In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Wharfedale. Wharfedale EVO4.1 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the EVO4.S is a Surround speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Wharfedale EVO4.S first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale EVO4.1 | Wharfedale EVO4.S |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) | AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 2 x 2" |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Kevlar | 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-22k Hz | 70-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 25-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.80kg / 17.2lbs | 11.80kg / 26lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.1" x 8.2" x 11.6"
335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm | 9-5/8" x 15-3/4" x 6-1/8"
245.0 x 400.0 x 155.0mm |
|---|
EVO4.1 and EVO4.S are members of Wharfedale's EVO4 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale EVO4 Series
History
What size room are the Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Wharfedale EVO4.S 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 |
Wharfedale EVO4.S |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that EVO4.1 is a 2-way design whereas the EVO4.S 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.
Wharfedale EVO4.1Wharfedale EVO4.S
MidrangeWoofer
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 |
Wharfedale EVO4.S |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
2 x 2-inch |
|
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 EVO4.S features a " AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz and 4400Hz.
Frequency Response
EVO4.1 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz whereas EVO4.S has a frequency range of 70-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 64Hz, the EVO4.1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the EVO4.S's min frequency of 70Hz.
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 EVO4.S 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 EVO4.S's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO4.S a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO4.1, 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.
EVO4.S can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas EVO4.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the EVO4.S.
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
Both EVO4.1 and EVO4.S features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or 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 EVO4.S 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 Wharfedale EVO4.S 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 Wharfedale EVO4.S'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 Wharfedale EVO4.S has external dimensions of 245.0 x 400.0 x 155.0mm (9-5/8 x 15-3/4 x 6-1/8inch).
Wharfedale EVO4.S is 90mm shorter and 140mm less deeper than Wharfedale EVO4.1 but it is also 190mm wider.
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 Wharfedale EVO4.S is approximately 620.0cm2 / 96.1inch2. The EVO4.1 requires 0% less surface area than the EVO4.S which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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