Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+. It ranks #72 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 ranks #79.
The case for the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The tradeoff: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected.
What the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 offers: The first design was a pretty good sounding speaker. Watch for: All current new ones sold today are the crap version.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1. It ranks near the bottom of the 100 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #72 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #79 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB |
| Drivers | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter | 6.5" Kevlar cone woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Weight | - | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg (good version), 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg (bad version) each |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Dimensions | - | 11.7"H x 7.6"W x 10.9"D (296.0 x 194.0 x 278.0 mm) |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Yamaha NS-10
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Yamaha NS-10
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Triangle Borea BR03
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Klipsch RP-600M
The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: $449.00
Pros: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The folded-ribbon tweeter provides very broad upper-treble radiation, and the speaker can create a spacious presentation when positioned carefully. Response and directivity remain reasonably orderly below the roughly 2kHz crossover region. The 6.5-inch woofer offers more output capability than compact 5-inch competitors, while F3/F10 of 66/43Hz leave adequate overlap for a conventional 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Horizontal directivity data makes the broad baffle-step trend amenable to partial EQ below the crossover.
Cons: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected. A baffle-step loss around 500Hz depresses the lower midrange while the AMT’s much wider radiation above crossover injects excess room energy, yielding a bright, forward balance and false impression of cymbal detail. The directivity discontinuity near 2kHz cannot be completely equalized. Erin measured F3 at 66Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so meaningful kick-drum fundamentals and low bass still need a subwoofer. Vertical listening tolerance is roughly +/-10 degrees, with best results between the top of the woofer and tweeter axes. Broad lateral treble energy may require careful toe-out and sidewall absorption. Despite a large cabinet, it offers limited deep-bass advantage and was not Erin’s hoped-for successor to the more linear B1+.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs JBL XPL-90
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Polk Reserve R100
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Polk R200
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Revel Performa M22
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs KEF Q350
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Focal Aria 906
- See all 14 comparisons
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1: Discontinued
Pros: The first design was a pretty good sounding speaker, the speaker was then outsourced to China and lost 1.5kg and was made with cheap parts and sounds much worse. Slightly rolled off in the treble by about 3dB
Cons: All current new ones sold today are the crap version. Discontinued.
Full Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.6"W x 10.9"D (296.0 x 194.0 x 278.0 mm) |
|---|---|
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" Kevlar cone woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg (good version), 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg (bad version) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Triangle Borea BR03
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs B&W 805S
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs KEF Q350
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Triad In-Room Gold LCR
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- See all 11 comparisons