In this review, we will be comparing EVO4.1 and M126Be, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Revel.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Revel M126Be first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale EVO4.1 | Revel M126Be |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Revel
United States · founded 1996 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Kevlar | 6.5" DCC Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-22k Hz | 54-44k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 50-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.80kg / 17.2lbs | 10.00kg / 22lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.1" x 8.2" x 11.6"
335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm | 15-1/4" x 8-5/16" x 10-5/16"
388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Revel M126Be 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Revel M126Be |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both EVO4.1 and M126Be are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale EVO4.1Revel M126Be
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 EVO4.1 |
Revel M126Be |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
EVO4.1 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar Woofer. On the other hand, the M126Be features a 1" beryllium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" DCC Aluminum Woofer.
Frequency Response
EVO4.1 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz whereas M126Be has a frequency range of 54-44k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 54Hz, the M126Be can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the EVO4.1's min frequency of 64Hz.
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
EVO4.1 and M126Be have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. EVO4.1 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the M126Be's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO4.1 a more sensitive speaker compared to Revel M126Be, 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.
M126Be can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas EVO4.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the M126Be.
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
EVO4.1 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. M126Be has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO4.1's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
EVO4.1 has a bottom firing port whereas M126Be has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale EVO4.1's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Revel M126Be with its rear-firing port.
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 EVO4.1's and Revel M126Be's external dimensions. Wharfedale EVO4.1 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm (13.1 x 8.2 x 11.6inch) whereas Revel M126Be has external dimensions of 388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm (15-1/4 x 8-5/16 x 10-5/16inch).
Wharfedale EVO4.1 is 2mm narrower and 53mm shorter than Revel M126Be but it is also 33mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Revel M126Be in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Revel M126Be 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 EVO4.1 is approximately 619.5cm2 / 96.0inch2 and base area of the Revel M126Be is approximately 555.4cm2 / 86.1inch2. The EVO4.1 requires 12% more surface area than the M126Be which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Revel M126Be on a Media Console
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 EVO4.1 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs and the Revel M126Be weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the M126Be 28% heavier than the EVO4.1.
Here is a comparison of how EVO4.1 and M126Be'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 EVO4.1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of EVO4.1:
- 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 Revel M126Be?
Here are the items that come with the M126Be:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port plug
- Owners Manual
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
335mm
vs
388mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
4400USD
|
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 |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
44k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
555cm2
vs
619cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Revel PerformaBe M126Be |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
50-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.5 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
64-22k Hz |
54-44k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
DCC Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.18x2.36" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
335.0mm (13.2") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
295.0mm (11.6") |
262.0mm (10.3") |
| Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Wood/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,White |
Walnut,Black,White,Silver |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
22-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Revel M126Be costs roughly 5.5x what Wharfedale EVO4.1 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Revel M126Be digs deeper - 54Hz against 64Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | Revel M126Be takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | A | Wharfedale EVO4.1: bi-amping. Wharfedale EVO4.1 sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Wharfedale EVO4.1 is cheaper - $799 against $4,400, about 82% less; arguably a different class. |
A Wharfedale EVO4.1 B Revel M126Be
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?
Revel M126Be is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 5.5x the price. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Wharfedale EVO4.1 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Revel M126Be appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 64Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Wharfedale EVO4.1 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Wharfedale EVO4.1 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Revel M126Be for a mid-size room and a large room.
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.