Wharfedale EVO 5 Speaker Range – First look
All Image Credit: Wharfedale
Wharfedale has launched the new EVO 5 speaker range that replaces the 2019’s EVO 4 series. The EVO 5 range arrives with; updated cabinets, drivers and crossovers plus new damping technology. The range is available in four finishes: walnut wood veneer, matte black, matte white, and matte grey.
The new five-model range consists of; the EVO 5.1 two-way standmount speaker, the EVO 5.2 three-way large standmounter, the two three-way floorstanders (EVO 5.3 and EVO 5.4), and rounding out the series, the EVO 5.C center channel.
The EVO 5 range gets a larger AMT HF unit, measuring 35x70mm compared with the outgoing EVO 4’s 35x60mm driver and a further developed 50mm domed midrange to match the new AMT performance in order to maintain consistency. Plus a new sound-absorbing material called SilentWeave, a cotton/felt hybrid developed specifically for the EVO 5 speakers, helps reduce sound wave reflections inside the cabinet and support the AMT and domed midrange units.
Additional damping has been applied to all EVO 5 drivers using the ‘Resoframe’. These cog-shaped elastomer damping frames are partnered by the AMT tweeter’s damping gasket between the diaphragm and front plate to help minimize mechanical resonances. Plus, the EVO 5’s bass and mid/bass have a new low-mass elastomer damping ring (ResoSeal) at the rear of the driver cone where it meets the surround. The soft fabric midrange dome in the three-way models is damped with a plasticizer coating and is vented into a specially shaped rear chamber that is profiled to scatter and absorb rear energy from the dome. Wharfedale states that this creates a more a linear response from 800Hz to 5KHz.
These redesigned drivers also receive a redesigned crossover. With shortened electrical paths and with the three way designs crossover arrangement being split into two, one for treble and mid, and the other for bass, which is said to help to reduce electromagnetic coupling interference.
Finally, the drivers all reside within slightly larger cabinets than deployed for the EVO 4 range, and use a slot loaded profiled port (SLPP) bass (3D) reflex design has also been upgraded to improve bass extension by funneling the LF driver back-pressure waves into three directions, left, right and rear (the 5.C is dual ported in the rear panel). All cabinets are constructed from layers of varying-density woods to reduce resonance, while a hybrid metal/wood plinth at the base of every speaker, incorporates the new bass reflex vents (not 5.C).
Availability:
June 2025
Brief Specifications & Features:
- EVO 5.1: Frequency response (+/-3dB): 56Hz – 24kHz, Bass extension (-6dB): 46Hz
- EVO 5.2: Frequency response (+/-3dB): 44Hz – 24kHz, Bass extension (-6dB): 38Hz
- EVO 5.3: Frequency response (+/-3dB): 46Hz – 24kHz, Bass extension (-6dB): 40Hz
- EVO 5.4: Frequency response (+/-3dB): 42Hz – 24kHz, Bass extension (-6dB): 36Hz
- EVO 5.C: Frequency response (+/-3dB): 56Hz – 24kHz, Bass extension (-6dB): 49Hz
MSRP (UK/EU):
- EVO 5.1 standmounter: £549 / €699 pair
- EVO 5.2 standmounter: £749 / €999 pair
- EVO 5.3 floorstander: £1,099 / €1,499 pair
- EVO 5.4 floorstander: £1,399 / €1,899 pair
- EVO 5.C center channel: £549 / €699 single
- EVO 5.4 stands £399 pair
- EVO 5.2 stands £449 pair
For more information visit the UK Wharfedale web site.
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