Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 220. It ranks #25 of 63 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $350; the JBL L52 Classic ranks #41 and costs $1099.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Wharfedale Diamond 220 side: 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. The tradeoff: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
The case for the JBL L52 Classic: Genuine walnut wood veneer cabinet with a retro Quadrex foam grille (black, orange, or dark blue) reviving JBL’s classic L-series look. 5.25” pure pulp cone woofer and 0.75” titanium dome tweeter on a waveguide, front-firing bass reflex port, in a compact stand-mount cabinet. Watch for: Measured compression and distortion behavior from about 1-5 kHz was inconsistent (“wonky”) across output levels, and didn’t clean up even at lower volume; adding a subwoofer high-pass didn’t fix the high-frequency distortion either.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 220. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL L52 Classic and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | JBL L52 Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $1,099.95 |
| Ranked | #25 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #41 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5" (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1" (25mm) tweeter | 5.25" pure pulp cone woofer, 0.75" titanium dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Dimensions | 12.4"H x 6.9"W x 8.9"D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) | 13-1/16"H x 7-13/16"W x 8-11/16"D |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs / 5.3 kg each | 11 lbs each |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | - | 47Hz - 24kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 10-75W RMS |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.8kHz |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Diamond 220: $350 Amazon
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.
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs / 5.3 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure |
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- Links
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JBL L52 Classic: $1,099.95 Amazon
Pros: Genuine walnut wood veneer cabinet with a retro Quadrex foam grille (black, orange, or dark blue) reviving JBL’s classic L-series look. 5.25” pure pulp cone woofer and 0.75” titanium dome tweeter on a waveguide, front-firing bass reflex port, in a compact stand-mount cabinet. A pronounced upper-bass bump around 100 Hz gives kick drums a punchy, textured character.
Cons: Measured compression and distortion behavior from about 1-5 kHz was inconsistent (“wonky”) across output levels, and didn’t clean up even at lower volume; adding a subwoofer high-pass didn’t fix the high-frequency distortion either. Response rolls off quickly above the upper-bass bump, so there’s punch and impact but not real low-end rumble or fundamental weight below about 60 Hz without a subwoofer. Soundstage width was inconsistent track to track, with imaging not staying locked to where instruments should be. Vocals could sound hot and slightly grainy in the 2.5-5 kHz region; pointing the speakers off-axis reduced that sharpness but also killed high-frequency air.
Full JBL L52 Classic review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.8kHz |
| Dimensions | 13-1/16"H x 7-13/16"W x 8-11/16"D |
| Drivers | 5.25" pure pulp cone woofer, 0.75" titanium dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 10-75W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 11 lbs each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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