Полочная акустика — Wharfedale EVO 5.2

The EVO 5.2 is the three-way standmount of the EVO 5 series from Wharfedale, shown first at High End Munich 2025 and on sale from June of that year as the replacement for the 2019 EVO4 line. It sits above the two-way EVO 5.1 and below the EVO 5.3 and EVO 5.4 floorstanders, and an EVO 5.C centre channel completes the range for home cinema. The UK price was GBP 749 per pair, or EUR 999 and AUD 1,749, with dedicated stands sold separately at GBP 449.

Key specs that matter

The front baffle carries three drivers - a 165 mm black woven Kevlar bass cone, a 50 mm soft dome midrange and a 35 x 70 mm Air Motion Transformer, with crossover points at 800 Hz and 4.3 kHz. Response spans 44 Hz to 24 kHz within 3 dB and extends to 38 Hz at -6 dB. Sensitivity is 88 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, peak output is 105 dB, and the impedance is 4 ohm nominal, rated as 8 ohm compatible, with a lowest point of 3.2 ohm. The suggested power band is 25 to 120 W. The 27.2 litre bass reflex cabinet stands 497 mm tall, 260 mm wide and 350 mm deep, with another 40 mm added by grille and terminals. Weight is 15.0 kg. Colours are black, grey, walnut and white, and the warranty of 3 years extends to 6 with registration within 90 days.

Engineering and use context

The AMT grew in size for this generation and now has a damping gasket between its diaphragm and front plate. Behind the new midrange dome is an aperiodically vented, specially shaped chamber, and the dome carries a plasticiser coating. Three damping measures were added across the series - SilentWeave, a cotton and felt hybrid lining that reduces internal reflections, ResoFrame, cog-shaped elastomer frames against mechanical resonance, and ResoSeal, a light elastomer ring at the rear of the bass cone. The crossover was redesigned with shorter signal paths and split into treble/mid and bass boards to limit electromagnetic interference. Panels are built from layered woods of varying density, and a hybrid metal and wood plinth holds the Slot Loaded Profiled Port, which vents left, right and to the rear.

Pairing

The low minimum impedance is the figure to plan around - an amplifier with a stable 4 ohm rating and solid current reserve is the logical match, rather than a low-output valve design. Because the port exits at the base, the matching stands or a firm, flat support keep the vent unobstructed, and rubber feet are included for that purpose.

Alternatives

The EVO 5.1 is the two-way standmount of the same series.