Short answer: the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, if you are buying new. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks higher than the Polk T15 (#51 vs #146 of 160 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 more accurate option. 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.40 against 0.34 for the Polk T15. The tradeoff: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
The Polk T15 is the deeper-bass pick. Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. Its bass reaches about 88.6Hz before falling 3dB, against 117.2Hz for the Wharfedale Diamond 220. The tradeoff: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, the replacement for the discontinued Wharfedale Diamond 220; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk T15.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 220 | Polk T15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair Discontinued | $149.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #146 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1” (25mm) tweeter | 0.75” tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Dimensions | 12.4”H x 6.9”W x 8.9”D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) each | 8.2 lbs (3.74 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 1W/1m); 88.98dB measured, spinorama.org |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 117.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 88.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 58.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.40 | 0.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.64 | 3.39 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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, ranked higher, estimated 4/5.
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 Polk Audio XT15
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- 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 JBL Studio 530
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Polk T15: $149.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk T50 (floorstanding, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. In near-field desktop use, the reviewer found the T15 “didn’t sound that horrible,” partly because nearby desk reflections mask the frequency response dip. Measured bass extension of 88.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89dB.
Cons: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis. Measured impedance ranges from 4-8 ohms, contradicting the specified 6-8 ohm range, and there’s a distortion peak around 400Hz. On- and off-axis response “vary a ton,” making listening position unusually important. The reviewer recommends saving up for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR instead: “I can’t justify recommending the Polk T15 even though subjective performance was not horrible.”
Full Polk T15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in |
| Drivers | 0.75” tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 1W/1m); 88.98dB measured, spinorama.org |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.39 |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.74 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons