Wharfedale Super Denton

[TheBatsEar]

Erin measured them (cheers mate, and thanks Mike!):

So it seems they are a good alternative to people that have either a smaller room, not much space to set them up or that have a subwoofer.

They seem to cost a bit less too, so maybe based on that alone they have better value?

Time for pics! They are available in Mohagony, European Walnut and Black veneer:

I prefer Mohagony, but sadly my Lintons are Walnut because that was what was cheap ;-). If anyone wants to trade, let me know.
With the grille on:

From behind:

If they are manufactured like the Linton 85 or the Denton 85, they are good value for the money. They cost 1200€ a pair in the EU initially, but as per usual their price will drop.
Mind you, regular prices for Linton 85 are around 900€ right now, so right now they are a better deal.

In terms of fidelity it seems the Super Denton are far better than what i expected. I really thought they would stink, but that doesn't seem to be the case. No data on spinorama.org yet, so we can't overlay the Linton 85 and Super Denton yet, but Erin has the regular data:

Wharfedale Super Denton Bookshelf Speaker Review

Wharfedale Super Denton Bookshelf Speaker

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

Again, thanks Erin and thanks Mike.

 

[tsfreo]

So are you thinking about picking up a pair? I cannot decide. I love my Linton 85th editions in my living room - and I would be interested in a similar sound in my study (smaller room) in which I currently use Elac DBR62s. Thing is, these may sound a bit different, but are they worth dropping almost AU$2k on them as an upgrade? I am just not so sure. New kit is fun....but that is reasonable coin to spend.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Not yet, in Europe they are a bit pricey too.

 

[tsfreo]

Not yet, in Europe they are a bit pricey too.

I have taken the plunge. Probably not 'super' needed (ha) but I was just too curious about how I would find them. I like my Lintons so very much and would enjoy a similar sound in my much smaller study. One never really knows until they are in your own room.
I will find a use for my DBR62s elsewhere. They are too good to sell or give away.

 

[TheBatsEar]

I have taken the plunge.

Cool, i hope you'll entertain us with a few pics once you have them.

 

[tsfreo]

Cool, i hope you'll entertain us with a few pics once you have them.

I will. Just found out the walnut that I ordered is out of stock where I am, so I have to wait an extra 4 weeks. Sadly.

 

[tsfreo]

Cool, i hope you'll entertain us with a few pics once you have them.

They arrived last night.
Have only had a handful of hours to play with them.
Where I need to put them right now is not at all ideal (only about 24cm off back and side walls in a 4.6m x 3m room) - they are on the short 3m wall. So they get a chunk of boundary reinforcement from the walls, but I use them at moderate volumes and I haven't found that to be a problem. If anything it is likely that they are presenting a little more bass/lower mid than they otherwise might and that is ok with me. I use them with a modest sub anyway which I have dialed in pretty well for my listening position but not using any room correction.
I wasn't easily able to take any good quality pics - I just snapped some in position. I'm sharing because I said I would but again would stress that I appreciate their positioning is not ideal, just where they need to be for now (bit embarrassed to share the pics really). The various marketing pics will give you a better idea of what they look like, but I did think that an image with a DBR62 next to it might be of interest. These Dentons are a very wide front baffle for a bookshelf. They are not modest sized boxes. If you like that modern retro look and feel these will please you.
As others have said, they feel very solid and beautifully made in person. Particularly for the price point.
Just like a smaller Linton.
The magnetic grills are a delight if you have ever lived with the just about impossible to remove Linton grills. Of course this is a 'listen with the grill on' design though anyway (just like the Linton).
I tried them on axis initially and have been listening today with them just a little bit toed out from that (just a few degrees) so probably firing just past my shoulders rather than straight on. In my room I think that is giving me a better soundstage than right on axis without giving up any treble. That I can tell atm anyway. But it is all early days.
This is not the forum to get too much into listening impressions. All I will say is I do think they sound like they are broadly in the style of the Linton sound - but not a direct copy. They don't give the sound the scale and presence that I think the Lintons do - but you should not expect that from such smaller speakers. And Lintons would be far too much in my small room and sound like a mess anyway.
Anyone interested in these should definitely give them a listen. Because their main purpose is to work in smaller spaces then I would try to hear them in your own room, or in a suitable testing space....many hifi shops are not as well set up to replicate that (at least in my experience and where I am). I couldn't test them locally so I bought them on spec, and so far I am very happy.
I like trying out different speakers when I can and have been lucky enough to have a half dozen reasonable quality but also reasonably priced pairs (and everyone has different $ standards of course I know) through my different systems in recent years.
These are a welcome addition for me.
To give you an idea of my own modest references of late, some of the others speakers I've been running recently include the DBR62s (I also have Elac DB6.2 and DB5.2s), classic Krix Lyrix Gold floorstanders (and some other classic Krix bookshelf speakers including their smaller Equinox and classic KDXs), Wharfedale Linton 85th, Monitor Audio Bronze and Silver 100s, Cambridge Audio SX50s, Wharfedale Diamond 9.3s (in my garage) and some Canton and Magnat offerings that I can't recall the models of.
Are they a step up from my DBR62s in this particular space? For me, I think yes. Although it is more about them sounding different to the Elacs in a way that I happen to enjoy. Not a knock against the Elacs.
In this system using a Rotel RC-1572MkII preamp streaming Tidal via Wiim Pro through a SMSL DO200 DAC and an Audiophonics LPA-S500NC power amp supported by a SVS SB1000 sub.

 

[TheBatsEar]

but I did think that an image with a DBR62 next to it might be of interest.

Indeed, gives a sense of scale. Cheers .

 

[nn_in]

They arrived last night.
Have only had a handful of hours to play with them.
Where I need to put them right now is not at all ideal (only about 24cm off back and side walls in a 4.6m x 3m room) - they are on the short 3m wall. So they get a chunk of boundary reinforcement from the walls, but I use them at moderate volumes and I haven't found that to be a problem. If anything it is likely that they are presenting a little more bass/lower mid than they otherwise might and that is ok with me. I use them with a modest sub anyway which I have dialed in pretty well for my listening position but not using any room correction.
I wasn't easily able to take any good quality pics - I just snapped some in position. I'm sharing because I said I would but again would stress that I appreciate their positioning is not ideal, just where they need to be for now (bit embarrassed to share the pics really). The various marketing pics will give you a better idea of what they look like, but I did think that an image with a DBR62 next to it might be of interest. These Dentons are a very wide front baffle for a bookshelf. They are not modest sized boxes. If you like that modern retro look and feel these will please you.
As others have said, they feel very solid and beautifully made in person. Particularly for the price point.
Just like a smaller Linton.
The magnetic grills are a delight if you have ever lived with the just about impossible to remove Linton grills. Of course this is a 'listen with the grill on' design though anyway (just like the Linton).
I tried them on axis initially and have been listening today with them just a little bit toed out from that (just a few degrees) so probably firing just past my shoulders rather than straight on. In my room I think that is giving me a better soundstage than right on axis without giving up any treble. That I can tell atm anyway. But it is all early days.
This is not the forum to get too much into listening impressions. All I will say is I do think they sound like they are broadly in the style of the Linton sound - but not a direct copy. They don't give the sound the scale and presence that I think the Lintons do - but you should not expect that from such smaller speakers. And Lintons would be far too much in my small room and sound like a mess anyway.
Anyone interested in these should definitely give them a listen. Because their main purpose is to work in smaller spaces then I would try to hear them in your own room, or in a suitable testing space....many hifi shops are not as well set up to replicate that (at least in my experience and where I am). I couldn't test them locally so I bought them on spec, and so far I am very happy.
I like trying out different speakers when I can and have been lucky enough to have a half dozen reasonable quality but also reasonably priced pairs (and everyone has different $ standards of course I know) through my different systems in recent years.
These are a welcome addition for me.
To give you an idea of my own modest references of late, some of the others speakers I've been running recently include the DBR62s (I also have Elac DB6.2 and DB5.2s), classic Krix Lyrix Gold floorstanders (and some other classic Krix bookshelf speakers including their smaller Equinox and classic KDXs), Wharfedale Linton 85th, Monitor Audio Bronze and Silver 100s, Cambridge Audio SX50s, Wharfedale Diamond 9.3s (in my garage) and some Canton and Magnat offerings that I can't recall the models of.
Are they a step up from my DBR62s in this particular space? For me, I think yes. Although it is more about them sounding different to the Elacs in a way that I happen to enjoy. Not a knock against the Elacs.
In this system using a Rotel RC-1572MkII preamp streaming Tidal via Wiim Pro through a SMSL DO200 DAC and an Audiophonics LPA-S500NC power amp supported by a SVS SB1000 sub.

I dont have more than 6inches from backwall to place these spkrs. Is that ok for low listening volumes or do i need to consider bottom or front ported spkrs

 

[tsfreo]

I dont have more than 6inches from backwall to place these spkrs. Is that ok for low listening volumes or do i need to consider bottom or front ported spkrs

You could still be ok - maybe. I expect it will depend on rest of your room etc too. Is that to be for near field kind of listening?
The usual rules would apply (re ports) I would say and if you are keen on these then you can always use a small cloth to block the ports a bit if you are getting too much interaction from the ports and your wall. Supported by a suitable sub might be a good idea (as it often is with bookies).
Peter Comeau himself has said that about a foot off the wall is fine. Half of that might get a bit of port interaction....but given these don't dig too deep you might find that at the volumes you listen even then you just get extra bass that you happen to like (although I should stress I am not an expert here, just based off my own experiences which suffer from all sorts of confirmation biases and are not informed by the expertise that many others here have).
Can you audition?

 

[nn_in]

You could still be ok - maybe. I expect it will depend on rest of your room etc too. Is that to be for near field kind of listening?
The usual rules would apply (re ports) I would say and if you are keen on these then you can always use a small cloth to block the ports a bit if you are getting too much interaction from the ports and your wall. Supported by a suitable sub might be a good idea (as it often is with bookies).
Peter Comeau himself has said that about a foot off the wall is fine. Half of that might get a bit of port interaction....but given these don't dig too deep you might find that at the volumes you listen even then you just get extra bass that you happen to like (although I should stress I am not an expert here, just based off my own experiences which suffer from all sorts of confirmation biases and are not informed by the expertise that many others here have).
Can you audition?

Thank you for the response.I need to take a lot of effort for demo so assume thats not a possibility.Room info attatched.
Now using denon pma 900 hne stereo amp and mission qx2mk2 with entry audioquest spkr cables.I use only spotify use as source and no plans for any other source.

 

[tsfreo]

Thank you for the response.I need to take a lot of effort for demo so assume thats not a possibility.Room info attatched.
Now using denon pma 900 hne stereo amp and mission qx2mk2 with entry audioquest spkr cables.I use only spotify use as source and no plans for any other source.

Your existing speakers are rear ported, if I have them right? Do you find you get a bloated bass response from them as it is? The Super Dentons use two smaller ports at the back (rather than one bigger port) so it may be that you can have them 6 inches off the wall without too many issues. As it is your left speaker looks like it would be in a corner too (like mine) and that is probably as much an issue as being close to the rear wall. And again you can always block the ports if it is an issue.
If it were me, and my existing rear ported speakers are ok in that spot then I wouldn't worry too much about how the Dentons will go in the same spot. I would go for it. I quite like mine, and the three way design in such a small speaker is novel.

 

[nn_in]

Your existing speakers are rear ported, if I have them right? Do you find you get a bloated bass response from them as it is? The Super Dentons use two smaller ports at the back (rather than one bigger port) so it may be that you can have them 6 inches off the wall without too many issues. As it is your left speaker looks like it would be in a corner too (like mine) and that is probably as much an issue as being close to the rear wall. And again you can always block the ports if it is an issue.
If it were me, and my existing rear ported speakers are ok in that spot then I wouldn't worry too much about how the Dentons will go in the same spot. I would go for it. I quite like mine, and the three way design in such a small speaker is novel.

I dont get bloated bass ,atleast to my ears with mission qx2 mk2 .Thank you. Will the Lintons be too big for this space?

 

[tsfreo]

I dont get bloated bass ,atleast to my ears with mission qx2 mk2 .Thank you. Will the Lintons be too big for this space?

My instinct would be to say yes - because although by volume maybe your space is approaching a medium sized room (although maybe still not quite that size), I expect many would say that the Lintons are going to want more room to breathe. Not just off the back wall, but not so tucked into the corner.
Others may weigh in with a different view of course.
All that said, I think the Linton 85s are the better speaker. They are loved by many for very good reason. If I were you I might even risk it - and take a hard look at whether you can get them sitting in your room at least, say, 10 inches off the wall - or at least v close to that. They are much bigger speakers than the Super Dentons.
I happen to have a pair of Lintons running in a not so suitable position right now given one has to be fairly tight in a corner (and they are closer to each other than I'd like - only 1.7m apart) but I am still happy with them. They are situated that way to avoid getting cooked by a fireplace over the next few months (winter here). After that they will be in a better position. But, the big caveat is mine are playing into a medium sized room with big openings into a large and a smaller room (respectively) off large openings on two sides of the room they are in. It is an unusual setup, but then again it is an old house. Anyway, the sound is not just bouncing around in an overly confined space.

 

[audioenthousiast1988]

My instinct would be to say yes - because although by volume maybe your space is approaching a medium sized room (although maybe still not quite that size), I expect many would say that the Lintons are going to want more room to breathe. Not just off the back wall, but not so tucked into the corner.
Others may weigh in with a different view of course.
All that said, I think the Linton 85s are the better speaker. They are loved by many for very good reason. If I were you I might even risk it - and take a hard look at whether you can get them sitting in your room at least, say, 10 inches off the wall - or at least v close to that. They are much bigger speakers than the Super Dentons.
I happen to have a pair of Lintons running in a not so suitable position right now given one has to be fairly tight in a corner (and they are closer to each other than I'd like - only 1.7m apart) but I am still happy with them. They are situated that way to avoid getting cooked by a fireplace over the next few months (winter here). After that they will be in a better position. But, the big caveat is mine are playing into a medium sized room with big openings into a large and a smaller room (respectively) off large openings on two sides of the room they are in. It is an unusual setup, but then again it is an old house. Anyway, the sound is not just bouncing around in an overly confined space.

wait, your conclusion is that the linton 85s are better ?

 

[tsfreo]

wait, your conclusion is that the linton 85s are better ?

If you aren't taking into account the room size or other limitations you might have on space - including whether others might not like such big speakers - then yes I think the Linton 85 is overall a more capable speaker. That is not taking away from the Super Denton being excellent (particularly if you like the look and sound of these kind of Wharfedales). I expect that part of the Linton 85s proficiency is going to be a function of the bigger cabinet and drivers.
At the end of the day, I would say that the Super Denton was intended for somewhat smaller spaces. Such as those that Linton 85s would overload with bass.
But they are both excellent speakers. I am very much enjoying my Super Dentons in my study where I could not fit Linton 85s both because they would look very big in the room and they would not sound so great because they are would overload the space.
For the right room/location or use case I would not hesitate to recommend the Super Dentons.

 

[audioenthousiast1988]

thanks for the reply!
i think the super dentons will be perfect for me, because i always had a lot of booming bass from my speakers in my weirdly shaped 16m2 room.
taking the dentons with a quality sub will be the answer i think.
i just need to wait a while before the price goes down a bit. 1000 euros for these seems a bit over the top

 

[tsfreo]

thanks for the reply!
i think the super dentons will be perfect for me, because i always had a lot of booming bass from my speakers in my weirdly shaped 16m2 room.
taking the dentons with a quality sub will be the answer i think.
i just need to wait a while before the price goes down a bit. 1000 euros for these seems a bit over the top

That is how I use my Super Dentons in my smaller room. They are excellent. And I wouldn't worry too much then about Lintons instead of Super Dentons in your use case. For example, even though spinorama data is not the last word in whether you will like a speaker; just as an indication of how good they are - from memory both speakers rate a 5.9 preference score.
Good luck.

 

[Musicofchance]

I will. Just found out the walnut that I ordered is out of stock where I am, so I have to wait an extra 4 weeks. Sadly.

shame. But best not to go for a finish your not fully happy with.

 

[Musicofchance]

I was considering the Denton 85's but was hoping Erin or the like would do a measured review. I think ill put some more cash aside for the Supers. Just seems to make more sense.
Plus, im reading theres a harshness to the treble on the 85's which with my Amp, can not EQ tinker.