Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is the newer model that replaces the Wharfedale Diamond 220, but only the Wharfedale Diamond 220 has been measured and ranked so far, so this comparison is on specs and features rather than sound. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 is discontinued, so it is now a used buy.
What the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i offers: 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.
What the Wharfedale Diamond 220 brings: 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.
Price: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i lists at $499 and the Wharfedale Diamond 220 at $299.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 220 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i if you want the newer model, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i | Wharfedale Diamond 220 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 per pair | $299 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | - | #28 of 88 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” Klarity polypropylene cone woofer, 1” woven polyester dome tweeter | 5” (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz ±3dB, 60Hz -6dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 20-100W | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure |
| Dimensions | 312H x 180W x 278D mm | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) |
| Weight | 6.8 kg each | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.64 |
| 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
Wharfedale Diamond 220: $299 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
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
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- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
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