I wanted to review a great cheap bookshelf speakers. I wanted to find speakers that will compete with my absolute favorite of Dali Spektor 2. I could go with Elacs, Polks, Klipsch—they all have amazing choices in this price range and we are going to tackle them at the end of this review.
Search for amazing budget option
But I ended up with Wharfedale Diamond 12.1, a speaker that just looks pretty and sounds even better. But also I wanted to review a Wharfedale speakers, as I have been a huge fan for a while of them and I never got to review them in past. But a lot of things impressed me with this speakers even before I bought them, their size, scope of sound and really beautiful mids in demo store, and just as I said earlier also how they look. Will these speakers be my next favorite budget speakers? Please watch more to find out.
I like more cheaper speaker for my B system, so I can take them with me wherever I go. As they are not so punishing and damaging to bad rooms, and not treated rooms. They can accommodate many different scenarios without having the sound be much compromised. This will be tested at a treated room, and you can take whatever you wanted from this explanations.
Design and Specifications
Diamond 12.1 is a two-way bookshelf speakers. The DIAMOND 12.1 features a high-performance 130mm (5”) Klarity™ driver for exceptional timing and refined bass. The superb 25mm (1”) woven polyester dome tweeter as well. The sensitivity of these speakers are 88db, which is really great with frequency response goes from 65 Hz to 20 kHz. Which is good, nothing spectacular but really good and serviceable.
I think the body this walnut color of the wood veneer is really good looking. The entire aesthetics is really pleasing and size of these speakers is semi-compact.
Power recommendations
What I learned with my tests, while not super hard speakers to drive and to open, I think you need healthy 50w in 8ohms to drive them to truly open without strain and sibilance. For soundstage to open and bloom, I recommend it to be played at normal volume, give them a bit of juice for them to start breathing. All the way up to maybe 60w for comfortable drive on all volume levels.
Weirdly or interestingly enough these speakers can be bi-wired. For people who enjoy that, you can have bass and mids powered by one amp, and treble by others. I highly doubt somebody will bi-wire speakers in this price range. But there is that option. And chinches are really nice gold-plated ones.
Sound signature
But I talked enough about presence, finish, and features. Which to me are important, it is nice to have something nicely presentable at your home. But none of that can beat the most important aspect and that is the sound.
The sound of Diamond is truly a shine, bright one. A great ball of entertainment and rhythm and resolving details. That is Wharfedale Diamond 12.1. And I love it. I truly do. It is a joy to listen to.
That joy that you really need in this price level, as gear sometimes, when it is in this price level, lacks drama, it lacks energy and passion. And we are all here because of that, or we all started our HIFI journey because of that. Because music moved us, music made our life better, and we wanted it to become an important part of our lives. So much that we are ready to spend extra money to hear it more.
And in technical terms, the diamond highs how they call them The 25mm dome is made from a woven polyester film with a high-loss coating is the star of the show.
It extends and shows. And is capable speaker in upper mids and treble. I think it is truly exceptional in that frequency range around 1k or above 2k, and ends around 5k or 6k. That is where it has the most spark. So your string instruments, pianos, the wind instruments are going to have forwardness and expression to it.
But I maybe can see what are you thinking here, as sometimes in this price range when speakers are treble-heavy they know to sound thin, or crude or fatiguing. And I can found a couple of instances when that is absolutely true. But Wharfedales are not expending that much in brightness, and when properly paired and synergized it gets enough body that you don’t notice that. Or at least not that much so it becomes a problem.
But don’t forget, that rhythmic section gets live pretty fast, and there is much more enjoyment in listening to music that carries you away with every pulse and beat.
There is a lot of information that is presented there. It conveys it with great resolving power. So you can hear textures and quality of good production if there is any. Good production tells you more about the origin of sound, how it appears before you. And with the help of good details, it truly is wonderful.
Rhythmic section is clear and there is a great separation there. If it helps separate it and that it helps kind of soundstage expands vertically as it left and right you hear that hit which evolves, expands, and disappears.
Incredible separation and treble
And that separation is all-out standout feature of these speakers. It is actually something I first wrote in my notes during my clinical listenings. It is how surprised that how much separation it offers in this price level. This is happening all over the spectrum so well.
There was clarity, separation, transparency, etc. And that is done by feeding details in every facet of scale, to give more clinical listening. Your ear and brain, don’t forget that guy, will easily disassemble composition in your head if the instruments have their details, so they get rounded more, they have edge and their weight and these speakers try this so much.
Soundstage was decent enough, that is maybe wrong, soundstage was great and how you pair it with other gear it is going to be good or great. With details it does allow soundstage to open, especially when you add a bit volume so it can really bloom. Yeah these speakers will require you a bit to pamper it with power to show its true colors, but not something super strange in this price range or that it will require some extra power.
Focused Mids and Vocals
They hold the same firm stance, with mids, where they allow the clash of bass and treble to become more decluttered and visible. I always was super surprised with imaging. Of course, this will also heavily depend on what amps you pair these speakers with, but in my test imaging was always focused and in center.
But vocals itself, was decent. There was no revelations here, they were serviceable enough to cut through grain. But was never too forward or super expressive. I bit missed that. But I don’t want for me to sound that they were unfocused or buried, they were good. But I don’t know what to say about them more than that. I liked when listening to music it was an integral component of presentation, and it worked good complimenting this nicely detailed and treble-rich presentation.
And generally midsection was great, but nothing that you did not hear in very talented other speakers on the market in this price range. And I am going to talk about that later. But while listening to jazz, I always want to have a sense of stability and focus, as similar to classical music dynamic range of instruments in composition can vary a lot. So to have presentation that does not lack with pianos, with violins, guitars with trombone. It needs to give me clear and concise presentation, that when I close my eyes I can visualize them. And it does that, mids are decently rounded and separates great.
Bass
But there is one thing lacking here that I constantly was reminded to lacking in these speakers. And that is bass. While not something that is super deal breaking, I think the bass lacks focus and precision. I will not speak much about attack, as beside Q Acoustics there is rarely speakers that create in this price range a precise attack with its bass. But bass was too bouncy, and unfocused. While it had air, it had weight I just could not enjoy it too much, when I was focusing on it. And it is really strange as it should really work, as they are on their website praising bracing capabilities of these speakers. And probably they work to some degree, but I was not satisfied with it. It was bass weight and size for the sake of weight and size, not to create musicality and focus, to compliment mids with it. It is a my nitpick little bit with these speakers.
Pairing suggestions
Pairing is an interesting thing with these speakers. I loved my Marantz combination with these speakers, and I think in general it works really well with warm amps. It grounds it and gives it body, so all the things it lacks from its design initially. But I was also happy with more balanced, or balanced with hints of darkness amps. Like Arcam and Musical Fidelity. It made speakers more clear and transparent, while losing a bit in its weight and size. It was not horrible as I super enjoyed even more details, and clarity with this combination. It became more fun for clinical listenings, where I cared about information more than anything. But I tried shortly with bright amps, with amps that push tremendous amount of details, and somebody might kill for sound like that, but it was just not for me. Too lean, and overexposed and informative. So my combo is probably best is using warmer or balanced amps with these speakers.
Some problems with this speakers
Bad things, I already spoke previously about bass being just not that good. Mids being good but not the best in class, but also as much as I loved treble, I always felt that these speakers should go one more Extra step to reach that nirvana. Treble is amazing, but if this speakers could add a bit more extension, as I think the treble is superbly detailed and separates super well, it did not dynamically expand as much as I wanted. And if it did that, this would be THAT speaker in this price range. Sometimes when it crosses 6k or 8k in dynamics scale it just gets a bit muted and unfocused.
And let me tell you this, maybe I am a bit critical of all of the things I said in this review, but this all sounds great in its price level. It is just some wishful thinking to get even more value in this price level that I have to lay out some complaints.
Do you know what is one of the greatest rock songs ever?
But to cover it up, let’s talk about my real-life experience with these speakers listening to music.
Do you know what is one of the best rock songs of all time? No? Well, it is King Crimson’s Starless. The amount of music craftsmanship put into 12 minutes of Starless is an ever-evolving odyssey of sounds. It starts with mellotron strings and guitar, then you add a bass and then you sprinkle it with saxophone. It is a slower mellow soundstage, and to me, I need to feel emotions out of it. As Robert Fripp’s guitar sings here, it is a hidden vocal in the beginning. And then it goes “Suuuuuun dooooown.” I want a clear representation of all of these actors on the soundstage. And it does a good work here.
But the reason why I also stay with this song is that it has many acts in the song. And when the song becomes darker and far more driving and pushing. When we are introduced by spooky bright strings, and a lot of percussions, and even wind instruments is when this speakers shine super well. There is a bit of chaos in overwhelming crescendos, and these speakers remain clear enough to follow instrumentation. To follow the composition of the song. There is a lot of overdriven and layered guitar work. This is a rock song, exploding in fusion jazz, exploding even further into hard rock, metal territory. With distorted bass, and fast drumming. What a beautiful joy of sonic pleasures.
It made me super happy how I was being moved, to move my feet, arms, body, and just enjoy this amazing song. And even when it later a bit cooled down, my expression still remained. And I was happy with how these speakers in this price range managed to keep me entertained. Of course, some other far more expensive speakers that I have tell me a bit more about textures and are super expressive in the midsection. But come on, Diamond 12.1 are damn good speakers.
Alternatives
So even if they are damn good speakers, how about my other favorites in this price range? They have something better, and something worse. Those will be Elac Debut B6.2, Dali Spektor 2, and Q Acoustics 3020i. I am a bit ashamed that I did not have that much experience with Polks, especially with E15 and E20, and I just want to throw a small shoutout here, as they are also nice. But as I have not spent any time with them, except in a sound room, I cannot do a comparison.
Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2
I think a lot of people would like to hear a comparison between these two speakers, as it has become a go-to for cheap speakers. And I can clearly see why, this is very mature sound. For speakers in this price range, to have such transparency, clarity, and very black background is amazing. It also opens dynamically more than Wharfedale both in bass and treble. I can in longer notes, in deeper highs and lows, hear less fall off than Wharfedale. Its mids are superbly organized and decluttered, better than Wharfedales. And I think the more balanced nature of Elacs might be easier to synergize and pair, and that could be a really big plus for some. But I personally like Wharfedale more, and this was my opinion for some time now, even before Wharfedales with similar speakers. I think firstly off, they are not pretty to look at, and this is a small gripe I have, but nonetheless, I have to say that all other three speakers here are more aesthetically better to me.
But the sound of Wharfedales is just so more open, fun, and detailed. The rhythmic section is just more live and forward, there are more details and textures. Its treble is more rounded and presenting more. Vocals are, while not having a weight similar to Elacs, which sound far more grounded and present. But Wharfedale has vocals that are more showmanship, and more try to burst at you. It will sound that will move you more.
It is all about if you prefer more laid-back, or more forward detailed presentation in this price range. So in that regard, there is no better, only which one is for you. Weigh pros and cons or listen to them in audio stores.
Dali Spektor 2
Now my favorite speakers in this price range are Dali Spektor 2. And are Wharfedale ready to dethrone them... hmmm no, at least not for me. Even though you can easily argue that Wharfedale is a better speaker out of the two. They are very close though, and there are a few things that Wharfedale does a bit better than Dalis. And that is detail reproduction and just insight. I think there is more insight in Wharfedales. Instruments are wider, more rounded, and definitely you can track them better on the soundstage. Also, imaging is a bit better on Wharfedales. If you really care about authenticity of voices, then yeah it goes to Wharfedales.
But Dali has this more expressive and pleasing midsection. It has a lot of verve and passion in it. It is just joy listening to music, vocals, how it connects to bass. There were just superbly musical speakers, that get to the heart of music. They are also nicely detailed, they also separate great, vocals sound really great with them.
So when I said that they might be objectively worse, I just meant that they do all these things great, but Wharfedale does them a bit better. But to me musicality, refined midsection, great vocal reproduction. Having weight and yet being forward. It was a more pleasing, more enjoyable experience that does not get the clinical mind of music, rather the heart of it.
Read more here:
Q Acoustics 3020i/3030i
One more option is Q Acoustics 3020i and 3030i, which has a warmer sound than all others. So if that is your liking more, this could be a better option. It has incredible bass for such a small and cheap speaker. It does not extract as much detail and is a more laid-back presentation than Wharfedale. But this is a smooth, beautiful listening, coupled with real weight. So that chugging and drive of guitars are really gonna sound big. And vocals are going to be lovely and present. This is one of those speakers you can listen to a long time, and never feel overwhelmed.
It is also a bit better for movies, especially when coupled with darker warmer amps.
Read more here:
Conclusion
These are incredible value speakers. And it just shows that the lower, budget-friendly section of HIFI is constantly improving and getting better to that of stagnating top-end of hifi. It provides true audiophile experience with great separation, great imaging, awesome details, and forward and live treble. If well paired, it can give amazing results.
So with all I said, all the comparisons I analyzed, I leave it to you to consider this is maybe the best valued speakers in its price range. As it can easily be the best, especially if you ask somebody like me. With its preferences and likings, I think Wharfedale created a great mix of value and sonics, that is hard to beat. Diamond 12.1 is a speaker I wholeheartedly recommend and you should give them a try.
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Keep daydreaming, and see you on the next video!
Pros of Wharfedale Diamond 12.1:
Great Sound Quality:
Superb treble with exceptional detail, separation, and resolving power.
Strong rhythmic section with live and engaging presentation.
Excellent imaging and soundstage, especially when paired with suitable amps.
Clear and concise midrange, offering good instrument separation.
Build and Aesthetic Appeal:
Attractive walnut wood veneer design, compact and semi-modern.
Gold-plated binding posts, with an option for bi-wiring (rare in this price range).
Versatile Performance:
Handles a range of genres well, with dynamic and engaging sound for rock, jazz, and classical.
Performs decently in untreated rooms, making it suitable for various setups.
Great Value:
Offers audiophile-level clarity and detail in a budget-friendly package.
Competes well with similarly priced alternatives, such as Elac, Dali Spektor 2, and Q Acoustics 3020i.
Flexible Pairing Options:
Pairs particularly well with warm or balanced amplifiers like Marantz or Musical Fidelity, enhancing body and weight.
Cons of Wharfedale Diamond 12.1:
Bass Performance:
Lacks precision and focus in the bass department.
Bass feels bouncy and weighty without contributing to musicality.
Treble Extension:
While detailed, treble lacks dynamic expansion at higher frequencies (above 6k-8k Hz).
Power Requirement:
Requires a healthy 50-60W in 8 ohms to fully open up, which may be limiting for some systems.
Not Best in Class for Mids:
While good, the midrange is not as expressive or refined as competitors like the Dali Spektor 2.
Critical Pairing Sensitivity:
Bright amps may result in an overly lean and fatiguing sound, making them less versatile with some setups.
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