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Rating: 
Summary: Wharfedale's Towers
Review: Curiously, Wharfedale begins with a transparent system that they turn into something best suited to loud rock for people whose exposure to live performances made them deaf. For listeners who do not like to hear cello solos with accompaniment from two violins and a viola, plugging the ports with some of the styrofoam packaging corrects the bass heaviness without muffling the sound. These systems become transparent, flat speakers, utterly devoid of qualities that call attention to themselves. By using multiple, overlapping speakers of one size, Wharfedale towers present pedal tones with well proportioned upper partials, the result being a clarity and unity of sound not associated with ported systems. Closing the ports creates infinte baffling, which tames an otherwise distracting bass. Still, one must acknowledge the intelligence of the design's providing an isolated chamber sized to recreate the resonances that distinguish excellent accoustics from ordinary accoustics. Wharfedale's literature refers to their testing each speaker to ensure that it does what the cabinet is designed for.
Given the quality of the design, the effectiveness of closing the sports is unexpected. The objective was to tame the bass, not to distort it. This minor modification of the speaker worked better than adding an equalizer, for my taste. The point is merely that the speakers are flexible. Whether Mahler's symphonies or Beethoven's last quartets, familiar music becomes fresh.
By way of example, the Canadian Brass' tuba player, who seems never to have learned that what he does with his instrument is impossible, creates notes that are clear as those from the trumpets. I do not think a person who wants to hear music rather than speakers can improve on Wharfedale's larger systems, other than by closing the ports.
Rating:
Summary: Emerald 99 & Associated Components
Review: Wharfedale's Emerald 99 speakers are manufactured in China. So what, I say! Infiniti and Lexus automobiles originated in Asia, too. Yes, the Emerald 99 can be equated to an Infiniti or Lexus car. Used in combination with quality components -- you will not be disappointed! Let's start with the interconnects. This is the cable that connects your CD player with your receiver or amplifier. I'm using one meter Monster Z100i cables. Purchased at Circuit City these cables set me back...Yes, this is comparatively expensive "wire"...The Monster cable provides an analog broadband connection between my HK 3470 receiver (100 watts per channel @ 8 ohms) and a Sony ES CD player. The resulting sound quality resonating through my Emerald 99's is wonderful!! But wait there is more to this story. I'm also using Audioquest gold plated (Python) jumpers connecting the pre-amp to the amp...I was able to replace the original factory equipment (OEM) nickel jumpers and the improvement in resolution is several shades of gray. Finally, I bi-wired the Emerald 99's with 12 gauge Monster 10 ft. speaker cables. Consequently, I'm able to "thoroughly enjoy" my Emerald 99's. The resolution is both full and equally delicate. I can easily discern cymbals from drums, a clarinet from a trombone. Music is reproduced with faithful neutrality from top to bottom octaves. A delightful "airiness" radiates from the 99's analogous to a live concert. Jazz such as Maynard Ferguson's Big Band and/or Joe Sample and The Crusaders is reproduced with authentic, "punchy", realism. Matching the Emerald 99's with quality components is vital to maximizing an overall qualitative improvement in sound. Yes, it gets expensive!! Nevertheless, for true audiophiles like myself a few extra dollars is a "small sum" to pay...Wharfedale is distributed by IAG America located outside of Boston, Mass. Their customer service is excellent and easy to deal with. Issues are efficiently resolved "beyond your satisfaction". No, I don't work for IAG America. However, I've called them on several occassions and found the experience very satisfactory. A three (3) year warranty provides added security. Finally, don't wait to find Wharfedale Emerald 99's in a big box department store like Best Buy or Tweeter. These stores don't carry Wharfedale. Go ahead -- buy the speakers with confidence today! They're packaged and shipped securely. Enhanced with quality components yields excellent results. I'm more than pleased. REALLY!
Rating:
Summary: Emerald 99 & Associated Components
Review: Wharfedale's Emerald 99 speakers are manufactured in China.
So what, I say!! Infiniti and Lexus automobiles originated
in Asia, too. Yes, the Emerald 99 can be equated to an Infiniti
or Lexus car. Used in combination with quality components -- you will not be disappointed!! Let's start with the interconnects. This is the cable that connects your CD player with your receiver
or amplifier. I'm using one meter Monster Z100i cables. Purchased at Circuit City these cables set me back $.... Yes, this is comparatively expensive "wire". Is it worth it you ask??
Fair question. The Monster cable provides an analog broadband connection between my HK 3470 receiver (100 watts per channel @ 8 ohms) and a Sony ES CD player. The resulting sound quality resonating through my Emerald 99's is wonderful!! But wait there is more to this story. I'm also using Audioquest gold plated (Python) jumpers connecting the pre-amp to the amp. For $... I was able to replace the original factory equipment (OEM) nickel jumpers and the improvement in resolution is several shades of gray. Finally, I bi-wired the Emerald 99's with 12 gauge Monster 10 ft. speaker cables. Consequently, I'm able to "thoroughly enjoy" my Emerald 99's. The resolution is both full and equally delicate. I can easily discern cymbals from drums, a clarinet from a trombone. Music is reproduced with faithful neutrality from top to bottom octaves. A delightful "airiness" radiates from the 99's analogous to a live concert. Jazz such as Maynard Ferguson's Big Band and/or Joe Sample and The Crusaders is reproduced with authentic, "punchy", realism. Matching the Emerald 99's with quality components is vital to maximizing an overall qualitative improvement in sound. Yes, it gets expensive!! Nevertheless, for true audiophiles like myself a few extra dollars is a "small sum" to pay for reaching audio nirvana (i.e. heaven)!! Wharfedale is distributed by IAG America located outside of Boston, Mass. Their customer service is excellent and easy to deal with. Issues are efficiently resolved "beyond your satisfaction". No, I don't work for IAG America. However, I've
called them on several occassions and found the experience very satisfactory. A three (3) year warranty provides added security. Finally, don't wait to find Wharfedale Emerald 99's in a big box department store like Best Buy or Tweeter. These stores don't carry Wharfedale. Go ahead -- buy the speakers with confidence today!! They're packaged and shipped securely. Enhanced with quality components yields excellent results. I'm more than pleased. REALLY !!
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