Price Slight Retro-design Ability to play Heavy Metal! :)

The podiums packed with the speakers included spraypainted parts that upon delivery had somewhat discolored the other parts (not the speakers).

Sounds sursprisingly great with my system with the price in consideration. I can honestly say that I'm very happy with my buy. They also work great together with my Wharfedale-center, the sound distribution is almost seemless when placed farly closed togheter (2m30cm). I'm almost certain that I will replace my Paradigm-satellites with Wharfedale next payday! :) My system: Sony VA-ES 777 connected dig.coax to Sony 315 DVD

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm speakers

Great in all aspects.

none

This review is in reference to both the em 97 and the em 99. I'm using the 99's for the front, the 97's for my rear, sides , and center channel. As I have a Denon amp which has a seven channel stereo feature and 7.1 home theatre capabilities. I unpacked the 99's as I received them first and although they are a very nice looking speaker I wasn't as blown away by some with the fit and finish. They looked very nice but not a lot different from many others I had seen. I knew that I had made the right choice within minutes of finishing the hook up. It takes quite a bit to put a smile on my face the way that these speakers have. The bass is very tight and punchy without being overbearing or distorted, the mids are sweet and mellow, and the highs are nice and crisp without being brassy or hollow. I think that the term imaging is often over used in speaker reviews, but these do quite a fine job in that area. I was already using 6 ohm speakers in the front so I thought I knew what I would be in for, but these speakers are simply more efficient than their counterparts. I am one of the worst out there about looking for the ultimate sound and not being happy unless I have squeezed every bit of quality I possibly can from my system. The best review I can give these speakers is that I now am no longer looking for a better sound. Simply because I don't think that it's possible to get a better quality speaker than these for any price. I do agree that these speakers are probably not going to shine unless you are running 90 watts per channel plus. I'm running 125 watts per channel through a conventional Denon 3802 and it does a fine job. To sum it up, these are fantastic speakers and don't be fooled by their amazing price. These speakers will stand their ground next to anything I've seen at 5 times what I paid for them.

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jbl, infinity, bose, b&w, ar, cambridge

Beautiful cabinets that are hard to find these days with all the black speakers out there. Clear, natural sound. Price at ubid can't be beat.

If you like lots of bass get the Emerald 99.

I was not very impressed with my Emerald 97's, but they sound great with a subwoofer. On the other hand the Emerald 99's are incredible and cost just a few dollars more.

Similar Products Used:

Infinity, Sony, Klipsch, Warfedale

Superior price to value ratio. Excellent, well defined resolution, when used in combination with quality speaker cables (I recommend 12 gauge), interconnects, and a 6 ohm amp or receiver rated at 100 to 120 watts RMS. Three year Service Warranty from IAG is included in the purchase price from UBid.com. Shipped securely in well packaged, heavy (55 lbs. ea.) boxes.

After you have purchased your first pair of Emerald 99's, you're going to be a "raving fan" for life!! Too much of a good thing ....

This is a follow-up to my initial review of Wharfedale's Emerald 99 speakers. O.K. -- I followed the instruction guidelines and allowed for a 50 hour break-in period. The Emerald 99's are discernibly warmer now. Specifically, music is wonderfully "balanced". Not too bright, and not too dark. For me they're -- just right!! Many audiophiles before me have commented on the very subjective aspect of reviewing speakers. What might be great for one enthusiast, could be unsuitable for others. The Wharfedale 99's, however, strike me as very upscale, yet affordably mainstream. For $314 (pr.incl.shipping) I don't know where anyone could find better overall value. No, I don't work for Wharfedale or IAG in any capacity, whatsoever. Nevertheless, I continue to marvel at the 99's workmanship, fit and finish. What are the negatives? These speakers are manufactured in China. So what!! It's a global economy, right?? B.I.C., Advent, Cambridge Towers, and several other notable "brand names" also capitalize on lower production costs in Asia. Lexus and Infiniti sports cars are made in Asia, too. The Emerald 99's are worthy of the Lexus/Infiniti analogy. Their art deco design and craftsmanship personify superior value. Regardless of your musical taste -- these speakers are unlikely to disappoint even the most critical audiophile. The soundstage radiating from these 40 inch towers is well defined yet spacious. Furthermore, the bass response at 28hz is ample and well controlled (not boomy) without a subwoofer. In conclusion, there are unequivocally many good speaker manufactures. Nevertheless, Wharfedale is carving its niche in the higher-end of the quality spectrum by underpricing a very refined, stately, well made product. The Emerald 99's compare very favorable with speakers costing considerably more. Really!!

It's not better than sex.. but it's pretty damn close!

At this price? None

I don't know if there is anything that I can add about these speakers that has not been stated in previous reviews. Stunning midrange...crystal clear highs ...tight, punchy bass. These speakers are worth much more than they are going for on the internet. How Wharfedale can stay in business selling them for less than a grand, I will never know. My system: Harman Kardon HK 3470 receiver Monster M- series biwire cable Sherwood Newcastle CDC-680 CD player Geneva Performance Series Source cables Denon DP-35F turntable Denon DL-160 cartridge Denon DR-M44HX cassette deck IXOS interconnects Denon DR-M33HX cassette deck IXOS interconnects

Similar Products Used:

AR, Klipsch, Celestion, other Wharfedale models

Price, sound, construction, looks

the pair in black is not at all as aesthetic as the walnut

A great speaker for an insane price. I purchased two pairs, one walnut and one black from UBID. These speakers are inexpensive but reallly well made. Solid wood cabinets. They also sound great. Compared against the ARS-50 stature speaker I rate them much higer for music. To me there is no comparison. For home theater I rate the ARS-50 much higher. The 50s are much better for home theater. Compared against the Vandersteen 1bs for Music I like the EM-97 better. They are more rhythmic and produce a deeper bass sound.

Similar Products Used:

vandersteen 1b, vandersteen 1c, ar s-50

xlnt all round sound.. able to produce the subtle nuances that cheaper speakers hide.Mid range is the strongpoint. Under $200 for the pair!!!! (DUH)

requires a good amount of power to become linear.. about 50-70 watts. These are not the speakers you want if you play hip hop or techno... Get the Valdus line!

Being one who is always looking for the best "Bang for the Buck" I purchased these emerald 97s for an Insane price of $59 ea plus shipping. I looked at these a few months ago and ubid had a min price set at 139.00... I ended up buying AR S-50s which are in this reviewers opinion a solid 9/10 (lacks solid bass) The Emerald 97 has a bit more in that category but otherwise runs a close second to the S-50s. The 97s are about 8 inches shorter. making them more esthetically pleasing. The sound is excellant but requires more watts to get the same volume as the AR's. If you want form over function then these will do the trick..dont get me wrong they sound great. so do the S-50s. the S-50s are more obtrusive. 46" tall compared to 36" the e97's are hands down better looking and with slightly more bass. but the s-50 requires less watts and handles more power (200 watt) pick your poison both are killers. rate 9/10 (also) I push these with a Pioneer Elite VSX-24TX (90 watts) bi-wired using 12g. Monster cable.

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Wharfedale mfm-5 (xlnt) AR-S50 (xlnt) BIC 636 (very good) Bose 501..(average.. definitely over-rated).

Everything you can expect - sound, build quality, looks, bi-wire capability, and value. These are truly the best speakers I ever listened!

They perform better with a powerful receiver - but you should have one anyway.

My 97s (MK IV) came in after a week of waiting - I bought six of them for less than $700.00 shipped from Ubid. These speakers rock! The highs are crispy and transparent and the lows are tight and punchy. The sound comes out of these speakers is very natural and clear - quite similar to MFM5s, which I thought were the best speakers under $1000, but slightly better. They definitely beats any speakers that cost five times as much. I use a Denon 2802 to drive them, and they just sound so sweet in both musical mode and HT mode.

Similar Products Used:

Wharfedale MFM5 and MFM7, JBL SVA 1600

Balanced frequency response when matched with quality components. DON'T SKIMP on the matching components including the cables. This will emable you to MAXIMIZE the full potential of these magnificent, high resolution, speakers!!!

The price ($314 incl. shipping) to value ratio UNCOMMONLY favors the consumer!!! How can Best Buy and Circuit City stay in business? Look out JBL, Klipsch, AR!! Wharfedale has produced a winner!!

This review pertains to the Wharfedale Emerald 99's. In summation, these speakers personify INCOMPARABLE VALUE!!! First, I would equate their appearance with a premium Lexus or Infiniti sports car. Build quality, construction, and workmanship are all excellent. I think Wharfedale wants to increase their market share in the USA by underpricing the Emerald 99's to establish name recognition. This is like AOL "giving away" their Internet software with 500 free hours of usage. Today, AOL's worldwide subscriber base exceeds 25 million fee paying customers!! Compared to JBL, Klipsch, AR, and Cerwin Vega -- the Wharfedale name is not well known in the USA. Consequently, selling speakers through UBid at "rock bottom" prices creates an immediate demand while building critical mass in the US market. How else can anyone explain Wharfedale's, "sell 'em cheap", sales strategy? Anyway, these Emerald 99's are really classy in every way!! Across-the-board excellence!! I have mated these speakers to a Sansui RZ9500 surround receiver, Sony ES cd player, and Monster Reference Series interconnects, as well as 12 gauge Monster speaker cable with finishing pins. No high frequency harshness, stellar midrange, and base as low as 28hz (without a subwoofer). Rated at 6 ohms and 150 watts RMS, my Sansui receiver with Source Direct (120 watts RMS at 6 ohm's)makes these Wharfedale's shine !!! No, I'm not a teenager. However, I'm "one happy camper" !!! I can't buy the Lexus or Infiniti. Nevertheless, everytime I listen to these speakers and gaze at their excellent workmanship -- I think Lexus and/or Infiniti !!!! Thank you Wharfedale!! Thank you UBid !!

Crisp and detailed sound. Love the looks!

none that I can see

Once I received the package I knew I was going to be good. The way they packed it said it all. Once I opened it the Walnut finish was outstanding. It has been played for around 3 hours - THe acoustics of live albums are great. You can hear everything. I originally had JBL for my front speakers. They cant compare to the Wharfedale Emerald 97 mids and highs. The only thing that the JBLs had bass(Big Thanks due to the 15 inch woofer) For $217 nothing beats it. And bi-wiring them makes them even more better.

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sony, jbl, aiwa ETC...