About The Wharfedale EVO4.4 Speakers
The Wharfedale Evo 4.4 Floorstanding Speaker is the flagship of the Evo 4 range and has the ability to fill a large room with rich clear sound from its beautifully rounded, super solid cabinet, ultra-stiff woven Kevlar woofers, large soft dome midrange and airy AMT tweeter. You get a heck of a lot of speaker for the money in three fine finishes - White Oak, Walnut or Black - to suit almost any décor.
The Evo 4.4 is the big daddy of the range. Although it has the same sensual cabinet curves flaunted shamelessly by all the Evo 4 speakers, it is built on a bigger scale and is able to fill a large room with sound. It features the wonderful Air Motion Transformer Tweeter and the large Dome Midrange coupled to a pair of 6.5" (165mm) diameter woven Kevlar Bass Drivers for maximum punch and superior bass extension.
The Evolution Of Sound
The new Evo 4 represents the dawn of a new standard in Hi-Fi, from Wharfedale – the most famous name in British loudspeakers. Following the concept of the best-selling Evo series that came before it, Evo 4 represents the evolution of affordable high-fidelity audio. More than just a new edition, Evo 4 also fuses the Evo concept with trickle down technology from the flagship Wharfedale Elysian series – and just like Elysian, Evo 4 pushes the boundaries of technology and performance of speakers within this price class. From the cabinet design to the materials employed in its distinct design, Evo 4 stands head and shoulders above the competition.
Notably, the Wharfedale Evo 4 series employs a specially engineered AMT (Air Motion Transformer) treble transducer for its proprietary, silky smooth high frequency reproduction. By design, the AMT allows for a higher volume of air to be moved during performance than with a convention soft dome tweeter. This higher-pressure action, encouraged by the principles of AMT design, offers an improved point-source HF reproduction with lower distortion properties than conventional tweeters. This is evident in the sheer clarity of the musical performance of all of the Evo4 series loudspeakers.
Evolution By Design: Taking strong elements from the Flagship Elysian series, Evo 4 has ground breaking research and design embedded in its DNA. A long history of class-leading speaker concepts coupled with new technological breakthroughs means this is genuinely an evolution of affordable Hi-Fi.
Beauty With Purpose: The Evo 4 cabinet is purpose-designed from the ground-up. Not just the sleek curves, which stand out from the competition, but the materials, composites, internal bracing and damping too. All of this ensures the sonic character is not compromised by aesthetics. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Air Motion Transformer Tweeter: The AMT (Air Motion Transformer) is a radically different way of moving air. A large, pleated, lightweight diaphragm is driven across its surface by rows of strategically placed metallic strips immersed in a strong magnetic field. Under the influence of the musical drive the pleats in the diaphragm contract and expand, squeezing the air between them to form the desired waveform. Not only is this an efficient way of moving air but it is also very accurate as the diaphragm is under close control of the motor system at all times. In addition the AMT is a velocity, rather than pressure, transducer, capable of producing scintillatingly fast transients and dynamics. The result is a wide bandwidth device that achieves low distortion naturally and delivers wonderful musical detail.
Accuracy: Articulate and accurate bass is perfected by the bi-directional weaved Kevlar cones – a material that is naturally self-damping to reduce and distribute resonances to virtually negligible levels. In addition, a fixed, profiled phase plug ensures smooth acoustic roll off, further aiding integration with the AMT HF unit and mid-range drivers found in the Evo 4.2 upwards.
SLPP Bass: The bass units are loaded by the most advanced version of the unique Wharfedale Slot Port yet. Christened SLPP (Slot Loaded Profiled Port) the rear output of the bass units is not wasted. Instead the lowest frequency energy is vented to a slot at the base of the speaker, specially profiled to equalize the high internal pressure to the low pressure in the room. In combination the bass units and SLPP bass reflex system provide the massive foundation on which the rest of the musical performance sits, letting you feel as well as hear the full impact of thunderous low frequency information.
Finely Tuned: As per the uncompromising workflow and standard of Wharfedale loudspeaker development, hundreds of hours of listening plus custom designed Wharfedale Computer Aided Optimisation technology allows for the fine tuning of the crossover, perfecting the combination of the driver selection for ultimate performance.
Versatile In Application: The Evo 4 series is refined to appeal to the audiophile and the home-theatre enthusiast alike. With it's indulgent extension of bass, volume and impact in the 3-way 4.4's you've got the basis for something extra special. The 4.C centre-channel speaker offers enhanced clarity of dialogue in home-theatre applications while the 4.S surround speakers immerse the user in a genuine theatre experience. Audio Trends has a team of friendly staff with experience that goes back over 50 years and Wharfedale has been a part of that journey since those very early days. Let us help you with your new speakers or system.
EVO4.4 In The News
Wharfedale have been in business for over 80 years and are well-known for their budget-priced speakers. However, they also make high-end speakers with some costing in excess of $20,000! It was nice to hear that the Wharfedale Evo 4.4 floor standing speakers won the What Hi-Fi? 2020 Award for best speaker £1000 - £1500. In part the review said: " These are the biggest and priciest offerings in the company's new Evo range and are packed full of so much technology that we had to double-check the speaker's price tag to make sure it was for a pair of speakers, rather than just one. What kind of technology? Well, there's the Air Motion Transformer tweeter for starters. While there are a few similarly priced speakers that use such a unit, it's a type of design more usually seen at far higher prices....
If you're thinking that any speaker that stands 106cm tall and has twin 15cm bass drivers should deliver plenty in the way of bass, you'd be right...The output of those two bass drivers is helped by a downward-facing port arrangement where the low frequency sound fires out through a gap between the base of the speaker cabinet and the floor plinth. This is a technique that Wharfedale has refined in recent years and is claimed to better match the acoustic output of the port to the room...The Evo 4.4's build quality is good for the price. We like the way the elegantly curved cabinet is put together. It's strategically braced and damped to provide a solid, low resonance platform for the drive units to work from. There are three finish options – black, white and walnut. The standard of fit and finish on our review samples is good." What-Hi-Fi?
"These are the biggest and priciest offerings in the Wharfedale's Evo range and are packed full of so much technology that we had to double-check the price. The Air Motion Transformer tweeter is normally reserved for much more expensive speakers, while the dome midrange and twin Kevlar bass drivers also set these floorstanders apart from the crowd.
It won't come as a surprise that these relatively big speakers produce a large-scale sound with plenty of authority that's capable of going nice and loud. But they also deliver transparency and subtlety, helping to ensure a natural, easy-going presentation.
There are three finish options – black, white and walnut. Build quality is good for the price, and the elegant curves of the cabinet add a touch of class. Some clever bracing and damping minimise resonance.
Rivals such as the excellent Fyne Audio F501s might sound a little more exciting, but over a longer listen the Evo 4.4's easier-going presentation is more natural and convincing. A superb pair of premium floorstanders that get better with every listen." What Hi-Fi? - Best British Speakers 2023
Our Take On The EVO4.4 Speakers
We think this latest review says it all. The finish is exceptional and the AMT high-frequency unit delivers crystal clear sound but without being harsh. The terminals give you the option to bi-wire and considering the design it is something we would suggest you give serious consideration to. The Evo 4.4 is not a very efficient speaker and this is why it delivers such good bass and stereo imagery. However, it means you need an amp with some grunt - not necessarily high Wattage but rather a high-current design. If thinking about a home theatre system, then you will need one of the higher-end models and if stereo music is a serious part of your life, then posibly an additional power amplifier to really make the house shake.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: 4-Driver, 3-way Floorstanding Speakers
- Enclosure Type: Bass Reflex
- Bass Drivers: 2 x 165mm (6.5") black woven Kevlar® cone
- Midrange Driver: 1 x 50mm (2") soft dome
- Treble Driver: 1 x 30 x 60mm AMT
- Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1M): 89dB
- Recommended Amplifier Power: 50-200 Watt - must be 'clean' power
- Peak SPL: 107dB
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms Compatible
- Minimum Impedance: 4.3 Ohms
- Frequency Response (+/-3dB): 44Hz - 22kHz
- Bass Extension (-6dB): 38Hz
- Crossover Frequencies: 1.4kHz & 4.7kHz
- Grille Covers: Magnetic
- Speaker Wire Terminals: Will accept bare wire, spades and banana plugs
- Bi-Wire Option: Yes
- Finish/Colour: Black; Walnut; White
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 250 x 1060 x 350mm
- Net Weight: 25.6kg each
- Manufacturers Warranty: 5 Years. This protects the original purchaser against manufacturing defects but not abuse.
Note: Features and Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.