Short answer: the PSB Alpha P5 has been measured and ranked among bookshelf speakers; the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i has not been independently measured yet, so until it is, this comes down to features and price.
The case for the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i: Two-way bookshelf with a 5” Klarity polypropylene and mica woofer and a 1” woven polyester dome tweeter, joined by a Linkwitz-Riley crossover at 2.6kHz with air-core inductors.
On the PSB Alpha P5 side: Well-behaved 5.25-inch bookshelf design with excellent 0.113 on-axis smoothness, a nearly flat +0.12dB/octave slope and broad roughly +/-60-degree horizontal coverage.
Price: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i lists at $499 and the PSB Alpha P5 at $549.
Buy the PSB Alpha P5 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i if you prefer its design or features, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i | PSB Alpha P5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 per pair | $549 per pair |
| Ranked | - | #36 of 88 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” Klarity polypropylene cone woofer, 1” woven polyester dome tweeter | 0.75” dome tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz ±3dB, 60Hz -6dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 87dB specified; about 84dB measured |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 20-100W | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Dimensions | 312H x 180W x 278D mm | 11.4H x 6.7W x 9.5D in |
| Weight | 6.8 kg each | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way passive, rear-ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.99 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.25 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 58.6Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i: $499 per pair Music Direct eBay
Older models: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 (rated 3.9/5), the Wharfedale Diamond 220 (rated 3.7/5) and the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 (rated 2.8/5).
Pros: Two-way bookshelf with a 5” Klarity polypropylene and mica woofer and a 1” woven polyester dome tweeter, joined by a Linkwitz-Riley crossover at 2.6kHz with air-core inductors. Wharfedale rates it at 88dB sensitivity with an 8 ohm load and a 20W minimum amplifier, easy to drive, and it keeps the price of the Diamond 12.1 it replaces.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Rated bass reaches only 60Hz (-6dB), so plan on a subwoofer for full-range listening.
Full Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i review and specifications →
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 312H x 180W x 278D mm |
| Drivers | 5” Klarity polypropylene cone woofer, 1” woven polyester dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz ±3dB, 60Hz -6dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum) |
| Power Handling | 20-100W |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 6.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PSB Alpha P5: $549 per pair PSB Speakers eBay
Pros: Well-behaved 5.25-inch bookshelf design with excellent 0.113 on-axis smoothness, a nearly flat +0.12dB/octave slope and broad roughly +/-60-degree horizontal coverage. ASR data predicts a 6.25 preference score with a subwoofer and 48Hz in-room extension. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: Measured sensitivity is low at roughly 84dB, and the underdamped bass alignment (Q 0.42) trades some weight for control. Directivity-index consistency is middling at 3.67 and the raw no-subwoofer preference score is only 3.99.
Full PSB Alpha P5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4H x 6.7W x 9.5D in |
| Drivers | 0.75” dome tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way passive, rear-ported |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB specified; about 84dB measured |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.99 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.25 |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons