In this review, we will be comparing EVO4.C and Ultra Center, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Wharfedale and SVS.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale EVO4.C and SVS Ultra Center first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Wharfedale EVO4.C Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 30 x 60mm" Air Motion Transformer (AMT) Tweeter
- 2" Midrange
- 2 x 6.5" woven Kevlar cone Woofer
- 48-22k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:25-150watts
- Weight:15.82kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 253.0" x 29-9/16" x 15-5/16"( 253.0 x 751.0 x 389.0mm )
SVS Ultra Center Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 4" Midrange
- 2 x 6.5" composite glass-fiber Woofer
- 4" Midrange
- 45-32k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-225watts
- Weight:14.09kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 207.0" x 22-1/16" x 11-3/16"( 207.0 x 561.0 x 285.0mm )
What size room are the Wharfedale EVO4.C and SVS Ultra Center 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.C |
SVS Ultra Center |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* 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.C and SVS Ultra Center 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
Both EVO4.C and Ultra Center are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Wharfedale EVO4.C |
SVS Ultra Center |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
30 x 60mm-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2-inch |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
EVO4.C features a 30 x 60mm" Air Motion Transformer (AMT) Tweeter , a 2" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" woven Kevlar cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz and 3900HZ. On the other hand, the Ultra Center features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
EVO4.C has a frequency range of 48-22k Hz whereas Ultra Center has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Ultra Center can go slightly deeper then the EVO4.C's min frequency of 48Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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.C and Ultra Center have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. EVO4.C sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Ultra Center's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO4.C a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Ultra Center, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.C can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS from the amp the whereas EVO4.C has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 75 watts less than the Ultra Center.
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 EVO4.C and Ultra Center features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO4.C's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
SVS Ultra Center's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both EVO4.C and Ultra Center have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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.C's and SVS Ultra Center's external dimensions. Wharfedale EVO4.C has external dimensions of 253.0 x 751.0 x 389.0mm ( 9-15/16 x 29-9/16 x 15-5/16inch) whereas SVS Ultra Center has external dimensions of 207.0 x 561.0 x 285.0mm ( 8-1/8 x 22-1/16 x 11-3/16inch) .
Wharfedale EVO4.C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 190mm wider, 46mm taller and 104mm deeper than SVS Ultra Center.
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.C is approximately 2921.4cm2 / 452.8inch2 and base area of the SVS Ultra Center is approximately 1598.9cm2 / 247.8inch2. The EVO4.C requires 83% more surface area than the Ultra Center 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.C weighs 15.82kg / 34.8lbs and the SVS Ultra Center weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs. This makes the EVO4.C 12% heavier than the Ultra Center.
Here is a comparison of how EVO4.C and Ultra Center's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of EVO4.C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille2 Foam port plugs (pre-installed)2 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetPair of white cloth glovesUser Manual
What's in the Box of SVS Ultra Center?
Here are the items that come with the Ultra Center:
Center channel loudspeakerGrille2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)4 Rubber feetOwners ManualSVS brochureOnline Product Registration Card
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Max Input Power |
225 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
32k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
207mm
vs
253mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1598cm2
vs
2921cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale EVO4.C |
SVS Ultra Center |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
25-150 watts |
20-225 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.3 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
48-22k Hz |
45-32k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven Kevlar cone |
composite glass-fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
30 x 60mm" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Air Motion Transformer (AMT) |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
2" |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500Hz and 3900HZ |
500Hz and 2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
253.0mm (10") |
207.0mm (8.1") |
| Width |
751.0mm (29.6") |
561.0mm (22.1") |
| Depth |
389.0mm (15.3") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
| Weight |
15.82kg (34.8lbs) |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
White, Walnut, Black |
Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White |
| 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 |