In this review, we will be comparing Premier 120B v2 and EVO5.1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Paradigm and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 120B v2 and Wharfedale EVO5.1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 | Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1.375" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.5" | 5" woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 62-23k Hz | 56-24k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-130 watts | 25-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.39kg / 16.3lbs | 8.00kg / 17.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12-1/16" x 7" x 12-3/16"
306.4 x 177.8 x 309.6mm | 13.4" x 8.7" x 12.8"
340.0 x 220.0 x 325.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Premier 120B v2 and EVO5.1 are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm Premier 120B v2Wharfedale 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 |
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.375-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Premier 120B v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1200Hz. 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
Premier 120B v2 has a frequency range of 62-23k Hz whereas EVO5.1 has a frequency range of 56-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 56Hz, the EVO5.1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 120B v2's min frequency of 62Hz.
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
Premier 120B v2 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. Premier 120B v2 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the EVO5.1's is rated at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 120B v2 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.
Premier 120B v2 can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS, whereas EVO5.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the Premier 120B v2.
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
Premier 120B v2 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 Paradigm Premier 120B v2's and Wharfedale EVO5.1's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 120B v2 has external dimensions of 306.4 x 177.8 x 309.6mm () 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 42.2mm wider, 33.6mm taller and 15.4mm deeper than Paradigm Premier 120B v2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Premier 120B v2 and Wharfedale EVO5.1 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Premier 120B v2 and Wharfedale EVO5.1 Size and External Dimensions
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 Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is approximately 550.5cm2 / 85.3inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO5.1 is approximately 715.0cm2 / 110.8inch2. The Premier 120B v2 requires 23% less surface area than the EVO5.1 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Paradigm Premier 120B v2 and Wharfedale EVO5.1 on a Media Console
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 Paradigm Premier 120B v2 weighs 7.39kg / 16.3lbs and the Wharfedale EVO5.1 weighs 8.00kg / 17.6lbs. This makes the EVO5.1 8% heavier than the Premier 120B v2.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 120B v2 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
 Max Input Power |
130 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 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 |
5.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
306mm
vs
340mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
550cm2
vs
715cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
800USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Low Frequency Response |
56 Hz
vs
62 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
24k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-130 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
62-23k Hz |
56-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.375" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1200Hz |
2700Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
306.4mm (12.1") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Width |
177.8mm (7") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Depth |
309.6mm (12.2") |
325.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
7.39kg (16.3lbs) |
8.00kg (17.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut, Grey. Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
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 EVO5.1 digs deeper - 56Hz against 62Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is more sensitive (90dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 takes more power (130W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is easier to place; Wharfedale EVO5.1 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Paradigm Premier 120B v2 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is cheaper - $800 against $999, about 20% less. |
A Paradigm Premier 120B v2 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?
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Wharfedale EVO5.1 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 62Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Paradigm Premier 120B v2 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Wharfedale EVO5.1 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.