Hi, I've come across a pair of Wharfdale W4's in OK condition. Well the cabinets and grilles look fine. Do you consider them worth getting and renovating? I've just about finished a pair of W3's and I am intrigued by these larger brothers. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. All the best, Craig
It depends on what you mean by OK condition, Craig. This appears to refer to cosmetic condition and you could discover that one or more of the drivers has expired.
With four drivers per cabinet, it would not be prudent to purchase these speakers unless all drivers are guaranteed to be working, since repair/replacement would prove problematical.
See and hear before you buy is the recommendation. There are too many speakers out there that are said by the seller to be working, but that does not necessarily include all the drivers.
With four drivers per cabinet, it would not be prudent to purchase these speakers unless all drivers are guaranteed to be working, since repair/replacement would prove problematical.
See and hear before you buy is the recommendation. There are too many speakers out there that are said by the seller to be working, but that does not necessarily include all the drivers.
The Wharfedale W4 was introduced in 1959 at a cost of £50 (that's almost £1,000 now according to the Bank of England inflation calculator). It's a sizeable enclosure with a volume of 5.8 cu ft.
To help you in your decision of whether or not to buy, note that the WLS/12 woofer and the special 5" drivers were specifically designed for the W4 cabinet system and not sold separately. This would make finding working replacements additionally problematical.
To help you in your decision of whether or not to buy, note that the WLS/12 woofer and the special 5" drivers were specifically designed for the W4 cabinet system and not sold separately. This would make finding working replacements additionally problematical.
I can't resist posting this image of the W4 which shows clearly the positions of the WLS/12 woofer, special 5" drivers and upward firing Super 3 tweeter:
