Astonishing reduction in price for Wharfedale's top-rated Evo 4.4 floor-standing loudspeakers, now available at an unbeatable five-star bargain.

In the world of high-fidelity audio, Wharfedale continues to impress with its latest speaker offerings. This article delves into the differences between the Wharfedale Evo 5 and Evo 4.4 speaker ranges, providing recommendations for those seeking to purchase quality floorstanding speakers.

The Evolution of Wharfedale's Evo Series: Evo 5 vs Evo 4.4

The Wharfedale Evo 5 range, launched in May 2023, is generally seen as an evolution and improvement over the Evo 4.4 model. The Evo 5 series offers enhanced acoustic performance, design refinements, and newer driver technology.

Acoustic Improvements in Evo 5

The Evo 5 series features larger cabinet volumes and uses an upgraded midrange driver that builds upon the design in the Evo 4 models. This driver includes new acoustic damping technologies like ResoFrame and SilentWeave material that reduce resonances and reflections, resulting in smoother response and improved clarity. The combination of the midrange dome with a new AMT high-frequency unit provides wide dispersion and excellent detail retrieval throughout the listening area.

Sound Quality and Bass

Feedback on the Evo 5 (specifically the 5.4 model) includes praise for reduced cabinet resonances compared to the Evo 4.4, which was criticized for sounding somewhat like a "metal barrel." The Evo 5 bass response is described as "gorgeous" and deep, though placement near walls may cause bass to dominate. The Evo 4.4, on the other hand, is noted for its "large-scale and authoritative" delivery with impressive dynamic clout and articulate, exciting sound, but it requires plenty of space to perform optimally.

Design and Build

Evo 5 speakers have modern-retro styling, magnetically attached grilles without visible screws, and improved speaker terminals housed in sturdy plates—a step up from the Evo 4.4. The removal of bi-wiring capability in the Evo 5 has been noted as a puzzling design change by some users, despite better overall build quality and finishes.

Price and Value

The Evo 4.4 has recently seen a significant price drop at Peter Tyson, from £1199 to £699, which makes it a very attractive option for buyers seeking quality floorstanders on a budget. This drop may be partly due to the newer Evo 5 launch earlier in 2025. The Evo 4.4 was awarded five stars and praised as a class leader at its original price, suggesting outstanding performance for the current discounted price.

In summary, the Evo 5 range offers technical and acoustic refinements, larger cabinets, and a more polished design, which likely translates into improved clarity, lower resonances, and better integration across frequencies compared to the Evo 4.4 model. However, the Evo 4.4 remains a strong performer with a reputation for large-scale, dynamic sound and is now available at a notably reduced price at Peter Tyson, giving excellent value for its quality.

Listeners needing cutting-edge refinement might prefer the Evo 5, but those seeking great performance at an affordable price may find the Evo 4.4 highly compelling. A quality stereo amplifier like the Rega Elex-R could be a good partner for the Wharfedale Evo 4.4 speakers.

It is worth noting that the Wharfedale Evo 4.4 speakers are large and hefty floorstanders, standing 106cm tall and using twin 15cm bass drivers. They require a decent amount of space to shine and entertain. The build and finish quality of the Wharfedale Evo 4.4 speakers are extremely high, as seen in the speaker cabinets, terminals, and drive units.

The Wharfedale Evo 4.4 speakers showcase impressive high- and low-level dynamic clout, deliver a balance of excitement, rhythmic drive, and subtlety, and have well-defined leading and trailing edges that uncover an excellent amount of detail. They may be a suitable choice for those with enough space and a preference for a large-scale sound with authority.

Astonishing reduction in price for Wharfedale's top-rated Evo 4.4 floor-standing loudspeakers, now available at an unbeatable five-star bargain.