Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i. It ranks #26 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $499 and is still sold new; the Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks #50 (rated 3.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i does well: Easy to drive two way bookshelf speakers with a polypropylene and mica woofer and a woven dome tweeter, fine with modest amplifiers. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The case for the Wharfedale Diamond 220: Budget bookshelf speakers with a waveguide tweeter, wide dispersion and controlled distortion, best heard with the grille off. The catch: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Wharfedale Diamond 220 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
About the ratings: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.8 to 4.2, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i | Wharfedale Diamond 220 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 per pair | $299 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #50 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz (manufacturer specified) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 | 12.3”H x 7.1”W x 10.9”D (312 x 180 x 278 mm) | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) each |
| 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 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
- Wharfedale Diamond 220: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Audio Science Review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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