Wharfedale EVO 5.2 speaker review

hen Wharfedale released their new EVO 5.2 stand-mount speaker, it was exciting news for me. I'd auditioned the previous version, the EVO 4.2, in my home for a week alongside some other very nice bookshelf speakers. To my ears, the 4.2s really stood apart from the others with detailed, substantial, and engaging sound.

The EVO 5.2 is a bit bigger than its predecessor, which means it's one of the larger bookshelf/stand-mount speakers you'll find. It still features a 3-way design in a well-built, curved cabinet that comes in four matte finishes: black, white, gray, and real walnut wood veneer.

The upgrades to the EVO 5.2 include the bigger cabinet, which helps them play lower than the previous version. The Air Motion Transformer tweeter is also bigger, which gives you improved open, airy high-frequency response.

There’s also extensive new damping, which includes elastomer frames on the faceplate for each driver, as well as elastomer gaskets on the tweeter and 2" soft dome midrange driver.

The AMT tweeter in the EVO 5.2 is bigger than in previous versions and features new elastomer and natural fiber damping.

The tweeter and mid-driver also employ patented SilentWeave, which is a felt-like material made of cotton and other natural fibers. And the 6-1/2" woofers, which are made of woven Kevlar, get improved elastomer surrounds.

The 5.2's tri-directional Slot Loaded Profiled Port fires left, right, and rear for more controlled bass extension. It also means that you can place them a little closer to the wall without getting boomy or baggy low end.

And Wharfedale makes custom-designed stands for the EVO 5.2. Their robust design uses four vertical supports on each stand to keep the speaker from moving not only backward and forward but from twisting, minimizing any sonic smear that might result from the shifting angle of the sound waves. The stands' outrigger feet have carpet spikes, with hard-floor discs provided.

Other EVO 5 speaker models

You can scale up or down from the 5.2s, or expand into a surround sound system for your TV. Let’s run down the other models in the EVO 5 line.

There are four stereo pairs: two bookshelf/stand-mount and two floor-standing models. And then you can get the EVO 5.C center-channel speaker for clear dialogue and central action sound in your home theater setup.

If you're planning to use the EVO 5.2 speakers in a home theater system, consider adding the 5.C center channel speaker.

The EVO 5.1 is the smaller of the two bookshelf models and features a 2-way design. Wharfedale also makes custom stands for this model.

The 5.2 and the rest of the EVO 5 line feature a 3-way design that uses a 2” soft-dome midrange driver. In these models, the crossovers are broken out into two separate high-quality PCB boards, which helps keep interference out of the signal for cleaner sound.

The floor-standing models — the EVO 5.3 and the top-of-the-line EVO5.4 —feature an integrated base with cantilevered carpet-spike feet and optional discs for hard floors.

How do the EVO 5.2 speakers sound?

So how do they sound? I had a pair of EVO 5.2 speakers in my home for testing, and in a word, they sounded wonderful. I set them up on stands in my living room powered by my NAD C700 integrated amplifier.

They handled everything I played very nicely. From the tranquil acoustic period instruments on a recording of Henry Purcell’s Fantazias and St. Martin’s voices singing modern English composer Lucy Walker’s “Today” to lively stuff like Toots and the Maytals “Sweet and Dandy."

I experienced engaging, lifelike sound when I listened to the EVO 5.2 stand-mount speakers in a stereo setup like this.

They delivered an engaging presentation of Richard and Linda Thompson’s “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" — loping British folk-rock beat, dry guitars, warm horn arrangements, and Linda Thompson’s silvery voice. And the stuttering guitar riff on “Deuce” from Kiss’s first album sounded huge and powerful.

I would characterize the sound as accurate but not clinical, and exceptionally full and rich at low volume — very well-balanced and transparent. And the lifelike soundstage maintains its non-fatiguing effortlessness as you crank the volume.

The improved low-frequency response in the 5.2 vs the 4.2s is probably the first thing I noticed. But it’s not just that. There’s a notable richness of texture across the full frequency range.

Should you get EVO 5.2 speakers?

If you want an excellent pair of stereo speakers that punch above their weight, or if you’re putting together a high-quality home theater sound system, Wharfedale’s EVO 5.2 is well worth considering.

They make me happy when I’m listening and I noticed my family enjoying them as well while I had them in my living room. They really look nice too.

Want to learn more?

If you still have questions about the EVO 5.2 or any of the different EVO 5 models, or need some help figuring out which would work best for you, or even if you’re looking for something a little different, contact us today.

Our friendly, knowledgeable Advisors can help you find the best fit for your unique circumstances.

And don't forget, free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase.