Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 220, since the ELAC BS U5 distorts at both crossovers. The BS U5’s three-way coaxial layout stays even on axis to 3kHz with smoother off-axis behavior, but distortion is very high around 270Hz and 2700Hz at both 86 and 96dB SPL/1m and tops 3% at the mid-range crossover. The Diamond 220 measures smooth on axis once the grille is removed, but 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.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | ELAC BS U5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair Discontinued | $856 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #60 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1” (25mm) tweeter | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer |
| Dimensions | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) each | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.40 | 4.71 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.64 | 6.79 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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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
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- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
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ELAC BS U5: $856 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: This slim three-way coaxial design (an Andrew Jones creation) shows a fairly even on-axis response up to 3kHz, with off-axis behavior notably smoother than the on-axis curve. Predicted in-room response looks like it should give good tonality. Vertical directivity is better than average, a benefit of the coaxial layout. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: Distortion is very high right at both crossover points (around 270Hz (mid-range) and 2700Hz (tweeter)) at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m, exceeding 3% at the mid-range crossover. Minimum impedance dips to 3.4 ohms with a possible resonance around 500Hz visible in the impedance/phase curve. Discontinued.
Full ELAC BS U5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.79 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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