Wharfedale W20
The Wharfedale W20 is a small speaker. Introduced in the mid-1960s, it was the smallest and most affordable model in the Wharfedale line. It was a compact two-way system that period advertising also called the Minorette. It measured just 9¾ × 14 × 8½ inches, took up little more than half a cubic foot, and came in oiled walnut. The original retail price was $49.95.
The W20 paired a 3-inch mylar-domed, omni-directional pressure tweeter with a larger woofer in an enclosure. At this price, a fully variable acoustic compensation control was unusual. It let the listener adjust the balance to suit the room or personal taste. High Fidelity (April 1967, p.69) called it a “surprisingly good speaker, considering size and cost,” and noted its “clean, open sound that belies its petite dimensions” and a frequency range wider than the cabinet’s tiny volume would suggest. HiFI-Stereo (August 1967, p.4) reported that experienced listeners were fooled into thinking they were hearing a much larger system. It praised the bass as solid and fundamental - free of artificial boom - with the high end well extended.
The W20 was distributed in the United States by Wharfedale’s importer, British Industries Corporation of Westbury, New York.
Known specifications:
- Type: 2-way bookshelf speaker
- Drivers: 3" mylar-domed omni-directional pressure tweeter; woofer (size not documented)
- Dimensions: 9¾ × 14 × 8½ inches
- Finish: Oiled walnut
- Original price: $49.95
- Notable feature: Fully variable acoustic compensation control
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