★ *REVIEWING: **bit.ly/2Yf7PGM**, **bit.ly/2MNBZ1I** ADDITIONAL INFO IN THE DESCRIPTION⬆︎* ★ *QOTD: Which speaker would you pick? The 8000F or the 12.4?* ★ *Love our conversation/outtakes? Be sure to watch to the end* ★ *COMMENT RULES: Please be respectful. No outside links, URLs, email addresses, etc. Violations are automatically deleted.*
I think I'd still pick the Klipsch 8000F as you mentioned these speakers were more lively and Kristi's observation she likes the bass better than the 12.4. No matter the speaker, if I can do without a subwoofer then the happier I am with the speakers.
@@BryanRuby Appreciate you taking the time to answer to QOD. Have to say, I'm still slightly in the 8000F camp myself though the 12.4s are really good speakers.
I haven't heard either but have wharfedale lintons and 4.4s (which are great) so I'd probably go klipsch out of interest! Still saving for something from the klipsch heritage range, maybe start off with heresy but I'm also fascinated by Cornwall (easy placing is important in our tiny British houses 😂).
It would be nice to see a comparison between Heritage Line Lake lascala or heresy compared to the new rp-8000f in terms of stereo listening quality and SPL levels. New vs old.
Without having listened to either, the Warfedale 12.4, mainly aesthetically they look awesome, the light oak really set of your listening room, their basically half the price in the U.K, exceptional build for the price weighing in at 48.5 pounds, not alot of speakers weighi that much in this particular price category, Carl's Finks renowned speaker designers input, internal bracing is meant to be bullet proof creating a very inert cabinet, all this and the attention to detail suggests to me a speaker that will sound better and better as time goes by, but I am tempted by the Wharfedale EVO 12.3 aswell, only an audition will tell me wether the additional expenditure is justified 🙂👍.
I've just bought the Wharfedales, literally less than 24 hours ago, so I'm still assessing them in my house. My comment is really about the comparison with the Klipsch RP 8000f. Here in the UK the Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 cost about £700 and the Klipsch cost around £1300, so with that price difference (almost double the cost) I don't see it as true comparison. The closer UK comparisons would be for speakers like the Dali Oberon 5, KEF Q550, Mission QX5, Q acoustics concept 40, or the Q acoustics 3050i. My hi-fi dealer steered me away from the Dali, Mission, KEF and Q acoustics and recommended I bought the Wharfedales. I will find out over the next couple of weeks if I like them. Update....2 weeks in and I love the Wharfedales. It's taken a little work to get the sound I was looking for. Positioning is key to balancing the bass, and I've got them about right for me. Speaker cables also seem to influence the sound more than with my previous speakers. For the money they're pretty detailed, good vocals, treble is clear but not harsh, and I find they've got a pretty laid back sound, which is also what I was looking for. I actually bought them without reading or watching any reviews, so my hi-fi dealer did a great job recommending them. I'm very pleased with the purchase.
I would prefer if you put the camera on her when she’s talking. If she’s comfortable with that of course. Maybe I’m just used to watching discussions with cameras shifting between speakers. But yeah, that’s my feedback. Great review! Thank you.
Excellent discussion. One of your best conversations. I have a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 230 floor standers. They sound similar but these older models seem warmer because their upper end is rolled off. Detail can be lacking but never abrasive. They create such huge soundstage. Playing “Cant Let Go” (theme from Bosch) sound wraps completely around you. Pretty amazing.
Wharfedales are masters at making balanced sounding speakers. Its hard to describe what Wharfedales sound like because they are just..... balanced. And balance is the key to great audio!
This discussion between partners is essential, if only because these are significant purchases. And for those couples who really enjoy music, it can be a huge impact on the home life.
That’s exactly what I’m talking about when everyone is trying to make me buy Martin Logan Electrostatics. They’re great speakers, but I don’t like them. Them feel and sound too fake, too electric if you will, to me personally. I compared side by side the MLs with B&W exact same price point and same equipment, and I always would go with B&W. But that doesn’t make those MLs bad speakers. Just not for me. I wish audiophile world was a bit easier going and somewhat more including. Also love your talks with Kristi at the end! Keep em coming!
Another great review can’t take away how open minded you both are that is very important. And it’s true at the end of the day it’s what you like that is important. I use to have separates some time back but know I own condo and I’m doing the soundbar thing LG sn11rg just play with the settings and you’ll enjoy it to. But once I get a larger space it will be back to a true system and I will get what makes my ears happy I keep you posted.
I just feel the need to thank the two of you. Navigating audio isn't easy without someone to be a guide. Your points are easy to understand. I've always valued honesty and integrity in people. You bring that to our audio world as well as your attitude toward helping others. You set the bar by example. Many thanks ! Edit: I am a Klipsch RP - 8000f guy. I got them after seeing your review. I appreciate them every day. :)
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Great review. Appreciate the comparisons to other speakers like 3050i which I'm also considering. Also appreciate the comparison on amplifiers. The 3050i are less than half the price of the 12.4 in Australia. So have to decide what to do!
I am still an 8000F Fan, speed in the bass does it for me.....I have been buying vintage speakers for years, walked into Crutchfield last month hear the Klipsch, and was blown away.....Brought them on the spot.......selling vintage JBL 's now.
3 роки тому+5
I was rock solid in getting the 8000f after watching your review on them. Then I saw this review and switched over to the 12.4 in an instant. Then Kristy came on with her perspective and no nonsense down to earth English. Which to me, who is not fluid in audiophile speak, sounds just angelic. I'm back in the klipsch camp 😂
I bought the Klipsch’s back in December and have no regrets whatsoever! I drive them with the Yamaha RX-A2A (the Aventage version of the RX-V6A) and simply love the combination.
Very well balanced review, My history: 1950"s (yes I am old) started with Brigg's 9CU Ft corner Wharfedales (15" Bass), progressed to Dovedales, Kingsdales, then changed to AR3a's, to Dahligists DQ10, to Accustat 1+1 (Counterpoint Pre and PS audio power), then as a pensioner got poor and now have Wharfeday Diamond 12. listen to classics, opera and good jazz; The wharfedales are good enough to give me listening pleasure
Wow Kristi you are taking your reviewing skills to the next level here in this video. Having seen most of you two lovely People’s videos must say it is a heartwarming experience to follow your journey going from “just” producing behind the camera, to giving Andrews viewpoints some great alternative points :). As for the question i would go with Sound over design 🎶
Great review Andrew. Here's Guttenberg's description of Wharfedale bass via the Evo 4.3. You are both accurate in a different way but the same. Wharfedale bass is a curious, refined and beautiful thing. Once you ride that horse for a few miles the saddle gets very comfortable.
22:32 "I think a lot of us just want to be right and want somebody to hear us…" Truth spoken there. We all have those moments even as we try to be objective and strive for better. 👍
Hello to you I have bought a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 and the optimum was to angle like inwards and it ended up being towards my shoulders which sounded the best. Drive them with my Audiolab 6000A. A perfect combo. Greetings Kristi.
Great review - thank you. No offense to you Andrew but I must say I really value, and look forward to, Kristi’s take on each item you review. It’s great to get a second opinion of the same item being used in the same room with the same electronics. It really highlights how we all experience hifi equipment differently. No need to get into male versus female ... we can just settle for different people having different taste. Another thing that I like about your reviews is the mention of aspects other than just the sound. Looks, feel, x-factor, UI, whatever we want to call it. After all, there is a reason why the Uniti Atom became such a success. It wasn’t just the sound. Next video please! Thomas
For me, these are gorgeous looking speakers. Clean, modern, minimalist with hints of intrigue (those floor spikes and the oak wood grain look so good). Would love to audition them.
Glad you both agreed that listening to sounds produced by any pair of speakers is subjective to the listener. I just bought the Wharfedales , so we’ll see if I agree with either or both of you 😊
Damn, this is why I like Krisiti. Because I am not a fan of bloaty, uncontrolled bass that bleeds all over the mids and trebs. I'm a fan of tight, controlled, and snappy bass
Given the dimensions of drivers and the volume of cabinet, there should be very limited bass bloat. Maybe the back port is interacting with the room to much. Pull the speakers away from the back wall more.
Thanks for your videos guys! I love watching them on Sunday mornings while eating breakfast, watching your lovely apartment and enjoying Kristi ´s comments - oh andrew...yours to 😒 haha-. Kudos from Mexico City!
Wow, Kristi has actually become a true critical audiophile listener. Bravo Kristi and congrats Andrew. I've been married for 39 years, it took my wife 25 years to truly care about quality audio. Wharfedales mostly have the British warm laid back sound. It seems that with the Diamond series they're trying to appeal to the more typical American Rock sound ( brighter highs & more forward). Kristi would probably prefer the Evo line with AMT treble and more deep bass.
Yes, good review, fair review. Always respected the effort Wharfedale put into development and research , they seldom do much wrong. Of course, you cant please everybody, we all hear differently. Most loudspeakers I have tried often appeal greatly initially but I do find they become tiresome after extensive listening. I certainly found that the case with the QA and the Tannoy XT6F and also the Klipsch 8000, the long term just wouldnt have worked for me, but thats the subjectivity of what we wear, to each their own.
I listened to lots of floorstanders in the covid interim. I had £1000 for my budget. I listened to the lot, QA, Klipsch, Dali, MA, Tannoy, the list goes on and on. For me the 12.4 stole the show hands down, though I do respect everybody has their own sort of sound but for me the 12.4s were just a better all rounder, everything about them I found very good, whereas with the rest I found them lacking in one area or another. I cant fault them, the only speakers I heard that equalled and actually bettered the 12.4 were the Wharfedale EVO floorstanders, albeit £500 more expensive, still, I was heavily tempted by the EVO 4 and maybe one day. I went for the same finish here, the white and light oak and in all honesty I wish had gone for the darker wood effect with black baffle and grill. I suppose that comes down to preference etc. I agree with the spiked feet, they are okay providing the speakers dont get moved around but they arent substantial enough to support such a large, heavy speaker, I was hoping a 3rd party manafacturer might offer something superior or wharfedale offer an upgrade option. Interesting video all the same, just shows how we differ so much regarding sound. I found the Klipsch completely bass light, the QA are good speakers, but showing their age. My advice, let your ears decide.
The strengths of the 12.4 are the natural and life-like midrange, it brings the singer into the room right in front of you. Also that HUGE soundstage is something sometimes bigger speakers cannot even achieve. One of the most, if not the most neutral measuring speakers in this price range albeit a very slight bass bump @ 100hz and a BBC Dip. Imaging is crazy good and easy to get right, 15-20 degrees off axis from my listening position is what I settled on in my room. And the Evo 4.4? It never gave me the life like presentation the 12.4 gave me, it might be sharper sounding with that AMT tweeter but thats about all it's got on the 12.4. Like you, Ive heard plenty of floorstanders costing as much 2-3 times more and they never sounded as balanced and natural as this. Balance is often overlooked and underrated, in fact it is the main trait that makes a speaker sound good!
I bought the 12.3 btw, and love it, really took off when I paired it with the audiolab 6000a as they lifted each other’s faults. Highly suggest it though, insane realism, balance and sophistication. With this amplifier and space from the rear wall the bass is not as described here. Build quality is shocking at the price of these too.
These speakers are the best speakers I've ever owned, now that's not saying too much because I just gotten into building a Hi-Fi system. I can hear the brass from the strumming of the guitar, and the texture of the cello, vocals sound amazing, The sound of the brush on the snare of jazz music sounds incredible. Texture and Vocals would be the two words Id use to describe these speakers, I'm sure my ear will change later but for now Im really liking these.
I guess the comparison to klipsch rp-8000f makes sense is the US, but in my country the klipsch speakers are 800 usd more than the wharfedales. And also since I don't care for the exaggerated highs of klipsch, my choice between the two would be wharfedale diamond 12.4.
I’m always surprised when I hear a preference for no subwoofer. We nitpick over all these little things. How could we ignore the dedicated subwoofer? Missing so much. Truly transformative in my system. My aria 926 went from having a nice jab to being Mike Tyson with the addition of Rel. Would never go back.
Same here. I own a great B&W sub. Combined it with the Evo 4.2 Anyone would say that The Evo's don't need more bass but adding one makes the spectrum complete till 23hz. Especially with those low contra bass notes in jazz, the low church organ notes or anything else that needs floor. It gives so much more dimension.
I just replaced a pair of B&W 603 S2 with these Wharfedale Towers and I am shocked. These are paired with a Nail Nait XS3 and a BlueOS streamer as well as a Rega P3 and the soundstage is double what is was with B&W. I put on Diana Krull and my wife said it's like you have your ear up to her lips which by the way I wouldn't say no to. Right now these are on sale for less than $1K a pair and man am I impressed. I love these! Note they don't like cheap speaker cable's
Love the video. Perfect discussion between you both. I’m a working bassist and engineer. So, I obsess over the bass. But my wife hates the boom. Anything in that neighborhood compels her to criticize the sound as like a kids over boosted car stereo.
@ Andrew Robinson, I just love the commentary between Kristi and yourself at the end of many of your videos. Like she so eloquently described, I too am learning how to communicate what really excites my auditory nerve. I agree that I am in the camp of those who prefer bass punch over depth. Would Kristi care to weigh-in on her favorite bookshelf speaker? Thank you.
Ya'll are a great team, it's really cool to watch you work so well together! Keep up the great work! As for which one i'd prefer i'd say it depends what your looking for. I have a living room set up that's a pair of forte III with an old 1976 Sansui Receiver, and I have a bed room system with the Wharfedale 11.2 bookshelf and and old 1980 Yamaha Receiver. Both Systems are great The Klipsch and the Sansui are warm and punchy, funk, jazz, and Disco just sing out of them! They have a swing to them that just makes listening to them very pleasant and enjoyable, and you can analyze the sound stage but the music just kinda washes over you. With the Wharfedal and Yamaha system It's really clear and it actually sounds like instruments are actually there, but the soundstage is so exact that you can almost only listen to one part of the music at a time which is great for like jazzy guitar licks or someone like Fiest, but if you've got a song that's bigger and has more moving parts you really only feel like you're hearing one part of the song at a time because it is so clear or it's overwhelming because all the moving parts are fight for attention. In general I like the Kilipsch and Sansui more but some times its really nice to just zero in on one instrument and get lost in its details as it dances around the sound stage like with my Wharfdale Yamaha System.
I love the bonus conversations with Kristi. It opens up the discussion and ands depth to the comparisons. It's great to hear a second opinion too! The fact that the second opinion if from a woman adds even more to the conversation. Great video. Based on your review I'd probably go with the Klipsch speakers. They are easier to drive, get louder without distortion, better base extension. It seems the Wharfedale could only be recommended if I heard them myself and was able to make my own subjective assessment.
Thicker bass or slower bass could be example of room acoustic. Maybe the Wharedale’s is exciting a 60 HZ room mode by 8db or the speakers have a natural bump at 60 HZ for example. Having an electronic room correction would be interesting for the Wharfedale’s and also any loudspeakers that you review. I have a pair of Epos ES 22 loudspeakers which have known to have a very fast bass response- similar cabinet dimension and driver size as the Wharfedale’s. With the Epos ES 22, my room has a 8 db 40 HZ hump. With Linn’s Space Optimization- a room correction feature-the 8 db 40 HZ bass hump is electronically corrected. With the bass correction of 40 hz, the Epos ES 22 produces very fast bass response with authority and an almost perfect flow to the bass that will have your feet tapping to your favorite music! Excellent reviews! Thanks!
I don't know about elsewhere but the Klipsch goes for $829 each at Crutchfield right know and the Wharfedale is $499. I love your reviews but at these prices it's not really the same class which makes the Wharfedale a much better buy!
Thanks for another instructive and enjoyable review, Andrew. I think I have a foot in both camps -- Klipsch+sub for HT and Wharfedale for 2 channel listening. My main reason for commenting, though, is to say that you and Kristi hit it out of the park with the "bonus" conversation. I have watched hundreds of hifi youtube reviews over the last month, having recently decided I need to do some major upgrades, and the conversation with Kristi added something invaluable I have not found on any other channel. It was super helpful to hear Kristi articulate her slightly different perspective, and then listen to the thoughtful back and forth between you. I also very much appreciated the "meta" discussion about how we go about expressing our evaluative judgments about audio gear -- wise words we could all profit from applying in many other contexts. I hope you will make these conversations a regular feature for the channel. It would really make your channel stand out even more than it already does.
Had the wharfedale 10.7’s with the 3 way design… and they were absolutely incredible. 6.5” Kevlar drivers with a 2” dome midrange. WOW. I also ended up with a pair of wharf 11.1’s and the tweeter blew the 10 series’ tweeter out of the water. I can only imagine how good the 12.2’s sound for the money!! I own Klipsch for surround speakers in my theater for that lively sound, but for stereo listening I really do love the diamond line.
Zac it sounds like your tastes in speakers is quite similar to my own. I have bookshelf Wharfedales albeit from the 10 series in the Diamond line and I love them. Thus it's a bit hard for me to wrap my head around how the 11.1's can blow the 10 series out of the water as you put it.Or is it just the tweeter and not the entire speaker or overall sound of the 10's that don't match up to the 11.1's? I'm also using some Klipsch speakers for surrounds and am experimenting with using some Mission speakers for Atmos presence speakers. All driven by a decent Yamaha HTR capable of 7.2 channel sound.
Very much enjoying the new format! Have a soft spot for Diamonds since my first pair as a kid in the 80s. Feel they kinda lost their way for several generations but the 12s seem to be a wonderful return to form courtesy Karl-Heinz Fink's blank sheet designs.
Thanks for watching Rasheed! The new Diamond Series looks VERY promising and based on my experience with the 12.4s, I think enthusiasts will likely be well served by any of the speakers in this series.
Really happy brought up a comparison with the 3050I's, my favorite speaker I'd get next; Wharfedales I heard are "traditional" British sounding, having a cooler tone where I prefer "Everything But The Girl" or The Postmarks-like dynamics, but your review casts a new and positive light on the Wharfedales...and "what everyone has been waiting for", so true, but it is the "whole" this makes it delightful Thank❤🎶❤You yet again
I think this review is a great example of why audiophiles don’t always agree on what they hear or perceive. I appreciate Kristi’s input here, because she “perceives” in her own unique way, as do you, Andrew. Quite often, the knee-jerk question amongst audiophiles is: who’s right? Well, everyone, and no one. I think what we, as audiophiles miss, is that this hobby is purely sensory. And, not all of us process sensory information the same way, for many reasons. My reason, to be perfectly transparent, is that I have a severe traumatic brain injury. This profoundly impacts how I perceive music, which is not just a hobby for me any longer, but also a form of therapy. So when audiophiles engage in tribal battles over things like cables and horns, et al, I believe they expect that every unique human being should perceive and believe as they do. This would be analogous to saying that all eyeglasses are eyeglasses, it doesn’t matter what you use, they’re just glass. Hats off to both you and Kristi for daring to do what others have difficulty doing, and that’s understanding and respecting that you are both unique, and have unique talents, abilities, and perceptions of how music is transmitted to the most amazing receptor on earth; the human brain. Nice t-shirt, BTW!
I’d really like to see a phono cartridge shoot off episode. The Orotofon 2M red vs blue and bronze and than a few other branded options MM and MC at various price levels. And maybe even a (dare I even propose) a listening clip of each. I know it’s kind of pointless but it can be fun.
I certainly appreciate the job you guys do with these reviews. As many others have lamented I miss having the opportunity to hear audio equipment before I buy it. However I never found the store experience to be that satisfying as nothing ever sounded the same once I got it home. Not necessarily worse, just different. I have rarely regretted any audio purchase in my life. they have all had their positives. I do think you guys are maybe just as valuable as having that store experience. I have purchased a couple of products that you reviewed and I felt like I had heard them before they arrived. There were no surprises when I heard them. They sounded exactly like I thought they would based on your reviews. Thank you for that.
it is tough to find an 8 ohm speaker these days...everyone seems to be going 6 or 4 ohm. Yes, there is a good selection of 8 ohm floor standers, but fewer than you might think, within a reasonable budget. If my budget was unlimited, I wouldn't be here. Wharfedale (Diamonds) and Q Acoustics (3050/5040) have my eye as they make their towers look nice instead of just hard edged black rectangles. Also, carpet spikes on hardwood???
Wow they look super in the color, I’m with you on the black color for the grills since the black makes them look cheap. By the way still a Klipsch fan all the way
great review, & luv th back & forth w/Kristi! You can tell she's brutally honest & doesn't sugarcoat her opinion. That is sooo refreshing in a world where everyone is trying to be p.c. & candy ass their way around th truth! Its like, jus give it to me straight people or screw off! Oh & no, im not saying u do that Andrew @ all! You're very well spoken & a natural salesman, plus, you do get your point across even when its negative about th product. Kristi's bluntness plays well off your politeness, plz keep it up guys! 1 last thing, I love it when for 2chan listening you include th genres of music u tried & how th speakers fared w/each. I'm a Classic/Hard/Metal Rock listener & alot of reviewers don't mention it & its important to me, thanks🍻🍸
Nice review as always. Wharfedale fanboy here. Wharfedale Diamonds for the ht and Wharfedale Linton Heritage for the living room. Klipsch heritage (Heresy or Cornwalls) is on my wishlist too😊 See you guys on your next video.
Been waiting for this! I own the Diamond 220 book shelves paired with the SVS SB-1000. I do plan on upgrading to towers sometime this year and I was planning on getting the 230 towers, but I might just go with 12.4s who knows? A think it's a few sessions at my local Hi-Fi store and some demo's! I love the warmness my 220s possess but that also might be due to how heavily carpeted my room is
"*Cough* JBL" Love it! As a JBL fan myself, this little comment made me smile inside. LoL. I am sure my set are no where near any audiophile level of clarity by any means but they make me happy and well, I won't quote your tag line but I agree with you 💯!
My wife said she thinks a speaker should get louder or quieter. End of discussion. She can see when a patient is jaundice before the bloodwork comes back though so she has her own skills.
Oh how I enjoyed this review, but your "chat" with the boss was the gem to behold. As someone who grew up in the 70's and 80's with Wharfedale Dentons and Lintons and yes, the legendary Wharfedale E70's. Your observation that preference rules all is so true. However, can I add that what you listen to adds to the equation. For music I love pace, rhythm and timing. I have an active Naim setup with a REL sub bass unit. For me it's Nirvana. However, for home theater it's different. I have a Klipsch 7.1.4 Atmos set up with a 150" screen. Here the bass can be bigger and less tight, the soundstage is critical as is the ability to "place" sound. Horses for courses. Final thought.... that Tee shirt is so perfect and I will get one. Love the font, please post a link! Thanks for what you and Kristi BOTH do.
Nice that there is room for different points of view! I understand Kristi when she expresses her allergy for uncontrolled bass heaviness. After buying the Q Acoustics 3050i I went on a year long journey to get the best out of them and the associated electronics. First I replaced the Denon 1713 AVR by a Leak Stereo 130. Then I decided to bypass the Leak’s DAC by adding a Zen DAC linked to microPC with Audirvana. I eventually replaced the Zen DAC PC combo by a Bluesound Node 2i and gave the speakers Gaia Acoustics iii feet. Finally I replaced the old speaker wire by Supra Ply 3.4 S shielded audio cables. What I gained throughout this journey was much better bass control, much less noise and overall a much more coherent and natural sound. Artists seem much closer and instruments sound more realistic. If I were to have the means, I would opt for a solution that is both more simple and more neutral: a pair of active ATC SCM 19 in combination with a Cambridge Audio Edge NQ steamer/preamp. But that system would cost 3 times more than mine... And honestly, I am happy and grateful to have what I have.
The Daimond range has always been very good. I donn't know how long you have been able to get them in the States, but they have been around for many years in the UK. Just about every series has been very good. Thanks guys.
I just got back into high end audio, particularly for home theatre and I have to say your review of the Monitor Audio Bronze 100's particularly peaked my interest and are on my list to get once things stabilize in my business
Fast bass to me is bass that hits. It has a snap or kick with little to no abnormal decay or lingering rumble if you will. Highly efficient speakers like Klipsch can exhibit faster reflexes including in the bass. Wharfedale isn’t quite as responsive. It’s fuller, broader and slower by comparison. So the Klipsch strikes down low whereas the Wharfedale pushes. Imagine getting slapped/punched vs pushed/shoved. Both actions are going to move you, maybe even floor you, but they’re still notably different.
Nice one. It is refreshing to 2 persoectives on a product in the same review., especially with audio. All of us obviously hear things differently, so getting an opinion from another who been in the same listening environment relating their experience, is IMHO, a great way of presenting a review. More of them should do it. Wiondering if you've heard of the Vector Finesse Head (amame) 3D printed headphones - very interesting, available in DIY form and also fully assembled. Would be an ideal piece for a review, or the Burson Funk - their new all in one HPA and stereo amp. Have a nice day. Cheers.
Even though I am not interested in purchasing new speakers, totally happy with my Triangle bookshelfs, (and also not into tower speakers as a whole) I find your voice @Andrew Robinson, so soothing and engaging, I just have to listen to (every) review or thought that comes out of your YT-channel. I am though, on the slight hunt for a power amplifier (around 100W/ch) and would gladly see a review of that in the future... ;) Two thumbs up man! You're great! Stay safe!
One of the things I enjoy most about your reviews is hearing Christie's thoughts. Another well done review! Would like to have the space to audition a few of the speakers you've reviewed, but, alas, that is not the case.
Wharfedale speakers in general seem to be well-regraded. Perhaps one day you will get those very fine walnut Linton heritage speakers (and stands) and give us your thoughts on them? They seem to be germane to your salient interests: performance, value, and aesthetically pleasing.
@@KristiWright You guys will love them but be prepared, they're not as dynamic as the Klipsch Heresy. They are lovely sounding, mellifluous, sweet, etc. I can't wait until you guys review them. My wife and I love them and they are absolutely gorgeous in real life.
Now see Kristi just took a jab at Harmon/JBL.. which made me think about to the measurements discussion a while back and sound mixing and editing, and WHY measurements matter from speakers to components. Having a Speaker that measures ruler 📏flat from 20hz to 20khz, is like having a pot of boiling water. This allows you the listener to then add whatever ingredients/flavors you like to your system. That neutral speakers allows you the ability to discern between components and discover your listening taste, and whether or not "sloppy bass" is due to a poor recording, a poorly designed amp, or speaker placement. They help establish a performance or sound baseline. Which in turn give relevance and credibility to the comparison of the other products that are reviewed with it. I'm sure if you went to JBL, they would tell you that they could probably measure what Kristi was hearing, and knowing the specs of the components whether or not they would have been a good paring. A good dealer does this all the time, and uses all the tools (measurements and listening) to help the consumer make a decision based on the flavors you like. Andrew knows this, and having mixed and edited audio for years, you better believe that he knows the specs/sound signature of the speakers he's using or he could run the risk of ruining his mix. That said, Kristi is hilarious, and I absolutely love the banter between the two of you. Please keep up the great work.
Great review Andrew. Well as the owner of the multi awarded diamond 225, i prefer the 12.4 over the clipsch.I can not tolerate forward or little bright/shrill sounding speakers (headache in 10 minutes).Also i prefer the Big/Deep Bass over the light/fast bass. In appearance I prefer the clipsch because they look more solid.What's the point of going bigger (floorstand)if you have not strong/deep bass.The previous Wharfedale tops (250 and 11.5) were bigger (woofer 2x 200mm) and much heavier (29.4 kg). It makes sense that they had a bigger sound. I hope they did not make them cheaper.
What I would say to say regarding the 12 series Diamond is if you have previously owned any of the Diamond Series loudspeakers, don't expect that 'Diamond' sound that is signature to them. Don't get me wrong, all of the previous incarnations of the Diamond loudspeaker series represent excellent value for money, Wharfedale are a company who seem to never rest on their laurels and are always pushing back sonic boundaries, however, the 12 Series is a real departure from Wharfedale, in my opinion easily the best Diamond so far by far. I compared the 12.4 with models from Monitor Audio, Q Acoustics, KEF, Klipsch, Dali, Mission and for me the 12.4 were sonically on a different level, with the Q Acoustics 3050i being the best of the rest.
I'm looking at buying these right now as they are on a crazy good sale price, but I'm also debating the Lintons for $850 more. How close in sound are these two speakers?
I thought for sure you and/or Kristi would compare the Diamond 12.4 to the Jamo C97 in looks. More, I was hoping you would comment on the sound compared to the Jamo C97. Thanks :)
★ *REVIEWING: **bit.ly/2Yf7PGM**, **bit.ly/2MNBZ1I** ADDITIONAL INFO IN THE DESCRIPTION⬆︎*
★ *QOTD: Which speaker would you pick? The 8000F or the 12.4?*
★ *Love our conversation/outtakes? Be sure to watch to the end*
★ *COMMENT RULES: Please be respectful. No outside links, URLs, email addresses, etc. Violations are automatically deleted.*
I think I'd still pick the Klipsch 8000F as you mentioned these speakers were more lively and Kristi's observation she likes the bass better than the 12.4. No matter the speaker, if I can do without a subwoofer then the happier I am with the speakers.
@@BryanRuby Appreciate you taking the time to answer to QOD. Have to say, I'm still slightly in the 8000F camp myself though the 12.4s are really good speakers.
I haven't heard either but have wharfedale lintons and 4.4s (which are great) so I'd probably go klipsch out of interest! Still saving for something from the klipsch heritage range, maybe start off with heresy but I'm also fascinated by Cornwall (easy placing is important in our tiny British houses 😂).
It would be nice to see a comparison between Heritage Line Lake lascala or heresy compared to the new rp-8000f in terms of stereo listening quality and SPL levels. New vs old.
Without having listened to either, the Warfedale 12.4, mainly aesthetically they look awesome, the light oak really set of your listening room, their basically half the price in the U.K, exceptional build for the price weighing in at 48.5 pounds, not alot of speakers weighi that much in this particular price category, Carl's Finks renowned speaker designers input, internal bracing is meant to be bullet proof creating a very inert cabinet, all this and the attention to detail suggests to me a speaker that will sound better and better as time goes by, but I am tempted by the Wharfedale EVO 12.3 aswell, only an audition will tell me wether the additional expenditure is justified 🙂👍.
Really liked the bonus conversation. Kirsti's perspective is easier to relate to for people without Andrew's decades of experience. Keep it up!
I've just bought the Wharfedales, literally less than 24 hours ago, so I'm still assessing them in my house. My comment is really about the comparison with the Klipsch RP 8000f. Here in the UK the Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 cost about £700 and the Klipsch cost around £1300, so with that price difference (almost double the cost) I don't see it as true comparison. The closer UK comparisons would be for speakers like the Dali Oberon 5, KEF Q550, Mission QX5, Q acoustics concept 40, or the Q acoustics 3050i. My hi-fi dealer steered me away from the Dali, Mission, KEF and Q acoustics and recommended I bought the Wharfedales. I will find out over the next couple of weeks if I like them.
Update....2 weeks in and I love the Wharfedales. It's taken a little work to get the sound I was looking for. Positioning is key to balancing the bass, and I've got them about right for me. Speaker cables also seem to influence the sound more than with my previous speakers.
For the money they're pretty detailed, good vocals, treble is clear but not harsh, and I find they've got a pretty laid back sound, which is also what I was looking for. I actually bought them without reading or watching any reviews, so my hi-fi dealer did a great job recommending them. I'm very pleased with the purchase.
Krıstı ıs a good and honest revıewer. I really enjoy her.
She is. I enjoy her takes a lot as well!
Hey! Thank you!
I would prefer if you put the camera on her when she’s talking. If she’s comfortable with that of course. Maybe I’m just used to watching discussions with cameras shifting between speakers. But yeah, that’s my feedback. Great review! Thank you.
@@Lunarplex Agreed!
Excellent discussion. One of your best conversations. I have a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 230 floor standers. They sound similar but these older models seem warmer because their upper end is rolled off. Detail can be lacking but never abrasive. They create such huge soundstage. Playing “Cant Let Go” (theme from Bosch) sound wraps completely around you. Pretty amazing.
The soundstage of these speakers are EPIC. Seriously, insane. Thanks for tuning in Steve!
Thank you for hanging out until the end!
Sure thing! I always do.
Wharfedales are masters at making balanced sounding speakers. Its hard to describe what Wharfedales sound like because they are just..... balanced. And balance is the key to great audio!
This discussion between partners is essential, if only because these are significant purchases. And for those couples who really enjoy music, it can be a huge impact on the home life.
That’s exactly what I’m talking about when everyone is trying to make me buy Martin Logan Electrostatics. They’re great speakers, but I don’t like them. Them feel and sound too fake, too electric if you will, to me personally. I compared side by side the MLs with B&W exact same price point and same equipment, and I always would go with B&W. But that doesn’t make those MLs bad speakers. Just not for me. I wish audiophile world was a bit easier going and somewhat more including. Also love your talks with Kristi at the end! Keep em coming!
Great review, Andrew. Loved the 12.2’s. Sounds like these sound a lot like the 12.2’s. Glad you made it through the viscous polar vortex.
Another great review can’t take away how open minded you both are that is very important. And it’s true at the end of the day it’s what you like that is important. I use to have separates some time back but know I own condo and I’m doing the soundbar thing LG sn11rg just play with the settings and you’ll enjoy it to. But once I get a larger space it will be back to a true system and I will get what makes my ears happy I keep you posted.
The SN11RG is a fun bar...nothing wrong with that! Thanks for watching, Ray.
Thank you for replying I enjoy you guys your not full of your self’s like others. Have a great day
I just feel the need to thank the two of you. Navigating audio isn't easy without someone to be a guide. Your points are easy to understand. I've always valued honesty and integrity in people. You bring that to our audio world as well as your attitude toward helping others. You set the bar by example. Many thanks ! Edit: I am a Klipsch RP - 8000f guy. I got them after seeing your review. I appreciate them every day. :)
Wow, this is the first 12.4 review I've seen. Thanks!
Let us know how we did when. you get to the end. Thanks for watching!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Great review. Appreciate the comparisons to other speakers like 3050i which I'm also considering. Also appreciate the comparison on amplifiers. The 3050i are less than half the price of the 12.4 in Australia. So have to decide what to do!
I am still an 8000F Fan, speed in the bass does it for me.....I have been buying vintage speakers for years, walked into Crutchfield last month hear the Klipsch, and was blown away.....Brought them on the spot.......selling vintage JBL 's now.
I was rock solid in getting the 8000f after watching your review on them.
Then I saw this review and switched over to the 12.4 in an instant.
Then Kristy came on with her perspective and no nonsense down to earth English.
Which to me, who is not fluid in audiophile speak, sounds just angelic.
I'm back in the klipsch camp 😂
I bought the Klipsch’s back in December and have no regrets whatsoever! I drive them with the Yamaha RX-A2A (the Aventage version of the RX-V6A) and simply love the combination.
Very well balanced review, My history: 1950"s (yes I am old) started with Brigg's 9CU Ft corner Wharfedales (15" Bass), progressed to Dovedales, Kingsdales, then changed to AR3a's, to Dahligists DQ10, to Accustat 1+1 (Counterpoint Pre and PS audio power), then as a pensioner got poor and now have Wharfeday Diamond 12. listen to classics, opera and good jazz; The wharfedales are good enough to give me listening pleasure
I Absolutely LOVE the added conversation with Kristi. Brilliant addition to your channel!
*cough*JBL /Fell-of-chair-laughing!!!
Kristy is getting better and better and spot on, well done to both of you! Really enjoying the content, thanks!
Thank you!
The second opinion in a review is massive,, in terms of the final decision for a potential purchaser I think.
Wow Kristi you are taking your reviewing skills to the next level here in this video. Having seen most of you two lovely People’s videos must say it is a heartwarming experience to follow your journey going from “just” producing behind the camera, to giving Andrews viewpoints some great alternative points :). As for the question i would go with Sound over design 🎶
Great review Andrew. Here's Guttenberg's description of Wharfedale bass via the Evo 4.3. You are both accurate in a different way but the same. Wharfedale bass is a curious, refined and beautiful thing. Once you ride that horse for a few miles the saddle gets very comfortable.
22:32 "I think a lot of us just want to be right and want somebody to hear us…" Truth spoken there. We all have those moments even as we try to be objective and strive for better. 👍
Hello to you
I have bought a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 and the optimum was to angle like inwards and it ended up being towards my shoulders which sounded the best. Drive them with my Audiolab 6000A. A perfect combo. Greetings Kristi.
Hi. May I ask your approximate listening room size? Got a 6000A and was looking at either the 12.3 or 12.4.
Thanks
"Gets within view of the summit" - I love that turn of phrase
Those are some gorgeous speakers. Great review andrew and Kristi. Thank you for posting videos for all of us..
Thanks for tuning in Jonathan! Appreciate. you watching!
The light wood grain is gorgeous in person. Appreciate you watching!
Great review - thank you. No offense to you Andrew but I must say I really value, and look forward to, Kristi’s take on each item you review. It’s great to get a second opinion of the same item being used in the same room with the same electronics. It really highlights how we all experience hifi equipment differently. No need to get into male versus female ... we can just settle for different people having different taste. Another thing that I like about your reviews is the mention of aspects other than just the sound. Looks, feel, x-factor, UI, whatever we want to call it. After all, there is a reason why the Uniti Atom became such a success. It wasn’t just the sound.
Next video please!
Thomas
No offense taken. Appreciate you noting the other aspects of a product's performance or design that we try and point out in our videos.
For me, these are gorgeous looking speakers. Clean, modern, minimalist with hints of intrigue (those floor spikes and the oak wood grain look so good). Would love to audition them.
When you get a chance check out the Wharfedale EVO 4.2s
Noted. Though I'm not usually a fan of AMT tweeters though perhaps Wharfedale has cracked it and I'll love it.
Glad you both agreed that listening to sounds produced by any pair of speakers is subjective to the listener. I just bought the Wharfedales , so we’ll see if I agree with either or both of you 😊
if anyone want's to know... "If you are more fortunate than others, build a longer table, not a taller fence"
Boom!
Yes, make it easier for them to take your family members things. Cool idea!
@@ufarkingicehole dumb fak
@@ufarkingiceholeWrong, you can't outgive God.
Damn, this is why I like Krisiti. Because I am not a fan of bloaty, uncontrolled bass that bleeds all over the mids and trebs. I'm a fan of tight, controlled, and snappy bass
Given the dimensions of drivers and the volume of cabinet, there should be very limited bass bloat. Maybe the back port is interacting with the room to much. Pull the speakers away from the back wall more.
I own them and this is not the case with the bass, just saying
Thanks for your videos guys! I love watching them on Sunday mornings while eating breakfast, watching your lovely apartment and enjoying Kristi ´s comments - oh andrew...yours to 😒 haha-. Kudos from Mexico City!
Thanks so much mcfrdy!
Wow, Kristi has actually become a true critical audiophile listener. Bravo Kristi and congrats Andrew. I've been married for 39 years, it took my wife 25 years to truly care about quality audio. Wharfedales mostly have the British warm laid back sound. It seems that with the Diamond series they're trying to appeal to the more typical American Rock sound ( brighter highs & more forward). Kristi would probably prefer the Evo line with AMT treble and more deep bass.
Yes, good review, fair review. Always respected the effort Wharfedale put into development and research , they seldom do much wrong. Of course, you cant please everybody, we all hear differently. Most loudspeakers I have tried often appeal greatly initially but I do find they become tiresome after extensive listening. I certainly found that the case with the QA and the Tannoy XT6F and also the Klipsch 8000, the long term just wouldnt have worked for me, but thats the subjectivity of what we wear, to each their own.
I listened to lots of floorstanders in the covid interim. I had £1000 for my budget. I listened to the lot, QA, Klipsch, Dali, MA, Tannoy, the list goes on and on. For me the 12.4 stole the show hands down, though I do respect everybody has their own sort of sound but for me the 12.4s were just a better all rounder, everything about them I found very good, whereas with the rest I found them lacking in one area or another.
I cant fault them, the only speakers I heard that equalled and actually bettered the 12.4 were the Wharfedale EVO floorstanders, albeit £500 more expensive, still, I was heavily tempted by the EVO 4 and maybe one day. I went for the same finish here, the white and light oak and in all honesty I wish had gone for the darker wood effect with black baffle and grill. I suppose that comes down to preference etc.
I agree with the spiked feet, they are okay providing the speakers dont get moved around but they arent substantial enough to support such a large, heavy speaker, I was hoping a 3rd party manafacturer might offer something superior or wharfedale offer an upgrade option.
Interesting video all the same, just shows how we differ so much regarding sound. I found the Klipsch completely bass light, the QA are good speakers, but showing their age.
My advice, let your ears decide.
The strengths of the 12.4 are the natural and life-like midrange, it brings the singer into the room right in front of you. Also that HUGE soundstage is something sometimes bigger speakers cannot even achieve. One of the most, if not the most neutral measuring speakers in this price range albeit a very slight bass bump @ 100hz and a BBC Dip. Imaging is crazy good and easy to get right, 15-20 degrees off axis from my listening position is what I settled on in my room. And the Evo 4.4? It never gave me the life like presentation the 12.4 gave me, it might be sharper sounding with that AMT tweeter but thats about all it's got on the 12.4. Like you, Ive heard plenty of floorstanders costing as much 2-3 times more and they never sounded as balanced and natural as this. Balance is often overlooked and underrated, in fact it is the main trait that makes a speaker sound good!
Soundocity & Dayton audio make decent spiked outriggers .
I use them on my Rega Naos floor standers.
🎵🎶😉🎶🎵
I bought the RP-8000F after listening to your review and love them. I find they sound better as days go by!
I want camera on Kristi too. Thanks for the helpful information in your comprehensive reviews!
I bought the 12.3 btw, and love it, really took off when I paired it with the audiolab 6000a as they lifted each other’s faults. Highly suggest it though, insane realism, balance and sophistication. With this amplifier and space from the rear wall the bass is not as described here. Build quality is shocking at the price of these too.
They are pretty great speakers! So glad you're enjoying them!
Great to hear that. How much space is behind them? 1 foot or more?
@@sanonmars I have 3 feet from front tweeter, but that depends on your room and treatments.
These speakers are the best speakers I've ever owned, now that's not saying too much because I just gotten into building a Hi-Fi system. I can hear the brass from the strumming of the guitar, and the texture of the cello, vocals sound amazing, The sound of the brush on the snare of jazz music sounds incredible. Texture and Vocals would be the two words Id use to describe these speakers, I'm sure my ear will change later but for now Im really liking these.
I guess the comparison to klipsch rp-8000f makes sense is the US, but in my country the klipsch speakers are 800 usd more than the wharfedales. And also since I don't care for the exaggerated highs of klipsch, my choice between the two would be wharfedale diamond 12.4.
agree. same here in India. Also aren't the woofers on Klipsch bigger i.e. 8 inch?
Andrew and Kristi, Wharfedale 12.4 vs Heco 700/1000? Go!
I’m always surprised when I hear a preference for no subwoofer. We nitpick over all these little things. How could we ignore the dedicated subwoofer? Missing so much. Truly transformative in my system. My aria 926 went from having a nice jab to being Mike Tyson with the addition of Rel. Would never go back.
Same here. I own a great B&W sub. Combined it with the Evo 4.2 Anyone would say that The Evo's don't need more bass but adding one makes the spectrum complete till 23hz. Especially with those low contra bass notes in jazz, the low church organ notes or anything else that needs floor. It gives so much more dimension.
I just replaced a pair of B&W 603 S2 with these Wharfedale Towers and I am shocked. These are paired with a Nail Nait XS3 and a BlueOS streamer as well as a Rega P3 and the soundstage is double what is was with B&W. I put on Diana Krull and my wife said it's like you have your ear up to her lips which by the way I wouldn't say no to. Right now these are on sale for less than $1K a pair and man am I impressed. I love these! Note they don't like cheap speaker cable's
Love the video. Perfect discussion between you both. I’m a working bassist and engineer. So, I obsess over the bass. But my wife hates the boom. Anything in that neighborhood compels her to criticize the sound as like a kids over boosted car stereo.
@ Andrew Robinson, I just love the commentary between Kristi and yourself at the end of many of your videos. Like she so eloquently described, I too am learning how to communicate what really excites my auditory nerve. I agree that I am in the camp of those who prefer bass punch over depth. Would Kristi care to weigh-in on her favorite bookshelf speaker? Thank you.
Ya'll are a great team, it's really cool to watch you work so well together! Keep up the great work!
As for which one i'd prefer i'd say it depends what your looking for. I have a living room set up that's a pair of forte III with an old 1976 Sansui Receiver, and I have a bed room system with the Wharfedale 11.2 bookshelf and and old 1980 Yamaha Receiver. Both Systems are great The Klipsch and the Sansui are warm and punchy, funk, jazz, and Disco just sing out of them! They have a swing to them that just makes listening to them very pleasant and enjoyable, and you can analyze the sound stage but the music just kinda washes over you. With the Wharfedal and Yamaha system It's really clear and it actually sounds like instruments are actually there, but the soundstage is so exact that you can almost only listen to one part of the music at a time which is great for like jazzy guitar licks or someone like Fiest, but if you've got a song that's bigger and has more moving parts you really only feel like you're hearing one part of the song at a time because it is so clear or it's overwhelming because all the moving parts are fight for attention.
In general I like the Kilipsch and Sansui more but some times its really nice to just zero in on one instrument and get lost in its details as it dances around the sound stage like with my Wharfdale Yamaha System.
I love the bonus conversations with Kristi. It opens up the discussion and ands depth to the comparisons. It's great to hear a second opinion too! The fact that the second opinion if from a woman adds even more to the conversation. Great video. Based on your review I'd probably go with the Klipsch speakers. They are easier to drive, get louder without distortion, better base extension. It seems the Wharfedale could only be recommended if I heard them myself and was able to make my own subjective assessment.
Thicker bass or slower bass could be example of room acoustic. Maybe the Wharedale’s is exciting a 60 HZ room mode by 8db or the speakers have a natural bump at 60 HZ for example. Having an electronic room correction would be interesting for the Wharfedale’s and also any loudspeakers that you review. I have a pair of Epos ES 22 loudspeakers which have known to have a very fast bass response- similar cabinet dimension and driver size as the Wharfedale’s. With the Epos ES 22, my room has a 8 db 40 HZ hump. With Linn’s Space Optimization- a room correction feature-the 8 db 40 HZ bass hump is electronically corrected. With the bass correction of 40 hz, the Epos ES 22 produces very fast bass response with authority and an almost perfect flow to the bass that will have your feet tapping to your favorite music! Excellent reviews! Thanks!
Check out Evo series next,i am really waiting the review of 4.3 or 4.4
We'll see. I'll look into those speakers to see what's what. Thanks for tuning in!
I don't know about elsewhere but the Klipsch goes for $829 each at Crutchfield right know and the Wharfedale is $499. I love your reviews but at these prices it's not really the same class which makes the Wharfedale a much better buy!
I really like the interaction between you two. Makes for a better understanding of the feel you get from different speakers.
Really enjoyed the review and the shirt! :-).
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for another instructive and enjoyable review, Andrew. I think I have a foot in both camps -- Klipsch+sub for HT and Wharfedale for 2 channel listening. My main reason for commenting, though, is to say that you and Kristi hit it out of the park with the "bonus" conversation. I have watched hundreds of hifi youtube reviews over the last month, having recently decided I need to do some major upgrades, and the conversation with Kristi added something invaluable I have not found on any other channel. It was super helpful to hear Kristi articulate her slightly different perspective, and then listen to the thoughtful back and forth between you. I also very much appreciated the "meta" discussion about how we go about expressing our evaluative judgments about audio gear -- wise words we could all profit from applying in many other contexts. I hope you will make these conversations a regular feature for the channel. It would really make your channel stand out even more than it already does.
andrew needs to review the wharfedale evo 4.4 floor standing speakers.
Had the wharfedale 10.7’s with the 3 way design… and they were absolutely incredible. 6.5” Kevlar drivers with a 2” dome midrange. WOW. I also ended up with a pair of wharf 11.1’s and the tweeter blew the 10 series’ tweeter out of the water. I can only imagine how good the 12.2’s sound for the money!! I own Klipsch for surround speakers in my theater for that lively sound, but for stereo listening I really do love the diamond line.
Zac it sounds like your tastes in speakers is quite similar to my own. I have bookshelf Wharfedales albeit from the 10 series in the Diamond line and I love them. Thus it's a bit hard for me to wrap my head around how the 11.1's can blow the 10 series out of the water as you put it.Or is it just the tweeter and not the entire speaker or overall sound of the 10's that don't match up to the 11.1's? I'm also using some Klipsch speakers for surrounds and am experimenting with using some Mission speakers for Atmos presence speakers. All driven by a decent Yamaha HTR capable of 7.2 channel sound.
The 12.2 are very good.
@@ENGBriseB wharfedale has always been amazing. I bet they are!
Very much enjoying the new format! Have a soft spot for Diamonds since my first pair as a kid in the 80s. Feel they kinda lost their way for several generations but the 12s seem to be a wonderful return to form courtesy Karl-Heinz Fink's blank sheet designs.
Thanks for watching Rasheed! The new Diamond Series looks VERY promising and based on my experience with the 12.4s, I think enthusiasts will likely be well served by any of the speakers in this series.
Really happy brought up a comparison with the 3050I's, my favorite speaker I'd get next; Wharfedales I heard are "traditional" British sounding, having a cooler tone where I prefer "Everything But The Girl" or The Postmarks-like dynamics, but your review casts a new and positive light on the Wharfedales...and "what everyone has been waiting for", so true, but it is the "whole" this makes it delightful
Thank❤🎶❤You yet again
I think this review is a great example of why audiophiles don’t always agree on what they hear or perceive. I appreciate Kristi’s input here, because she “perceives” in her own unique way, as do you, Andrew. Quite often, the knee-jerk question amongst audiophiles is: who’s right? Well, everyone, and no one. I think what we, as audiophiles miss, is that this hobby is purely sensory. And, not all of us process sensory information the same way, for many reasons. My reason, to be perfectly transparent, is that I have a severe traumatic brain injury. This profoundly impacts how I perceive music, which is not just a hobby for me any longer, but also a form of therapy. So when audiophiles engage in tribal battles over things like cables and horns, et al, I believe they expect that every unique human being should perceive and believe as they do. This would be analogous to saying that all eyeglasses are eyeglasses, it doesn’t matter what you use, they’re just glass. Hats off to both you and Kristi for daring to do what others have difficulty doing, and that’s understanding and respecting that you are both unique, and have unique talents, abilities, and perceptions of how music is transmitted to the most amazing receptor on earth; the human brain. Nice t-shirt, BTW!
Its good to hear a female take on the audio. Because we have different sensitivity in hearing.
Yes we do. Thanks for watching through to the end!
Yes! It was nice to hear your partner's opinions too! The conversation was great!
I’d really like to see a phono cartridge shoot off episode. The Orotofon 2M red vs blue and bronze and than a few other branded options MM and MC at various price levels. And maybe even a (dare I even propose) a listening clip of each. I know it’s kind of pointless but it can be fun.
I certainly appreciate the job you guys do with these reviews. As many others have lamented I miss having the opportunity to hear audio equipment before I buy it. However I never found the store experience to be that satisfying as nothing ever sounded the same once I got it home. Not necessarily worse, just different. I have rarely regretted any audio purchase in my life. they have all had their positives. I do think you guys are maybe just as valuable as having that store experience. I have purchased a couple of products that you reviewed and I felt like I had heard them before they arrived. There were no surprises when I heard them. They sounded exactly like I thought they would based on your reviews. Thank you for that.
Wharfedale tends to give really good sound value for the money. My Diamond 225 beat the competition and reach above their price.
Mine too!!
it is tough to find an 8 ohm speaker these days...everyone seems to be going 6 or 4 ohm. Yes, there is a good selection of 8 ohm floor standers, but fewer than you might think, within a reasonable budget. If my budget was unlimited, I wouldn't be here. Wharfedale (Diamonds) and Q Acoustics (3050/5040) have my eye as they make their towers look nice instead of just hard edged black rectangles. Also, carpet spikes on hardwood???
Desperate for a real review for the 12.3..
Wow they look super in the color, I’m with you on the black color for the grills since the black makes them look cheap. By the way still a Klipsch fan all the way
I still prefer the 8000F myself though I’m with Kristi in wishing I could merge the two.
Damn!!she nailed you have to know who you are. And what type of list you are. Don't just caught up on the brand😁
Thank you for watching to the end!
Kristi just keeps getting better. Fantastic Andrew and Kristi.
Thanks so much!
Agree with Christi contributing. A different perspective is totally relevant, great job bringing 2 differing opinions.
Just purchased these for 440$. Cant wait to recieve them!
great review, & luv th back & forth w/Kristi! You can tell she's brutally honest & doesn't sugarcoat her opinion. That is sooo refreshing in a world where everyone is trying to be p.c. & candy ass their way around th truth! Its like, jus give it to me straight people or screw off! Oh & no, im not saying u do that Andrew @ all! You're very well spoken & a natural salesman, plus, you do get your point across even when its negative about th product. Kristi's bluntness plays well off your politeness, plz keep it up guys! 1 last thing, I love it when for 2chan listening you include th genres of music u tried & how th speakers fared w/each. I'm a Classic/Hard/Metal Rock listener & alot of reviewers don't mention it & its important to me, thanks🍻🍸
The Diamond series often punches above its weight. Still love my 9.5s.
Nice review as always. Wharfedale fanboy here. Wharfedale Diamonds for the ht and Wharfedale Linton Heritage for the living room. Klipsch heritage (Heresy or Cornwalls) is on my wishlist too😊 See you guys on your next video.
Nice to see another value speaker I can recommend to friends and family.
Been waiting for this! I own the Diamond 220 book shelves paired with the SVS SB-1000. I do plan on upgrading to towers sometime this year and I was planning on getting the 230 towers, but I might just go with 12.4s who knows? A think it's a few sessions at my local Hi-Fi store and some demo's!
I love the warmness my 220s possess but that also might be due to how heavily carpeted my room is
The 12.4 are great towers and a relative steal for the price.
i love his channel i love speakers and i love the way to talk about them great videos!
you*
on a side note... wish my wife loved my hobby as well lol envy for sure
This dude is the Producer's producer when it comes to telling an Audio story.
"*Cough* JBL" Love it!
As a JBL fan myself, this little comment made me smile inside. LoL. I am sure my set are no where near any audiophile level of clarity by any means but they make me happy and well, I won't quote your tag line but I agree with you 💯!
My wife said she thinks a speaker should get louder or quieter. End of discussion. She can see when a patient is jaundice before the bloodwork comes back though so she has her own skills.
Sounds like mine lol I have to defend my calculated speaker placements at least once a month. She wanted to put my subs in a cabinet last week 😒
Oh how I enjoyed this review, but your "chat" with the boss was the gem to behold. As someone who grew up in the 70's and 80's with Wharfedale Dentons and Lintons and yes, the legendary Wharfedale E70's. Your observation that preference rules all is so true. However, can I add that what you listen to adds to the equation. For music I love pace, rhythm and timing. I have an active Naim setup with a REL sub bass unit. For me it's Nirvana. However, for home theater it's different. I have a Klipsch 7.1.4 Atmos set up with a 150" screen. Here the bass can be bigger and less tight, the soundstage is critical as is the ability to "place" sound. Horses for courses. Final thought.... that Tee shirt is so perfect and I will get one. Love the font, please post a link! Thanks for what you and Kristi BOTH do.
Nice that there is room for different points of view! I understand Kristi when she expresses her allergy for uncontrolled bass heaviness. After buying the Q Acoustics 3050i I went on a year long journey to get the best out of them and the associated electronics. First I replaced the Denon 1713 AVR by a Leak Stereo 130. Then I decided to bypass the Leak’s DAC by adding a Zen DAC linked to microPC with Audirvana. I eventually replaced the Zen DAC PC combo by a Bluesound Node 2i and gave the speakers Gaia Acoustics iii feet. Finally I replaced the old speaker wire by Supra Ply 3.4 S shielded audio cables. What I gained throughout this journey was much better bass control, much less noise and overall a much more coherent and natural sound. Artists seem much closer and instruments sound more realistic. If I were to have the means, I would opt for a solution that is both more simple and more neutral: a pair of active ATC SCM 19 in combination with a Cambridge Audio Edge NQ steamer/preamp. But that system would cost 3 times more than mine... And honestly, I am happy and grateful to have what I have.
Like your t-shirt Andrew!
Great discussion and commentary. Thank you Kristi and Andrew.
Thank you David! Kristi got it for me.
Thank you for watching, David!
@@KristiWright Where did you get the t-shirt Andrew is wearing? It is an important message. I'm interested in getting one. Thanks
The Daimond range has always been very good. I donn't know how long you have been able to get them in the States, but they have been around for many years in the UK. Just about every series has been very good. Thanks guys.
These sound like they might be a good choice for me. As always, appreciate the honest reviews and conversation.
I just got back into high end audio, particularly for home theatre and I have to say your review of the Monitor Audio Bronze 100's particularly peaked my interest and are on my list to get once things stabilize in my business
The Bronze speakers would be great for home theater use.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I can't wait to grab em!
Love you guys thanks for sharing this video but klipsch is the clear winner.
What does "fast bass" mean? Andrew, maybe one day you can make a video on vocabulary used during your reviews so that we know what you mean.
Fast bass to me is bass that hits. It has a snap or kick with little to no abnormal decay or lingering rumble if you will. Highly efficient speakers like Klipsch can exhibit faster reflexes including in the bass. Wharfedale isn’t quite as responsive. It’s fuller, broader and slower by comparison. So the Klipsch strikes down low whereas the Wharfedale pushes. Imagine getting slapped/punched vs pushed/shoved. Both actions are going to move you, maybe even floor you, but they’re still notably different.
Nice one. It is refreshing to 2 persoectives on a product in the same review., especially with audio. All of us obviously hear things differently, so getting an opinion from another who been in the same listening environment relating their experience, is IMHO, a great way of presenting a review. More of them should do it.
Wiondering if you've heard of the Vector Finesse Head (amame) 3D printed headphones - very interesting, available in DIY form and also fully assembled. Would be an ideal piece for a review, or the Burson Funk - their new all in one HPA and stereo amp.
Have a nice day. Cheers.
The camera work in this video is stellar!
Thank you.
Even though I am not interested in purchasing new speakers, totally happy with my Triangle bookshelfs, (and also not into tower speakers as a whole) I find your voice @Andrew Robinson, so soothing and engaging, I just have to listen to (every) review or thought that comes out of your YT-channel. I am though, on the slight hunt for a power amplifier (around 100W/ch) and would gladly see a review of that in the future... ;) Two thumbs up man! You're great! Stay safe!
One of the things I enjoy most about your reviews is hearing Christie's thoughts. Another well done review! Would like to have the space to audition a few of the speakers you've reviewed, but, alas, that is not the case.
Wharfedale speakers in general seem to be well-regraded. Perhaps one day you will get those very fine walnut Linton heritage speakers (and stands) and give us your thoughts on them? They seem to be germane to your salient interests: performance, value, and aesthetically pleasing.
Kristi wants those speakers next, so stay tuned!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews This is true. Trust me we've asked for them!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I want those speakers based solely on their looks! I feel like such an audio fraud for that. Hahaha!
@@KristiWright You guys will love them but be prepared, they're not as dynamic as the Klipsch Heresy. They are lovely sounding, mellifluous, sweet, etc. I can't wait until you guys review them. My wife and I love them and they are absolutely gorgeous in real life.
Now see Kristi just took a jab at Harmon/JBL.. which made me think about to the measurements discussion a while back and sound mixing and editing, and WHY measurements matter from speakers to components. Having a Speaker that measures ruler 📏flat from 20hz to 20khz, is like having a pot of boiling water. This allows you the listener to then add whatever ingredients/flavors you like to your system. That neutral speakers allows you the ability to discern between components and discover your listening taste, and whether or not "sloppy bass" is due to a poor recording, a poorly designed amp, or speaker placement. They help establish a performance or sound baseline. Which in turn give relevance and credibility to the comparison of the other products that are reviewed with it. I'm sure if you went to JBL, they would tell you that they could probably measure what Kristi was hearing, and knowing the specs of the components whether or not they would have been a good paring. A good dealer does this all the time, and uses all the tools (measurements and listening) to help the consumer make a decision based on the flavors you like. Andrew knows this, and having mixed and edited audio for years, you better believe that he knows the specs/sound signature of the speakers he's using or he could run the risk of ruining his mix. That said, Kristi is hilarious, and I absolutely love the banter between the two of you. Please keep up the great work.
You have to put your hands on the Dali Oberon 5 and compare to these. I own a pair, and I can assure you you'd love them.
Can't decide between the Oberon 5 or Diamond 12.3! Got the zensor 5's right now..
@@Dinfulatub if you like the sound of your Zensor, the Oberons will give you more of that in quantity and quality.
Yeah I forgot, love your channel and your reviews and adding Kristy to an already great review puts you guys a step above the others.
Thanks so much!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews no sir, thank you.
We love our Diamond 9.5! Thank you! 🙂❤
Great review Andrew. Well as the owner of the multi awarded diamond 225, i prefer the 12.4 over the clipsch.I can not tolerate forward or little bright/shrill sounding speakers (headache in 10 minutes).Also i prefer the Big/Deep Bass over the light/fast bass. In appearance I prefer the clipsch because they look more solid.What's the point of going bigger (floorstand)if you have not strong/deep bass.The previous Wharfedale tops (250 and 11.5) were bigger (woofer 2x 200mm) and much heavier (29.4 kg). It makes sense that they had a bigger sound. I hope they did not make them cheaper.
What are Clips?
@@quantumdecoherence1289 Μeaning clipsch!
What I would say to say regarding the 12 series Diamond is if you have previously owned any of the Diamond Series loudspeakers, don't expect that 'Diamond' sound that is signature to them.
Don't get me wrong, all of the previous incarnations of the Diamond loudspeaker series represent excellent value for money, Wharfedale are a company who seem to never rest on their laurels and are always pushing back sonic boundaries, however, the 12 Series is a real departure from Wharfedale, in my opinion easily the best Diamond so far by far.
I compared the 12.4 with models from Monitor Audio, Q Acoustics, KEF, Klipsch, Dali, Mission and for me the 12.4 were sonically on a different level, with the Q Acoustics 3050i being the best of the rest.
Appreciate you weighing in!
Based on your description of the two, I would choose the Klipsch because I prefer tight/sharp bass
They sound good, but Klipsch RP- 8000... sounds great 👍😊. Good reviews 😎👍
I'm looking at buying these right now as they are on a crazy good sale price, but I'm also debating the Lintons for $850 more. How close in sound are these two speakers?
I’m in the same position!
And, what did you choose? :)
I ended up getting the Wharfedale Denton 85's. Very happy with my choice!
Thanks for telling! :) Good to hear! @@mikestlaurent4155
I also agree with Kristi. Faster bass is always preferred over too much 'quantity' of bass.
I thought for sure you and/or Kristi would compare the Diamond 12.4 to the Jamo C97 in looks. More, I was hoping you would comment on the sound compared to the Jamo C97. Thanks :)