Wharfedale: A Legacy in Loudspeakers

Briggs published his first book, Loudspeakers: The Why and How of Good Reproduction, followed by Sound Reproduction and others. His works sparked thousands of letters of correspondence, solidifying his position as an educator and visionary in sound science.

Under the Rank Organisation, Wharfedale expanded into electronic components and introduced industry-first technologies like ceramic magnets and roll surrounds. These improved speaker durability and efficiency. Wharfedale also launched its first integrated hi-fi systems, including turntables and tuners, embracing the growing interest from the post-war youth market.

Wharfedale reintroduced loudspeaker kits under the Speakercraft name, reviving DIY audio culture. Popular models like the Glendale, Lintons, and Dentons appealed to serious enthusiasts. Wharfedale maintained strong sales, backed by its expansive factory output and excellent brand loyalty.

In 1982 Wharfedale launched the Diamond bookshelf speaker – a compact 2-way unit that would change the brand's fortunes. Priced at only £65, the Diamond astounded reviewers with its musicality. What Hi-Fi? later observed that this squat 24cm tall speaker 'delivered surprising bass weight (for one so small) and had far more finesse than their lowly price suggested'.

The original Diamond was so successful that Wharfedale turned it into a whole series (floorstanders, centre-channel, active versions, etc.). Over the next three decades, the Diamond family became Wharfedale's best-known line, evolving through twelve generations, winning countless awards to this very day.

The Diamond's success underscored Wharfedale's philosophy: combining British design flair with practical engineering. Affordable 'budget' speakers in this line benefited from distributed bass ports, advanced cone materials, and optimised crossover layouts – all innovations that would have been considered exotic just a few years prior. In short, the Diamond series has always proved that high-value, highly musical speakers could be built on a mass-production budget, extending Wharfedale's reach as a standard-bearer in the hi-fi market.

Wharfedale created Wharfedale Pro to cater to professional sound applications—concerts, studios, and events.

The momentum of development within the Professional industry prompted the decision to establish a separate division within Wharfedale to concentrate purely on the Professional market. Wharfedale Pro was born.

Today, Wharfedale Pro is a leading force in the highly competitive professional market. The portfolio includes amplifiers, mixing desks, effects modules, equalizers, and lighting, as well as loudspeaker ranges to suit every application and installation. All have a common design philosophy: Value, Integrity, and performance.

The Diamond 10 Series introduced curved cabinets and further refined crossovers, further defining the Diamond series as the go-to reference model for affordable, quality hi-fi. The Diamond 10.1 was the most decorated model of that period. Stereophile magazine declared that the 10.1 presents '…extraordinary value for money, with many strengths that suggest a considerably higher price…' Countless journalists and reviews cited the Diamond 10's credentials and outstanding performance, including John Darko.

Wharfedale's loudspeaker innovations stepped into a new realm of Air Motion Transformers with two 'hero' projects in the form of Elysian and EVO4.

The Wharfedale Elysian series represents the pinnacle in the brand's 90-year history as a 'no expense spared' project that aims to push the boundaries of technological developments yet maintain affordability in its competitive price range. Demonstrating Wharfedale's ability to compete and excel in price brackets of more premium audio, the Elysian series was promptly acknowledged as a loudspeaker offering for audiophiles seeking a luxury audio experience, both aesthetically and sonically.

What Hi-Fi? gave the Elysian 4 a 5-star rating, calling it 'rich, authoritative and expansive'.

The EVO4 series followed, borrowing Elysian's advanced technologies—like SLPP ports and AMT tweeters—at lower price points, gaining widespread acclaim. Offering real-wood veneers and a fit/finish that stood leaps and bounds ahead of generally vinyl-laminated rivals, EVO4 became a reviewer's favourite and one of Wharfedale's most successful loudspeaker series of all time, not to mention consecutive What Hi-Fi? Awards in various categories.

The Wharfedale Linton has emerged as one of the brand's most celebrated and successful loudspeakers in 2019.

Originally introduced in 1965, the Wharfedale Linton quickly became a cornerstone of the brand's reputation, offering a blend of musical warmth, accuracy, and affordability. The original Linton's legacy is so strong that when Wharfedale announced a modern reimagining—the Linton Heritage 85—in 2019 to mark the company's 85th anniversary, the audiophile community responded with eager anticipation.

The Linton 85 was no mere nostalgic nod; it was a fully modern loudspeaker with vintage charm, marrying traditional cabinet aesthetics with contemporary acoustic engineering. Designed by Peter Comeau, Wharfedale's Director of Acoustic Design, the speaker kept its classic three-way configuration but used updated drive units, a carefully tuned crossover, and modern materials to ensure class-leading performance.

The Linton Heritage 85 quickly earned glowing reviews from critics and consumers alike. What Hi-Fi? described it as a 'modern classic,' praising its 'full-bodied sound, great scale and sweet midrange.'

Stereophile also heaped praise on the Linton. Writing in 2021, Ken Micallef observed: 'The Linton produced music with a palpable sense of immediacy and warmth… A genuine slice of musical joy.' It was subsequently added to their Recommended Components list, a rare honour for speakers in its price class.

Steve Guttenberg, the 'Audiophiliac' reviewer, hailed it as one of the best-value speakers on the market, noting: 'It's hard not to love this speaker. It's got real soul.'

The Diamond 12 Series was a return to form in the entry-level segment and is a glowing testament to Wharfedale's ability to reinvent the affordable loudspeaker with elegance, intelligence, and unshakable musicality, while maintaining astonishing value.

Built in collaboration with the revered loudspeaker designer Karl-Heinz Fink, the Diamond 12 Series redefined expectations in the entry-to-mid-level hi-fi category. Every element—from the Klarity polypropylene/mica composite drivers, to the finely tuned crossovers, to the robust cabinet bracing—was designed with one goal in mind: uncompromising sound.

Critics didn't hold back: What Hi-Fi? called the Diamond 12.1 'a class leader,' praising its 'outstanding detail and dynamic expression.' Hi-Fi Choice, The Absolute Sound, and AV Forums echoed the sentiment, placing the Diamond 12 firmly at the top of their recommendations.

Following the huge success of Wharfedale heritage speakers, Dovedale entered the market in 2023 with high anticipation. The biggest and best heritage Wharfedale speaker yet and entirely designed and manufactured within the UK.

In 2022 Wharfedale's parent company IAG unveiled a new 'Made in the UK' initiative to enable the manufacturing of specific products to be brought back to the UK without skyrocketing costs. IAG has expanded its facilities at its base in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, incorporating key manufacturing, assembly and finishing processes for specially selected products in addition to the R&D function already located there.

A 9,000ft² production facility has been added to the existing building, including a new anechoic chamber, making a total of 25,000ft² of office, lab and manufacturing space.

With Dovedale being the first Wharfedale speaker to be officially Made in Britain for many years – it's a true celebration of British loudspeaker design and manufacturing, as befits Wharfedale's top-of-the-line Heritage model.

In accompaniment to the Super Linton, the Super Denton also arrived to continue the hugely successful Heritage series. Super Denton achieved something not managed in any previous heritage models: a compact design yet with a 3-way configuration, considered at the time of launch to be the smallest 3-way loudspeaker on the market.

Building on the success of the EVO 4 Series, Wharfedale unveils the EVO 5 Series — a new benchmark in high-end audio that remains accessible to all. Launched in May 2025 at the Munich High End Show, this latest range continues our tradition of delivering heavenly sound quality at refreshingly down-to-earth prices. Featuring advanced technologies derived from our flagship Elysian project, the EVO 5 Series offers even greater clarity, precision, and depth. With innovative design and engineering at its core, the EVO 5 Series embodies Wharfedale's commitment to evolving sound, ensuring you experience truly immersive listening in every home.