In this review, we will be comparing R200 50th Anniversary Edition and EVO4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk R200 50th AE and Wharfedale EVO4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk R200 50th AE and Wharfedale EVO4.2 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 Polk R200 50th AE and Wharfedale EVO4.2 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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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that R200 50th Anniversary Edition 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.
Driver |
Polk R200 50th AE |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 2-inch |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
R200 50th Anniversary Edition features a 1" ring radiator Pinnacle with an integrated waveguide Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer . 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
R200 50th Anniversary Edition has a frequency range of 51-38k Hz whereas EVO4.2 has a frequency range of 54-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the R200 50th Anniversary Edition can go slightly deeper then 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 in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
R200 50th Anniversary Edition
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
R200 50th Anniversary Edition and EVO4.2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R200 50th Anniversary Edition sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the EVO4.2's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO4.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk R200 50th AE, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
R200 50th Anniversary Edition
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.
R200 50th Anniversary Edition can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas EVO4.2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the R200 50th Anniversary Edition.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
EVO4.2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. R200 50th Anniversary Edition has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
R200 50th Anniversary Edition 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 Polk R200 50th AE 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 Polk R200 50th AE's and Wharfedale EVO4.2's external dimensions. Polk R200 50th AE has external dimensions of 358.0 x 193.0 x 355.0mm ( 24-28inch x 7-9/16inch x 13-15/16inch ) whereas Wharfedale EVO4.2 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm ( 17.9 x 9.8 x 13.7inch) .
Polk R200 50th AE is 57mm narrower and 97mm shorter than Wharfedale EVO4.2 but it is also 5mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk R200 50th AE and Wharfedale EVO4.2 in scale.
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 Polk R200 50th AE is approximately 685.2cm2 / 106.2inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.2 is approximately 875.0cm2 / 135.6inch2. The R200 50th Anniversary Edition requires 22% 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 Polk R200 50th AE weighs 8.80kg / 19.4lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.2 weighs 13.40kg / 29.5lbs. This makes the EVO4.2 52% heavier than the R200 50th Anniversary Edition.
Here is a comparison of how R200 50th Anniversary Edition 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 Polk R200 50th AE?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R200 50th Anniversary Edition:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 GrillesOwners ManualOnline RegistrationCertificate Of Aunthenticity
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 |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
51 Hz
vs
54 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
358mm
vs
455mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
685cm2 (193x355mm)
vs
875cm2 (250x350mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.8 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
1249USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Polk Audio Reserve R200 50th Anniversary Edition |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
Brand |
Polk Audio |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-200 watts |
25-120 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
51-38k Hz |
54-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.18x2.36" |
Tweeter Type |
Ring Radiator |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
2" |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
358.0mm (14.1") |
455.0mm (17.9") |
Width |
193.0mm (7.6") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
Depth |
355.0mm (14") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
Weight |
8.80kg (19.4lbs) |
13.40kg (29.5lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Cherry |
Walnut,Black,White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
18-22" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |