Teufel Ultima 40 VS Wharfedale Vardus VR-400

[admin_exported]

Hi All,

I would consider myself an amateur audiophile, but I am new to in-home hi-fi. (Most of my experience has been in the mobile sound game). My home experience is quite old - 20 year old BOSE acoustimass stuff.

I am moving house and want a decent setup for a modest budget. I am looking at the Teufel Ultima 40 (http://www.teufelaudio.com/stereo/ultima-40-p3756.html) which I can get delivered for €363, and the Wharfedale Vardus VR-400 (http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/Products/Product/tabid/78/PID/12/CID/63/language/en-GB/Default.aspx) which I can get for about €100 cheaper.

I am curious as to opinions as which is better for me: (average size room, but open plan on one side, so large volume. Very well insulated house, hardwood floors.I haven't decided on an amp or player, but again my budget is modest.

The Vardus is cheaper, lower frequency (40Hz), sealed with ABR (even though wharfedale say it is ported), more efficient (90dB, but at 6-Ohm), not bi-wire, and 150W.

The Ultima is more expensive, higher frequency (52Hz), Ported, less efficient (87dB, but 4-Ohm), bi-wire, and 120W.

After writing this, to complicate things even more, the Vardus VR-300 is almost the same as the 400, but €60 cheaper. It is ported, without the ABR, resulting in a min frequency of 50Hz, and is less efficient (88dB), The listed power rating is also 100W vs 150 for the 400. Is the VR-300 an option for the savings?

Thanks a million for any input!

Brett

 

[Gareth82]

Hi Brett, i haven't heard either of the speakers you listed but can recommend these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wharfedale-XARUS5000-BLACK-Xarus-Standing-Speakers/dp/B00391GQ00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318267324&sr=8-1

The RRP of these was £400 when they first came out. They are huge speakers and are very good value for money, they produce bag loads of deep bass and you would never need a subwoofer. They do take a few weeks to run in before they sound at their best so if you do go for them be paitent and you will be rewarded with a great sound. You can Bi-Wire or Bi-Amp them, are 6ohms and can fill a medium to large room with sound very easily. They don't come with any floor spikes so you would have to either buy some from somewhere like Russ Andrews or use some sort of isolation platform with them. If you would like to see the sheer size of them then go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp8eNzIp7K8

Hope that helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Gareth, I'll check those out.