Wharfedale LoudPanel

...speakers:
The multiple award-winning Wharfedale LoudPanel represents a huge leap forward in the application of NXT® technology. It is totally different to your traditional loudspeaker because instead of a wooden box with cone-type drive units it creates a full spectrum of sounds from a thin flat panel.

It took 5 years for Wharfedale to perfect this, meaning a lot of research and work has gone into creating these wonderful speakers. ...
...up the space that conventional speakers would, as they can be hung on the wall, and they blend in with the rest of the room, rather than having sometimes garish looking speakers dotted all over the room.

The other advantage of these speakers is that you can place pictures, photos, posters or even paint on them if you want, to help make them blend in with the room, and only be heard not seen. They produce a good quality sound and are ... more

I have had these for about half a year now, although they have actually been around since 1999. The design is till fantastic today and has not dated at all.

A little about the speakers:
The multiple award-winning Wharfedale LoudPanel represents a huge leap forward in the application of NXT® technology. It is totally different to your traditional loudspeaker because instead of a wooden box with cone-type drive units it creates a full spectrum of sounds from a thin flat panel.

It took 5 years for Wharfedale to perfect this, meaning a lot of research and work has gone into creating these wonderful speakers. The great thing about these is that they don't take up the space that conventional speakers would, as they can be hung on the wall, and they blend in with the rest of the room, rather than having sometimes garish looking speakers dotted all over the room.

The other advantage of these speakers is that you can place pictures, photos, posters or even paint on them if you want, to help make them blend in with the room, and only be heard not seen. They produce a good quality sound and are very reasonably priced now.

They started out at £299.99 for the pair back in November 1999, but now over 2 years on the price has dropped an incredible £200 to a mere £99.99. I would personally say that at this price they are a veritable bargain considering most speakers alone of any decent quality will set you back at least £150, even decent budget speakers aren't this cheap. I bought mine at this price and I am more than happy with them, and they make a great talking point with friends.

Unfortunately they are not that common, as they are over two years old and a lot of people were put off by the original asking price. Having said that whilst I worked part time at Curry's 2 years ago I personally sold 3 sets at the original asking price!

There are a few places that still sell them, look out for them on the Internet, and anyone in East Anglia, can get them from Bennett’s Electrical Warehouse for the £99.99 price. Not too sure about the rest of the country though, as Bennett’s is only based in East Anglia.

They have won many design awards and have been given 5 stars by What Hi-Fi magazine, considered the bible by many Hi-fi enthusiasts!

Specs:
Price: £99.99
Power Handling: 70 Watts
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Dimensions: mm h w d
Subwoofer 235 x 350 x 260
Picture Panel 555 x 350 x 27

The LoudPanels are available in two finishes of either Black Lacquer or Natural Pine Wood, I got mine in Pine as I think they look nicer, but personal preference.

Overall:
For: The LoudPanels are a nice set of speakers to add into your Hi-Fi set-up, if you are lacking in space, looking for style, or just looking for that something a little different from the rest.
Against: These aren’t really for you if you are looking for a very loud volume range, and have money to spend, it would be worth buying a set of Floor Standing speakers for about £2-400. 

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