In this review, we will be comparing Vestia No1 and EVO4.1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Focal and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Vestia No1 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Focal Vestia No1 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 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 Vestia No1 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 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
Both Vestia No1 and EVO4.1 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Focal Vestia No1 |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Vestia No1 features a 1" Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the EVO4.1 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
Vestia No1 has a frequency range of 56-30k Hz whereas EVO4.1 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 56Hz, the Vestia No1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the EVO4.1's min frequency of 64Hz.
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
Vestia No1 and EVO4.1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Vestia No1 sensitivity is rated at 89.5 dB and the EVO4.1's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Focal Vestia No1 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO4.1, 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.
Vestia No1 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas EVO4.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Vestia No1.
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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Vestia No1 has a front firing port whereas EVO4.1 has a bottom firing ports. Focal Vestia No1's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Wharfedale EVO4.1 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 Vestia No1's and Wharfedale EVO4.1's external dimensions. Focal Vestia No1 has external dimensions of 388.0 x 220.0 x 261.0mm ( 15-1/4-inch x 8-5/8-inch x 10-1/4-inch) whereas Wharfedale EVO4.1 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm ( 13.1 x 8.2 x 11.6inch) .
Wharfedale EVO4.1 is 10mm narrower and 53mm shorter than Focal Vestia No1 but it is also 34mm deeper.
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 Vestia No1 is approximately 574.2cm2 / 89.0inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.1 is approximately 619.5cm2 / 96.0inch2. The Vestia No1 requires 7% less surface area than the EVO4.1 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 Vestia No1 weighs 7.00kg / 15.4lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.1 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the EVO4.1 11% heavier than the Vestia No1.
Here is a comparison of how Vestia No1 and EVO4.1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.1?
Here are the items that come with the EVO4.1:
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 |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Minimum Impedance |
4.5 ohms
vs
3.5 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
56 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Base Surface Area |
574cm2 (220x261mm)
vs
619cm2 (210x295mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Height |
335mm
vs
388mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1198USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Focal Vestia No1 |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Brand |
Focal |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-120 watts |
25-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
89.5 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
4.5 ohms |
3.5 ohms |
Frequency Response |
56-30k Hz |
64-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
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 |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2800Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
front |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
388.0mm (15.3") |
335.0mm (13.2") |
Width |
220.0mm (8.7") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
Depth |
261.0mm (10.3") |
295.0mm (11.6") |
Weight |
7.00kg (15.4lbs) |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, Dark Wood, Light Wood |
Walnut,Black,White |
Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |