Wharfedale speakers?

shack
shack Posts: 11,154
edited March 2004 in Speakers
Does anyone have any experience with this brand of British speakers? No particular line. What about quality, build, sound characteristics, overall impressions? A 70 year old brand must be doing something right.
"Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2004
    Our local CompUSA does not have any HT stuff yet. No HSU subs...nothing HT. Maybe soon....
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited March 2004
    I used to have a pair of their older models. I think they were the W60s or something like that. Beautiful workmanship and sounded great too.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited March 2004
    If they sound anything like another British counterpart, Mission, then count me in. I have enjoyed a pair of MS-50 bookends from Russman since day one. I have the Mission, paired up with NAD, and it's a match.

    I have always heard good things about Wharfedale. I would probably check them out due to the simple fact, I havn't heard them personally.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited March 2004
    My dealer carries them but I haven't had a chance to demo. I hear Wharfedale along with Monitor Audio are some serious competition for B&W. You should try to demo some MA speakers too. IMO, MA looks nicer than Wharfedale. All three brands mentioned above provide the "British sound".

    Maurice
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited March 2004
    In the 70's Wharfdale was a very reputable speaker manfufacturer. A friend owned a pair and they were nice sounding.

    Not even sure today's line has anything in common with ones that old. Was surprised to even read that they are still around.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2004
    They have gotten some decent press as good "bang for the buck" speakers (much like Polk). Some models can be had for cheap now. I might take the plunge for a few bucks just to see what they sound like.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited March 2004
    I used to own an entry level pair of Wharfedale surrounds. I was very impressed with them. Build quality was outstanding.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Ceruleance
    Ceruleance Posts: 991
    edited March 2004
    I own the Modus One-Six. I think it's a 2.5-way tower, a la the RTi70, etc. Has a silk dome. Sounds great, I'm willing to bet it would give the 70's a run for their money. Bass output is tremendous. Ubid was clearing these out long ago, so you may be able to find them for good prices still. They are undervalued for what they are worth. This is my impression of the higher end speakers that were cleared out on ubid awhile ago, not the newer stuff they put in best buy and compusa, like the Zaltek line or whatever it is, can't speak for that, but it doesn't look impressive.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2004
    They're great speakers, Audio Advisor used to have killer deals on them, but i don't see them listed anymore. :confused:
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited March 2004
    The Wharfedale Diamond series has been one of the most successful speaker series in hifi history. The latest versions, the Diamond 8 series, has been cleaning up on awards and great reviews. I have heard that a revised series 9 is in the works. Wharfedale also manufacture a super high-end speaker for the Japanese market.
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  • Grimster74
    Grimster74 Posts: 2,576
    edited March 2004
    Doesn't BB carry a series of the Wharfedale, or atleast I thought they did.:confused::confused:
    Money Talks, Mine says Goodbye Rob!!!!
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  • Grimster74
    Grimster74 Posts: 2,576
    edited March 2004
    Just checked the BB site, they carry the "Zaldek Series". Have no idea how they rate against the TOTL Wharfedale's though.
    Money Talks, Mine says Goodbye Rob!!!!
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  • smglbrth
    smglbrth Posts: 1,481
    edited March 2004
    A friend of mine has a friend who has the Valdus series. The one with the three drivers and one tweeter. They are listed under the DJ speakers on their website. I listened to them once and wasn't all that impressed. Maybe their "Hi-Fi and Cinema" stuff is better....
    Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
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  • Terrax
    Terrax Posts: 483
    edited March 2004
    I have used, and still use, Wharfedale Diamond 8.1's, Pacific Evo 10's. I have heard the Evo 30's and 40's, and IMHO Wharfedales have a very clean, detailed sound. Somewhat laided back, but responsive. They sell at a price point that doesn't require taking loans out to aquire.
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