Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 220 for better sound quality, the Polk Audio XT15 for the lower price. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks #25 of 63 bookshelf speakers at $350. The Polk Audio XT15 ranks #26 at $179, $171 cheaper.
What the Wharfedale Diamond 220 gets right: 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 catch: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
The case for the Polk Audio XT15: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch at 77.6Hz (-3dB) / 54.2Hz (-10dB).
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 220 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk Audio XT15 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | Polk Audio XT15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $179 |
| Ranked | #25 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5" (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1" (25mm) tweeter | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25" bi-laminate paper woofer |
| Dimensions | 12.4"H x 6.9"W x 8.9"D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs / 5.3 kg each | 9 lbs / 4.08 kg (9 lb) each |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure | Ported |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- KEF Q150 vs Neumi Silk 4
- Neumi Silk 4 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Neumi Silk 4
- KEF Q150 vs Polk Audio XT15
- Polk Audio XT15 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 →
| 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
- 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 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- See all 17 comparisons
Polk Audio XT15: $179 Amazon Bhphotovideo Crutchfield
Pros: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. Directivity spread is reasonably even for the price (directivity_spdi_stddev 3.60).
Cons: Bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch at 77.6Hz (-3dB) / 54.2Hz (-10dB). On-axis deviation is the roughest measured figure here (aad_on_axis 0.449), and listening-window smoothness (0.303) trails the pricier options in this group. Modest 86dB sensitivity wants a reasonably powered amp channel. The 5.25” bi-laminate paper woofer is Polk’s entry-tier driver, not the polypropylene/Turbine cones used in its pricier Signature Elite/Reserve lines.
Full Polk Audio XT15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25" bi-laminate paper woofer |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.08 kg (9 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Neumi Silk 4
- Polk Audio XT15 vs KEF Q150
- Polk Audio XT15 vs JBL Studio 530
- Polk Audio XT15 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- See all 15 comparisons