In this review, we will be comparing M105 and EVO4.1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Revel and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Revel M105 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Revel M105 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Revel M105 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 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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Drivers
Both M105 and EVO4.1 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Revel M105 |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
M105 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome with Acoustic Lens Waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz. On the other hand, the EVO4.1 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
M105 has a frequency range of 60Hz- 20kHz whereas EVO4.1 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the M105 can go slightly deeper then the EVO4.1's min frequency of 64Hz.
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
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
M105 and EVO4.1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. M105 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the EVO4.1's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO4.1 a more sensitive speaker compared to Revel M105, 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. 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.
M105 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas EVO4.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the M105.
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
EVO4.1 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. M105 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
M105 has a rear firing port whereas EVO4.1 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale EVO4.1's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Revel M105 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 Revel M105's and Wharfedale EVO4.1's external dimensions. Revel M105 has external dimensions of 359.0 x 202.0 x 251.0mm ( 14-1/8 x 7-15/16 x 9-7/8inch) whereas Wharfedale EVO4.1 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm ( 13.1 x 8.2 x 11.6inch) .
Revel M105 is 8mm narrower and 44mm less deeper than Wharfedale EVO4.1 but it is also 24mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Revel M105 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 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 Revel M105 is approximately 507.0cm2 / 78.6inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.1 is approximately 619.5cm2 / 96.0inch2. The M105 requires 18% less surface area than the EVO4.1 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 Revel M105 weighs 7.14kg / 15.7lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.1 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the EVO4.1 9% heavier than the M105.
Here is a comparison of how M105 and EVO4.1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Revel M105?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of M105:
Bookshelf loudspeakerGrilleFoam port plugOwners Manual
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.1?
Here are the items that come with the EVO4.1:
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 |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Base Surface Area |
507cm2 (202x251mm)
vs
619cm2 (210x295mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Height |
335mm
vs
359mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1650USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Revel Performa3 M105 |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Brand |
Revel |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
50-120 watts |
25-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3.5 ohms |
Frequency Response |
60Hz- 20kHz |
64-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.18x2.36" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2300Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
359.0mm (14.1") |
335.0mm (13.2") |
Width |
202.0mm (8") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
Depth |
251.0mm (9.9") |
295.0mm (11.6") |
Weight |
7.14kg (15.7lbs) |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Wood/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Gloss Walnut,Piano Black,Piano White |
Walnut,Black,White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-25" |
24-26" |
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 |