Short answer: the Polk Audio XT15, if you are buying new. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 measures as well as it (#28 vs #29 of 92 bookshelf speakers, 3.7/5 vs 3.7/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Polk Audio XT15 is still sold new at $179.
Buy the Polk Audio XT15, since the Wharfedale Diamond 220 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | Polk Audio XT15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair Discontinued | $179.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #28 of 92 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 92 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) 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.40 | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.64 | 7.31 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Diamond 220: $299 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
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 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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Revel M105
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs JBL Studio 530
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Polk Audio XT15: $179.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video Crutchfield eBay
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. Off axis sound tracks the on axis response reasonably consistently for the price. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off early, at 77.6Hz (-3dB) and 54.2Hz (-10dB). On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, and its listening window is less smooth than pricier speakers. 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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.31 |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.08 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
- 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 Boston Acoustics A25
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 4.2
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Neumi BS5
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- See all 42 comparisons