Excellent imaging, stunning looks, above-average build quality, remarkable value.

Slightly inefficient; "matching" Emerald speakers aren't as great a match as they could be.

Most of what needs to be said has been covered in the other reviews, so I'll be brief.

I'm using a pair of Emerald 97s in a 5.1 configuration consisting also of 2 Emerald 95s and an Emerald Center speaker. My biggest gripe about these speakers is that the Center speaker is a relatively poor match for the 97s. While I am well aware that nothing can compare to a center identical to one's mains, I am disappointed that a speaker marketed as a matching center channel matches in such a mediocre fashion. While I appreciate I may be expecting a bit much from a puny center speaker, it would be nice if Wharfedale made single-speaker purchases of the Wharfedale 97 line possible. (Incidentally, the Emerald Center isn't that bad -- it just doesn't live up to the incredible performance of the Emerald 97s. I've contemplated that it might fare better paired with 95s as the front channels.)

On a more positive note, the speakers are incredible both for music and HT use. I listen to a lot of Latin jazz, and these speakers simply blow away both Paradigm Studio 80s and Paradigm Studio 100s that cost quite a fair chunk more, even in Canada. Surprisingly, however, they are also remarkable for HT use. This was my biggest reservation purchasing these speakers without auditioning them -- I thought they might be rather unspectacular for HT use. I will say simply that my fears are unfounded, and mild gripes about the center channel aside (see above), the Wharfedales blow everyone's socks off. If you're curious, they're being powered by an Outlaw 1050 integrated receiver.

The only thing I wanted to add is that it's a shame these speakers have received so little attention in North America. They apparently sell for a considerable chunk of change more in some parts of Western Europe, and have received nothing but critical acclaim. I'm told they won "Speaker of the Year" award in some high-end Swedish audio magazine. The bad news, however: they're being discontinued and replaced with a new Wharfedale line. Believe the reviews and pick them up now -- they really are a steal.

Similar Products Used:

M&K, Paradigm, JBL, Klipsch, et cetera.

Awesome

None

I have used my pair of Emerald 97's for about a month after purchasing them off an online auction for about $420 for the pair including shipping. I would agree with the previous two reviewers that these speakers are of audiophile quality. With My Denon AVR-85 and Denon DCM-460 CD changer with alpha processor, using the digital out, CD sound incredible. Incredible depth, transparency and clarity. Bass is solid, High are crystal clear, and this is all produced using regular 12 gauge copper cables with banana connectors. I would have paid $1000 for the pair if I had known they would be this good. Overall, the best speakers I have ever owned and uncomparable at $200each.

Value for money or what!

Art deco if you dont like it.

I have not purchased any Wharfdale speakers for 25 years since my old set of 'glendales',due to the downhill direction that this firm took and the tacky appearance that resulted. The 97's caught my eye due to the style and more so the price. Richer Sounds were selling these for £149 a pair! ($232) a lot of speaker for the money. I have built my own before and I know I could not have done it for that. These were purchased for my son who is now into hi fi, but having listened to them for a while, I might be stealing them back at some stage. They started sounding a bit harsh, very much so at high levels but have since run themselves in and now sound quite smooth, low level listening is very good providing a sweetness and weight ideal for late night listening. Headroom is very good showing soundstage how it should be presented, voices are open and forward. Bass depends very much where you sight them. They are front ported which means they are not fussy, but going down a room will produce more weight than across. Nice finish in real veneer but be careful to get matched pairs, Wharfdale go to great length to match every side of each speaker with wood grain only to then not mark the box properly to indicate this. The serial numbers should be either the same or consecutive. Open each box and look at the top of each speaker, the grain should be the same.

Similar Products Used:

EM95

Midrange and Treble very nice
Smooth Natural British Sound

Bottom End
Dynamics

I believe my comments mirror what the others have said. This speaker has a neutral and accurate sound. Female vocals are especially nice. I listed two weaknesses. Don't get my wrong these are by no means glaring. They are subtle, but I wanted to be honest.
The speaker has 2 6.5 woofers and I have heard better Dynamics and a fuller bottom end. I have a small sub so this is less of an issue. I also purchased the speakers for 400 plus shipping and consider this to be a tremedous value. Components can make a big difference in sound. I've purchased several british components and they all seem to work well together. Other system components: Cambridge CD-4(british), Arcam Black Box 50 DAC(british), AudioSource Amp One, Yamaha C-60(class A preamp). I love these speakers buy I give them 4 stars overall because there is always something bigger and better.

Furniture grade cabinets; excellent mid-range and tweeter;
very natural, three dimensional sound.

For the price these speakers have no serious flaws.

The MKII Version of this speaker purchased from UBid
represents, unequivocal, uncompromising, value!! Amazon
advertises the same speakers for $800 including their $100
delivery charge. I'm delighted with the Wharfedale Emerald
97's. I highly recommend, however, using Monster's Reference
MKII Interconnect Cable to achieve a maximum bandwidth
connection between your receiver and CD player. I'm using
a Harmon Kardon AVR5 receiver an a nine year old Sony ES
CD changer. Wow!! The sound is truly astonishing. No exaggeration. A good interconnect is imperative. Throw away
the cheap wires provided as standard equipment with new
receivers. Buy quality interconnects and realize the full
potential inherent in these fine speakers. The Monster interconnects I'm using eliminate potential harshness at the high end and, boominess at the the bottom end. Although
the Harmon Kardon AVR5 produces only 45 watts per channel in stereo mode the quality of sound is excellent. Maynard
Ferguson's, One More Trip Back to Birdland, never sounded
so good !!

appearance; tight bass; good vocals and soundstage

a tad harsh, especially at higher volumes; 89 db sensitivity requires fairly brawny receiver

Well, have similar sad story to relate about ubid. Bid on EM97 Maple, but received black ones instead. They gave me such a hard time ("Do you know what these speakers cost at Amazon.com?")about the return that I decided to pocket a $50 rebate and keep them. The wood veneer does look good, even in black. The Emeralds also have a very solid feel.

Haven't really broken them in fully yet. But, at early stage, they sound a little harsh & somewhat industrial (like small club concert sound). Not necessarily bad as long as you don't set up in a small room or live in a small apartment. You will probably still want a subwoofer for the true HT experience. Also, you will need a decent output amp to drive. My 55 watt Onyko is challenged to power these.

On the positive side, speakers seem very detailed and soundstage is good. (Just remember to toe in & space them no farther than 8 ft apart.) You can hear new nuances to the music. Vocals (esp. female) aren't recessed like in Sapphire series & other Wharfedales that I've listened too.
Bass is nice, tight & punchy - overall measured & not overwhelming.

I rather doubt that these speakers will live up to their near-audiophile reputation (how many people out there really know what that word means?), but are a very solid buy at $700 at Amazon and positively insane at $300-350 at ubid (at least their prices don't suck).

If anybody has access to an English version of the EM 97 review in Hi Fi & Musik, I would appreciate it if you could email it to me.

Similar Products Used:

wfdale sapphire 87, klipsch sf 1, polk rt 600, cambridge soundworks new ensemble

These have better bass response than the 93's and 95's, but are otherwise similar. The clarity and slightly forward presence must be heard to be appreciated.

If properly broken in, one would have to compare these to speakers costing over $1500 a pair to find any deficiencies.

Almost finished breaking in this combo of black Emerald 97's and 93's, and I defy anyone to show me a sound which is better than this for less than $1500. For music, I do not even need the sub. Each of these speakers sound fine on their own, but the combination is a killer. The soundstage produced defines the term (which I believe is misused.) Placed about 8'- 9' apart and sitting about 10' back, the entire wall resonates with location of the speakers being undiscernable. The clarity, slightly forward (not bright or harsh)character of these drivers is most pleasing to my ears. They have good transient response, are seamless ( no indication of crossover from the woofer to the tweeter) are flat (balanced in sound and volume from high to low frequency)and reveal subtle sounds often lost in many speakers' reproduction of good recordings. And, they are more forgiving than other speakers of poorly recorded material.
I am sure that there is better out there. But, at what point does one finally realize that it doesn't really get much better than this (IMHO). If only one did not have to deal with uBid?!? I am reselling some of the Emerald series which I purchased and still have in unopened boxes. If interested, email me and save hundreds over Amazon.com. I can provide some expertise as well as these speakers through Sound Expectations. Good listening!

Similar Products Used:

Vandersteen 2 ce's, Pinnacle Classic Gold Towers, AR S 50's, other Wharfedale, Infinity, JBL's etc.

Overall response, smooth, midrange

Speaker affinity is based largely upon personal perefence. I was introduced to Wharfedales when searching the web for speakers (I ended up at UBID). I purchased some Wharedale Sapphires after reading some reviews on this website. I was quite pleased with them. Knowing that the Emerald's were their top model (before they introduced the Pacific series this year), I successfully bid for them at $69 each. Shipping was on UBID this time due to some issues I had with them in the past (I was sent the wrong product and it took over a month to resolve). Overall, at $139 shipped, this speaker cannot be surpassed.

While leaving the finer details to the true audiophiles, I must say this speaker is superb and matches my listening taste. It is accurate, dynamic, and produces an impressive soundstage. The bass it relatively tight and deep, but that's not its best asset. The speaker shines when it comes to the midrange. I thought Jewel was in my living room (which would be nice)! This speaker truly sings. I had a budget of $1,200/pair and I listened to Boston Acoustics, Bose, Klipsche, Mirage, Mission, and Infinities before taking a chance on the Emerald. I prefer the Emerald over all the above and I saved bunch of money.

Similar Products Used:

Wharfedale Sapphire 87

amazing speaker

there is a subtle coloration. reminescent of all english made speakers

Let me say the reviewer below (Bill T.) sounds like hes trying to sell his jbls to someone who owns wharfs. Im not selling either, and dont have any comments on the jbls sound. HOWEVER an honest review is theat the Emerald 97 is a very fine looking and sounding speaker. the sound is ery clear and detailed. These speakers are not overly or OVERTLY bright.. there is more to listing to music that cymbals. If you want to really test a speakers ability to reproduce sound pop in Pink floyd's "Wish You Were Here".
The emerald 97 reproduces all the ambient sounds that are there that most loudspeaker cover up. reproducing all the subtilties of this soundtrack truly is a test for any loud speaker. Let me say if you want to reproduce the sound of cymbals.. any cheap speaker with a $59 line source ribbon tweeter will do that. Let me just finish by saying there are a lot more people who own emerald 97s than the jbl s312
.... think about why this is.

Similar Products Used:

none

One of the best HT speakers for the money ($400) that is.. includes shipping. at an 8x16 footprint can be placed anywhere

doesnt rock the room with thundering bass

The below reviewer obviously doesnt own a set emerald 97s. Like all the other reviewers commented befor this detribe. the emerald 97 is the flagship speaker of the wharfedale line. slim attractive and puts out very detailed souind. speakers that only need 6ft of seperation for good staging.
Look at the JBL S112 reviews it says it all. Big boxy overbearing speakers. that are not recomended for home theatre. The Emeralds are perfect for HT as well as music. HT systems require a sub any way you slice it. so the lack of low end bass is a non-issue.. they are rated down to 32db
however.. not bad for 6.5 in woofers. JBL's are just big speakers... reminiscent of the speaker cabinets that were everywhere back in the 70's. The JBLS are an excellant choice for a person wanting them for a stereo only system and has a large enough room to place them (just to set you staight on the room reguired ea jbl is almost 2 ft wide (x2) now 10 feet of seperation for staging min requirement 14 ft) emerald 8" (x2) 6ft seperation (7.4 ft)
I wouldnt pay 1800 or even $800 for the 97s nor woold I pay 900 or even 450 for the jbls.. but for what both systems are going for online.. you just cant beat the price. Both speakers area great.. just fit the speaker to the application.

Similar Products Used:

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