warfedale vs canton vs cambridge

KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
I have been looking at the warfedale diamond 10.2, canton GLE 426, and Cambridge SX 60 as bookshelf speakers for my fronts in a 2-channel setup for music. I recently bought the Dayton 1000 sub and I really like it. my room is 15x15 area. these are about 300 dollars which is what I want to spend. can I get some opinions on these 3 as my choices. thanks so much!
Let me throw out another good option.
The Infinity R162 is a 6" bookshelf that routinely (as in right now) goes for $450, but 4 to 6 times a year is put on sale for $190. This is one of the best $450/pr speakers and when it is on sale for $190/pr, I don't think anything else can compete.
Of course they may not be your subjective preferred sound, but when you look at speakers in the $200 to $300 price range, these are hard to beat for general quality of design and engineering. To my ear, this is your best option if you wait and keep an eye on this link. When they go on sale, it is about a 60% discount on most of the models in the link.
https://www.infinityspeakers.com/reference-series-home/

I think we've given you a list of some very good options. The good news is there are no bad choices if you stick with these. However, only you can address the issue of what sound you like.

I believe the R162's are a little on the "forward" side. I would describe them as having good "presence", "crispness", and "shine".
If Phil, ( @speakerman39 ) heard them, he might call them "too bright"!
On the other hand, the "warm" Wharfdales he is recommending are likely to seem a little more veiled than my ideal, but they are great for him!

Neither of us is right or wrong, we just have listened to enough speakers to know our preference!

Also know that I have listened to many Wharfedale speakers and I like them...a lot!!!

My point is we are talking fine shades (not black and white) generally, no one here is going to recommend a speaker that is truly harsh or dull. I think you would be happy with any of these recommendations, but you need to decide how much time or if you should spend time listening to develop a refined sense of your preference.

In all fairness, I do not think you can go to stores and get much sense of your preference unless you have a reference sound that you have regularly been listening to. The best approach is to get the speakers into your home and live with them for a week or two. Amazon Prime gives you a month, and Best Buy 14 days. Unfortunately, many of the other options would cost you one-way shipping should you return them.

Depending on you, that may just not be realistic.

You could also do something like buy the Sony Core Series 5" bookshelf speakers from Best Buy
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-core-series-5-3-way-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/5721014.p?skuId=5721014
For $150, they are decent speakers. If after a week or so, you were to come here and comment on what you like and don't like about them, we could direct you in a bit more refined fashion!
 
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lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Of the three pairs you specified, have you listened to all three? What do you like about each one?

Lots of good options mentioned. Hard to recommend speakers over the internet, better to experience for yourself IMO altho you can get a good idea of a successful design by the number of satisfied users but takes a while to gather those reactions but a good use for various audio fora/groups. Going by only subjective terms/experiences used by different people is only so much useful information and mostly I ignore the descriptions like warm or forward etc, not everyone uses them the same way nor will the experience be the same necessarily in your room.

I've not heard Wharfedale except maybe over 30 years ago, pretty sure I've not heard a Canton at all. I own Cambridge S30s, and the Ascend 170SEs mentioned; I've used the S30s in a small room 2ch setup, the 170SEs 99% as surrounds. Both are nice speakers for the price. If you're really stretching your buck look for awesome sales (A4L is a good place particularly for Canton it seems), b-stock offerings and the used market.
 
J

jsf0656

Audioholic
these are some great choices and I feel I would be happy with any of these choices. however I live a good distance from any stores that have speakers like best buy etc so I will rely on advice from guys who know a lot more than I do and the reviews I read. so for me coming from the older polks and trying to better my current RTI6'S that I purchased on ebay about 8-10 yeats ago this will be a great start! I just try to learn as much as I can and make a informative decision.:)
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
these are some great choices and I feel I would be happy with any of these choices. however I live a good distance from any stores that have speakers like best buy etc so I will rely on advice from guys who know a lot more than I do and the reviews I read. so for me coming from the older polks and trying to better my current RTI6'S that I purchased on ebay about 8-10 yeats ago this will be a great start! I just try to learn as much as I can and make a informative decision.:)
I understand, speaker auditioning is difficult where I've lived for quite a few years now. The internet is my friend both for info gathering and purchasing/delivery. I take it the used market is limited for you as well without a significant drive?
 
zieglj01

zieglj01

Audioholic Spartan
Out of the above mentioned which ones would be heavy on bass for music purposes?
Cambridge does a good job with bass -- if one were using a sub, then the Cantons, and if one could go a little over $300 then the Canton Chrono is a really nice deal
 
speakerman39

speakerman39

Audioholic Overlord
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
If the OP is going to spend outside his specified budget of $300, then the Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers would serve him very well. So very musical. However, I do recommend a sub which the OP already has. Here is a link:


https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/Wharfedale-Denton-Limited-Edition-80th-Anniversary-Bookshelf-Speakers-(Walnut)-DEMO


Here is an open box set of the Denton's for only $360 shipped! Just thought that I would mention it.;)


Cheers,

Phil
Define "musical" please.
 
speakerman39

speakerman39

Audioholic Overlord
Define "musical" please.
I am going to tell you straight up do NOT start your sh*t b/c I am NOT in the mood. You are always going around trying to start sh*t. I can certainly see why you got banned from AVS. My guess is, you did the same sh*t there as well. If you think for one minute you are going to bully me you better think again pal!;)

Now to answer your question. Musical to many (myself included) is a speaker that can draw you into the presentation a bit more. Perhaps, hanging onto the notes a bit longer. British speakers have a warmer presentation. That means Chris that the midrange is the STAR of the show. That is why vocals sounds so damn good. Especially female vocals.

Moreover, the top end is in perfect balance and buttery smooth. That means Chris you can sit and listen to speakers such as the Wharfedale Diamond 220's/ Denton 80th Anniversary speakers for hours and hours and NEVER not even once get a headache. Many refer to that is "fatigue". The overall presentation is laid-back and very easy to listen to.

More specifically, warmer speakers are a bit rolled off on the top making most sources sound good. Even on bad recordings. In other words, warmer speakers are more forgiving of substandard recordings. Most of the time, the low end is also very good, but not necessarily the last work in articulation. Thus, the idea is that warmer speakers are very polite and easy to listen to.

Want more? Warmer speakers are the exact opposite of bright/forward and/or aggressive speakers. Neutral speakers are not near as forgiving of substandard recordings. Does that answer your question Chris? If you would like to discuss this further I am sure you know how to use the PM function right? Otherwise, move along. Maybe put me on ignore. I could give 2-sh*ts if you do. That would probably be in YOUR best interest! In the end, I guess we have to agree to disagree. I promise YOU my feelings will not be hurt if YOU do pal! Now stick that feather in your cap! ;)


Cheers,

Phil
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I am going to tell you straight up do NOT start your sh*t b/c I am NOT in the mood. You are always going around trying to start sh*t. I can certainly see why you got banned from AVS. My guess is, you did the same sh*t there as well. If you think for one minute you are going to bully me you better think again pal!;)

Now to answer your question. Musical to many (myself included) is a speaker that can draw you into the presentation a bit more. Perhaps, hanging onto the notes a bit longer. British speakers have a warmer presentation. That means Chris that the midrange is the STAR of the show. That is why vocals sounds so damn good. Especially female vocals.

Moreover, the top end is in perfect balance and buttery smooth. That means Chris you can sit and listen to speakers such as the Wharfedale Diamond 220's/ Denton 80th Anniversary speakers for hours and hours and NEVER not even once get a headache. Many refer to that is "fatigue". The overall presentation is laid-back and very easy to listen to. Reply

More specifically, warmer speakers are a bit rolled off on the top making most sources sound good. Even on bad recordings. In other words, warmer speakers are more forgiving of substandard recordings. Most of the time, the low end is also very good, but not necessarily the last work in articulation. Thus, the idea is that warmer speakers are very polite and easy to listen to.

Want more? Warmer speakers are the exact opposite of bright/forward and/or aggressive speakers. Neutral speakers are not near as forgiving of substandard recordings. Does that answer your question Chris? If you would like to discuss this further I am sure you know how to use the PM function right? Otherwise, move along. Maybe put me on ignore. I could give 2-sh*ts if you do. That would probably be in YOUR best interest! In the end, I guess we have to agree to disagree. I promise YOU my feelings will not be hurt if YOU do pal! Now stick that feather in your cap! ;)


Cheers,

Phil
Why I often disregard your views let alone how you handle your poor health. Good luck with everything Phil.
 
speakerman39

speakerman39

Audioholic Overlord
Why I often disregard your views let alone how you handle your poor health. Good luck with everything Phil.
YOU don't know anything about me! It is very obvious as to why! ;)


Phil
 
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R

Russdawg1

Full Audioholic
Hey now, let’s fight somewhere else and get information to the OP. I think this thread is full of good info and is bound to collect some more, but it cannot collect any more if it’s gets closed right?

Let’s play nice for a bit as I know everyone is still a bit mad over how the super bowl turned out :)
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Hey now, let’s fight somewhere else and get information to the OP. I think this thread is full of good info and is bound to collect some more, but it cannot collect any more if it’s gets closed right?

Let’s play nice for a bit as I know everyone is still a bit mad over how the super bowl turned out :)
Or the pre-super bowl teams :) I promise not to expand on Phil's idiotic comments.
 
R

Russdawg1

Full Audioholic
Or the pre-super bowl teams :) I promise not to expand on Phil's idiotic comments.
I will admit the Saints game was rigged :p

But I too could care less how the SB turned out simply because we all knew who was going to win! I don’t know how all the projections ended up with the Rams winning it...
 
CB22

CB22

Senior Audioholic
I will admit the Saints game was rigged :p

But I too could care less how the SB turned out simply because we all knew who was going to win! I don’t know how all the projections ended up with the Rams winning it...
BRO DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THIS. I was at the NFC championship in 2010 in and was at this one. One of the most disappointing days of my life.
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
BRO DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THIS. I was at the NFC championship in 2010 in and was at this one. One of the most disappointing days of my life.
Its crazy the ups and downs. Seahawks had crazy ref calls in super bowl 40. That game felt unfair. Then had a perfect super bowl 48. The whole city was happy. Then lost by shooting themselves in the foot at the last play the following year in super bowl 49. That was horrible as the game was basically won, but they blew it. Its a rollercoaster of emotions. :)
 

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