Well, as promised, I said that I would advise how things went. Myself and a friend had a little trip out today to Analogue seduction to listen to the Wharfedale Evo 4.4 and the Fyne Audio F501 speakers. The dealer was brilliant, no pressure and a comfortable, warm demonstration room.
Being totally honest, having read the reviews and having you're guys input, I was prepared to and fully expecting to spend my full budget and end up with the Fyne's. All great plans and that, things didn't quite go to plan!
When we got there we were shown in to the demonstration room and the Wharfedale's were already set up and waiting. I was expecting to not really gel with the aesthetics as they had chrome circular bezels around the drivers and the bass drivers had chrome bullet dust caps. They looked way more refined and classy than I was expecting
how they can do book matched real Walnut veneer for the money is beyond me.
Next the listening, not what I was expecting. These are true three way speakers and the separation and top to bottom integration was a pleasant surprise. Various torture tracks followed and nothing seemed to phase them.
Change of speakers and the F501's followed and as much as this felt alien and almost guilty, they sounded so much more shut in and muddled through the mids? The bass definitely went lower but I couldn't get past the upper bass and mids which seemed thicker and more homogeneous than the Wharfedale's.
I really wanted to like the Fynes but to both our ears, sound will out and just to be sure, the Wharfedale's went back in.
One track in and a decision was made. Yes, it was the Wharfedale's, even though it was the more budget option. They just sounded way more open and separated with a much wider, airy and deeper soundstage.
Now, whilst the amp was similar (a Primare i25, mines a Primare i32) and the cd player was a Rega Apollo and mine is a Tom Evans hot rodded Pioneer it was close enough to give me a flavour of what was waiting at home.
They need running in, but I suspect that I am not going to be disappointed.
So, just over half the cost I thought that I would be spending as I took the demonstration speakers, so a deal was done but it proves that it is soo important to listen to the kit before committing to the purchase.
Thank you all for your assistance but I'm off to run some speakers in!