In this review, we will be comparing SX-60 and Diamond 225, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Cambridge Audio and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Cambridge SX-60 and Wharfedale 225 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Cambridge SX-60 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Treated paper Woofer
- 41-22k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-100watts
- Weight:5.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 342.0" x 7-15/16" x 10-7/8"( 342.0 x 202.0 x 277.0mm )
Wharfedale 225 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
- 45-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:25-120watts
- Weight:6.55kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 355.0" x 7.7" x 11.4"( 355.0 x 196.0 x 290.0mm )
What size room are the Cambridge SX-60 and Wharfedale 225 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Cambridge SX-60 |
Wharfedale 225 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Cambridge SX-60 and Wharfedale 225 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both SX-60 and Diamond 225 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Cambridge SX-60 |
Wharfedale 225 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
SX-60 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Treated paper Woofer . On the other hand, the Diamond 225 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz.
Frequency Response
SX-60 has a frequency range of 41-22k Hz whereas Diamond 225 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the SX-60 can go slightly deeper then the Diamond 225's min frequency of 45Hz.
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
SX-60 and Diamond 225 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SX-60 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Diamond 225's is at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Cambridge SX-60 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale 225, 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.
SX-60 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas SX-60 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 20 watts less than the Diamond 225.
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
Diamond 225 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SX-60 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cambridge SX-60's Post terminals
Wharfedale 225's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
SX-60 has a front firing port whereas Diamond 225 has a bottom firing ports. Cambridge SX-60's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Wharfedale 225 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 Cambridge SX-60's and Wharfedale 225's external dimensions. Cambridge SX-60 has external dimensions of 342.0 x 202.0 x 277.0mm ( 13-7/16 x 7-15/16 x 10-7/8inch) whereas Wharfedale 225 has external dimensions of 355.0 x 196.0 x 290.0mm ( 13.9 x 7.7 x 11.4inch) .
Cambridge SX-60 is 13mm shorter and 13mm less deeper than Wharfedale 225 but it is also 6mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Cambridge SX-60 and Wharfedale 225 in scale.
Comparison image of Cambridge SX-60 and Wharfedale 225 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 Cambridge SX-60 is approximately 559.5cm2 / 86.7inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale 225 is approximately 568.4cm2 / 88.1inch2. The SX-60 requires 2% less surface area than the Diamond 225 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 Cambridge SX-60 and Wharfedale 225 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 Cambridge SX-60 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs and the Wharfedale 225 weighs 6.55kg / 14.4lbs. This makes the Diamond 225 31% heavier than the SX-60.
Here is a comparison of how SX-60 and Diamond 225's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Cambridge SX-60?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SX-60:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 8 Self-adhesive feet 2 Foam port inserts Installation Guide
What's in the Box of Wharfedale 225?
Here are the items that come with the Diamond 225:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet User's Manual Installation Guide
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
41 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
342mm
vs
355mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
559cm2
vs
568cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
349USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
| General |
Cambridge Audio SX-60 |
Wharfedale Diamond 225 |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-100 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
41-22k Hz |
45-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Treated paper |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2300Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
342.0mm (13.5") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Width |
202.0mm (8") |
196.0mm (7.7") |
| Depth |
277.0mm (10.9") |
290.0mm (11.4") |
| Weight |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
6.55kg (14.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black, White, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |