Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, if you are buying new. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks higher than the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 (#51 vs #130 of 160 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, is rated 4.0/5 at $499 and is still sold new.
The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Wide, smooth horizontal directivity: beamwidth holds to about ±60 degrees up to 8kHz before narrowing. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.32 against 3.40 for the Wharfedale Diamond 220. Its bass reaches about 55.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 117.2Hz for the Wharfedale Diamond 220. Watch for: Dipped 3db from 1.5-3kHz.
The Wharfedale Diamond 220 is the better-sounding pick. Amir found the on-axis response smooth once the grille is removed, calling grille removal “a huge improvement” since the stock grille caused unusually strong comb filtering around 5kHz. The tradeoff: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, the replacement for the discontinued Wharfedale Diamond 220; it is rated higher for sound quality than the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | Wharfedale Diamond 220 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 per pair | $299 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #130 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Crossover Frequency | 200Hz / 2000Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 7.3”W x 10.8”D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum woofer, 4” aluminum midrange, 1” soft dome tweeter | 5” (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| Power Handling | 140W max | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 (spinorama.org) | 3.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 (spinorama.org) | 6.64 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Wharfedale Diamond 220 compares with other leading options:
- Ascend Sierra 1 v2 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
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- Revel M105 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52: $599.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UF52 (floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5) and the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (center, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: Wide, smooth horizontal directivity: beamwidth holds to about ±60 degrees up to 8kHz before narrowing. Vertical directivity is substantially better than average, giving more listening-height leeway than most two-way bookshelf speakers. Measured bass extension of 55.7Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.3dB.
Cons: Dipped 3db from 1.5-3kHz. On-axis response shelves down above 1.5kHz along with multiple resonances, leading the reviewer to predict it will “likely sound dull.” Nasty resonance at 600Hz: audible as an actual buzzing artifact on some recordings (the reviewer demonstrated it with an Eva Cassidy track), and it shows up as a sharp distortion spike exceeding 4% at 585Hz when driven to 96dB SPL/1m. Not recommended.
Full ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 200Hz / 2000Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 7.3”W x 10.8”D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum woofer, 4” aluminum midrange, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 140W max |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Q Acoustics 5020
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- See all 41 comparisons
Wharfedale Diamond 220: $299 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, ranked higher, estimated 4/5.
Pros: Amir found the on-axis response smooth once the grille is removed, calling grille removal “a huge improvement” since the stock grille caused unusually strong comb filtering around 5kHz. Good horizontal dispersion from the waveguide-loaded tweeter and controlled distortion. After some EQ (a room mode filter and treble shelf), the reviewer called it “a truly hifi speaker” where “every audiophile track..sounded very good,” and said he was “happy to recommend” it for the budget class. Measured bass extension of 117.2Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.9dB.
Cons: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use. Some port rattling was noted at high volumes, traced to vibration rather than the woofer itself. Best performance requires removing the grille and applying the reviewer’s EQ filters. Discontinued, with only limited remaining stock available direct from Wharfedale.
Full Wharfedale Diamond 220 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.64 |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Polk Audio XT15
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs KEF Q150
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
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