Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 220. It ranks #27 of 71 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $350; the KEF Q100 ranks #53 and costs $550, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the KEF Q100 offers: 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver keeps the tweeter and woofer point-source aligned for consistent imaging. 86dB sensitivity is reasonably easy to drive. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows broad, audible deviations from flat rather than narrow peaks: a lift from 700Hz-1.5kHz and again from 5kHz up, plus a cancellation notch around 1.4kHz from port/cabinet interaction. Bass sensitivity drops to about 80dB and impedance falls below 4 ohms in the bass, demanding a capable amplifier. The reviewer heard boomy, buzzing bass that improved somewhat with the port plugged, and could not recommend it, calling the famous reputation more about looks than sound.
What the Wharfedale Diamond 220 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 220. It ranks higher for sound quality than the KEF Q100 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q100 | Wharfedale Diamond 220 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $550 Discontinued | $350 |
| Ranked | #53 of 71 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 71 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 40kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 5.25" Uni-Q aluminum coaxial driver, 1" aluminum dome tweeter | 5" (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each | 11.7 lbs / 5.3 kg each |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.1"W x 10.7"D (300 x 180 x 272 mm) | 12.4"H x 6.9"W x 8.9"D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure |
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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q100: $550 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver keeps the tweeter and woofer point-source aligned for consistent imaging. 86dB sensitivity is reasonably easy to drive.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows broad, audible deviations from flat rather than narrow peaks: a lift from 700Hz-1.5kHz and again from 5kHz up, plus a cancellation notch around 1.4kHz from port/cabinet interaction. Bass sensitivity drops to about 80dB and impedance falls below 4 ohms in the bass, demanding a capable amplifier. The reviewer heard boomy, buzzing bass that improved somewhat with the port plugged, and could not recommend it, calling the famous reputation more about looks than sound. Discontinued.
Full KEF Q100 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.1"W x 10.7"D (300 x 180 x 272 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" Uni-Q aluminum coaxial driver, 1" aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 40kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Wharfedale Diamond 220: $350 Amazon eBay
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.
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| 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
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- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs JBL Studio 530
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
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