Wharfedale Atlantic 500 Large Floor Standing Loudspeaker (Maple with Black Accents, 1-Pair)

Rating:
Summary: buy these well worth the money
Review: i bought these because i saw some reviews on here and i researched them on the internet i had a party recently (outside) and in the middle of the day at like 2 my neighbor called and complained and these things weren't even turned a 1/4 of the way up if you want some speakers that look awesome and sound the same buy these they are well worht the money and you will be pleased you can hear everything the highs mids and the bum the bass i listen to everything from blues to reggae so i mean you can't go wrong take my word for it hope you enjoy

Rating:
Summary: You gotta love an english accent!!
Review: I have owned a few sets of front speakers in the past few years. Cheap, Optimus (particular model made by CV I do beleive)Some actual CV's (Cerwin Vega)as well as some older Infinity's I got used, cheap. I bought a new 57" SONY XBR HDTV 16:9 ratio and need more wall space. Those 15" monsters were hogging it all. They sounded good but......Along came the Brits. Now let me say, I am no "audiophile". I know what I like and I can afford only so much. (All SONY componets) I had seen some Wharfedale ads in a HT mag. I looked them up on the Internet. They seemed to be well liked but ill represented. Some people who had used some VERY,VERY,VERY high end speakers were not quite satisfied with them but, theynever will be, until they no longer have to use their ears and the sounds are piped right into their brains. I ordered a matched set of the atlantic series, 2 fronts, 2 rears (the 200's) and the center. All in black. (only thing the place I ordered from had at the time) I hooked them up and was very pleased. Let me say that I am 22 years old. I listen to ALL types of music. My friends sleep, parents cry. Rap, Rock, Jazz, Pop. So I selected some George Benson (Take Five) The guitar came through like he was playing in the other room. The bass was solid. And the mids blended. I tried some Moody Blues, crystalin reproduction of the "trippy" chimes, and some Tupac Shakur, just for flavor. Bass was low enough and loud enough to satisfy this "kid". (I'm used to the costant ear ringing, car is wired!) But...... The real test. MOVIES!!!! I selected Star Wars EisodeI. Not my favorite move but, the race scene offers quick sound-to-speaker changes. The speakers didn't miss a beat, or a blaster, flux capasitor, whatever. I paid LESS, I SAID LESS, Than $[money] for all 5 speakers with shipping!!!!! The speakers have black cabinets with gray accents, the same exact shade of gray accents ason My XBR T.V. What a match. Cheap, but not cheap sounding. The cabints are not the best things I've seen, But they are on par with Yamaha, and I feel Energy, Dynaudio. I would not hesitate to order another set of these, or any other Wharfedale product. Not that I am easily swayed, but, cost per sound, I think I found a friend. The company has been around for YEARS. They must be doing something right. Plus compare the price you would spend on these and the price of some Mission, Canton, Psb, Jamo, Dynaudio, ETC. The money saved would buy a DVD player, And a receiver!

Rating:
Summary: More "bang for bucks" than its rivals
Review: I heard these speakers first at the local hi-fi store and they grabbed my attention straight away. The sound quality was crisp and clear across the range (to my rock eroded ears anyway). It was when I turned the volume control up that I realised I'd found what I was really after - the sound just got louder and better. What efficiency! Certainly the best "bang for bucks" pair I auditioned that day. Teamed up with a Sony STRDE-875 this must be one of the best entry level amp/speaker combinations money can buy. Femail vocals, classical, metal, house - I've yet to be disappointed. For surrounds I chose the AT-Center and Atlantic 200's. More for the consistent look of the set than anything else. After hearing the 500's, the 200's 'do the job' but like anything in this industry - when you've heard something better nothing else will ever do again! It's a matter of taste but to me the 'maple' finish just doesn't cut it. The black is the only way to go with this range. Also, if you want a genuine wood finish you'll be disappointed - these are a vinyl veneer - with the maple it's obvious from several metres back, but with the black (even though you know it has to be vinyl) only a close inspection reveals the truth. The bass reflex port is at the rear so be careful with the placement. It was only when I shifted them away from the back wall that they sounded like they did back in the shop. Recommended.