In this review, we will be comparing Theva No3-D and EVO4.4, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Focal and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Theva No3-D and Wharfedale EVO4.4 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Theva No3-D | Wharfedale EVO4.4 |
|---|
| Brand | Focal
France · founded 1979 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" inverted dome | 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Midrange | 6.5" | 2" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber | 2 x 6.5" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-28kHz | 44-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-250 watts | 30-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 21.82kg / 48lbs | 25.60kg / 56.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 40-1/8" x 8-3/8" x 15-1/4"
1020.0 x 213.0 x 388.0mm | 41.7" x 9.8" x 14.2"
1060.0 x 250.0 x 360.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal Theva No3-D and Wharfedale EVO4.4 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* |
Focal Theva No3-D |
Wharfedale EVO4.4 |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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 Theva No3-D and EVO4.4 are 3-way speakers.
Focal Theva No3-DWharfedale EVO4.4
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Focal Theva No3-D |
Wharfedale EVO4.4 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6.5-inch |
1 x 2-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Theva No3-D features a 1" TNF Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter, a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 270 Hz - 2700 Hz. On the other hand, the EVO4.4 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
Theva No3-D has a frequency range of 48-28kHz whereas EVO4.4 has a frequency range of 44-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the EVO4.4 can go slightly deeper then the Theva No3-D's min frequency of 48Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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
Theva No3-D and EVO4.4 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Theva No3-D sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the EVO4.4's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Focal Theva No3-D a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO4.4, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
Theva No3-D can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas EVO4.4 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Theva No3-D.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
EVO4.4 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Theva No3-D has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Theva No3-D's Binding post terminals
Wharfedale EVO4.4's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Theva No3-D has a rear firing port whereas EVO4.4 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale EVO4.4's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Focal Theva No3-D with its rear-firing port.
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 Focal Theva No3-D's and Wharfedale EVO4.4's external dimensions. Focal Theva No3-D has external dimensions of 1020.0 x 213.0 x 388.0mm (401/8 x 83/8 x 151/4) whereas Wharfedale EVO4.4 has external dimensions of 1060.0 x 250.0 x 360.0mm (41.7 x 9.8 x 14.2inch).
Focal Theva No3-D is 37mm narrower and 40mm shorter than Wharfedale EVO4.4 but it is also 28mm deeper.
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 EVO4.4 needs about 9% more floor or shelf area. Focal Theva No3-D is 28mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale EVO4.4 is 40mm 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 Focal Theva No3-D is approximately 826.4cm2 / 128.1inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.4 is approximately 900.0cm2 / 139.5inch2. The Theva No3-D requires 8% less surface area than the EVO4.4 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 Theva No3-D weighs 21.82kg / 48lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.4 weighs 25.60kg / 56.3lbs. This makes the EVO4.4 17% heavier than the Theva No3-D.
Here is a comparison of how Theva No3-D and EVO4.4's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.4?
Here are the items that come with the EVO4.4:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Outrigger feet (pre-installed)
- 4 Spikes (pre-installed)
- 4 Isolation pucks
- 2 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
- Pair of white cloth gloves
- User Manual
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Dolby Atmos Drivers |
Built-in 1 x 5-inch
vs
No
|
Dolby Atmos Compatibility |
 Height |
1020mm
vs
1060mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
826cm2
vs
900cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.3 ohms
vs
2.9 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Price per pair* |
2198USD
vs
2998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal Theva No3-D |
Wharfedale EVO4.4 |
| Brand |
Focal |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
40-250 watts |
30-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
2.9 ohms |
4.3 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-28kHz |
44-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| 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 |
6.5" |
2" |
| Crossover Frequency |
270 Hz - 2700 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1020.0mm (40.2") |
1060.0mm (41.7") |
| Width |
213.0mm (8.4") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
360.0mm (14.2") |
| Weight |
21.82kg (48lbs) |
25.60kg (56.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss,Dark Wood,Light Wood |
Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
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 EVO4.4 digs deeper - 44Hz against 48Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Focal Theva No3-D is more sensitive (91dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Focal Theva No3-D takes more power (250W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Focal Theva No3-D: Atmos drivers; Wharfedale EVO4.4: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale EVO4.4 is cheaper - $2,198 against $2,998, about 27% less. |
A Focal Theva No3-D B Wharfedale EVO4.4
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?
Focal Theva No3-D is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 36% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Wharfedale EVO4.4 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Focal Theva No3-D appeals to you. Match it to your room: we rate Focal Theva No3-D the better fit for a very large room, and Wharfedale EVO4.4 for a mid-size room. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Focal Theva No3-D is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.