Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 220 for better sound quality, the Paradigm Monitor SE Atom for the lower price. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks #19 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $350. The Paradigm Monitor SE Atom ranks #26 at $318, $32 cheaper.
The case for the Wharfedale Diamond 220: 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.
On the Paradigm Monitor SE Atom side: Good, consistent directivity across the on-axis, listening-window, and off-axis curves makes the Atom easier to equalize and less room-dependent than many budget speakers. Set against that: On-axis response is uneven out of the box, with a 2-4kHz dip followed by a peak and a resonance around 15kHz that the reviewer said gives it a bright, “showroom” voicing without EQ correction.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 220 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Paradigm Monitor SE Atom if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | Paradigm Monitor SE Atom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $318 |
| Ranked | #19 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5" (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1" (25mm) tweeter | 1" X-PAL aluminum dome tweeter (ferrofluid, PPA lens), 5.5" mineral-filled polypropylene mid/bass |
| Dimensions | 12.4"H x 6.9"W x 8.9"D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) | 12.75H x 7.125W x 11D in |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs / 5.3 kg each | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 61Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 15-100W recommended |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- JBL Studio 530 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- KEF Q150 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- KEF Q150 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs JBL Stage 2 250B
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 →
| 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs KEF Q150
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs JBL Studio 530
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- See all 14 comparisons
Paradigm Monitor SE Atom: $318 Amazon
Pros: Good, consistent directivity across the on-axis, listening-window, and off-axis curves makes the Atom easier to equalize and less room-dependent than many budget speakers. Bass tuning is well judged, letting the woofer play loud on demanding tracks without bottoming out even without a subwoofer. Paradigm’s NRC research pedigree shows in the horizontal and vertical dispersion measurements.
Cons: On-axis response is uneven out of the box, with a 2-4kHz dip followed by a peak and a resonance around 15kHz that the reviewer said gives it a bright, “showroom” voicing without EQ correction. There’s no meaningful bass extension for full-range use, so a subwoofer is effectively required for anything beyond desktop or near-field listening.
Full Paradigm Monitor SE Atom review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 12.75H x 7.125W x 11D in |
| Drivers | 1" X-PAL aluminum dome tweeter (ferrofluid, PPA lens), 5.5" mineral-filled polypropylene mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 61Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 15-100W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs JBL Studio 530
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs ELAC BS U5
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs Boston Acoustics A25
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs Dynaudio X14
- See all 17 comparisons