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GoldenEar Aon 3 vs Wharfedale EVO4.2
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor

Passive Bookshelf | 38-35k Hz

GoldenEar Aon 3
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Wharfedale EVO4.2

Passive Bookshelf | 54-22k Hz

Wharfedale EVO4.2
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor vs Wharfedale EVO4.2 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and EVO4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from GoldenEar and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features of GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Wharfedale EVO4.2 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Key Specs

  • " Folded Ribbon Tweeter
  • 7" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 38-35k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-250watts
  • Weight:6.82kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 356.0" x 9" x 11-1/16"( 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm )

Wharfedale EVO4.2 Key Specs

  • 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter
  • 2" Midrange
  • 6.5" Kevlar Woofer
  • 2" Midrange
  • 54-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-120watts
  • Weight:13.40kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 455.0" x 9.8" x 13.7"( 455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm )

In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Wharfedale EVO4.2 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor is a 2-way design whereas 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. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 7" Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, EVO4.2 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter , a 2" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer .

Frequency Response

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a frequency range of 38-35k Hz whereas EVO4.2 has a frequency range of 54-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the EVO4.2's min frequency of 54Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers under Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Wharfedale EVO4.2
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Wharfedale EVO4.2
Min
Average
Max

Impedance and Sensitivity

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and EVO4.2 has the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and EVO4.2's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO4.2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Wharfedale EVO4.2
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a power range of 10-250 watts RMS whereas EVO4.2 has a power range of 25-120 watts.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

EVO4.2 features Post posts which makes bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Terminals
GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's 5-way post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor 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 GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor 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 GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's and Wharfedale EVO4.2's external dimensions. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has external dimensions of 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm ( 14 x 9 x 11-1/16inch) 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 21mm wider, 99mm taller and 69mm deeper than GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor.



Reasons to choose GoldenEar Aon 3 over Wharfedale EVO4.2
Max Input Power 250 watts vs 120 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
Sensitivity 90 dB vs 88 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size 7 inches vs 6.5 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 38 Hz vs 54 Hz Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response 35k Hz vs 22k Hz Generates higher frequency
Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
Passive Radiator two 8-inch side-mounted vs None Increases the bass performance
Height 356mm vs 455mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Width 229mm vs 250mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Depth 281mm vs 350mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Reasons to choose Wharfedale EVO4.2 over GoldenEar Aon 3
Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor vs Wharfedale EVO4.2 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General GoldenEar Aon 3 Wharfedale EVO4.2
Brand GoldenEar Wharfedale
Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
Power Range 10-250 watts 25-120 watts
Sensitivity 90 dB 88 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Impedance n/a 4 ohms
Frequency Response 38-35k Hz 54-22k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 7" 6.5"
Woofer Composition Polypropylene Kevlar
Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
Tweeter Size " 1.18x2.36"
Tweeter Type Folded Ribbon AMT (Ribbon)
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No 2"
Firing Direction rear bottom
Physical Specs
Height 356.0mm (14") 455.0mm (17.9")
Width 229.0mm (9") 250.0mm (9.8")
Depth 281.0mm (11.1") 350.0mm (13.8")
Weight 6.82kg (15lbs) 13.40kg (29.5lbs)
Enclosure Acoustic Suspension Bass Reflex
Finish MDF/Lacquer MDF/Wood-veneer
Available Colors Black Walnut
Mounting Bracket Yes No
Recommended Stand Height 24-26" 18-22"
Grille n/a magnetic
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs No Yes
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years


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