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Wharfedale EVO4.2 vs Cambridge SX-50 Comparison

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Wharfedale EVO4.2

Passive Bookshelf | 54-22k Hz

Wharfedale EVO4.2
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Cambridge SX-50

Passive Bookshelf | 50-22k Hz

Cambridge Audio SX-50
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Wharfedale EVO4.2 Wharfedale EVO4.2
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Cambridge SX-50 Cambridge SX-50
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Wharfedale EVO4.2
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Cambridge SX-50
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Wharfedale EVO4.2 vs Cambridge SX-50 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing EVO4.2 and SX-50, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Cambridge Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Cambridge SX-50 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Wharfedale EVO4.2 Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter
  • 2" Midrange
  • 6.5" Kevlar Woofer
  • 54-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-120watts
  • Weight:13.40kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 455.0" x 9.8" x 13.7"( 455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm )

Cambridge SX-50 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 5.25" Treated paper Woofer
  • 50-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-100watts
  • Weight:3.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 225.0" x 6.3" x 9.4"( 225.0 x 161.0 x 240.0mm )

What size room are the Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Cambridge SX-50 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 EVO4.2 Cambridge SX-50
Near-field Poor Average
Small Room Average Good
Mid-size Room Good Average
Large Room Average Poor
Very Large Room Poor 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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Cambridge SX-50 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that EVO4.2 is a 3-way design whereas the SX-50 is a 2-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 EVO4.2 Cambridge SX-50
Driver Setup 3-way 2-way
Tweeter 1.18x2.36-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 2-inch -
Woofer 1 x 6.5-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

EVO4.2 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter , a 2" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the SX-50 features a 1" Silk Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Treated paper Woofer .

Frequency Response

EVO4.2 has a frequency range of 54-22k Hz whereas SX-50 has a frequency range of 50-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the SX-50 can go slightly deeper then 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

EVO4.2
SX-50
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale EVO4.2
Cambridge SX-50
Min
Average
Max

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

EVO4.2 and SX-50 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. EVO4.2 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the SX-50's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Cambridge SX-50 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO4.2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

EVO4.2
SX-50
Min
Average
Max

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.

EVO4.2 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas SX-50 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the EVO4.2.

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

EVO4.2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SX-50 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Cambridge SX-50 Terminals
Cambridge SX-50's 5-way post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

EVO4.2 has a bottom firing port whereas SX-50 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale EVO4.2's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Cambridge SX-50 with its rear-firing port.

Cambridge SX-50  Port
Cambridge SX-50 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 EVO4.2's and Cambridge SX-50's external dimensions. Wharfedale EVO4.2 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm ( 17.9 x 9.8 x 13.7inch) whereas Cambridge SX-50 has external dimensions of 225.0 x 161.0 x 240.0mm ( 8.8 x 6.3 x 9.4inch) .

Wharfedale EVO4.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 89mm wider, 230mm taller and 110mm deeper than Cambridge SX-50.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Cambridge SX-50 in scale.

Wharfedale EVO4.2 vs Cambridge SX-50 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Cambridge SX-50 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 EVO4.2 is approximately 875.0cm2 / 135.6inch2 and base area of the Cambridge SX-50 is approximately 386.4cm2 / 59.9inch2. The EVO4.2 requires 126% more surface area than the SX-50 which gives it a small disadvantage 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:

Wharfedale EVO4.2 vs Cambridge SX-50 Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Cambridge SX-50 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 EVO4.2 weighs 13.40kg / 29.5lbs and the Cambridge SX-50 weighs 3.00kg / 6.6lbs. This makes the EVO4.2 347% heavier than the SX-50.

Here is a comparison of how EVO4.2 and SX-50's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Wharfedale EVO4.2
Cambridge SX-50
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.2?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of EVO4.2:
  • 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 Cambridge SX-50?

    Here are the items that come with the SX-50:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 8 Self-adhesive feet
  • 2 Foam port inserts
  • Installation Guide

  • Reasons to choose Wharfedale EVO4.2 over Cambridge Audio SX-50
    Max Input Power 120 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections

    Reasons to choose Cambridge Audio SX-50 over Wharfedale EVO4.2

    Sensitivity 90 dB vs 88 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 54 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Height 225mm vs 455mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 386cm2 vs 875cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 199USD vs 1199USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    Wharfedale EVO4.2 vs Cambridge SX-50 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Wharfedale EVO4.2 Cambridge Audio SX-50
    Brand Wharfedale Cambridge Audio
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 25-120 watts 10-100 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 90 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 4 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 54-22k Hz 50-22k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 6.5" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Kevlar Treated paper
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1.18x2.36" 1"
    Tweeter Type AMT (Ribbon) Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 2" No
    Firing Direction bottom rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 455.0mm (17.9") 225.0mm (8.9")
    Width 250.0mm (9.8") 161.0mm (6.3")
    Depth 350.0mm (13.8") 240.0mm (9.4")
    Weight 13.40kg (29.5lbs) 3.00kg (6.6lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-veneer MDF/Woodgrain vinyl
    Available Colors Walnut,Black,White Black
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 18-22" 28-31"
    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

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