The Official Wharfedale Speakers Thread!

[kiwijunglist]

Hi

Speakers in New Zealand are a lot more expensive, and unfortunately it's a lot more difficult to audition speakers. It's also harder to repair reviews, because there is a huge variation in mark up between different brands and speakers in New Zealand. These are the options I'm considering, including the local prices, and I was hoping to get some opinions as to which speakers you would go for if you were in the same situation as me. There are less speakers to choose from here, and the ones I've listed are available at a local dealer who can give me close to wholesale prices on most things because I work at the local hospital. There are some specialist audio shops, but their prices are just ridiculous.

Wharfedale Jade Speakers
Jade 7 Fronts (DEMO) 2200 NZD
Jade 1 Rears (DEMO) 750
Jade 2c Center (NEW) 1550
Total = $4500 NZD + Subwoofer (3500USD)
http://www.whathifi.com/wharfedale/jade-5/review
http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/product-list.php?cid=1
http://www.stereophile.com/content/w...-7-loudspeaker

Wharfedale Diamond 100 Pack
155 Fronts + 121 Rears + 101 Center + SPC10 Sub = $1500 NZD (Incl Sub) (1170 USD)
http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and...r-package.html

Kef Speakers
KEF Q500 Front 880
KEF Q100 Front 400
KEF Q200 Front 400
Total = $1600 NZD + Sub (1250USD)

Polk TSX Speakers
TSX330B Fronts 580
TSX220B Rears 480
TSX250C Center 390
Total = $1450 NZD + Subwoofer (1250 USD)
http://www.polkaudio.com/search/products?q=tsx

Yamaha NS Series
Yamaha NS-777 Fronts + NS-333 Rears + NS-C444 Center = $1925 NZD + Subwoofer (1500 USD)
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio...77/?mode=model
http://soundgroup.co.nz/yamaha_ef_series

KEF LS50
They are $1500NZD / pair, but I might be able to get them for around $1400 NZD/pair (ie 1100USD)
So that would be 3300USD for 6 speakers (or 2750 for 5, if I could get a single) + Cost of 4x stands + Sub woofer.

I'm leaning towards either one of the wharfedale options, as they seem to have a price that is online with overseas pricing, whereas most of the other speakers seem to be overpriced in NZ. I know there is a large price difference between the jades and the wharfedales, but I list the jades because I can afford them and from reading around on the net, it seems like they are a steal (pricewise) in New Zealand... or I could be more sensible and just get the Diamonds The amplifier i'm using is quite a good one, it's pioneer sx-lx87 which does 220W into 9 channels @ 6 ohms, so I don't think I'll have a problem with hard to drive speakers. My room size is medium.

The sub I have had recommended by harvey norman, which gives me cost price on everything (because I work at the local hospital) is
Velodyne Impact 10" Sub - 588 NZD (460 USD)

Thanks
Mike