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Wharfedale DX-3 HCP
The Wharfedale DX-2 is the standard bearer for entry-level home cinema solutions – the crowned champion of ‘Best Speaker Packages under £500’ in the annual What Hi-Fi? awards, for FIVE consecutive years!
Now updated for 2023, with a clean-new aesthetic and inheriting performance and styling tweaks, based upon the Wharfedale Diamond 12 series, the new DX-3 is the blockbuster sequel and the new system of choice for those yearning for a home cinema experience but limited on space or budget.
The Wharfedale DX-3 is compact, stylish and offers incredible value for money. Marking the 3rd iteration of the acclaimed system, the satellite speakers bring in new heritage and are now styled closer to the award-winning Diamond 12 series, making for a more contemporary solution. The cabinets have also been revised in looks but also with a new structure, not only to enhance the aesthetic but also to aid with the resonant control and dynamic performance, resulting in an even more impressive mini loudspeaker cabinet. Handling dialogue, sound effects and music with ease, solidity and detail, the DX-3 is extremely versatile.
As with the preceding DX-2, the DX-3 includes four satellite speakers for the front and rear, a compact centre speaker, and an powered subwoofer that has also been tweaked in conjunction with the satellite speakers. Offering a more sophisticated performance, each of the satellite speakers employs a silk dome HF unit and 75mm bass driver engineered from a polypropylene base, which offers a performance akin to the PP cones featured in the Wharfedale Diamond 12 series.
For bass extension and impact, the DX-3 system relies on the 200mm long-throw driver in the powered DX-3 subwoofer, modelled upon the best-selling Wharfedale WH-D8.
Whole system tuning means the subwoofers rapid and controlled low-frequency extension has also evolved to match the satellite speaker’s new appearance and enhanced dynamics.
Overall, home cinema systems are subject to high demands in terms of audio performance. Despite being compact and affordable, the DX-3 is feature-rich and built upon a strong foundation to provide a space-saving, budget-friendly system without sacrificing a thrilling home cinema experience.
Same but different
Updated cabinets with design traits taken from the Wharfedale Diamond 12 series mean the system is recognisably different, and all for the better!
Traits of more than one legend
Cabinets, drivers, structure and performance are closer to the Diamond 12 series – an award-winning home theatre system of its own right!
Surround Sound
The DX-3 5.0 system includes 4 x satellites and 1 x Centre speakers. The satellite speakers are also available in 2.0 and 5.0 configurations, allowing for expansion beyond 5.1
Bass race
The included WH-D8 is an active subwoofer that offers lively, deep bass, perfect for AV and music applications.
Awards Season
The DX-2 is arguably the most award-laden speaker system in recent history, so you can be sure that the DX-3 is more than just a B-movie and more of a blockbuster sequel!
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Professional Reviews 85/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
85/100
Build Quality
84/100
Value for Money
88/100
The compact DX-3 HCP delivers a crisp, punchy home-cinema sound that feels bigger than its size, with clear dialogue, lively dynamics and controlled bass from the sub. What Hi-Fi? praises its scale and detail, though it can sound a little lean, with less warmth and richness than its predecessor.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers crisp, detailed sound with strong dialogue clarity and punchy dynamics.
Creates a broader, more cinematic sense of scale than its predecessor despite its small cabinets.
Controlled subwoofer bass adds weight and impact without sounding loose.
Competitively priced for the performance it delivers against larger home-cinema packages.
&
Cons
Sounds a little leaner than before, with less warmth and richness in vocals.
The new black wood veneer finish looks and feels less premium than the previous styling.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 85/100
Reviewers describe the DX-3 HCP as clear, crisp, and detailed, with a broader, more cinematic presentation than its predecessor. The main trade-off is a little lost warmth and richness, so vocals can sound slightly flatter and less emotive than on the DX-2, but the overall presentation is still widely praised for scale and impact.
Bass
86/100
The compact satellites are supported by a subwoofer that is described as providing plenty of low-end while staying controlled. That gives the system strong bass impact for a small home-cinema package, with reviewers emphasizing punch and weight rather than deep standalone speaker bass.
Mid
78/100
This is the most clearly compromised area in the reviews. Wharfedale is said to have lost some warmth and richness compared with the DX-2, and vocals can come across a bit flatter and less emotive, even though dialogue remains clearly intelligible.
Treble
88/100
Reviewers repeatedly praise the speaker’s clarity and crispness, with fine details like shattering glass and complex effects coming through cleanly. The treble seems open and articulate rather than harsh, helping the system sound lively and precise on film soundtracks.
Soundstage Imaging
86/100
The DX-3 HCP is praised for a broader sense of scale and good directionality, with reviewers noting a convincing sense of where effects sit in the sound field. They do mention that it can sound a touch unfocused at times, but the wider and more spacious presentation is still a clear strength.
Dynamics
89/100
Dynamics are a major strength here, with reviewers repeatedly calling the package punchy and immediate. It is said to handle thunderous scores and big effects with agility and weight, sounding bigger and more capable than its modest size might suggest.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
The reviews do not point to serious construction problems, but they are disappointed by the new styling and finish. What Hi-Fi? specifically says the black wood veneer looks and feels cheaper than the previous glossy black and faux-leather treatment, so the package seems competent rather than especially impressive in person.
Value for Money
88/100
Value commentary is strongly positive. The DX-3 HCP is described as competitively priced, impressive for the money, and delivering performance that outclasses many soundbars while costing around half as much as most of the models What Hi-Fi? recommends.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Wharfedale DX-3 HCP
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Acclaim Sound and Light — online and in-store — North Bay, Ontario, Canada (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
- Alpha Audio Pte — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
and 126 more verified dealers