In this review, we will be comparing Q350 and Diamond 225, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KEF and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q350 and Wharfedale 225 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF Q350 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF Q350 and Wharfedale 225 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 Q350 and Diamond 225 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
KEF Q350 |
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
|
Q350 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. 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
Q350 has a frequency range of 63-28k Hz whereas Diamond 225 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Diamond 225 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q350's min frequency of 63Hz.
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
Q350 and Diamond 225 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 dB.
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
Diamond 225 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Q350 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Q350 has a rear firing port whereas Diamond 225 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale 225's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to KEF Q350 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 KEF Q350's and Wharfedale 225's external dimensions. KEF Q350 has external dimensions of 358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0mm ( 14.0 x 8.2 x 12.0inch) whereas Wharfedale 225 has external dimensions of 355.0 x 196.0 x 290.0mm ( 13.9 x 7.7 x 11.4inch) .
KEF Q350 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 14mm wider, 3mm taller and 16mm deeper than Wharfedale 225.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF Q350 and Wharfedale 225 in scale.
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 KEF Q350 is approximately 642.6cm2 / 99.6inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale 225 is approximately 568.4cm2 / 88.1inch2. The Q350 requires 13% more surface area than the Diamond 225 which gives it a small disadvantage 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:
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 KEF Q350 weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs and the Wharfedale 225 weighs 6.55kg / 14.4lbs. This makes the Q350 16% heavier than the Diamond 225.
Here is a comparison of how Q350 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 KEF Q350?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q350:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Foam port plugs 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Warranty Registration Card
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
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Minimum Impedance |
4.2 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
63 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Height |
355mm
vs
358mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
568cm2 (196x290mm)
vs
642cm2 (210x306mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
KEF Q350 |
Wharfedale Diamond 225 |
Brand |
KEF |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
10-120 watts |
25-120 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
4.2 ohms |
Frequency Response |
63-28k Hz |
45-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Woven Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
2300Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
358.0mm (14.1") |
355.0mm (14") |
Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
196.0mm (7.7") |
Depth |
306.0mm (12") |
290.0mm (11.4") |
Weight |
7.60kg (16.7lbs) |
6.55kg (14.4lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Vinyl-wrapped |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Available Colors |
Black, Walnut, White |
Black, White, Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
18-24" |
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 |