Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, if you are buying new. The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 ranks higher than the JBL Control 1 Pro (#32 vs #145 of 160 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, is rated 4.0/5 at $499 and is still sold new.
The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A budget two-way bookshelf speaker (5” polypropylene woofer, 1” textile dome tweeter) that measures well for its price: harmonic distortion at 86dB stays under 1% THD down to about 60Hz, genuinely good for a 5” mid-woofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.01 against 2.87 for the JBL Control 1 Pro. Its bass reaches about 61Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the JBL Control 1 Pro. The tradeoff: A dip of about 3dB in the 1-3kHz crossover region (on-axis, in the predicted in-room response, and even off-axis) gives the speaker a soft, “laid-back” character that noticeably saps attack and transient bite from drums, guitar and other percussive material: possibly an intentional BBC-style dip, but one the reviewer would still prefer tuned flat.
The case for the JBL Control 1 Pro: Magnetically shielded transducers and a rugged molded enclosure make it a durable choice for wall-mount or install use, with SonicGuard overload protection built into the crossover. Watch for: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it, with no waveguide to control directivity as the woofer beams before handing off to the tweeter.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, the replacement for the discontinued Wharfedale Diamond 12.1; it is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Control 1 Pro.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 | JBL Control 1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 per pair Discontinued | $240 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #145 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Dimensions | 12.2”H x 7”W x 10.9”D (310 x 178 x 277 mm) | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5” advanced polypropylene cone woofer, 1” textile dome tweeter | 5.25” low frequency driver, 0.75” polycarbonate dome tweeter |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.01 | 2.87 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 | 6.37 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 150W |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1: $599 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, ranked higher, estimated 4/5.
Older model: the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 (rated 2.8/5).
Same family: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.0 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.1/5), the Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.1/5), the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 3.9/5), the Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.1/5), the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C (smaller center, estimated 3.5/5) and the Wharfedale Diamond 12.Ci (larger center, estimated 3.6/5).
Pros: A budget two-way bookshelf speaker (5” polypropylene woofer, 1” textile dome tweeter) that measures well for its price: harmonic distortion at 86dB stays under 1% THD down to about 60Hz, genuinely good for a 5” mid-woofer. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±60° up to roughly 5kHz before the tweeter starts to beam. Tonally smooth and easy to listen to at moderate volumes, with a pleasant, non-fatiguing character the reviewer said he’d happily recommend to someone who wants noticeably better fit, finish and looks than typical speakers in the $300-400 range. A high-pass crossover around 80Hz meaningfully cleans up midrange multitone distortion, so pairing it with a subwoofer helps more than usual for a speaker this size. Measured bass extension of 61Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84dB.
Cons: A dip of about 3dB in the 1-3kHz crossover region (on-axis, in the predicted in-room response, and even off-axis) gives the speaker a soft, “laid-back” character that noticeably saps attack and transient bite from drums, guitar and other percussive material: possibly an intentional BBC-style dip, but one the reviewer would still prefer tuned flat. Vertical directivity is unusually tight for this class of speaker, holding together only within about ±5° of the tweeter axis before a real hole opens up in the response, so seating height matters a lot more than on most bookshelf designs. Diffraction artifacts around 3kHz and 5kHz show up as differences between the listening-window and on-axis curves. Distortion climbs well past acceptable levels at higher output: harmonic distortion exceeds 3% around 150Hz at 96dB (versus under 1% at 86dB), multitone distortion tops 10% at 96dB/1m, and real compression sets in between 96-102dB (about 1.5dB of lost dynamic range around 300Hz at 102dB/1m, roughly equivalent to 92dB for a pair at 4m in a room). A genuine limitation on how loud or how far away this speaker can be pushed. Measured average sensitivity (84dB) runs a few dB below the 87dB spec. Only a 5” woofer, so a subwoofer is required for real bass. Discontinued.
Full Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2”H x 7”W x 10.9”D (310 x 178 x 277 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” advanced polypropylene cone woofer, 1” textile dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Wharfedale 12.1 Budget Bookshelf Speaker with “Laid Back” sound but output limited. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 More from Audio Science Review →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 vs Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 vs KEF Q150
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 vs Revel M105
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 vs Moondrop M4P MTM
- See all 37 comparisons
JBL Control 1 Pro: $240 per pair Parts Express eBay
Pros: Magnetically shielded transducers and a rugged molded enclosure make it a durable choice for wall-mount or install use, with SonicGuard overload protection built into the crossover. Feels solidly built despite the low price, and the professional crossover network uses steep slopes. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it, with no waveguide to control directivity as the woofer beams before handing off to the tweeter. The reviewer performed no distortion or dedicated listening test on this unit and concluded he didn’t “think there is a reason to purchase it” over a proper studio monitor at a similar price.
Full JBL Control 1 Pro review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in |
| Drivers | 5.25” low frequency driver, 0.75” polycarbonate dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.87 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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