****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I recently treated myself to a new Rega P1 record player and io amplifier. These were attached to my faithful Tannoy E11 speakers, which I bought back in 1989 and have served me very well. They still sound pretty good, but I thought they didn't do the new equipment justice, so I bought these Wharfedale diamonds after reading loads of reviews. I wanted to keep the smooth British sound, but maybe improve the mids, which seemed to be lacking.The supplier TVA Tech did a great job and they arrived very well packed. I was really surprised by the quality of the build, which is incredibly solid and well put together. They feel and look like a much more expensive speaker, especially in the light wooden finish I chose.I'll be honest, when I first heard them I was disappointed. Stand mounted, they had great mid-range clarity, but seemed to lack the bass extension and clear treble of the Tannoys. However, give them time to bed in and they start to sing - within 2-3 weeks the bass improved greatly and the treble sweetened up. The clarity of the mid-range is just amazing and I'm hearing parts of the music that were hidden before.They have a smooth character that no doubt some people may find too smooth, but there is no sibilance or harshness to the sound. They are very easy to listen to and I find hours just fly by without you noticing because they draw you into the sound and don't fatigue. If you like bright speakers, these are probably not for you, but for anyone else they are fabulous value for money. Highly recommended.
