Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, if you are buying new. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks higher than the Fluance Signature HFS (#51 vs #144 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 220 is the better-sounding option. 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. Watch for: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
The Fluance Signature HFS is the deeper-bass option. Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Its bass reaches about 78Hz before falling 3dB, against 117.2Hz for the Wharfedale Diamond 220. The catch: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange: both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, the replacement for the discontinued Wharfedale Diamond 220; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Fluance Signature HFS.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | Fluance Signature HFS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair Discontinued | $199.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #144 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1” (25mm) tweeter | 1” neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5” glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Dimensions | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) each | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure | ported, front |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.40 | 2.92 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.64 | 5.53 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 30-120W recommended |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Wharfedale Diamond 220 compares with other leading options:
- Ascend Sierra 1 v2 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Arendal 1961 Monitor vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Revel M105 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Diamond 220: $299 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, ranked higher, estimated 4/5.
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
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs KEF Q150
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- 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 JBL Studio 530
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- See all 32 comparisons
Fluance Signature HFS: $199.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Fluance Signature HFF (floorstanding, estimated 2.4/5) and the Fluance Signature HFC (center, estimated 2.1/5).
Pros: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Distortion in the low end is well controlled per the measurements, and the glossy front baffle adds a touch of style well beyond the budget price. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange: both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests. Multiple attempted EQ fixes “could not rescue” the sound, and the reviewer said the result was “close” to the lowest possible rating. Online reviews seeded by the company were positive; the reviewer’s measured and subjective experience was not.
Full Fluance Signature HFS review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Drivers | 1” neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5” glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 30-120W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.92 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.53 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluance Signature HFS vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Fluance Signature HFS vs JBL Stage A130
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Polk T15
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Micca RB42
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- See all 31 comparisons