Wharfedale EVO 5.1 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)

Looking for a Tremendous-Sounding Pair of Bookshelf Loudspeakers Under $1k? Put the Wharfedale EVO 5.1 on Your Short List and Experience the Personification of High-Value, High-Performance 

Say you want an (r)evolution? The Wharfedale EVO 5.1 bookshelf loudspeaker brings the revered British audio company’s penchant for high-value, high-performance designs into another stratosphere. Wildly improving upon its critically acclaimed predecessor in EVO 4 Series, this two-way standmount plays with incredible speed, accuracy, definition, and efficiency. Its take-notice sound and gorgeous looks owe not only to Wharfedale’s pursuit of continuous improvements but to the fact the company makes nearly all of its components in-house — allowing for a start-to-finish synergy available to few manufacturers in the 21st century. 

The keys to the detailed, dynamic, and emotionally engaging EVO 5.1 begin with drive units that behave better outside of their normal range. This translates to clearer reproduction — particularly in the ever-valuable midrange. Wharfedale accomplished this goal in multiple ways. A trademarked ResoSeal — a thin elastomer mass ring applied to the rear of the five-inch bass/midrange driver where the cone meets the surround — optimizes the performance as the unit naturally rolls off. Relatedly, a trademarked ResoFrame — an acoustic damping frame you can see at the front of the drivers — reduces resonance with the chassis and trim, thereby decreasing vibrations and resonances. 

EVO 5.1 also touts an upgraded AMT (Air Motion Transformer) treble. Measuring 1.38 x 2.76 inches, it benefits from a trademarked SilentWeave at the cavity behind the diaphragm. A mix of cotton and natural fibers, SilentWeave reduces reflections and colorations, providing excellent absorption across the frequency spectrum. An additional elastomer damping gasket sits between the diaphragm edge and the front plate of the AMT, further smoothing responsiveness and lending to a natural signature. 

The crossover inside EVO 5.1 continues the parade of innovations. Simple, and devised with a new PCB layout that shortens the path between components and drive units, it consists of high-end polypropylene capacitors and air-core coils — choices made after extensive listening tests — that ensure remarkable phase consistency and seamless internal integration. You, too, may notice the proprietary Slot Loaded Profiled Port (SLPP) system, which channels the rear output of the bass drivers through a slot at the speaker’s base to equalize pressure. Enhanced for the EVO 5 Series, it touts pioneering three-directional SLPP channel that optimizes airflow distribution to further lessen turbulence and distortion. Another advantage? It means EVO 5.1 isn’t too fussy about placement .

On the outside, stylish, curved architecture looks great — but also contributes to sound that is enjoyably open, focused, transparent, and vivid. Compared to its EVO 4 Series ancestor, EVO 5.1 has a larger cabinet with increased internal volume — producing deep bass extension and wider dispersion, essential ingredients for immersive and expansive soundstages. And there's more, in the form of a multi-layer sandwich with different wood densities to reduce panel resonance and leakage along with radiused baffle edges to integrate the output with your room acoustics.

All told, the 13.4 x 8.7 x 11.2-inch (HWD) EVO 5.1 holds its own with any and all speakers in its price class — and many that fetch a far prettier penny. Find out for yourself with a risk-free in-home audition backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. 
To learn more, just reach out at 312-433-0200. 

The AMT, Evolved 
In developing  EVO 5 Series, Wharfedale has further evolved the cutting-edge Air Motion Transformer (AMT). The AMT is a type of high-frequency driver known for its exceptional accuracy, speed, and low distortion compared to traditional dome treble units. Instead of using a conventional dome or cone to push air forward, an AMT uses a pleated diaphragm made of an ultra-thin, lightweight material (often a polymer film). Strong magnets are positioned on either side of the diaphragm, creating a powerful magnetic field. When an audio signal is passed through the conductive traces, the diaphragm is energized, causing the pleats to contract and expand. As the pleats move, they "squeeze" and "expand" the air between them, pushing it out in a highly controlled and efficient manner. This method allows the AMT to move four times more air than a traditional dome tweeter of the same surface area, leading to lower distortion (since the diaphragm moves less than a typical dome or ribbon), faster transient response (due to the lightweight material and minimal movement), wider frequency range and better dispersion.

Enhanced Midrange Via ResoSeal
A new technique, labelled ResoSeal sees a thin mass ring of elastomer applied to the rear of the cone where it meets the surround. This further optimizes midrange frequency response, allowing vocals to sound richer and more natural. This subtle yet critical enhancement ensures a refined and immersive listening experience.

Large Cabinet Volume 
Each model in EVO 5 Series features an optimally increased internal cabinet volume. The expanded cabinet volume contributes to deeper bass extension and improved overall sound dispersion, creating a more immersive and expansive audio field. The inclusion of a hybrid plinth, which combines metal and wood elements of the cabinet’s details, enhances structural integrity and reduces unwanted vibrations. This innovative base ensures that sound remains clean and uncolored, free from external resonance artifacts.