Wharfedale’s EVO range has always been about bridging that awkward space between entry‑level hi‑fi and the sort of serious kit that starts costing silly money. The new EVO 5.2’s carry that same philosophy, but with a bolder twist.
The Wharfedale EVO 5.2’s aren’t modest bookshelf speakers trying to disappear into your décor, they’re proper, full‑range standmounts with enough presence to make you rethink what “bookshelf” actually means. The design is classic Wharfedale (or at least ‘new’ classic Wharfedale – the Lintons are chunky), but more refined. The curved cabinet edges and glossy veneers give them a premium look without tipping into showy, and build quality feels solid. They’ve got a reassuring weight that suggests proper engineering, not just pretty cabinetry. They look the part, but more importantly, they feel like they’ll still be standing strong a decade down the line.
Sonically, the big talking point here is the AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter. Wharfedale are clearly pushing to add more bite and refinement in the high frequencies, and it pays off. Treble is airy, detailed, and surprisingly smooth. There’s a crispness that makes cymbals shimmer and strings sound alive, but it never tips into sharpness. Even after long listening sessions, there’s no fatigue – just an open, clear top end that feels more expensive than the price tag suggests. The store opinion is that they already sound better than the predecessors.
The midrange is equally strong. Vocals sit forward without being shouty, guitars and pianos have body, and there’s a natural warmth that makes them easy to listen to for hours. It’s detailed without being analytical, musical without becoming soft. Wharfedale have always had a knack for getting the mids right, and the EVO 5.2’s are no exception.
Bass is impressive for a standmount of this size. You’re not getting the subterranean rumble of a floorstander, but what you do get is tight, punchy, and well controlled. There’s enough low‑end presence to give weight to rock, electronic, and cinematic scores, but it never muddies the midrange. Placement matters as much as ever, too close to a wall and they can sound a little thick, but with space to breathe, they deliver bass that feels fast and articulate.
Packed full of musical talent, the Wharfedale EVO 5.2 speakers make for a compelling listen.
One of the most striking things is the sense of scale. These don’t sound like small speakers. The soundstage is wide and immersive, instruments are well separated, and there’s a depth to the imaging that pulls you in. Close your eyes and you’d swear you were listening to something much larger. They fill a room with surprising authority, which makes them ideal if you want standmounts that can still serve as your main speakers without feeling like a compromise. But Tom, you always say to just buy floorstanders for the same footprint if they’re going on stands I hear you cry (or at least one person who reads my reviews might…) – well if you’re in smaller to average size space, these are the best size option.
As with any speaker, partnering is important. The EVO 5.2’s are revealing enough that they’ll show up a poor source or amp, but they’re not so brutally honest that they make half your record collection unlistenable. Pair them with a good integrated, something with a bit of grip and a touch of warmth like the Cambridge Audio CXA81 or even the Mission 778x and they really come alive. They’re versatile too, happy with vinyl, streaming, or even movies if you’re running a mixed system.
If there’s a downside, it’s that they sit in a competitive price bracket. There are plenty of strong rivals at this level like the Focal Evo’s N1, and some offer slightly more bass extension or a different flavour of presentation. And while the AMT tweeter is a real highlight, it can occasionally feel a little too polite for those who prefer a sharper, more forward sound. But those are small quibbles in the context of what is otherwise a very well‑balanced package.
The EVO 5.2’s are a statement of intent from Wharfedale. They take the company’s reputation for musical, affordable speakers and push it further into premium territory, without losing sight of what made them appealing in the first place. They’re elegant, confident, and capable of genuine hi‑fi thrills.
For anyone looking to step up from entry‑level without diving into the deep end of high‑end pricing, these are an easy recommendation. They sound big, they look classy, and they deliver the kind of performance that makes you want to keep rediscovering old favourites. Why not pop over to your local Richer Sounds store and book a demo to hear for yourself?
Author: Tom, Cardiff Store
