In this review, we will be comparing Chora 806 and EVO4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Focal and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Chora 806 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Focal Chora 806 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Chora 806 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Chora 806 is a 2-way design whereas the EVO4.2 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Driver |
Focal Chora 806 |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 2-inch |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Chora 806 features a 1" TNV2 AI/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the EVO4.2 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter , a 2" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
Chora 806 has a frequency range of 55-28k Hz whereas EVO4.2 has a frequency range of 54-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 54Hz, the EVO4.2 can go slightly deeper then the Chora 806's min frequency of 58Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Chora 806 and EVO4.2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Chora 806 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the EVO4.2's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Focal Chora 806 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO4.2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
EVO4.2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Chora 806 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Chora 806 has a rear firing port whereas EVO4.2 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale EVO4.2's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Focal Chora 806 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Focal Chora 806's and Wharfedale EVO4.2's external dimensions. Focal Chora 806 has external dimensions of 431.0 x 210.0 x 270.0mm ( 17 x 8.25 x 10.7inch) whereas Wharfedale EVO4.2 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm ( 17.9 x 9.8 x 13.7inch) .
Wharfedale EVO4.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 40mm wider, 24mm taller and 80mm deeper than Focal Chora 806.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Focal Chora 806 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 in scale.
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 Focal Chora 806 is approximately 567.0cm2 / 87.9inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.2 is approximately 875.0cm2 / 135.6inch2. The Chora 806 requires 35% less surface area than the EVO4.2 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 Focal Chora 806 weighs 7.35kg / 16.2lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.2 weighs 13.40kg / 29.5lbs. This makes the EVO4.2 82% heavier than the Chora 806.
Here is a comparison of how Chora 806 and EVO4.2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Focal Chora 806?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Chora 806:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 8 Self-adhesive rubber pads User manual
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.2?
Here are the items that come with the EVO4.2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Pair of white cloth gloves User Manual
Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Minimum Impedance |
4.6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
431mm
vs
455mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
567cm2 (210x270mm)
vs
875cm2 (250x350mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
General |
Focal Chora 806 |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
Brand |
Focal |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25 - 120 watts |
25-120 watts |
Sensitivity |
89 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
4.6 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
55-28k Hz |
54-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Slatefiber |
Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.18x2.36" |
Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
2" |
Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
431.0mm (17") |
455.0mm (17.9") |
Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
Depth |
270.0mm (10.6") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
Weight |
7.35kg (16.2lbs) |
13.40kg (29.5lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Lacquer/Leatherette |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Black, Dark wood, Light wood |
Walnut,Black,White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-24" |
18-22" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 |
5 Years |