Wharfedale E20

[plastic penguin]

Well...

Had to go up to the attic earlier to get my daughters case down, as she's going to Devon in a couple of weeks time. Underneath the case are my old E20s. I thought shall I or shan't I?

It's been absolutely years since I last tried them, back to my old RS6 days - only tried them once since buying the Leema. I succumbed....

Once wired up and sitting on proper height stands - these are taller and wider than I remember.

What do they sound like?

Well, okay. Sitting down, because of the tweeter position, the high frequencies sounded a little recessed. Clarity is quite good and the bass, although lack some definition compared to the PMCs and Dalis, sounded pleasingly deep - deep enough to satisfy many tastes.

Standing up and the HFs improve, better detail and they just open up a little more. And because the bass/midrange driver is big compared to modern monitors, you don't lose any depth.

Two things: they are 96db and are an easy load for low powered amps, but they distort easier than expected.

The rear terminals are very small and fiddly to connect modern cables.

Not technically great but quite fun to listen to. I'll keep them connected until tomorrow - can't be doing with climbing a ladder again today.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I think if I had any old ones lying around, I'd be giving them a listen too.

 

[plastic penguin]

I think if I had any old ones lying around, I'd be giving them a listen too.

You wouldn't believe how much dust and cobwebs etc etc caked those suckers. Took me an age to clean. I was surprised they still worked. And the weight of those grilles.

The build quality is superb, not sure modern speaker companies could afford the materials, based purely on weight.

 

[aversaurus]

I've had a lot of vintage stuff most people who have listened to my setups have been surprised how good it sounds.

 

[plastic penguin]

I've had a lot of vintage stuff most people who have listened to my setups have been surprised how good it sounds.

Yeah, for a speaker designed in the late 70s, they are good. They seem flexible with amplification. I purchased them in 82 when I had my old Pioneer amp.

This pic was taken around 82/83 in my bedroom at the time.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Loving that wallpaper!

 

[plastic penguin]

Loving that wallpaper!

Haha... don't we just? It proves that photo is authentic. No one would choose that paper today. Hehe.

I rather miss my records being on shelves. Had those shelves all around my bedroom.

 

[Edbostan]

Well...

Had to go up to the attic earlier to get my daughters case down, as she's going to Devon in a couple of weeks time. Underneath the case are my old E20s. I thought shall I or shan't I?

It's been absolutely years since I last tried them, back to my old RS6 days - only tried them once since buying the Leema. I succumbed....

Once wired up and sitting on proper height stands - these are taller and wider than I remember.

What do they sound like?

Well, okay. Sitting down, because of the tweeter position, the high frequencies sounded a little recessed. Clarity is quite good and the bass, although lack some definition compared to the PMCs and Dalis, sounded pleasingly deep - deep enough to satisfy many tastes.

Standing up and the HFs improve, better detail and they just open up a little more. And because the bass/midrange driver is big compared to modern monitors, you don't lose any depth.

Two things: they are 96db and are an easy load for low powered amps, but they distort easier than expected.

The rear terminals are very small and fiddly to connect modern cables.

Not technically great but quite fun to listen to. I'll keep them connected until tomorrow - can't be doing with climbing a ladder again today.

I remember a mate's dad a pair in the E series. I believe the E stood for efficiency. His pair had controls to trim the treble.

 

[plastic penguin]

I remember a mate's dad a pair in the E series. I believe the E stood for efficiency. His pair had controls to trim the treble.

Correct, sir. They are very efficient, ideal, I guess, for low powered tube or SS amps. They were good in their day and fun to listen to now.

Originally, the E90s, they were developed for small cinemas and then, Rank, the parent company, broke into the domestic market and produced smaller E70, E50, E30 and E20. All of them had tone a control on the front.