Wharfedale DX-1HCP

Christi, I am looking at getting my first HT set up. I have shortlisted at getting dx1 with MA bx2 at the front. would you enlighten me with what av amp you are matching with this set up? Many thanks.

I must say, I'm seriously interested in this set of speakers but I just concerned that I may not detect and appreciable improvement over my current Canton Movie CD101 package as they are both in a similar price bracket. Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks.

I recently bought the DX1 HCP and teamed it up with a Sony STR DH820 and have been totally impressed. I'm quite a novice when it comes to all the technical jargon with the ohms impedience and cross wiring etc. but from a professional performing musicians point of view I really can't fault the system's performance. I've been into hi-fi shops over a number of years dreaming of purchasing some descent equipment and heard all the top name brands combined with different av amplifiers and it may be down to the acoustics of the room, or that i'm listening out for the wrong things, but I find the my system delivers such a clear sound and appropriate balance through all the media I have played. I bought the system for the main purpose of watching films. I'm so impressed with the system's ability to fill the room with lifelike and dynamic effects from soundtracks, even convincing the family dog that whatever was played was actually in the room (luckily he does'nt get the terminator thing!). However, I was soon to be totally stunned and even more impressed by the performances it gave of my classical music collection-even through my ipod, which in close examination, seems to sound quite dry and shallow in sound played on other systems. Out of curiosity I played some contemporary chart stuff and once again- totally impressed with the clarity and repoduction.  To name but a few tracks:- check out the start of Delius's Brigg Fair, sounding so warm and sonourous (the first music I played to test the systems ability to bring perform a thinly orchestrated idiosyncratic passage, so often heard without depth in other systems. Luke and Leias theme in star wars- an ideal opportunity to hear the individaul timbres and qualitys of each instrument within each section of the orchestra, and a climax with full tutti and strings singing one of the great cinematic tunes. 

I hope this is of some help to those who, like myself, are not up to scratch on all the technical knowhow, but just want a system which sings the music and impresses the listener with dynamic audio sounds in films.

Not as comprehensive a review as below, however, I am a huge music enthusist and tried and tested this Wharfedale set previous to purchasing for the back/games room a couple of weeks back - a massive thumbs up!!!

The ohms impedence of the surround speakers on this system is 4 and NOT eight as incorrectly stated in the What Hi-Fi review and in the magazine.

The error is not their fault! It is NOT STATED on the Wharfedale internet site. Richer Sounds mark the impedence with a quaestion mark! However it is written on the back of the speakers and in the manual that comes in the box with this set of speakers.

The implication is that 4 ohms will work a receiver harder, and you would be advised to make sure that you use a decent grade of wire to connect the speakers to the receiver.

At this same price point is the Tannoy HTS101 system which claims surround speakers of 8 ohms, although you will not find this written on the speakers. I have listened extensively to both systems at Richer Sounds in Exeter and although many experts prefer the Tannoy brand to the Wharfedale brand, and dislike Wharfedale's bookcase speakers, we all agreed that this system sounds more natural.

I bought this system and teamed it with an extra pair of speakers at the front- 8 ohm imedence Monitor Bronze BX2's. Originally I had bought Wharfedale Diamond 10.1's with 6 impedence but those speakers rreally do sound muddy and not very pleasant to my ears.

Richer Sounds in Exeter were very patient while I compared this system with the similarly-priced Tannoy HTS101 system. I prefer, and bought this Wharfedale system even though on paper the Tannoys may look better and experts tend to favour Tannoys.

To beef it up I added a pair of wharfedale Diamond DX10.1's at the front but they sounded very muddy to my ears. I am so happy that Tosh at Richer Sounds allowed me to compare them wit the Monitor Bronze BX2's. They cost £90 more but the difference is stunning.

Wharfedale DX1 HCP plus Monitor BX2's equals one heck of an enjoyable system!