In this review, we will be comparing Premier 220B v2 and EVO4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Paradigm and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 220B v2 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 220B v2 | Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 2" |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" | 6.5" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 58-23k Hz | 54-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-130 watts | 25-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.12kg / 20.1lbs | 13.40kg / 29.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14-5/8" x 8-5/16" x 13"
371.5 x 211.1 x 330.2mm | 17.9" x 9.8" x 13.7"
455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Premier 220B v2 is a 2-way design whereas the 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.
Paradigm Premier 220B v2Wharfedale EVO4.2
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 220B v2 |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 2-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Premier 220B v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1100Hz. On the other hand, the EVO4.2 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
Premier 220B v2 has a frequency range of 58-23k Hz whereas EVO4.2 has a frequency range of 54-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 54Hz, the EVO4.2 can go slightly deeper then the Premier 220B v2's min frequency of 58Hz.
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 220B v2 and EVO4.2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 220B v2 sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the EVO4.2's is at 88 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 220B v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO4.2, 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 220B v2 can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS, whereas EVO4.2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the Premier 220B 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
EVO4.2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Premier 220B v2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 220B v2's and Wharfedale EVO4.2's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 220B v2 has external dimensions of 371.5 x 211.1 x 330.2mm () 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 38.9mm wider, 83.5mm taller and 19.8mm deeper than Paradigm Premier 220B v2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Premier 220B v2 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Premier 220B v2 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 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 220B v2 is approximately 697.1cm2 / 108.1inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.2 is approximately 875.0cm2 / 135.6inch2. The Premier 220B v2 requires 20% less surface area than the EVO4.2 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 Paradigm Premier 220B v2 weighs 9.12kg / 20.1lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.2 weighs 13.40kg / 29.5lbs. This makes the EVO4.2 47% heavier than the Premier 220B v2.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 220B v2 and EVO4.2'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 EVO4.2?
Here are the items that come with the EVO4.2:
- 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
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
371mm
vs
455mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
697cm2
vs
875cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 220B v2 |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-130 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
58-23k Hz |
54-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.18x2.36" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
2" |
| Crossover Frequency |
1100Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
371.5mm (14.6") |
455.0mm (17.9") |
| Width |
211.1mm (8.3") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
| Depth |
330.2mm (13") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
9.12kg (20.1lbs) |
13.40kg (29.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Polymer |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Walnut,Black,White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
18-22" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Wharfedale EVO4.2 digs deeper - 54Hz against 58Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is more sensitive (91dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (130W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is easier to place; Wharfedale EVO4.2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Wharfedale EVO4.2: bi-amping. Paradigm Premier 220B v2 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,100 vs $1,199 a pair). |
A Paradigm Premier 220B v2 B Wharfedale EVO4.2
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. In a large or open-plan room, Wharfedale EVO4.2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Paradigm Premier 220B v2 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.