In this review, we will be comparing EVO5.1 and L100, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale EVO5.1 and Polk L100 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale EVO5.1 | Polk L100 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.375" AMT (Ribbon) | 1" Ring Radiator |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" woven Kevlar | 5.25" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 56-24k Hz | 57-38k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 85.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 30-160 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.00kg / 17.6lbs | 7.68kg / 16.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.4" x 8.7" x 12.8"
340.0 x 220.0 x 325.0mm | 13-11/16" x 7-7/8" x 11-5/16"
348.0 x 201.0 x 288.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Wharfedale EVO5.1 and Polk L100 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 |
Polk L100 |
| 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 L100 are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale EVO5.1Polk L100
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 |
Polk L100 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.375-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-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 L100 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
EVO5.1 has a frequency range of 56-24k Hz whereas L100 has a frequency range of 57-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 56Hz, the EVO5.1 can go slightly deeper then the L100's min frequency of 57Hz.
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 and L100 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. EVO5.1 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the L100's is at 85.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO5.1 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk L100, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the EVO5.1 and the EVO5.1 can provide this impedance level.
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.
L100 can handle a max power of 160 watts RMS, whereas EVO5.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 60 watts less than the L100.
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
EVO5.1 features Post type posts and L100 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO5.1's Binding post terminals
Polk L100's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
EVO5.1 has a bottom firing port whereas L100 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale EVO5.1's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Polk L100 with its rear-firing port.
Polk L100 Enhanced Power Port 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 EVO5.1's and Polk L100'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 Polk L100 has external dimensions of 348.0 x 201.0 x 288.0mm (13-11/16 x 7-7/8 x 11-5/16inch).
Polk L100 is 19mm narrower and 37mm less deeper than Wharfedale EVO5.1 but it is also 8mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale EVO5.1 and Polk L100 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO5.1 and Polk L100 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 Polk L100 is approximately 578.9cm2 / 89.7inch2. The EVO5.1 requires 24% more surface area than the L100 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 Polk L100 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 Polk L100 weighs 7.68kg / 16.9lbs. This makes the EVO5.1 4% heavier than the L100.
Here is a comparison of how EVO5.1 and L100'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 Polk L100?
Here are the items that come with the L100:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.4 ohms
vs
3 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
56 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
340mm
vs
348mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Max Input Power |
160 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
578cm2
vs
715cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
Polk Audio Legend L100 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
30-160 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
85.5 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.4 ohms |
3 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
56-24k Hz |
57-38k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven Kevlar |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.375" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Ring Radiator |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2700Hz |
2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
340.0mm (13.4") |
348.0mm (13.7") |
| Width |
220.0mm (8.7") |
201.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
325.0mm (12.8") |
288.0mm (11.3") |
| Weight |
8.00kg (17.6lbs) |
7.68kg (16.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Grey. Black, White |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
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 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (56Hz vs 57Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | Polk L100 takes more power (160W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($999 vs $999 a pair). |
A Wharfedale EVO5.1 B Polk L100
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?
Polk L100 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. Match it to your room: we rate Wharfedale EVO5.1 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Polk L100 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.