Wharfedale Monitors; How do you feel now?

[Hurmph]

I just wanted to see how everyone now feels about these monitors, now that time has passed since the super hype.

I haven't been able to do any major mixing on them yet, they have become more like stereo speakers for me.
One thing though, one of my blue lights blew out...is there a way to easily fix this?

Any other updates from anybody?

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Today, we set up our second pair of 8.2 passives for the studio. These had the black Kevlar cones, not the yellow cones. Observations:

1. It only had Speak-On connectors!! WTF?? Those connectors are for high powered speakers; what were they thinking? OK, pull those suckers out, get out the hole cutter, and put in some decent push connectors.

2. When we finished installing the push connectors for speaker 2, we heard a thump when we moved it. The damn cardboard port tube had come unglued. Okay, time to remove speakers in cabinet 2.

3. One of the metric Allen head screws was broken on the woofer. The whole speaker front panel is one molded plastic piece with the tweeter mounted to it, while the woofer is sandwiched between the front grill and the cabinet. Got the port slipped back in place, buttoned it up, and fired them up.

Overall, pretty damn nice (especially with the sub going). Didn't hear the low mid "woofyness" I heard in our other 8.2's, and the high end was quite detailed (almost a little too bright), but these will definitely be easier to mix on than the Yamaha NS10s they replace.

 

[pennylink]

I've been using the 8.2's for about a month now. I just moved to the UK and needed some affordable monitors. They replace 8" Mackies I used in the States but couldn't afford again, being twice as expensive here. If I found myself in the same position again, with the same budget, I would buy the Wharfes again.

As expected they're no match for the Mackies, but I find them quite acceptable nevertheless. Listening fatigue is zero, which is a good thing since I use them for hours on end. Mixes translate well. I haven't used them with a sub yet, but I think they would probably benefit from it.

As a negative, I find the 6dB bass filter switch way too severe and therefore unusable. Luckily I don't have to use it as I have the monitors stand mounted and they're not too bass-heavy that way. A variable bass filter or a fixed 3dB cut would make more sense I think.

Don't know about replacing the blue light, Hurmph, but I did find this contact info on the http://www.wharfedalepro.com/ website (Wharfedale is owned by IAG):
Our recently established 'Professional' division in America is the distribution hub for the whole of the Americas.
Please contact us for information about products, prices, availability, installations, or for an audition of our latest superb products. IAG America Inc. Contact :Tom Linklater • Phone : 508-850-3950 (office number) • Fax : 508-850-3905 • tom.linklater@iagamerica.com

I personally find the blue lights way too bright, so I've covered them with a small piece of tape darkened with a black Sharpie.

 

[noisedude]

Today, we set up our second pair of 8.2 passives for the studio. These had the black Kevlar cones, not the yellow cones. Observations:

1. It only had Speak-On connectors!! WTF?? Those connectors are for high powered speakers; what were they thinking? OK, pull those suckers out, get out the hole cutter, and put in some decent push connectors.

2. When we finished installing the push connectors for speaker 2, we heard a thump when we moved it. The damn cardboard port tube had come unglued. Okay, time to remove speakers in cabinet 2.

3. One of the metric Allen head screws was broken on the woofer. The whole speaker front panel is one molded plastic piece with the tweeter mounted to it, while the woofer is sandwiched between the front grill and the cabinet. Got the port slipped back in place, buttoned it up, and fired them up.

Overall, pretty damn nice (especially with the sub going). Didn't hear the low mid "woofyness" I heard in our other 8.2's, and the high end was quite detailed (almost a little too bright), but these will definitely be easier to mix on than the Yamaha NS10s they replace.

What amp will you be using with them?

 

[Harvey Gerst]

In the small studio, we use a plain old JVC 100 Watt Receiver to power the big JBLs and the Wharfedales.

I'm working on restoring a pair of McIntosh MC30's for one of the rooms.

 

[MadAudio]

Well I'm still loving mine (have the actives), especially since I got a KRK sub to go with them. My mixes have never sounded better and they translate well on different sources.

 

[Rstiltskin]

In the small studio, we use a plain old JVC 100 Watt Receiver to power the big JBLs and the Wharfedales.

I'm working on restoring a pair of McIntosh MC30's for one of the rooms.

Hi Harvey,

Is McIntosh still in business?

They used to have clinics around the country where you could bring your amps and if they had'nt been through a fire they would fix them and bring them up to speck for free.

Chances are you knew this tho.....

 

[JazzMang]

Got my actives in a few days ago. They are still opening up as they break in (lets not start with the staunch break-in disbelievers) but I am generally finding them to have quite a good 'soundscape' where instruments appear to have their own space in the mix. They are somewhat lacking in bass extension, which is why I will be looking into a sub for these at some point.
Once again, listening fatigue is nonexistant, which I like.
LEDs are way bright, but not distracting during the day.

All in all, definitely worth the money.

 

[AlexW]

One of my blue lights never worked from the start, but I don't really care. They sound good, and most importantly, seem to translate very well.

 

[noisedude]

I'd reconsider a set if the passives and a half-decent amp might do it for me ... the actives really don't float my boat. I know what I have is pretty bad (Alesis M1A) but the 8.2As gave me less detail and sounded a bit plasticky. But everyone else seems to find them different!!