAudiophile]

​@@AromaFrank Not a fan of Lumina 2s (first impression video is on the channel). I haven't listened to other mentioned rivals. Definitely, give a shot and audition some Elacs. KEF might be an option too.

[@AromaFrank]

@@MAudiophile I had the Elac UB52 and Kef 150, with both of them I had fatigue listening experience after few minutes. I’m listening from close distance like 5 feet. I’m wondering if the unifi reference would be less fatiguing.

[@alainduquenois3812]

Je possède des wharfedale evo 4.2 connecté avec un denon pma-2500ne les timbres sont somptueux et une très belle transparence

[@Jan-vl6fc]

En effet la synergie entre le PMA 2500 et les 4.2 tout comme avec les Linton est particulièrement satisfaisante.

[@MrJohnny333]

Is the Wharfedale EVO 4.1 good for watching movies?

[@Kocsis_Robert]

experience since then?

[@MrWslindsay]

I had the same experience with both the 4.1 and 4.2 and ultimately returned one and sold the other. The off axis problem really got to me after a while. Kind of a shame because both are beautifully made speakers

[@MAudiophile]

Exactly! Off-axis downside of this speaker is very overlooked. Unfortunately, looks not always pair up with sound. The same goes for the Castle Knight 2s which I would argue look even better than 1k+ $ gear. Sadly, their sound quality was disappointing.

[@Victrola777]

Did you ever try changing out that NAD for a warmer amp?

[@ugomanfredi2147]

Hi, the EVO are said to require in the 100 to 200 hours (!) before complete break-in: did you wait all this time before testing ? If not, this could easily explain the strange difference between the low-volume and high-volume character.

[@jerryjazzbo2845]

You seem to favor a more lively and forward sound signature. Not my cup of tea. Sorry...

[@OldMeloman]

Ви українець?

[@MAudiophile]

Poland here 🤝❤

[@douglasmacdonald2617]

All ukrainians are deaf from the Russian artilary