Tower Speaker Reviews

Subwoofer: SW 300
Connections: Speaker-level in; line-level, in & out
Enclosure Type: Sealed
Woofer (size in inches, type): 12, Tri-Lam cone
Power Rating (watts): 300
Crossover Bypass: Yes
Available Finishes: Maple, Rosewood, Black (high-gloss finishes $200 extra)
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 20.5 x 15.4 x 17.7
Weight (pounds): 60
Price: $1,300

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

Speaker Evolution 40
Type: Two-and-a-half-way tower
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, soft dome
Midrange (size in inches, type): 6.5, woven Kevlar
Woofer (size in inches, type): 6.5, woven Kevlar
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 6
Recommended Amp Power: 30–200 watts
Available Finishes: Maple, Rosewood, Black
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 42 x 9 x 16
Weight (pounds): 51
Price: $1,500/pair

Speaker: Evolution Center
Type: Two-way center
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, soft dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 5, woven Kevlar (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power: 25–100 watts
Available Finishes: Maple, Rosewood, Black
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 6.5 x 16.5 x 11.5
Weight (pounds): 20
Price: $450

Speaker: Evolution DFS
Type: Two-way, bipole surround
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, soft dome (2)
Woofer (size in inches, type): 5, woven Kevlar (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 6
Recommended Amp Power: 200 watts
Available Finishes: Black or white cloth
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 14.5 x 14 x 6.5
Weight (pounds): 11.5
Price: $500/pair

Ratings: Wharfedale Pacific Evolution Series Speaker System

Build Quality: 94
• Luscious curved-wood cabinetry
• Kevlar-coned drivers with cast-metal frames
• First-class speaker connectors

Value: 97
• The Evolutions' prices are solidly in the affordable range
• Build quality is comparable with speakers that sell for much more

Features: 93
• Drop-dead-gorgeous real-wood veneers
• Curved cabinets reduce internal standing waves

Performance: 90
• The towers dish out a big and vibrant sound, with yummy, slightly rotund bass
• The sealed-box subwoofer's bass is tight, firm, and extended

Ergonomics: 90
• You've got to wall-mount the DFS surround speakers
• The sub's remote control will delight couch potatoes

Overall Rating: 93
The Wharfedale Evolution system can belt out a big sound that'll reach out and grab you, which is why it will never, ever be mistaken for a puny sub/sat package.

General Information
Pacific Evolution 40 Tower Speaker, $1,500/pair
Pacific Evolution Center Center-Channel Speaker, $450
Pacific Evolution DFS Surround Speaker, $500/pair
SW 300 Subwoofer, $1,300
Wharfedale
(508) 850-3950
www.wharfedale.com
Dealer Locator Code WHF