new Wharfedale Emerald tower speakers at uBid 70% off Retail!

jg123

Junior Member
Jul 26, 2002
1
0
0
I've seen these Wharfedale Emerald speakers go for around $129 each at uBid. Shipping is pricey making the final cost more like $320. Still a good deal on some nice speakers. I think they are clearing these out for their new Pacific line, hence the price drop.

Brand new:
http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=7670703

Amazon sells them for $899 a pair.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005IA36/qid%3D1027690025/sr%3D1-28/104-6059927-2200722

Read reviews here for Wharfedale Emerald 97 and 99.

http://www.audioreview.com/Main+Speaker/PRD_120792_1594crx.aspx

Here is the description of the speakers from uBid:

Features And Benefits




Emerald 99 Oak 150 watt 3 way Tower Speaker

With a performance as inviting as as its classical good looks, the Emerald, now in its third generation, is an exceptionally refined speaker.


Great looks as well as great quality sound...
Designed with a distinctly art-deco feel, the speakers from the new Emerald range are built into a real wood cabinet, producing a rich, warm sound, steeped in emotion.

Great looks great sounds and the cutting edge technology you'd expect form Wharfedale...
Although undisclosed by the appearance of the Emeralds, technology is used extensively in the manufacture.

Complex computer modeling has been used in the design of the cabinets to minimize coloration, the woofer cones are constructed using our patented mineral loaded homopolymer plastic to damp unwanted resonances, whilst retaining the strength to keep bass accurate and dynamic.

Finally, laser interferometry has been used to create a truly outstanding tweeter for the Emeralds.

What that all adds up to...
The end result is a classic amongst speakers - a dry acoustic character with a revealing and flawless transparency.

Try and handle all this power...
Power Handling: 150 Watts

Clear uninterrupted sound...
Sensitivity: 88dB
Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms
Freq. Response: 28Hz - 27kHz

Size up the situation and bid now...
Dimensions (H x W x D)1000 x 255 x 320mm

Drive Units:
Bass: 2 x 200mm
Midrange: 200mm
Tweeter: 25mm Textile Dome

Great System great sound...
System:3-Way Front Ported

Woofer size:
8 inch

Midrange size:
8 inch

Tweeter size:
1 inch Silk Dome
 

Luden

Platinum Member
Jul 15, 2001
2,269
0
0
Not sure about that speaker but here is somthing to think about.


speakers at the current price you will pay $159 each
plus $5.99 (UPS ground)
plus $110.88 (56 pounds a speaker @ 99cents a pound)

total of $434.87 a pair, or $220.43 each.
 

Woz

Senior member
Feb 26, 2000
374
0
0
A uBid auction may start at $9, but it will never, ever close at a price any where near that low. If it did, they wouldn't auction them :)


BTW, I bought a pair of Emerald 97s about 6 months ago and I think they are a great deal.

 
Jan 25, 2001
743
0
0
BEWARE of Ubid!

1.) Buy only if it's new.

2.) Buy after price comparing with online sites. Many times they are MORE expensive. Also don't forget to add their EXORBITANT S&H. They make EXTRA profit here!

3.) Their refurbs are generally defective. My recently purchased refurb Denon 5800 is defective and has to go to warranty repair. My recently purchased speakers also came with a ding even though they are new. Since the speakers were liquidation models, I COULD NOT get a replacement...............A service technician told me that he gets many refurb units for him to repair that were bought at Ubid.

3.) Ubid's customer service has declined substantially. Basically, once you get it, you CAN'T return.
 

Hgabriel

Golden Member
Dec 13, 2000
1,053
0
0
Is it just me or is there an influx of users with 10 posts or less always posting Ubid auctions?

Something's fishy about this.
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
I can't say too many good things about Ubid, but yeah, bid on only new items if you can. Wharfedale's are really good, steady speakers...you can usually find a better deal on Ebay nowadays, since Ubid's shipping costs are insane. If you're looking for a bookshelf, check out the new Diamond 8.2's or something similar....the silk tweeters are very nice, I love em.

Happy hunting. :)
 

bonk102

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
5,473
2
0
no offense, but UBid is horrible very bad track record of selling refurb as new, or simply shipping you the wrong, or broken item. i would NEVER deal with them again
 
Feb 10, 2000
30,029
67
91
Ubid always has those Wharfedales. I think they might well be decent for the money, but given the vast shipping charges they are an expensive experiment. You will notice in the audioreview reviews that virtually everyone paid a deeply discounted price. For what it's worth, I bought my (new!) receiver from Ubid and had a decent experience.
 

kansai999

Member
Jul 8, 2002
132
0
0
I paid 250 shipped for a pair of Emerald 99 on uBid last week. I haven't received them yet, they are in route and I will be receiving them on Monday.

On another note, a question for you bonk 102.
How would I be able to tell if these are refurbished? Are they marked on the actual speaker or box somewhere?
The auction said new so I'm hoping they don't send me refurbs.

LMK...Thanks
 

Woz

Senior member
Feb 26, 2000
374
0
0
My experiences with uBid have ONLY and ALWAYS been positive. I have purchased my Emerald 97s, several pairs of Klipsch Quintet surround speakers, a pair of Wharfdale bookshelf speakers and a Sherwood Newcastle home theater receiver. All were 'new' and all were received new in perfect condition. Their shipping prices have risen, however, if you get in early on an auction and can close at a low price, some great deals can be had.

Emerald 97 reviews
http://audioreview.com/PRD_120792_1594crx.aspx