Wharfedale Denton

[plastic penguin]

Anyone tempted?

If they're anything like the XP2 version of the 70s they should be cracking. I loved the XP2 with Pioneer amplification so could be a case of seventies revisited.

 

[Al ears]

Excellent speakers by all accounts but not for me.

Anyone looking for a standmount in this price bracket would be well advised to audition them though.

I'm not sure if Wharfdale have shot themselves in the foot or not with the styling. Time will tell.

People are going to love them or hate them .......... lets hope it is the former.

 

[kevinJ]

When people also buy Harbeth, why wouldn't they buy those Wharfedales 🙂

 

[Shanka]

My first set up was like yours had a Pioneer SA 506 and Wharfedale Sheltons,I must say I wouldn't fancy going back to it SQ wise but love the solid feel of the dials and levers on the amps. Still love the look of the big Pioneer recievers from that time, have occasionally been tempted but they go for good money on ebay,love the way they light up and all the needles flapping about.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIONEER-SX-1280-MONSTER-RECEIVER-MEGA-RARE-MINT-CONDITION-220V-/150927968711?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Stereo_Receivers&hash=item23240209c7

 

[Al ears]

When people also buy Harbeth, why wouldn't they buy those Wharfedales 🙂

My point exactly. There are actually people out there that buy stuff purely based on sound quality.... allegedly.

 

[Rethep]

I had them in the 70's, partnered with Pioneer SA 500A amp, and Akai turntable AP-something, could be 003. My first hifi.

 

[plastic penguin]

My first set up was like yours had a Pioneer SA 506 and Wharfedale Sheltons,I must say I wouldn't fancy going back to it SQ wise but love the solid feel of the dials and levers on the amps. Still love the look of the big Pioneer recievers from that time, have occasionally been tempted but they go for good money on ebay,love the way they light up and all the needles flapping about.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIONEER-SX-1280-MONSTER-RECEIVER-MEGA-RARE-MINT-CONDITION-220V-/150927968711?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Stereo_Receivers&hash=item23240209c7[/quote]

My first Wharfedale experience was with Pioneer SA-706 and Linton. My friend had the Dentons, and mightily good they were given the price.

 

[philipjohnwright]

Are you trying to say my beloved Harbeth 7's aren't beautiful?

Ok, guilty as charged, particularly on their Something Solid stands that look like something the BBC props department cobbled together in a hurry for an obscure episode of Dr Who.

Do sound good though.

 

[plastic penguin]

Are you trying to say my beloved Harbeth 7's aren't beautiful?

Ok, guilty as charged, particularly on their Something Solid stands that look like something the BBC props department cobbled together in a hurry for an obscure episode of Dr Who.

Do sound good though.

Not me, guv. Never made any reference to Harbeths.

 

[Al ears]

I think that was probably directed at me, although I didn't make any direct reference to them either.

However, agree that with the right ancilliary equipment, they can sound rather excellent. 🙂

.............. notice how I qualified that?

 

[jaxwired]

No reason speakers can't both sound wonderful and look wonderful. Harbeths are styled for old men IMO.

Those Dentons make me wonder about the sound quality with the baffle surrounded by a 1" ridge. Most speakers are designed to minimize defraction and interaction from the baffle.

 

[Macspur]

No reason speakers can't both sound wonderful and look wonderful. Harbeths are styled for old men IMO.

Those Dentons make me wonder about the sound quality with the baffle surrounded by a 1" ridge. Most speakers are designed to minimize defraction and interaction from the baffle.

I'll try not to take that personally Jax!

Harbeth in the right vineer can look superb and certainly my SHL5's sound beautiful.

Mac

 

[jaxwired]

I'll try not to take that personally Jax!

Harbeth in the right vineer can look superb and certainly my SHL5's sound beautiful.

Mac

I don't disagree, I'm just saying they look old school with more traditional box dimensions and wood finishes. I do like the eucalyptus veneer...

 

[Macspur]

I'll try not to take that personally Jax!

Harbeth in the right vineer can look superb and certainly my SHL5's sound beautiful.

Mac

I don't disagree, I'm just saying they look old school with more traditional box dimensions and wood finishes. I do like the eucalyptus veneer...

Got out of that one nicely... well put.

BTW, really enjoying The Audreys, "When the flood comes in"

Mac

 

[Macspur]

PP, in case you're still lusting after the Totem Arrows, there's a pair going for a song on HiFi Wigwam.

Mac

 

[shafesk]

Really love the Dentons personally. I reckon that there is a trend starting where manufacturers are designing products to look classic. It is my opinion that people who are new to hi-fi tend to prefer futuristic looking kit and as they get older they start prefering more classic looking kit. I love the look of Avantgardes, the Cayin range with the wooden trim and Leben amps, I certainly would not have 10 years ago. I don't think this speaker or any classic looking kit is going to be on the lust list for a new audiophile....

 

[Andy Clough]

Must admit that I rather like their old-school, traditional looks, but then I'm probably showing my age 🙂

 

[Al ears]

Whilst I agree that 'looks aren't everything' I believe that for quite a majority of first-time buyers this is not strictly true (especially if they are accompanied by an, ahem, 'partner').

Minimalist controls and thick aluminium face plates are the order of the day irrespective of how it sounds.

I also agree that retro looks tend to be favoured by those old enough to remember the looks the first time around.

I do not think I would have compemplated the looks / size of my current set-up even ten years ago (large valve-equiped power amp and black acrylic boxes for the rest) , but now I'm not so much of a display freak. Ultimately it is the sound you get out of it that matters.

 

[plastic penguin]

Yes, I like the 'old skool' looks - they have charm. And yes, I am old enough to remember the XP2 version of the 70s. I am so tempted to buy a pair - probably after the festive period - to take in the Wharfedale effect.

 

[Shanka]

Not so long ago I demo'd some spendor sp2/3r2(?) which I was trying so hard to love because I love the way they look, does this qualify me in the old fart brigade ?

I am not a huge fan of these skinny boxes, even though I have some, I like big fat drivers, maybe that's enough for now.

 

[plastic penguin]

...does this qualify me in the old fart brigade ?

Don't know, but surely if a certain design has that appeal, does it matter if you're the OFB?

 

[matthewpiano]

I reckon they'd look great with the new Yamaha A-S3000!!

 

[SteveR750]

I reckon they'd look great with the new Yamaha A-S3000!!

+1.

Denton XP2 were on my dream list about 30 years or so ago, funny how nostalgia ca affect your judgement - I doubt for a minute they would compare with anything today; in fact I know they wouldnt simply because the 18BX that I had were better, and everything I have owned since has been a big step up.

They are beautiful though, and I love the Yamaha looks, if only Roksan would make an amp looking like that.

 

[edplaysdrums42]

I love the old school look, but then i would do wtih the Luxman and Harbeth set up. My OH likes it too, she says it looks like a proper amp. I like that Yamaha amp too very Accuphase Luxman looking. Anyone know how much it is?

 

[toyota man]

I reckon they'd look great with the new Yamaha A-S3000!!

+1.

Denton XP2 were on my dream list about 30 years or so ago, funny how nostalgia ca affect your judgement - I doubt for a minute they would compare with anything today; in fact I know they wouldnt simply because the 18BX that I had were better, and everything I have owned since has been a big step up.

They are beautiful though, and I love the Yamaha looks, if only Roksan would make an amp looking like that.

+1 I thought that the volume and selector knobs looked like some thing you would find on a childs toy christmas tree boybols that sounds a bit roood . even the black ones only have a black facia the case is silver🙂 🙂