In this review, we will be comparing EVO5.1 and Demand D11, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale EVO5.1 and Definitive Demand D11 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale EVO5.1 | Definitive Demand D11 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.375" AMT (Ribbon) | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" woven Kevlar | 6.5" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 56-24k Hz | 61-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.00kg / 17.6lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.4" x 8.7" x 12.8"
340.0 x 220.0 x 325.0mm | 13-1/16" x 7-5/16" x 12-15/16"
332.0 x 186.0 x 329.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Wharfedale EVO5.1 and Definitive Demand D11 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 EVO5.1 |
Definitive Demand D11 |
| 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 EVO5.1 and Demand D11 are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale EVO5.1Definitive Demand D11
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 EVO5.1 |
Definitive Demand D11 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.375-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
EVO5.1 features a 1.375" SilentWeave cotton and felt damping fiber AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz. On the other hand, the Demand D11 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
EVO5.1 has a frequency range of 56-24k Hz whereas Demand D11 has a frequency range of 61-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 56Hz, the EVO5.1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Demand D11's min frequency of 61Hz.
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
EVO5.1 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Demand D11 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the EVO5.1 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. EVO5.1 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Demand D11's is rated at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Definitive Demand D11 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO5.1, 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.
Demand D11 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas EVO5.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Demand D11.
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
Demand D11 features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. EVO5.1 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO5.1's Binding post terminals
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 EVO5.1's and Definitive Demand D11's external dimensions. Wharfedale EVO5.1 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 220.0 x 325.0mm (13.4" × 8.7" × 12.8") whereas Definitive Demand D11 has external dimensions of 332.0 x 186.0 x 329.0mm (13-1/16 x 7-5/16 x 12-15/16inch).
Definitive Demand D11 is 34mm narrower and 8mm shorter than Wharfedale EVO5.1 but it is also 4mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale EVO5.1 and Definitive Demand D11 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO5.1 and Definitive Demand D11 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 EVO5.1 is approximately 715.0cm2 / 110.8inch2 and base area of the Definitive Demand D11 is approximately 611.9cm2 / 94.8inch2. The EVO5.1 requires 17% more surface area than the Demand D11 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 EVO5.1 and Definitive Demand D11 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 EVO5.1 weighs 8.00kg / 17.6lbs and the Definitive Demand D11 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the Demand D11 8% heavier than the EVO5.1.
Here is a comparison of how EVO5.1 and Demand D11'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 EVO5.1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of EVO5.1:
- 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 Definitive Demand D11?
Here are the items that come with the Demand D11:
- Left bookshelf loudpseaker
- Right bookshelf loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
56 Hz
vs
61 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
24k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
332mm
vs
340mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
611cm2
vs
715cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
Definitive Technology Demand Series D11 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
56-24k Hz |
61-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven Kevlar |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.375" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2700Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
340.0mm (13.4") |
332.0mm (13.1") |
| Width |
220.0mm (8.7") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
| Depth |
325.0mm (12.8") |
329.0mm (13") |
| Weight |
8.00kg (17.6lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
MDF/Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Grey. Black, White |
Gloss White,Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Wharfedale EVO5.1 is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Wharfedale EVO5.1 digs deeper - 56Hz against 61Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Definitive Demand D11 is more sensitive (90dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Definitive Demand D11 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | B | Definitive Demand D11 takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Expandability | B | Definitive Demand D11: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($999 vs $999 a pair). |
A Wharfedale EVO5.1 B Definitive Demand D11
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?
Definitive Demand D11 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 61Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Wharfedale EVO5.1 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Definitive Demand D11 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.