Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Denton. It ranks #28 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $1,499. The Dayton Audio OPAL1 ranks #59, rated 3.6/5, at $1,038.99, $460.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Wharfedale Super Denton is the more accurate choice. Classic looking three way bookshelf speakers with a dedicated dome midrange, low distortion and a cabinet free of resonances. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.90 against 5.08 for the Dayton Audio OPAL1. The tradeoff: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character.
What the Dayton Audio OPAL1 does well: Bookshelf speakers with twin rear passive radiators for deep bass that can sit close to a wall without booming. Watch for: Measured average sensitivity is notably low at about 75.7dB (well under the 78dB spec) due to a nearly 3dB dip through the midrange, and the reviewer needed serious amplification (monoblock power amps, not just a compact streaming amp) to drive them to real listening levels for bass testing.
Buy the Wharfedale Super Denton. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $460.01 you would save on the Dayton Audio OPAL1 does not close the gap.
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Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Dayton Audio OPAL1 reaches 30 Hz (10 dB down) against 41 Hz for the Wharfedale Super Denton, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Efficiency: the Wharfedale Super Denton is rated at 86.6 dB sensitivity against 75.7 dB for the Dayton Audio OPAL1, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Super Denton | Dayton Audio OPAL1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.00 per pair | $1,038.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #28 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #59 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” soft dome tweeter, 2” soft dome midrange, 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer | 5.25” mid-woofer, 1” dome tweeter, dual rear passive radiators |
| Sensitivity | 86.6dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 75.7dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 78dB manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | passive radiator, rear (dual) |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 9.7”W x 10.8”D (360 x 246 x 275 mm) | 14”H x 7”W x 9.5”D |
| Weight | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) each | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (4.3 ohms minimum @ 4.4kHz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz | 32Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, half-space, manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 940Hz, 4.6kHz | 2,200Hz |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.9 (Erin’s Audio Corner) | 5.08 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 200W RMS (75-200W recommended amplifier power) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.58 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Wharfedale Super Denton: reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Dayton Audio OPAL1: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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