Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Wharfedale Valdus 500 Speakers by crump1911

Model:	Valdus 500
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$800-$900
Description:	3 Way Towers
Manufacturer URL:	Wharfedale
Manufacturer URL:	Wharfedale

Review by crump1911 ( A ) on April 30, 2003 at 13:41:54
IP Address: 64.53.244.140

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for the Valdus 500

I have owned these speakers for about 4 months. These things smoke speakers at twice the price. I know they may not be "transparent" enough for some purists, but they have enough scale and transparency for me...they just plain sound good. I do not find them to be bass heavy, as others have, though my listening room is on the small side. Through the lower midrange, they are about as sweet as it gets...Piano, violins, and strings absolutely get up and rock and roll...YES, they do the LOUD thing very well as many have said (93db sensitivity); but they also give great stage. A pair of these can get put you in a pretty big league for a pretty small price (in my opinion). They can be found new for well under sug. retail.
...speaker placement was on the forgiving side, but they do have a definate sweet spot. A little trial and error really snapped them into focus. I have mine on spikes, about 18" away from the walls, and have found that 10 lbs added to the top of each speaker GREATLY enhanced transparancy.
Man, for the price...you cant beat 'em....and you might give some of those guys who spend 1000's a sudden urge for ladder and rope!

Product Weakness: no hookups for bi-wiring...big deal
Product Strengths: price and performance

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	NAD C370
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	custom 12 volt graph EQ/Xover
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz cd
Speakers:	Wharfedale Valdus 500
Cables/Interconnects:	Belden/Canare, Canare/Canare, Cat5 speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Ftwd. Mac, H Connick Jr...Fiona Apple...Yes...
Room Size (LxWxH):	14' x 11' x 8'4"
Room Comments/Treatments:	small room...diagonal configuration
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Belkin Isolator
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	no hookups for bi-wiring...big deal
Product Strengths:	price and performance