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I owned a the 4.1s for a while and it impressed me. I appreciated the nice veneer. From what I've heard the Q acoustics put a lot of effort and materials in a quality cabinet build.
I haven't heard the AE300's, but I do own the AE100Mk2's and have to say they are outstanding for a small/budget loudspeaker and bet they don't sound rolled off in the treble...more neutral if anything. They do need a sub-woofer or two and should be powered with at least 100 watts a channel. They will scale nicely with better electronics and great for music and video in a medium to smaller sized room.
I have the Evo 4.1 as my desktop speakers, and they seem perfect in that setup. Since I'm basically always sitting in the same spot placement isn't an issue once they're locked in.
Thank you. I don't really know why a few people in the comments get confused. Its like they think they're watching a shell game instead of an audio review. "Where's the King, where's the King...". It was crystal clear to me. Thanks for talking about low, mid and high range. Clarifying whete the dropouts are and how extended a range gets. Without those opinions it would be meaningless. People like different things. The AE's are obviously for bass prone who like warm sound and soeakers that are forgiving. Whardales, have beautiful airy highs. Q's best even handed detail across all ranges.
Nice shootout and I like those Q Acoustics in particular. However, I’m still loving the Polk Reserve R100s you persuaded me to buy some time ago too much to want to consider changing. Those little babies, ably supported by a REL TZero MkIII, are just spectacular (and cheaper)
They are consistent 5 * winners in WhatHiFi, for years. I don't know if they are the best but they're pretty good. Probably all of these speakers are decent.
Just incase you haven't tried this yet with the wharfedale 4.1's, replace the brass bridge plates between the binding posts with some speaker cable, even a bit of bare ended basic stranded copper you have laying about will do if you dont want to spend any money on this experiment. Positive results will follow.
@@sprocketdiver190 Obviously I'd suggest the best kind of cable you can get, I use qed supremus myself, which is silver plated copper in a fancy geometry. But brass is almost 4 times less electrically conductive than copper, so its a heck of a bottleneck, and almost anything is better. For a cheap-but-good suggestion, try some qed silver anniversary xt, bare wire (the plugs would otherwise be brass!), its very low cost (£6.50 for 1 meter) then simply cut to length and strip the ends by 2cm, gently peel open the wire braid and snip off the central insulation, then put the wire back into its original shape, then twist the ends) it still has a geometry to fight skin effect and proximity effect, and you'll get far more clarity, speed and resolution out of those wharfedale AMT's than the curtesy bridge plates could ever hint at
Speaker shootout!!!! Great video! These are the best!!!! I would love to see a Wharfedale shoot out from the entry level all the way up to the Denton/Linton. Thank you, Randy!!!!!
Likewise. I have a LCR set of Wharfedale bookshelf speakers from the Diamond series that I would love to compare to the Evo 4.1’s here. I really like the Diamonds but I haven’t yet heard any speakers with an AMT ribbon tweeter and am curious to know how my Diamonds compare to the Evo 4.1’s. The Diamonds that I have were award winning from a prestigious publication when they came out so they are very considered to be very good. My old gray matter can’t remember which model of Diamonds they are but I think that they came out over 10 years ago. I also have a pair of Kef towers with the Uni-Q design where the tweeer is placed inside what I believe is a 7” Woofer that are described as time phased or something like that. The idea being that the sound from the tweeter and woofer are aligned so that the sound arrives at the listener at the exact same time. They are wonderful speakers and I think that Kef took the idea of time phase alignment from the famed manufacturer of studio monitors Tannoy.
Q Acoustics just do it all at any price their speakers are. I run 3030i in my snug from a Yamaha RN-602. Superb loud or just running quiet on the loudness control still retaining all that timbre. I ran Concept 20’s on my main system which is a Yamaha RN-803D but base was not there in my main room. Went to 3050i but simply could not get them right in the room. Not the speakers fault. Went back to Concept 20’s and added a Rel Zero III. Just wow. Why hadn’t I done this in the first place? Absolute precision clarity from the 20’s with the perfect amount of low end and presence from the woofer. Keep up the great reviews👍
When I added a second Rel sub to my Q acoustics, the integration became a lot easier/smoother. And of course no more having to move my head a few inches to the left or right to experience the fullest sound. 🥳
I'm not one who normally pays attention to ads for sponsors, but I've got to admit, your plug for the Ridge products actually got my attention and the products look interesting. Anyway, just wanted to say good job on that. Thanks. I bet you haven't had many comments like that before LOL Now I need to finish watching your video.
I listened to the tower version of the EVO at the Crutchfield store, here in Virginia. I wanted to like them. I really did. I love AMT tweeters. The cabinets were nice. The drivers were nice. They just didn't sound good to me. To be fair, I was comparing them with more expensive speakers like Revel F 206, Golden Ear Triton 5, Polk Reserve 700 and Monitor Audio Silver series towers(dont remember the model) The EVO were my least favorite out of the bunch. Granted, they were in a terrible acoustic environment. Someone else would probably have a completely different opinion, and that perfectly fine. I just didn't care for them myself. 🤷🏻
Love your show. I have learned a great deal. I almost pulled the trigger on a pair of Emotiva speakers but read that they were 4 ohm. After more research, I learned that my Yamaha receiver will only do 8 ohm and 6 ohm. I would have had to buy a new receiver. I mention this only because, as important as this is, it doesn’t seem like this is ever discussed or even advertised.
Entertaining and informative review, thank-you. I did a machine shop apprenticeship in the UK during the 1970s, so I am metric/imperial agnostic. Fun fact: a US pint has only 16 ounces while a UK pint has 20. This makes a UK gallon about four and a half litres and a US gallon about three and a half. (You know geeks watch this channel, don't ya?)
Great nostalgic speaker shoot-out. Much happiness for my Sunday viewing and listening pleasure. Your humour always tickles and keeps things real, but lay off the minimum wage Stormtroopers . They are on a training budget that doesn't include training.😂
Try Focal Vestia N2! I've listened to them compared to Warfedale, Polk Audio, KEF, SVS and many others. They were clear, full and dynamic. It was the best sounding speakers of all. I really liked them and just bought them.
Thank you for doing awesome reviews! I love your straightforward advice, including this one. Some viewers might not have the full context of Star Wars characters, however. Maybe just use a numerical rating scheme for bass, mid and treble?
just pulled the trigger on klipsch mclaren fives for small room tv and music, After I get back from vacation will probably pair them with SVS SB 1000 pro.
I purchased a pair of Polk ES50 speakers because of a stupid cheap price, and I can't believe what sleepers they are. A crazy good bargain IMHO at a full price. I compared them to the listening tool on Crutchfield to the ES55 and ES60 and could not decipher much difference. I will add that I do use a subwoofer with them.
Thanks for review! Can you do a video on how to match a subwoofer to bookshelf speakers? How do you choose? What are the criteria and considerations? What are tour suggestions to best match a sub with bookshelves? I’d love to see you do a video on this topic!!! Thanks!
For what it's worth, some sub manufacturers have a "matching list" to help buyers get the best model of sub to pair with their speakers (SVS and REL to name a couple).
Good idea. I bought a SVS sb1000 and def tech speakers and honestly not a great match in my opinion. My mids have no lows but then my sub being a 12” sub is just really deep thump that really doesn’t seem to go well together.
Good review. I disagree with you on one point: as someone who lives in a country that transitioned from one system to another, and I am therefore very familiar with both, the metric system is WAY better than the imperial system. If you doubt me, try to divide 23'5-5/8" (7.15m) into 3 equal parts. With metric, it takes less than a second.
It would be interesting to hear your comparative analysis of speakers, amps & components against studio grade monitor speakers and amp. - Speakers reviewed on studio grade amp against studio grade speakers on same studio grade amp; and - Amps reviewed on studio grade speakers compared against studio amp on same studio speakers; and - Input devices such as DACs on studio amp/speaker combo. Of course there is a cost to doing this however it may be an opportunity worth considering giving the additional perspective where studio grade is taken as the benchmark? This could also be an opportunity to expand your content to also include the home studio viewer demographic? Only bringing this up as you do so well with your reviews.
I enjoy your videos. Be great to have a video explaining what all of the technical specs of a speaker means and how to optimally pair an amp. I am lost when you talk about such matters. Do you have a link to an existing video on the subject?
Thank you for the shootout! Maybe the W'dales have veiled mids because of a crappy ferrite/inductor combo on the woof?? Q acoustics would no doubt benefit from some premium x-over parts.
Randy.... You reignited my love for audio and have wasted countless hours reviewing all things audio and spent over $1500 on audio since finding you. Love/Hate relationship.
The UK has some wonderful speaker brands that I have had the pleasure of listening to. Kef,Wharfedale,and Mission to name a few but I have never heard any speakers from Tannoy who I have read make very good studio monitors and are used by quite a few of the big recording studio sound engineers. Randy have you done any analysis and reviews of Tannoy speakers? I would love to hear what you have to say about any Tannoys.
4:35 Because the metric system, being base 10 is consistent with how we count and therefore intuitive. The US monetary system is also based on the metric system. The imperial system is an anachronism you picked up from us Brits and which we, thankfully, got rid of. Consider just length measurement: 12 inches per foot: 3 feet per yard, 1760 yards per mile; the imperial system is a ridiculous mis-mash of number bases which are a mathematical PITA.
Excellent chapter as always! A question, according to your experience, what would be the ideal combo for the Wharfedale Evo 4.1? could it be cambridge AXA25? Or would you opt for another brand? greetings! 😁 😁 😁
The more affordable speakers like the 300 and 500 series are manufactured in China, but the special edition versions, and higher end speakers are made in Scotland. I have a pair of 501 floor standers, a pair of 500 stand mounts and a 500 centre in my surround system and love them.
I still use my Adam Audio T7V, Edifier R980T and dB Technologies Minibox K70 speakers; however it would be interesting for me to get my hands on some of the Wharfedale vs Acoustic Energy vs Q Acoustics speakers just to do a comparison.
Hi Randy, I am following your videos with greatest interest, I learned a lot from you, and I highly honour your humorous attitude and your opinions. Got a question though about your comparisions at speaker reviews. About two years ago, you reviewed the Aperion Audio B5 with a very good assessment. It’s still in your list of recommended speakers around $600 as „about the very best you can get“. Howeveerrr, after that review you never ever referred to this speaker in any comparison, what makes me wonder. Is your assessment of that speaker obsolete, or would it still be a great purchase?
you d better try to find more reviews about that speaker (than only one reviewer). Besides that, if reviewers are not comparing, they tend to give quite positive reviews on almost every product....
I went all out and bought OGY speakers. Because single driver speakers with CMC manufactured plywood transmission line cabinets are way cooler than ‘just another 2 way crossover in a ported box’. Jay’s Iyagi posted a review recently. I share his enthusiasm.
You can't blame the reviewer, blame yourself. Evevrybody hears different and what the reviewer like can be totaly different. Solution: when can not have a listen yourself with your equipment don't buy it, ore with return possibility. L. Belgium
@@1mctous This sounds like something I would like! Why the heck would you want a speaker with recessed mids? Unless you listen exclusively to metal and hip hop ?
I was totally turned off from Wharfedale, after trying the Diamond 225s. Detail was really lacking in the upper midrange and highs. They call this a 'laid back' British sound but I couldn't get into it. It makes most tracks sound really dull and makes only certain types of music sound good. Basically sounds like it's EQed heavily to emphasize Bass and cut out harsh high frequencies. But to me if the high frequencies don't have any bite to them, it takes away all the excitement from music. I've heard the EVOs are better in the highs but I would bet the veiled sound still exists in the woofer.
Great video. As a follower of your channel outside of North America (yes unbelievably you have followers from all over the world - haha) I would appreciate if you could give us the metric as well as imperial values - maybe flash both together on-screen for a few seconds? Hope you get some cool fathers-day gifts.
different strokes for different folks. for me paying over 600 bucks for book shelf size speakers is like buying a 60 dollar hamburger. for those that are comfortable paying that, have at it. for 600 bucks i want floor speakers that will damage my walls with the power.
Just watched your review of the Wharfefale Evo 4.1 - praising it, and now I hear your 'Final thoughts' about them in this comparison. It all sounds so contradictory...🤔
I also noticed that. I intend to buy the Cambridge Audio cxa81 amp, and it is recommended not to match it with a bright speaker. Evo 4.1, according to those who have the cxa81, is a good match. What amp did Randy use for this speaker test? Unless you know the amp that was used, speaker tests are pointless.
In this price range you can buy one of the best speakers ever made the Magnepan LRS+. Yes you need a minimum amount of room, thats a show stopper; and more power but that can be dealt with gradually over time.
Great content as always. When you get the opportunity please review the Mission QX-2 MKII bookshelves Sir. I have had some giving them really positive reviews even to the extent of calling them a poor man's Buchardt S400. At that price I think i want to buy them but if could please do me this favor Sir
I have these - (the Mk 2) Incredible build for the price. Works well with my Marantz PM6006 45 wpc amp. Surprising amount of bass although not as precise as the more expensive speaker like the AE 5010. The QX2 do have of high end detail thanks to the enhanced tweeter So final choice depends on your budget. 👍
Ive recently ABed the elac debut connex db41 (if i recall correctly), q acoustics m20, klipsch the fives and airpulse A100. I focus on midrange vocals, the airpulse A100 is the best by far. And im coming from my own system that are midrange kings, the proac response 1s and dali minuet se. I would be happy with the airpulse a100.
And i have learned that Ridge Wallets are for storing f*in cards only. I was just repelled by the price up until now, but now the uselessness has also become a factor in me never getting one.
Excellent work sir! Hows' about some full size speaker shootouts. I'm in the market for some sweet 2 channel fronts in a room that a bookshelf would handle, but.......I'm an overachiever. I'll ask on the next live stream. BTW - No notification on the last live stream. I only caught the last 5 minutes. 😟
Love your rating systm lol. So the ribbon tweeters are directional. Does this apply to the emotiva speakers too or just this specific model? Thank you for the comparison.
Do any of them have bottom mounting so you can bolt it down to the stand? I know the newer powered Klipsch 5,7, and 9's do.This comes in handy when you have kids or people that can come close to the speaker and a fear of knocking them off the stands.
Lovin the speaker shootouts! Thank goodness the Empire skimped on giving their Storm Troopers target practice or we'd all be speaking Romulan. I understand that no subwoofers were used in the making of this video, but were any 'harmed" as a result of the making of this video? (I'm advocate for subwoofers).
Dear Cheapaudioman, u used to test deep bass using Intergalactic, that's awesome. However, I would enjoy knowing what bookshelf speakers will be able to break windows by throwing Daft punk "Doin'it right" ? Can give a shot ?
For testing speakers I’d recommend using Judas Priest’s Ram it Down cd. Monster of Rock will shake the house if you got the mighty woofer and a little power.
@@ChrisStoneinator I like all of the tracks from Ram it Down. If you're pushing some power and have 4 15's or bigger that CD will cause your house to shake. I like bass but it has to be clean and defined.
I was interested in these Evo's until I found out they have a very weird bump in the upper mids, and I already have had speakers that have a weird bump in a certain (lower) frequency range and I seriously hated that. Sound does not need to be completely neutral for me, but very sudden weird bumps can get very irritating very quickly. After I found out about this, I started focussing on Elysian 2 speakers, but then I'd also need a better amp and dac and preferrably also some subs. All in all it would cost me around 10K if I wanted to get the set that I thought would be best for my taste Now I have set my mind on the Buchardt A500....perhap the A700 if possible but the A500 already would be wonderful.
as I'm in the UK I bought a lot of Mission and B&W back in the day and a few Tannoy but I just sold some Dali Zensor 3 I wanted to replace them with either Wharfedale 12.2 or the Monitor Bronze 100 or the Q acoustics 3030i I have been watching all your reviews and I'm still stuck lol
