The Resurgence of Wharfedales

[venkatcr]

I know that Wharfedales are popular with our members. I also know that many members look down upon the Wharfedales, particularly for music.

If you remember my original discussion on these speakers, you will recall how I chose these speakers for my HT system. I had listened to a pair of 9.5 driven by an Indian amp and was listening to a Sitar recital. I nearly jumped when I heard some of the music from a space that was nearly at a 90 degree angle to my ears. And, I was sitting some 8 odd feet away for the speakers. I have had similar experience later. But in most cases, the price of the equipment and speakers were at least 5 fold, if not more.

Getting a speaker to disappear is a difficult task. A few days ago when I was watching Die Hard 1 (for the nth time), at the end, Sammy Cahn sings 'Let It Snow' with a deep gruttal voice that is simply superb to listen to. When the end titles are displayed, they play Beethoven's 'Ode To Joy' followed by Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. My system was decoding DTS Mstr HD, and I closed my eyes to enjoy the music. The way the speakers disappeared completely and the music floated all around the room brought a shudder to my body. This is not something you get every day. I have heard a lot of other speakers, but the way the Wharfedale/Aperion Audio/Hsu sub brings a clarity to the voices, and speed to low frequency sound is something I have started enjoying. A number of people who have heard my system have voiced the same opinion.

Wharfedales seems to have only improved their speakers. The new 10.1, though manufactured in China, seems to uses high quality MDF that are bonded using radio frequency to harden the adhesive! And the drivers are brand new and even better than those in the 9 series.

Anyhow, the Wharfedales have finally landed on Stereophile's review table and have walked away with a glowing tribute. And the tribute is to purely it's music playing capability. Well done Wharfedale!!

Is anyone ready to buy my 9.5s?

Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

Cheers

 

[Bluu]

Venkat - were you listening to the Die Hard OST on an HT system or was it a stereo setup?

I read the Stereophile review earlier today. It certainly is a glowing tribute to the new speaker.

 

[malvai]

I feel you venkat...

wharfies have always made very very good speakers at various price points...

however, they sort of went away form all kinds of media and PR.... and as they say, sometimes no PR is worse than even bad PR!

but good to see them get back some of their lost ground (as far as perceptions go!)

Especially since, first ever pair of speakers that I owned were my dad's hand me down wharfies from the 80s... those babies did sing well, especially with the hand me down amp - the NAD 3020 of the same vintage!

 

[marsilians]

@VenkatCR

Congrats on your setup. Thats the ultimate destination for anyone in the hobby. Great that you reached there before a lot of others. Been listening to wharf's since 8.2 and it was OK The 9.x series really came out and the EVO are one of the nicer pairs that one could own.

I also think that the resurgence is due to Quad purchasing Wharf and being manufactured in the same facility in China. Quad's have traditionally been a choice for music listeners.

 

[venkatcr]

Venkat - were you listening to the Die Hard OST on an HT system or was it a stereo setup?

On an HT system consisting of Onkyo 875, an HTPC, 2x9.5, 2xDFS, Hsu VTF Mk2, and an Aperion Audio centre speaker.

Cheers

 

[Beast_of_burden]

I read that Stereophile review too today and they have nothing but good things to say. However, the negative things are usually said in another competing model's review. In Stephen Meijas comaprison with a PSB bookshelf, the Wharfedales actually came out better.

Wharfedale seem to be doing something right about the distribution and pricing. Their pricing is almost on par with international prices.

 

[parora]

Venkat,

There is magic in Die hard 1 , and its culmination with the track "Let it snow" , so perfect, i always loved the track and the way it had fit in.

I had auditioned 9.5 at Brass and Treble, and rejected them without much thought , as their siblings in Quad L series sounded much better to my untrained ears.

But your post has forced me to re-think, and i am going to ring Danny for auditioning 10.1 as soon as......possible, since my search is still on.

Cheers,

 

[saran]

Is anyone ready to buy my 9.5s?
Cheers

Sent you a PM

 

[thatguy]

IIRC, Diamond 9.1 was also on the Stereophile's recommended list. I am certain I have seen it in the 2009 Oct issue (D/Limited Range). They also ran a review:

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

 

[Mubeen]

Hi Venkat,

Did you audition the Wharfedale 10.1? If yes, whats your opinion on the bass reproduction of these speakers?

I am really interested to know. As i have been using these speakers for a while, and while they are brilliant overall, the bass just sounds 'different' to my ears. It doesnt have the same tone or punch as it used to have on 9.1 i have used in past.

I remember another thread on here where someone mentioned similar observations on 10.1's bass. It might be the rest of my system where the problem lies, but just to wanted to know your opinion.

Thanks

 

[Beast_of_burden]

Hi Venkat,

Did you audition the Wharfedale 10.1? If yes, whats your opinion on the bass reproduction of these speakers?

I am really interested to know. As i have been using these speakers for a while, and while they are brilliant overall, the bass just sounds 'different' to my ears. It doesnt have the same tone or punch as it used to have on 9.1 i have used in past.

I remember another thread on here where someone mentioned similar observations on 10.1's bass. It might be the rest of my system where the problem lies, but just to wanted to know your opinion.

Thanks

Very interesting comment, which led me to go back and read JA's measurements section side to side. The 9.1's have the LS3/5A bass bump whereas the 10.1s are flat. I would think the 9.1s would have a more impressive bass presentation although not necessarily accurate.

Which means the 10.1s are indeed audiophile grade and hence worth an audition. Gotta give these babies a listen.

 

[venkatcr]

Hi Venkat,

Did you audition the Wharfedale 10.1? If yes, whats your opinion on the bass reproduction of these speakers?

I am really interested to know. As i have been using these speakers for a while, and while they are brilliant overall, the bass just sounds 'different' to my ears. It doesnt have the same tone or punch as it used to have on 9.1 i have used in past.

I remember another thread on here where someone mentioned similar observations on 10.1's bass. It might be the rest of my system where the problem lies, but just to wanted to know your opinion.

Thanks

Sorry, I have not had the pleasure. At the same time, it all depends on what you mean by 'Bass'. There is only so much a bookshelf can deliver. Beyond that you have to look for a sub or a floorstander. I remember listening to the 9.6 at another member's house, and they were monstrous compared to my 9.5. Even with my FS 9.5, the sound with/without the sub is completely different from each other. With the sub, the sound is larger and deeper.

I use the sub judiciously depending upon the media. Some Indian movies the sound is so artificial, that it sound better without the sub.

Cheers

 

[gobble]

The 9.1's have the LS3/5A bass bump whereas the 10.1s are flat.

Whats a LS3/5A bump? I know about the baby bump, not this one. What does one do to his speakers to give it one? hyeah:

I recall the sound of the 9.1 was pleasantly colored, not sure if one would tire of it after a while though. Does the 10.1 retain the same quality or is it closer to the 8.2 - more open and airy?

Frankly I am not impressed by the curved cabinet - I fell for all that marketing blurb when I got my 9.2s then 6 months later grew tired of the internal resonances and spent another 30K+ on new speakers.

--G0bble

 

[sonosphere]

Whats a LS3/5A bump?

--G0bble

Hope this question was not one of your usual jokes...

LS3/5A is a British bookshelf speaker that had a "bump" /"swell" in freq response in bass range (probably bet'n 80 Hz and 120 Hz). The bump was contoured in a way to give impression of deeper bass than what the speaker was capable of. This "trick" is used by many BS speakers targeted at laid-back sound lovers.

BTW I enjoyed my pair of 9.2's while I had them with me, never felt anything like internal resonances. (....or am I gifted with Lead-ears? :lol Still miss them on some songs, that are not as much fun on the much refined Usher V-601.

Regds,

 

[ajay124]

I used to have a pair of Diamond 8.4's towers+center+SW150 sub. I never got around to buying their surround speakers. Source was a Yamaha DVD Player and the amp was an 85WPC/8 OHMS Yamaha AVR.

For both music and films I was completely happy with the set up. Great sound and absolutely trouble free. At 50K+ for FS/C/SUB and 40+ for DVD+AVR I found the set up to be great value for money.

 

[ravin]

well, to correct, IAG (international audio group), owns wharfdale, quad, audio lab, luxman, mission and castle.

IAG is a Chinese alliance they are also into manufacturing off other luxury products other than Audio.

You've done some homework! Keep it up. :clapping:

 

[olly42]

What amps suit the 10.7? cause the sound was not at all appealing when I auditioned then at vector

 

[doors666]

never heard a wharfedale that I liked and I tried quite a few. Me and my friend despo wanted them as these were cheap and would've fitted the budgets perfectly, just could not like them.

 

[venkatcr]

Just as I expected. Wharfedale do have a love/hate relationship with people. Sigh!!

I think the quality of amps also make a difference. And contrary to what I believe in, the Wharfedales do need a little breathe-in time. I am very curious to listen to the 10.1. Let me see if I can coax one of the local dealers to give me a demo pair.

Cheers

 

[moviestar40+]

Am myself a BIG fan of Wharfedale's....have a moviestar40+ connected to my Yamaha DSP RX-V620....awesome sound.....i njoy the vertical component from rear speakers which i didnt find at the time of purchase on other components.
.
Now, one of my speakers needs a repair.....Plse can someone suggest a good repair station in Mumbai.....Thanks in advance.