Short answer: the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G for better sound quality, the Wharfedale Diamond 220 for the lower price. The Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G ranks #12 of 63 bookshelf speakers at $799. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks #25 at $350, $449 cheaper.
What the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G gets right: The 7th generation C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide II and RST II mid bass driver produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.50 at an accessible price, earning a Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award. Watch for: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (measured slope +0.50 per octave, the steepest of any speaker in this batch), which can read as bright on already bright recordings.
On the Wharfedale Diamond 220 side: 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. Set against that: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
Buy the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 220 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | Wharfedale Diamond 220 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $350 |
| Ranked | #12 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | 1" C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25" C-CAM RST II mid bass driver | 5" (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Dimensions | 11.1"H x 6.5"W x 10.7"D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) (11.125 x 6.5 x 10.375 in) | 12.4"H x 6.9"W x 8.9"D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12 lbs 6 oz) each | 11.7 lbs / 5.3 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum | 8 ohms |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Max SPL | 104dB | - |
| Crossover Points | 2.6kHz | - |
| Port Tuning | 58Hz | - |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power | - |
| Warranty | Lifetime, parts and labor | - |
| Country | China | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure |
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- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
The Two Speakers In Full
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: $799 Crutchfield
Pros: The 7th generation C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide II and RST II mid bass driver produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.50 at an accessible price, earning a Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award. A HiVe II reflex port system is tuned to 58Hz for real bass weight from a compact 5.25 inch two way.
Cons: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (measured slope +0.50 per octave, the steepest of any speaker in this batch), which can read as bright on already bright recordings. The sound power directivity index also has the widest standard deviation in this batch, 3.95, meaning off axis energy tracks the on axis response less consistently than the rest of this group. Bass extension is limited to a measured 87.9Hz at -3dB, so a subwoofer is recommended for full range use, and minimum impedance dips to 3.9 ohms at 250Hz.
Full Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Country | China |
| Crossover Points | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 11.1"H x 6.5"W x 10.7"D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) (11.125 x 6.5 x 10.375 in) |
| Drivers | 1" C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25" C-CAM RST II mid bass driver |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum |
| Max SPL | 104dB |
| Port Tuning | 58Hz |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Warranty | Lifetime, parts and labor |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12 lbs 6 oz) each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Revel M105
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Elac Carina BS243.4
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs KEF LS50 Meta
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs KEF Q150
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Polk Audio XT15
Wharfedale Diamond 220: $350 Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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 JBL Studio 530
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
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