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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
scottht
398 posts
 
There are at least 6 pairs of speakers under full range for sale that I saw quickly, just for the heck of it. All of them better in every way than the Wharfedale.
There are B&W's and Deftech's available.
But, To each his own. Don't come cryin here when you get them.
scottht
398 posts
 
You could also pick up a pair of used Thiel 1.2's for about $350.
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.
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