In this review, we will be comparing BW 607 and Diamond 220, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 607 and Wharfedale 220 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the B&W 607 and Wharfedale 220 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the B&W 607 and Wharfedale 220 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both BW 607 and Diamond 220 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
B&W 607 |
Wharfedale 220 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
BW 607 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the Diamond 220 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
BW 607 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas Diamond 220 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the BW 607 can go slightly deeper then the Diamond 220's min frequency of 56Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
BW 607 and Diamond 220 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. BW 607 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the Diamond 220's is at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale 220 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 607, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both BW 607 and Diamond 220 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale 220's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
BW 607 has a rear firing port whereas Diamond 220 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale 220's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to B&W 607 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare B&W 607's and Wharfedale 220's external dimensions. B&W 607 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 165.0 x 207.0mm ( 11.8 x 6.4 x 8.1inch) whereas Wharfedale 220 has external dimensions of 315.0 x 174.0 x 255.0mm ( 12.4 x 6.8 x 10.0inch) .
Wharfedale 220 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 9mm wider, 15mm taller and 48mm deeper than B&W 607.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 607 and Wharfedale 220 in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 607 and Wharfedale 220 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the B&W 607 is approximately 341.6cm2 / 52.9inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale 220 is approximately 443.7cm2 / 68.8inch2. The BW 607 requires 23% less surface area than the Diamond 220 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of B&W 607 and Wharfedale 220 on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The B&W 607 weighs 4.70kg / 10.3lbs and the Wharfedale 220 weighs 5.32kg / 11.7lbs. This makes the Diamond 220 13% heavier than the BW 607.
Here is a comparison of how BW 607 and Diamond 220's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W 607?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of BW 607:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
What's in the Box of Wharfedale 220?
Here are the items that come with the Diamond 220:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet User's Manual Installation Guide
 Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
300mm
vs
315mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
341cm2 (165x207mm)
vs
443cm2 (174x255mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.1 ohms
vs
3.0 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 607 |
Wharfedale Diamond 220 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.0 ohms |
4.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
56-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
| Width |
165.0mm (6.5") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
| Depth |
207.0mm (8.1") |
255.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
4.70kg (10.3lbs) |
5.32kg (11.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Oak |
Black, White, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |