Electro Voice vs. Wharfedales

[jgannon]

There has been a lot of discussion about Wharfedales lately here on the forum. I know Wharfedales have a nice open midrange, are very musical, and with the right amp, really give an in-the-room live sound. I've heard W90s and have a single W60 and they sound great. And of course, there are many variations in the Wharfedale line with the C, D, E versions as well as different tweeters, from the Super 3 to the purple dome that make a difference in their sound.

At any rate, I've just started doing a little research on the EVs on the forum. I need a new pair of speakers - and I came across a pair of speakers that have Electro Voice Wolverine LT-12s drivers. From my research, there were no original cabs for the three-way driver Wolverine LT-12 driver.

I guess for starters, I would wonder how something like the LT-12s would sound against the original ported or later versions of the W60. I've got one original ported two-way W60. I would imagine that it wouldn't be fair to compare the LT-12s to the W70s and W90s. But how would other EV makes sound in comparison to the old Wharfedales - and how do Electro Voice speakers sound in general?

Thanks for any input you can give me!

 

[BOUXY]

Don't really know about the EV'S as such but the early W90's would still be hard to beat by any else in my opinion

 

[jgannon]

BTW here is a pic of the speakers and also pic of the back of the Wolverine LT-12. This one had the adjustable 3-way switch on the back of it to increase or decrease treble. I believe earlier versions did not. A horn tweeter also extends out of the front of the driver. I don't have a pic of that though.

 

[jgannon]

Don't really know about the EV'S as such but the early W90's would still be hard to beat by any else in my opinion

Yeah, those W90s are something!

 

[CLS500]

As I recall, the Wolverine line was a cheaper line of EV speakers and not of the quality of, say, the SP line. I have not heard a pair but I doubt that they would compare favorably to Wharfedale W series speakers on any level. But that's just a guess.

 

[Brian]

As I recall, the Wolverine line was a cheaper line of EV speakers and not of the quality of, say, the SP line. I have not heard a pair but I doubt that they would compare favorably to Wharfedale W series speakers on any level. But that's just a guess.

You are correct. The Wolverine was the lower end of their hifi line. Better than many other makers' speakers but not equal of the Wharfedale drivers. Few companies had as good a design in drivers as Wharfedale back then.

The EVs with a good cabinet still will hold their own against most other classic speaker with ease. You may want to add some rope chaulk on the frames as while beautiful they can present issues.

 

[jgannon]

Ok, conceded that the Wolverine drivers won't hold their own against the Wharfies. But what about the more top of the line Electro Voice drivers/speakers?

Are there any that would give Wharfedales a run for their money? And what about their sound - warm, colored, neutral? Would they be considered as musical as the Wharfedales?

 

[Brian]

Ok, conceded that the Wolverine drivers won't hold their own against the Wharfies. But what about the more top of the line Electro Voice drivers/speakers?

Are there any that would give Wharfedales a run for their money? And what about their sound - warm, colored, neutral? Would they be considered as musical as the Wharfedales?

Let me make myself clearer. The Wolverines are not equal to the quality of the Wharfedale drivers but the sound may be as good, better or worse depending on the cabinets and associated equipment. Driver development and build may not be as relevant as how it is used. I'd offer the OLA as a prime example of this. The whole is much greater than the drivers. Also, your personal tastes may favor one over the other even if the sonic differences are minor.

There were companies back then that made some great drivers but it was as much an art as a science and different designers emphasized different criteria in their designs. For instance big cast frames and huge looking magnet structures were perceived as better while in some designs these worked against the driver.

 

[mhardy6647]

The LT-12 is a very good sounding cheap speaker - it 'gets the midrange' right - better than an LS-12 plus T-35B for whatever reason, to my ears.

How will it compare to a Wharfedale? It'll be somewhat different. That's about all I can tell you.

 

[jgannon]

Let me make myself clearer. The Wolverines are not equal to the quality of the Wharfedale drivers but the sound may be as good, better or worse depending on the cabinets and associated equipment. Driver development and build may not be as relevant as how it is used. I'd offer the OLA as a prime example of this. The whole is much greater than the drivers. Also, your personal tastes may favor one over the other even if the sonic differences are minor.

There were companies back then that made some great drivers but it was as much an art as a science and different designers emphasized different criteria in their designs. For instance big cast frames and huge looking magnet structures were perceived as better while in some designs these worked against the driver.

Yeah, I'd like to hear the LT-12s. But they are a few hours away, and it's hard for me to get away in the first place. Plus the dealer, who has been very helpful answering my questions and sending me photos of the drivers, etc., is asking I think, a little too much for them. I'd hate to drive all the way there for no reason. But it may be a chance I have to take!

I'm still looking for a pair of Wharfedale W70s or W90s that I could pick up locally, but the look of these things really grabbed me, as well as the dealers own enthusiastic description of the sound.

 

[mhardy6647]

I think I have $50 in my pair of LT-12s; that's about right, from my perspective.

 

[jgannon]

The LT-12 is a very good sounding cheap speaker - it 'gets the midrange' right - better than an LS-12 plus T-35B for whatever reason, to my ears.

How will it compare to a Wharfedale? It'll be somewhat different. That's about all I can tell you.

Thanks for weighing in on my thread! The little I know about the EV line I've learned in large part from reading your comments on other threads concerning Electro Voice speakers.

May I ask you - have you heard some of the old Wharfedales, and would you be able to offer a comparison or impressions. I know this is very subjective, of course, and that the different cabs for the LT-12s would be a variable.

 

[Ilikevinyl]