Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II. It ranks #27 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $389.99 and is still sold new; the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 ranks #32 (rated 3.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1’s replacement, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, is rated 4.0/5 at $499.
What the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 does well: Smooth, easy listening budget bookshelf speakers with low distortion, wide dispersion and a fit and finish above their class. Watch for: 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, relaxed 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.
Why pick the Klipsch RP-500M II: Clear, detailed bookshelf speakers with a horn tweeter, precise imaging and a much cleaner midrange than the first version. The tradeoff: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 reaches 46 Hz (10 dB down) against 53 Hz for the Klipsch RP-500M II, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Klipsch RP-500M II scores 7.8 against 7.4 for the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 per pair Discontinued | $389.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | 1530Hz |
| Dimensions | 12.2”H x 7”W x 10.9”D (310 x 178 x 277 mm) | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 5” advanced polypropylene cone woofer, 1” textile dome tweeter | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.01 | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 | 7.84 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Audio Science Review.
- Klipsch RP-500M II: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
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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