In this review, we will be comparing EVO4.2 and S20, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Polk S20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Polk S20 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 EVO4.2 and Polk S20 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 S20 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 |
Polk S20 |
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 6.5-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 S20 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
EVO4.2 has a frequency range of 54-22k Hz whereas S20 has a frequency range of 39-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 39Hz, the S20 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
EVO4.2 and S20 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 88 dB.
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.
EVO4.2 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas EVO4.2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 5 watts less than the S20.
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. S20 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
EVO4.2 has a bottom firing port whereas S20 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 Polk S20 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 EVO4.2's and Polk S20'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 Polk S20 has external dimensions of 376.0 x 216.0 x 350.0mm ( 14.8 x 8.5 x 13.7inch) .
Polk S20 is 34mm narrower and 79mm shorter than Wharfedale EVO4.2 but they have the same thickness of 350.0mm.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale EVO4.2 and Polk S20 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 EVO4.2 is approximately 875.0cm2 / 135.6inch2 and base area of the Polk S20 is approximately 756.0cm2 / 117.2inch2. The EVO4.2 requires 16% more surface area than the S20 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 EVO4.2 weighs 13.40kg / 29.5lbs and the Polk S20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the EVO4.2 73% heavier than the S20.
Here is a comparison of how EVO4.2 and S20'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 EVO4.2?
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 Polk S20?
Here are the items that come with the S20:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (attached)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
39 Hz
vs
54 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
376mm
vs
455mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
756cm2 (216x350mm)
vs
875cm2 (250x350mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
Polk Audio Signature S20 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-120 watts |
20-125 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
54-22k Hz |
39-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.18x2.36" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
2" |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2500Hz |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
455.0mm (17.9") |
376.0mm (14.8") |
Width |
250.0mm (9.8") |
216.0mm (8.5") |
Depth |
350.0mm (13.8") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
Weight |
13.40kg (29.5lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Meddite MDF |
Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,White |
Black, Walnut, Brown Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
18-22" |
24-28" |
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 |