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Wharfedale Emerald 93 Bookshelf Speakers, Oak Veneer (Pair)

Wharfedale Emerald 93 Bookshelf Speakers, Oak Veneer (Pair)

List Price: $399.99
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Product Info Reviews

Features:
  • 2-way rear-ported bookshelf speakers
  • Oak veneer
  • Gold-plated biwirable/biampable speaker posts
  • 48 to 20,000 Hz frequency response
  • 6.7-inch mineral-loaded polymer woofer and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter


Description:

Wharfedale's Emerald 93 is a jewel of a bookshelf speaker. Built by one of England's most celebrated manufacturers, the two-way speakers employ a pair of superb speaker cones as well as other key component parts for a sound best described as "musical." Their sound is impressive--open, warm, and natural--and consistently conveys the essence or "soul" of the music.

That said, the Emerald 93s are handsome, well-fashioned speakers. Both the oak and rosewood models are cased in gorgeous, real-wood veneer with black grilles. Just below and running parallel with the angular grille base runs a wedge carved into the cabinet itself. This subtle yet striking cosmetic touch sets the Emerald 93s apart from less fashion-conscious speakers.

But let's talk about what's inside those cabinets.

A 6-inch, mineral-loaded polymer woofer handles the bass frequencies and the critical midrange, where 80 percent of the music takes place. Wharfedale's quick-response woofer gets its rigidity from finely crushed stone, which Wharfedale presses into the polymer during the molding process. This outstanding driver crosses over to 1-inch, silk-dome high-frequency driver, certainly one of the sweetest tweeters we know of.

In addition to being a looker, the Emerald 93s boast a rigid cabinet that's free of resonant coloration. Both deep bass and speaker sensitivity (how loaded it sounds with a given voltage input) are enhanced by a rear-firing port, which means that the Emerald 93s require some distance from the rear wall (about two feet or so) to perform at its best. We also recommend a pair of sturdy, 24-inch-high stands to get the most from these speakers.

The Emerald 93s' sound is exquisite. Vocals are so present it's like having the singer in front of you. A grand piano, one of the hardest of all instruments to reproduce, is full and sonorous, with layers of complex harmonics and a gorgeous tone, while electric guitars ring with the texture and crunch of real life.

The Emerald 93s' bass sounds punchy and warm, reaching down to an honest 50 Hz with a beautiful roundness. Bowed acoustic basses growl, and drums rock with a sense of real weight behind them. And the tweeter is, again, a marvel--extended, detailed, and sweet.

What else is there to say? Wharfedale's Emerald 93s are remarkable speakers. They're also a remarkable value. If you truly love music and want to hear its subtlety, nuance, and bouquet of tone colors marvelously reproduced, these are speakers you'll cherish. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

  • Extremely detailed and natural sound
  • Superb drivers
  • Great cosmetics and construction quality
  • Bi-wire and bi-amp ready

Cons:

  • Not much bass below 50 Hz
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