In this review, we will be comparing Denton 85 and EVO4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Wharfedale Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Denton 85 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale Denton 85 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 Wharfedale Denton 85 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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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Denton 85 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 |
Wharfedale Denton 85 |
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
|
Denton 85 features a 1" woven textile Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3100Hz. 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
Denton 85 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz whereas EVO4.2 has a frequency range of 54-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Denton 85 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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
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
Denton 85 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the EVO4.2 which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 Denton 85 can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 88 dBdB.
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.
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
Both Denton 85 and EVO4.2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Denton 85 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 Wharfedale Denton 85 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 Wharfedale Denton 85's and Wharfedale EVO4.2's external dimensions. Wharfedale Denton 85 has external dimensions of 342.0 x 240.0 x 304.0mm ( 13-7/16 x 9-7/16 x 11-15/16inch) whereas Wharfedale EVO4.2 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm ( 17.9 x 9.8 x 13.7inch) .
Wharfedale EVO4.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 10mm wider, 113mm taller and 46mm deeper than Wharfedale Denton 85.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale Denton 85 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 Wharfedale Denton 85 is approximately 729.6cm2 / 113.1inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.2 is approximately 875.0cm2 / 135.6inch2. The Denton 85 requires 17% 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 Wharfedale Denton 85 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.2 weighs 13.40kg / 29.5lbs. This makes the EVO4.2 49% heavier than the Denton 85.
Here is a comparison of how Denton 85 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 Denton 85?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Denton 85:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Pair of white cloth gloves User Manual
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
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
54 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
342mm
vs
455mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
729cm2 (240x304mm)
vs
875cm2 (250x350mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
999USD
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 |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.8 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
General |
Wharfedale Denton 85 |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-120 watts |
25-120 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
45-20k Hz |
54-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.18x2.36" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
2" |
Crossover Frequency |
3100Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
342.0mm (13.5") |
455.0mm (17.9") |
Width |
240.0mm (9.4") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
Depth |
304.0mm (12") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
13.40kg (29.5lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Mahogany, Black |
Walnut,Black,White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
18-22" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |