Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, if you are buying new. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks higher than the JBL Stage 250B (#50 vs #97 of 179 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. Budget bookshelf speakers with a waveguide tweeter, wide dispersion and controlled distortion, best heard with the grille off. Watch for: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
The JBL Stage 250B is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Affordable current bookshelf speakers with a waveguide tweeter for smooth dispersion, magnetic grilles and solid build. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.06 against 3.40 for the Wharfedale Diamond 220. Its bass reaches about 64.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 117.2Hz for the Wharfedale Diamond 220. The tradeoff: Its objective score is good rather than class-leading, and the rear port needs some wall clearance.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, the replacement for the discontinued Wharfedale Diamond 220; it is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Stage 250B.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | JBL Stage 250B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair Discontinued | $439.95 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #97 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1” (25mm) tweeter | 1-inch aluminum tweeter, 5.25-inch polycellulose woofer |
| Dimensions | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) | 12.6H x 7.9W x 9.5D in |
| 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) | 86dB/2.83V/1m |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.40 | 4.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.64 | 6.60 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Passive 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz-25kHz (-6dB) |
| Recommended Power | - | 20-150W |
| Power Handling | - | 75W RMS |
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