In this review, we will be comparing F500S and EVO5.1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Fyne Audio and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio F500S and Wharfedale EVO5.1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio F500S | Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
|---|
| Brand | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1.375" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" | 5" woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-34k Hz | 56-24k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30 - 100 W watts | 25-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.30kg / 18.3lbs | 8.00kg / 17.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.8" x 8" x 12.5"
325.1 x 203.2 x 317.5mm | 13.4" x 8.7" x 12.8"
340.0 x 220.0 x 325.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio F500S and Wharfedale EVO5.1 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Fyne Audio F500S |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Bad |
(* 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 F500S and EVO5.1 are 2-way speakers.
Fyne Audio F500SWharfedale EVO5.1
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Fyne Audio F500S |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1.375-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x 6-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
F500S features a " Tweeter and x 6" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1700 Hz. On the other hand, the EVO5.1 features a 1.375" SilentWeave cotton and felt damping fiber AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
F500S has a frequency range of 45-34k Hz whereas EVO5.1 has a frequency range of 56-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the F500S can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the EVO5.1'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
F500S is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the EVO5.1 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the EVO5.1 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. F500S sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the EVO5.1's is rated at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Fyne Audio F500S a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO5.1, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though F500S is rated 30 - 100 W watts and EVO5.1 25-100 watts.
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
F500S features Binding post type posts and EVO5.1 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO5.1'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 Fyne Audio F500S's and Wharfedale EVO5.1's external dimensions. Fyne Audio F500S has external dimensions of 325.1 x 203.2 x 317.5mm (12.8 x 8 x 12.5inch) whereas Wharfedale EVO5.1 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 220.0 x 325.0mm (13.4" × 8.7" × 12.8").
Wharfedale EVO5.1 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 16.8mm wider, 14.9mm taller and 7.5mm deeper than Fyne Audio F500S.
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 EVO5.1 needs about 11% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale EVO5.1 is 15mm 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 Fyne Audio F500S is approximately 645.2cm2 / 100.0inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO5.1 is approximately 715.0cm2 / 110.8inch2. The F500S requires 10% less surface area than the EVO5.1 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 Fyne Audio F500S weighs 8.30kg / 18.3lbs and the Wharfedale EVO5.1 weighs 8.00kg / 17.6lbs. This makes the F500S 4% heavier than the EVO5.1.
Here is a comparison of how F500S and EVO5.1'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 EVO5.1?
Here are the items that come with the EVO5.1:
- 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
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
34k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
325mm
vs
340mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
645cm2
vs
715cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Fyne Audio F500S |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
| Brand |
Fyne Audio |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30 - 100 W watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-34k Hz |
56-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1.375" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1700 Hz |
2700Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
325.1mm (12.8") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Width |
203.2mm (8") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Depth |
317.5mm (12.5") |
325.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
8.30kg (18.3lbs) |
8.00kg (17.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Walnut, Grey. Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A generation apart: Wharfedale EVO5.1 is the newer design, against a 2021 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Fyne Audio F500S digs deeper - 45Hz against 56Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Fyne Audio F500S is more sensitive (89dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Fyne Audio F500S is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale EVO5.1 is cheaper - $999 against $1,299, about 23% less. |
A Fyne Audio F500S B Wharfedale EVO5.1
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?
Fyne Audio F500S leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Wharfedale EVO5.1 is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 56Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Wharfedale EVO5.1 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Fyne Audio F500S the better fit for near-field listening; 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.