In this review, we will be comparing Reva 2 and Crystal 4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Wharfedale Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Reva 2 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale Reva 2 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 Reva 2 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Reva 2 and Crystal 4.2 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale Reva 2 |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Reva 2 features a 1" woven textile Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Glass Fiber Woofer . On the other hand, the Crystal 4.2 features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
Reva 2 has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz whereas Crystal 4.2 has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Reva 2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Crystal 4.2's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
Reva 2 and Crystal 4.2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Reva 2 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Crystal 4.2's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Reva 2, 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. 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.
Reva 2 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Reva 2 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS , 20 watts less than the Crystal 4.2.
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
Reva 2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Crystal 4.2 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Reva 2 has a bottom firing port whereas Crystal 4.2 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale Reva 2's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 Reva 2's and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2's external dimensions. Wharfedale Reva 2 has external dimensions of 358.0 x 201.0 x 326.0mm ( 14-1/16 x 7-7/8 x 12-13/16inch) whereas Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 has external dimensions of 266.0 x 181.0 x 220.0mm ( 10-7/16 x 7-1/8 x 8-5/8inch) .
Wharfedale Reva 2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 20mm wider, 92mm taller and 106mm deeper than Wharfedale Crystal 4.2.
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 Reva 2 is approximately 655.3cm2 / 101.6inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 is approximately 398.2cm2 / 61.7inch2. The Reva 2 requires 65% more surface area than the Crystal 4.2 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 Reva 2 weighs 7.82kg / 17.2lbs and the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 weighs 4.20kg / 9.2lbs. This makes the Reva 2 86% heavier than the Crystal 4.2.
Here is a comparison of how Reva 2 and Crystal 4.2'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 Reva 2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Reva 2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper bars (pre-installed)Pair of white glovesUser-feets Manual
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Crystal 4.2?
Here are the items that come with the Crystal 4.2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)User-feets ManualInstallation Guide
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Height |
266mm
vs
358mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
398cm2 (181x220mm)
vs
655cm2 (201x326mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Wharfedale Reva 2 |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-80 watts |
20-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
48-20k Hz |
60-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Glass Fiber |
Woven Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Soft-dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
358.0mm (14.1") |
266.0mm (10.5") |
Width |
201.0mm (7.9") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
Depth |
326.0mm (12.8") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
Weight |
7.82kg (17.2lbs) |
4.20kg (9.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
Finish |
Wood composite laminate |
Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24" |
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 |