Wharfdale 10.1 speaker: budget superstar or hype??

A friend who owns the Diamond 10.1 in his home theater setup has recommended these to me as a budget overachiever. He owns the Harbeth P3ESR in his study and Audio Physic Avantera in his main system. The 10.1 does not have the refinement of the costlier bookshelves and midrange may not be as natural or accurate, but it does come close at a low price.

An excellent budget bookshelf for secondary systems or Home Theater applications. At $349, it doesn't matter too much even if it's reviewer's hype. I think this one competes strongly with another budget bookshelf below $400, the Paradigm Atom Monitor v7($398). I've listened to the Atom v6 and feel that these are good budget speakers if not overachievers.

Budget overachievers present challenges. In general, they can get you 80% or so there in overall performance and they can excel in one or more areas. It becomes then, are the areas where they excel of importance to you. You can put together a pretty decent system for $750 to a grand. In addition, you can train yourself to appreciate the sound of better components.

I am a sucker for the over achieving budget loudspeakers and over the years, I have owned quite a few of them. I did not care for the B&W 302, which were a Stereophile Class C, but loved the Rega Ara (now the RS1), which I don't think ever made anyone's list. I could never see what was special about the EPOS ELS3, as it did not have the same house sound as the EPOS 11, which I owned and loved for years.

I had the Wharfedale Diamond 8.1, which I liked (and gifted to a friend). A few years later, I had the Diamond 9.2, which I was indifferent about, even though it was a well regarded speaker. I would not be tempted by the 10.1.

If I were going the budget route, I would try the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 at $300 (I happily own the Sierra S1). The Ascend Acoustics house sound is lively and detailed with a touch of warmth. Or conversely, I would shop places like Vann's or Audio Advisors, which have deals like the $600 Energy RC10s for $300. I like the idea of a $600 speaker at half price, as opposed to a $300 speaker at list.

If you can audition these speakers ... great. But in most cities (NYC included), auditioning is not convenient.

As for other budget picks ... I am enjoying the Emotiva CD player (ERC2) that I picked up on sale for $350. NAD budget integrateds are usually worth the price. Rega Apollo CD player at its current $650 price is a steal. NHT speakers are just plain nice. The Magneplanar MMG are always tempting at $600 and I have 2 cats that would love me to pull the trigger on them.

After awhile though, chasing the budget overachievers is costly. Assuming that you can, you are probably better off buying something that really has the sound that you are looking for, as opposed to settling (or experimenting) and then, looking to upgrade 6 months later.

When I look at my main components, I have owned them for years ... Prima Luna amps going on 8 years, Rega Apollo for 6 years, Musical Fidelity Preamp/ CD player for 9 years, Outlaw receiver for 6 years, SONY SACD player for 11 years.

So, my point ... it took time and some cash to learn what I like. I still get tempted by budget electronics, because $350, is almost disposable money (I said almost). I don't feel that the reviews are hype ... that particular product may have hit the reviewer's hot buttons. Part of this becomes knowing what the reviewer looks for.

Rich

Rich and Ryder: You both make excellent points. I did consider the Paradign Atom V7, but felt it could lack even fair bass response. In addition, I have garden hose speaker cable for my main speakers which I would have to use on the Atoms; I fear the torque of a heavy cable, might lift and spin them around.

I have no experience with Wharfdale speakers, but the price is right. Though, I can understand Rich's reluctance about the 10.1 speakers if left unimpressed with previous models. I began this quest after reading the review of the Totem Dream Catcher in Stereophile which retails for approx $625; the Totems Arros were next on the wish list but are ridiculously priced even used, and its retail is belly laughable at $1675.

Two other contenders are in play after reading a review in "What Hi-FI" (which never fails to overrate Brit midfi speakers) are the Monitor Audio BX-2, the mag's 2011 budget speaker of the year at approx $450 retail; another source touts the KEF q300 at approx $600. I am familiar with the "house sound" of both, but need to dig up reviews on both to get other POVs

Rich's point about the expense of accumulating budget masterpieces is well taken, and shooting for a speaker that has "the sound you are looking for". A caveat for me is two: I am not buying anything at retail accept possibly the Wharedale's I would like to spend $350-$400 max for USED copies of the more expensive monitors mentioned above. They will only be used ocassionally to change up the sound and later placed in the corner when not in use; however, I want something very accurate, musical and can play loud without strain. That might be a silly tall order at $400 used.

Lastly, I had a chance of scoring a new pair of Dynaudio 2/6 on e-bay (retail is $800) I have heard them a few times and liked their neutral sound but including shipping, they would have ran $570, and I still needed a pair of 50.00 stands. I am sure the Dynaudio DM 2/6 is superior to the Wharedale's, but..... by how much. The latter would cost me $349 from Music Direct with free shipping until Feb.29, and with a a pair of $50 stands would total out to be $399, OK, it is $171 more than the Dynaudios total price....and....yes, it is not a substantial difference, but $400-$425 is my goal.....though I could wind up making the budgeteer's mistake of placing value over sound, and thus begin my audio curio case. Thanks, Guys.