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The treble showed high intelligibility, freshness and richness of detail without bite. By way of example let’s return to the Dave Matthews Band. This full-blooded New Orleans combo not only live always relies on a threesome brass section and electronic violin. Working themselves into a rage during their routine improv interludes, the treble under realistic SPLs can quickly turn sharp, strident and plain unpleasant. Here a speaker trained for audiophile analysis becomes useless. I was pleased by how Wharfedale’s small aluminium dome handled the acrobatic split between good resolution, high detail and long-term comfort. ‘Way on high’ where some hyper-committed speakers simply deliver more than necessary I found the Wharfedale civilized and round. I never felt I missed out on important acoustic data but in the same price range there clearly are speakers which turn up the wick on raw resolution. Elac’s JET tweeter on their FS247 model comes to mind which invokes a higher degree of HF illumination. Depending on favored music and personal preference this could be the better alternative.

Conclusion. How to put it without gushing? Let’s try this. When a speaker manages to have me seriously contemplate selling my treasured Magnat Quantum, it must have made quite an impression, yes?


I learnt to appreciate the potent, rock-solid but never out-of-control bass of the Wharfedale Jade 5. I loved its dimensionally generous airy soundstaging flanked by an enormously fast precise midrange driver which post necessary break-in rendered particularly vocals and acoustic instruments both precise and silky to have me think ‘realistic’. On top the Wharfedale continues transparent and clear without ever turning sterile or separatist.

For €2.000/pr the speaker is also exceptionally well put together and finished. Whilst biwire terminals and adjustable spikes are standard and expected items in this class, here things get a tad more opulent. Likely due the clever resistive slot loading of the woofers, this speaker counts amongst the easiest to place I’ve ever hosted in my own four walls. Even sparse furnishings with lots of reflective surfaces didn’t trigger the usual room interactions. Though you could accuse me of a platitude, I really see no reason why—if you’re shopping for speakers in this price range—you shouldn’t give the Wharfedale Jade 5 a serious audition. It could be well worth your time!

Psych profile of Wharfedale’s Jade 5…
  • Impresses with cast-in-concrete low bass without boom or control issues.
  • Displays proper timing top to bottom despite using four drivers.
  • Casts a large very airy stage.
  • Handles voices and acoustic instruments very realistic and silken. This does require proper burn-in.
  • Is blessed with accurate impulsive mids which inject a certain freshness and presence without feeling artificially emphasized.
  • Gets a bit round on top without suggesting loss of anything vital. More treble resolution is possible elsewhere.
  • Very easy to place.
  • Exemplary fit ‘n’ finish in this price class.
Facts.
  • Concept: Passive 3-way floorstander with aperiodic bass loading
  • Dimensions and weight: 25 x 106 x 40cm (WxHxD), 27.5kg/ea.
  • Sensitivity: 88 dB/W/m
  • Nominal impedance: 6 ohms
  • Warranty: 5 years
redaktion @ fairaudio.de
Wharfedale website