I have tons of experience with modern Wharfedale stuff. I've had Evo 40's and 30's, a full set of Pacific 40's 30's and the Center. I've had some of the Modus and Opal stuff also.
Before I knew any better I thought they were pretty good. For a period of about 3-4 years I really enjoyed them. I got them at good prices, and they compared well to lots of stuff I listened to at local shops.
However, the love affair ended very abruptly when I started building my own speakers. One of my early DIY designs was a Vifa XT25 tweeter and GR Research M-165x woofer. When I A/B compared it to the Evo 40's my jaw dropped, everything I thought I enjoyed about the Wharfedales was quickly realized as false. The DIY speaker simply wiped the floor with it in every way, in comparison the Evo 40 was slow, bloated, veiled, and sounded like the signal was being completely smeared in the time domain. That particular DIY speaker isn't exactly what I'd call detailed, but in comparison it conveyed infinately more detail.
I'm not promoting DIY speakers, just saying the Evo and many many other speakers out there only sound acceptable when heard on their own. In comparison with well designed and integrated speakers they'll fall on their face.
They do look nice though
I still have a pair of totally reworked Evo 40 cabs in my basement that I'll do something with someday.