Wharfedale Diamond 8.4


Has anyone heard the Wharfedale Diamond 8.4? Big time reviews on audioreview.com, just wondering if the goners have any experience with it. Looking for a sub-$1000 set of floor standers that can be placed near the wall, and be reasonably easy on the eyes. Listen to most types of music.

Equip:

Sony 9000es
B&K REF 10
Mccormack DNA-1

Thanks
rrekstad
CL:

I owned the 8.1's for about a year, so I am aware that the 8 series Diamonds are front ported. Given that, I still found that the Wharfedales tended to sound their best when out in the room a bit. Even though you might categorize the B&K as a mid-fi and/or budget receiver, the B&K is still on par with the Wharfedales (mid-fi/budget speakers themselves) from a quality and matching perspective. For near rear wall placement, acoustic suspension speakers are still the way to go and the NHT's would fit that bill.

Regards, Rich
Rich
Let me clarify ,I felt the 8.4 set we auditioned driven by a JVC-9010 delivered a wonderful sound.It's the JVC I call mid-fi,the implication being Rrekstads Ref10/DNA-1 pairing should be much. Port mention merely an FYI you didn't need and we are in agreement they sound better out into room.
Either of you see or hear any of the new Evolution series?
They look well done.
Thanks for the comments guys. Ive also heard that the Totem Arro might fit my needs well. Any thoughts on that?
I liked the Totem Arro a lot when I heard it at the Montreal show a few years ago. Vince Bruzzese was playing it with a SimAudio I-5 integrated and a Rega Planet--this was before Totem brought out their own integrated amp. Very musical, lots of presence and rhythm, sounded good next to the wall. Personally, and without having heard your components, I would guess by its reputation that the Totem Arro would be closer in quality to what you have than the Wharfedale model you're considering, but I would like to have that confirmed, please.
the totem is a significant step up from the wharfdales..i know because an audiophile friend of mine has the exact same system as me except i own arros and he owns wharfdale diamond 8....not sure which one, its a 3 way speaker though...

my system sound much better than his...the wharfdales are good speakers for the money but theres simply no comparison...

if looking into arros though be aware of a potential problem i discovered...see my thread below titled "help with speaker problem" for more info