Wharfedale diamond 9.5 or Valdus VR-400

[pannags]

Hello All,

I am looking for a pair of budget floor standers for my Onkyo TX-SR608, and recently auditioned the diamond 9.5 and 10.1 - my use case is 70% music and 30% TV + Movies.

The Mission 43i and Sonus 2605 were ruled out by a good friend, so no point chasing them

I hit upon the Wharfe Valdus VR-400, that had the same ratings as the Diamond 9.5s, except that the cones were not of the same make.

Has anyone experience with the Valdus range? If so, are they worth the money? FYI, they are relatively new (2009) and cost a cool 6k less!!!

Regards,
Pannags

 

[pannags]

Still waiting! Hello there ... anyone used the Wharfe Vardus please respond ... I need to decide something soon!

 

[denom]

Hi Pannags,

Why not personally audition both of them with the 608 & decide for yourself?
Apparently the 9.5's are much better than the vardus(no valdus series as per the wharfedale site!)
couple of members of HFV have reviewed the 9.5 & they all seem to like them, also someone recently has reviewed the vardus & his take was that they are 'not worth it'. Read here http://www.hifivision.com/speakers/12508-listening-impressions.html

Your best bet would be to hear both yourself & then take a call on which suits you

Regards

 

[captrajesh]

Spot on Denom, good advice.

 

[pannags]

Hi Pannags,

Why not personally audition both of them with the 608 & decide for yourself?
Apparently the 9.5's are much better than the vardus(no valdus series as per the wharfedale site!)
couple of members of HFV have reviewed the 9.5 & they all seem to like them, also someone recently has reviewed the vardus & his take was that they are 'not worth it'. Read here http://www.hifivision.com/speakers/12508-listening-impressions.html

Your best bet would be to hear both yourself & then take a call on which suits you

Regards

Thanks very much Denom for that nice link! Just what I needed. One thing is clear, I will NOT hurry up and settle for the Vardus! :thumbsup:

 

[sohels]

Hello Pannags, did you receive my reply to your PM (I replied a while ago but I just noticed that it does not appear in my sent messages folder)?

And yes, it is an error in my review - it should be Vardus!

 

[pannags]

Hello Pannags, did you receive my reply to your PM (I replied a while ago but I just noticed that it does not appear in my sent messages folder)?

And yes, it is an error in my review - it should be Vardus!

Hello Sohels,

Yes sir, i did and I thought I replied to you too. Sorry, I don't seem to remember exactly.

BTW, thanks very much for your message. I was impresed with reviews of the Jamo C series, but the prices are not exactly fitting my budgets.

At the moment, it looks like it will be either of the following, Diamond 9.2, TSi300 or the RTiA1

Regards,
Pannags

 

[sohels]

No problem, let me know how your auditions go!

 

[techboy]

Also consider Monitor Audio BR5 and Polk Audio TSI400/RTi4

 

[pannags]

Hello Sohels and Techboy,

I finally bought a pair of Wharfe diamond 9.2s, which arrived only yesterday.

Needless to say, there wasn't much time left to sleep and a saturday-record for the wake up time

 

[hfvuser]

dude, how much did you get the 9.2s for?

Also did you buy any amp?

 

[sohels]

Haha! How do you like them so far?

 

[sonosphere]

....
At the moment, it looks like it will be either of the following, Diamond 9.2, TSi300 or the RTiA1
....

Hi Pannags,
1. Did you actually get to audition the TSi300 or the RTiA1?
2. What did you like in 9.2 that made you select it?
3. Can you post a small /detailed comparison between 9.2 and other speakers you auditioned?

Thanks in advance,
Sonosphere

 

[pannags]

Hi Pannags,
1. Did you actually get to audition the TSi300 or the RTiA1?
2. What did you like in 9.2 that made you select it?
3. Can you post a small /detailed comparison between 9.2 and other speakers you auditioned?

Thanks in advance,
Sonosphere

Hello Sonosphere,

I actually got to auditioned the TSi300 and they sounded quite good for the kind of music I listen to (smooth Jazz, classical devotional, soft melodious pop). I found the mids very clear, though the bass was a bit lacking - I was left wanting while the music played.

I could not try the RTi as the stocks had perished and were expected to arrive only in the 3rd week of Oct.

Coming to the Wharfes, I had the guys at Vector play the 9.5, 10.1 and the 9.2 in the ground floor (not exactly a demo room), and hence I could hear them like in real life conditions, what with din from the traffic outside constantly playing traunt.

While I liked the 9.5 really well, with the 9.2, I must admit, it was a case of love at first, second and every other hearing. Since my listening area is about 150 sq.ft, I presumed that the 9.2s would suit me better.

Coming to the listening experience, the higs and mids did sound really clear yet soft - the characteristic laidbackness in action. It was the bass dept, that had me in - terrific yet tightly controlled. One listen to "Someday" from MLTR, and I was clear the decision was sure to some.

I auditioned the Energy take classic 5.1, Wharfe Moviestar 70+ - both were reasonably good for surround sound demo DVDs, but did not quite measure up to the monitors or Floorstanders for music.

The other FS I tried included the Jamo S606 (Bass like thunder), Jamo c4** (low SQ), mission 34i (did not quite have the SQ of the Polks or the Wharfes).

Will try to post pics soon.

Cheers,
Pannags

 

[sonosphere]

Hello Sonosphere,
.... One listen to "Someday" from MLTR, and I was clear the decision was sure to some.
.....
Cheers,
Pannags

Hi Pannags,
"Someday" has the kind of sonic blend, that seems to be tailor made for Wharfe 9.2. If you dig this blend then try similar blends from the Band "Fourplay" ("chant", "Between the sheets") and Sade's "No ordinary love" etc. You will be reeling in ecstasy.

Aaaarrrrgggggh!!! why did I sell my 9.2 :sad:

Regds,

 

[Kittu]

Hi Pannags,
"Someday" has the kind of sonic blend, that seems to be tailor made for Wharfe 9.2. If you dig this blend then try similar blends from the Band "Fourplay" ("chant", "Between the sheets") and Sade's "No ordinary love" etc. You will be reeling in ecstasy.

Aaaarrrrgggggh!!! why did I sell my 9.2 :sad:

Regds,

They are still in your signature.. you must update and upgrade

 

[pannags]

Hi Pannags,
"Someday" has the kind of sonic blend, that seems to be tailor made for Wharfe 9.2. If you dig this blend then try similar blends from the Band "Fourplay" ("chant", "Between the sheets") and Sade's "No ordinary love" etc. You will be reeling in ecstasy.

Aaaarrrrgggggh!!! why did I sell my 9.2 :sad:

Regds,

Completely agree! I will try listening to the numbers you listed

About the speakers, just curious what you upgraded to??

 

[sonosphere]

They are still in your signature.. you must update and upgrade

Hi Kittu,
Somehow I get a sinking feeling when I think of deleting the Norge amp and 9.2 from my signature... their presence is a kind of make-believe that they are still with me ....is this normal?, i.e for audio-holics separated from their old faithful companions?

 

[sonosphere]

Completely agree! I will try listening to the numbers you listed

About the speakers, just curious what you upgraded to??

Hi pannags,
...yet to upgrade. Its dependent on some issues that should hopefully resolve by Diwali. BTW I have Usher S-520 and V-601 in my short-list.

Regds,

 

[rallynut]

@pannags,congrats.they are very good bookshelves.enjoy them.ur chain?

BTW I have Usher S-520 and V-601 in my short-list.

@sonosphere,the Usher V-601??vastly under rated floorstander to me.brilliant for the money i feel.good choice .cheers


EDIT:i was referring to the floorstanders(the V-602) being brilliant.sorry.that said,the V series from Usher have been more value i feel,the V-602 being case in point.am sure the boohshelf(V-601) must be quite something too .