In this review, we will be comparing 1610 Slim 8 and EVO5.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Arendal Sound and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 and Wharfedale EVO5.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 | Wharfedale EVO5.2 |
|---|
| Brand | Arendal Sound
Norway · founded 2015 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Dome | 1.375" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Midrange | 5" | 2" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround | 6.5" woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 56-20k Hz | 44-24k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86.5 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 300 watts | 25-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 13.10kg / 28.8lbs | 15.05kg / 33.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 18-3/4" x 10-7/16" x 6-1/2"
477.0 x 265.0 x 165.0mm | 19.6" x 10.2" x 15.4"
497.0 x 260.0 x 391.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 and Wharfedale EVO5.2 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 |
Wharfedale EVO5.2 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both 1610 Slim 8 and EVO5.2 are 3-way speakers.
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8Wharfedale EVO5.2
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 |
Wharfedale EVO5.2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1.375-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
1 x 2-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1610 Slim 8 features a 1.1" Aluminium-magnesium dome in the Rost Essence waveguide with acoustic lens Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 8" Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 340Hz / 2700Hz. On the other hand, the EVO5.2 features a 1.375" SilentWeave cotton and felt damping fiber AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 800 Hz and 4.3 kHz.
Frequency Response
1610 Slim 8 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas EVO5.2 has a frequency range of 44-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the EVO5.2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 1610 Slim 8's min frequency of 56Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
1610 Slim 8 and EVO5.2 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 1610 Slim 8 sensitivity is rated at 86.5 dB and the EVO5.2's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO5.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the 1610 Slim 8 and the 1610 Slim 8 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
1610 Slim 8 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas EVO5.2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 180 watts less than the 1610 Slim 8.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
1610 Slim 8 features Binding post type posts and EVO5.2 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO5.2's Binding post terminals
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8's and Wharfedale EVO5.2's external dimensions. Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 has external dimensions of 477.0 x 265.0 x 165.0mm (18-3/4 x 10-7/16 x 6-1/2inch) whereas Wharfedale EVO5.2 has external dimensions of 497.0 x 260.0 x 391.0mm (19.6" × 10.2" × 15.4").
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 is 20mm shorter and 226mm less deeper than Wharfedale EVO5.2 but it is also 5mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Wharfedale EVO5.2 needs about 132% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale EVO5.2 is 226mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale EVO5.2 is 20mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 is approximately 437.3cm2 / 67.8inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO5.2 is approximately 1016.6cm2 / 157.6inch2. The 1610 Slim 8 requires 57% less surface area than the EVO5.2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 weighs 13.10kg / 28.8lbs and the Wharfedale EVO5.2 weighs 15.05kg / 33.1lbs. This makes the EVO5.2 15% heavier than the 1610 Slim 8.
Here is a comparison of how 1610 Slim 8 and EVO5.2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO5.2?
Here are the items that come with the EVO5.2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Pair of white cloth gloves
- User Manual
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
477mm
vs
497mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
437cm2
vs
1016cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
24k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1799USD
vs
2800USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 |
Wharfedale EVO5.2 |
| Brand |
Arendal Sound |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
On-Wall speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 300 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86.5 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
56-20k Hz |
44-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround |
woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1.375" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
2" |
| Crossover Frequency |
340Hz / 2700Hz |
800 Hz and 4.3 kHz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
477.0mm (18.8") |
497.0mm (19.6") |
| Width |
265.0mm (10.4") |
260.0mm (10.2") |
| Depth |
165.0mm (6.5") |
391.0mm (15.4") |
| Weight |
13.10kg (28.8lbs) |
15.05kg (33.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Sealed |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
HDF, painted |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Basalt, Polar, Black |
Walnut, Grey. Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
18-22" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Wharfedale EVO5.2 digs deeper - 44Hz against 56Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 takes more power (300W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 is easier to place; Wharfedale EVO5.2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale EVO5.2 is cheaper - $1,799 against $2,800, about 36% less. |
A Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 B Wharfedale EVO5.2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 56Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.