In this review, we will be comparing Denton 1S and Ultra Bookshelf, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and SVS.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Denton 1S and SVS Ultra Bookshelf first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Denton 1S | SVS Ultra Bookshelf |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Polypropylene | 6.5" Composite glass-fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-20k Hz | 45-32k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-100 watts | 20-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.81kg / 15lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13" x 9-5/16" x 10"
331.0 x 237.0 x 254.0mm | 14-15/16" x 8-9/16" x 11-1/16"
380.0 x 218.0 x 281.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both Denton 1S and Ultra Bookshelf are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale Denton 1SSVS Ultra Bookshelf
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale Denton 1S |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Denton 1S features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Ultra Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Denton 1S has a frequency range of 50-20k Hz whereas Ultra Bookshelf has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Ultra Bookshelf can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Denton 1S's min frequency of 50Hz.
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
Denton 1S and Ultra Bookshelf have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Denton 1S sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Ultra Bookshelf's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Denton 1S a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Ultra Bookshelf, 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.
Ultra Bookshelf can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Denton 1S has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Ultra Bookshelf.
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
Ultra Bookshelf features 5-way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Denton 1S has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Ultra Bookshelf's 5-way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
New
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 Wharfedale Denton 1S's and SVS Ultra Bookshelf's external dimensions. Wharfedale Denton 1S has external dimensions of 331.0 x 237.0 x 254.0mm (13inch x 9-5/16inch x 10inch) whereas SVS Ultra Bookshelf has external dimensions of 380.0 x 218.0 x 281.0mm (14-15/16 x 8-9/16 x 11-1/16inch).
Wharfedale Denton 1S is 49mm shorter and 27mm less deeper than SVS Ultra Bookshelf but it is also 19mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale Denton 1S and SVS Ultra Bookshelf in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale Denton 1S and SVS Ultra Bookshelf 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 Wharfedale Denton 1S is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2 and base area of the SVS Ultra Bookshelf is approximately 612.6cm2 / 95.0inch2. The Denton 1S requires 2% less surface area than the Ultra Bookshelf 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 Wharfedale Denton 1S weighs 6.81kg / 15lbs and the SVS Ultra Bookshelf weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the Ultra Bookshelf 27% heavier than the Denton 1S.
Here is a comparison of how Denton 1S and Ultra Bookshelf'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 Denton 1S?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Denton 1S:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- User's Manual
What's in the Box of SVS Ultra Bookshelf?
Here are the items that come with the Ultra Bookshelf:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Rubber feet
- 2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)
- Owners Manual
- SVS brochure
- Online Product Registration Card
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
331mm
vs
380mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
602cm2
vs
612cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
32k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
| General |
Wharfedale Denton 1S |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
20-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-20k Hz |
45-32k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Composite glass-fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
331.0mm (13") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Width |
237.0mm (9.3") |
218.0mm (8.6") |
| Depth |
254.0mm (10") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
6.81kg (15lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Polymer |
MDF/Oak veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
22-28" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Wharfedale Denton 1S is the newer design, against a 2013 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 |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf digs deeper - 45Hz against 50Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
B |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability |
B |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf: bi-amping. SVS Ultra Bookshelf sits in a wider range (5 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
A |
Wharfedale Denton 1S is cheaper - $999 against $1,200, about 17% less. |
A Wharfedale Denton 1S
B SVS Ultra Bookshelf
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
SVS Ultra Bookshelf leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Wharfedale Denton 1S is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 50Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Wharfedale Denton 1S much easier to justify.
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.