Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 is the better pick: it ranks #197 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 2.8/5), against #211 (rated 2.4/5) for the Dayton Audio MK602X. If you want one new, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i replaces the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 and is rated 4.0/5 at $499. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 222 bookshelf speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Polk Signature Elite ES20 instead, ranked #119 at $398.98.
The Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A discontinued ported Wharfedale bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch Kevlar woofer and deep bass for its size. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 72Hz for the Dayton Audio MK602X. The catch: Owners report that later production units weigh about 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) less, use cheaper parts and sound worse than early ones.
What the Dayton Audio MK602X does well: An inexpensive compact Dayton bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer, decent bass for its size and a tidy cabinet. The catch: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail.
Buy the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i, which replaces the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 reaches 40 Hz (3 dB down) against 72 Hz for the Dayton Audio MK602X, about an octave deeper. Low bass that the other only hints at comes through with real weight.
- Efficiency: the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 is rated at 87 dB sensitivity against 85 dB for the Dayton Audio MK602X, so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 | Dayton Audio MK602X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 per pair Discontinued | $149 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #197 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #211 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin’s impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Kevlar cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 6.5” glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (good version), 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) (bad version) each | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.6”W x 10.9”D (296.0 x 194.0 x 278.0 mm) | 15.1”H x 8.6”W x 11.8”D |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Hi-Fi World) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.91 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1: reviews by GR-Research and Hi-Fi World Warfedale’s.
- Dayton Audio MK602X: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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