Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 220 for tonality, the Dynaudio Emit M10 for distortion. The Emit M10 turns in headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL with a well-executed port, but it is voiced with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange. The Diamond 220 is smooth on axis once the grille is removed, though it rolls off below 200Hz and needs a subwoofer.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 220 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | Dynaudio Emit M10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair Discontinued | $800 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #59 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1” (25mm) tweeter | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Dimensions | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) each | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms nominal |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure | ported |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.40 | 4.56 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.64 | 6.93 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
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
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Polk Audio XT15
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- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Revel M105
- See all 33 comparisons
Dynaudio Emit M10: $800 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Dynaudio Emit 10. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. 28mm soft dome tweeter and 14cm MSP mid/bass driver. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.5dB.
Cons: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange: the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t. His verdict: cheaper speakers deliver much more balanced tonality, so he wouldn’t buy it for himself. Discontinued.
Full Dynaudio Emit M10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC BS U5
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