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Wharfedale Emerald 97 - compare to?

I've read a lot of speaker reviews lately and found the Wharfedale Emerald 97 gets a fairly good review. Looking on Ebay I have seen many of these sell for under $300/pair new with claims of retail being $1000/pair for black ash to $1800/pair for walnut. They come with floor spikes too. I do not know of any plce in the area I live that carries any so I cannot go to listen for myself. Does anyone out there have a pair or heard them, and what is your opinion? What do they compare to? Good bass with 30-20000 response? Are they exagerating the retail price? Are they worth $300?
Also, as long as I am on here, I live west of the Minneapolis-St.Paul area about 75 miles so I don't get there often, can anyone tell me some places to go there to listen to different high end speakers?
Thanks
tgi
aroc
760 posts
 
As a former wharfedale owner, I echo the comments here. I had a pair of emerald 97s about two years ago (two speakers ago). Mine were finished in walnut veneer. I paid under $200 from ubid.com. I think the retail prices are inflated, but for the price if you can get them with wood veneers they aren't bad. But beware with the two 6 inch woofers, they do not have a lot of bass. I like the used entry level magnepans a lot better - even for rock music. You will still need a monster sub to mate with these. I did. Plus they will not play as loud and clean as maggies will.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Yeap I would avoid them at all cost!!!
I have a friend who sells and trades alot of gear.I get to bring some of this stuff home a play with it before it is sold.He had several pairs of new Wharfedales. We set up a pair at my house...I kid you not those were probably the worst monitors I have ever heard! In the dictionary under boxey these speakers should be listed as a reference! Him and I sat there and laughed ...I could hardly concentrate on listening to them.

Also had a small pair of Monitor Audio B2s here the same day to play with... absolutely no comparison. The little B2s disappeared and I could detect hardly a hint of boxey colouration. You can do a lot better!
aroc
760 posts
 
yeah, the wharfes were pretty boxy sounding.
tgi OP
9 posts
 
Thanks to all who replied! I believe I'll pass on them then. I guess the old saying still holds true, "if it sounds to good to be true, probably is..."
Thanks again
mutki
1 posts
 
I have a pair - many people do not realize that there are 2 versions w. different drivers, 1 in vinyl for cheap U.S. distribution on ubid.com, et. al.and 1 in real wood veneer (MK II) for general distribution (Amazon used to carry these). Made in China (but dont let that scare you off).
The vinyl version is crap as the woofer does not assilmilate well with midrange or tweeter. On the other hand, the MK II version may be the best deal in home audio. It is definately a "colored" speaker in that it infuses a warmth to most recordings (which also makes it very forgiving with less than steller recordings). Very easy to drive, good for HT applications (shielded), nice "high" soundstage and fairly handsome to boot. Compares favorably to my Opera Super Pavarottis ($1800 USD) and Martin Logan Arius ($2000 USD). Buy them if you can find them. Beware con artists selling inferior MKI version. Don't listen to my fellow audiophile snobs, unless you get the upgrade bug, possibly the last pair of speakers you will ever want or need.
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