In this review, we will be comparing Alpha P3 and Diamond 220, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from PSB and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB P3 and Wharfedale 220 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB P3 | Wharfedale 220 |
|---|
| Brand | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Hard-Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.5" Polypropylene | 5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-21k Hz | 56-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-80 watts | 25-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.23kg / 4.9lbs | 5.32kg / 11.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-3/4" x 5-3/16" x 7-5/16"
223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm | 12.4" x 6.8" x 10.0"
315.0 x 174.0 x 255.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the PSB P3 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:
| Listening Environment* |
PSB P3 |
Wharfedale 220 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Alpha P3 and Diamond 220 are 2-way speakers.
PSB P3Wharfedale 220
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
PSB P3 |
Wharfedale 220 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Alpha P3 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. 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
Alpha P3 has a frequency range of 57-21k Hz whereas Diamond 220 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 56Hz, the Diamond 220 can go slightly deeper then the Alpha P3's min frequency of 57Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Alpha P3 and Diamond 220 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Alpha P3 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Diamond 220's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the PSB P3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale 220, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Diamond 220 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas Alpha P3 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Diamond 220.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Diamond 220 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Alpha P3 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB P3's 5-way post terminals
Wharfedale 220's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Alpha P3 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 PSB P3 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare PSB P3's and Wharfedale 220's external dimensions. PSB P3 has external dimensions of 223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm (8-3/4 x 5-3/16 x 7-5/16inch) 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 42mm wider, 92mm taller and 69mm deeper than PSB P3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB P3 and Wharfedale 220 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB P3 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 PSB P3 is approximately 245.5cm2 / 38.1inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale 220 is approximately 443.7cm2 / 68.8inch2. The Alpha P3 requires 45% less surface area than the Diamond 220 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is 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 PSB P3 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 PSB P3 weighs 2.23kg / 4.9lbs and the Wharfedale 220 weighs 5.32kg / 11.7lbs. This makes the Diamond 220 139% heavier than the Alpha P3.
Here is a comparison of how Alpha P3 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 PSB P3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Alpha P3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
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
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
21k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
223mm
vs
315mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
245cm2
vs
443cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.1 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
56 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
279USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
PSB Alpha P3 |
Wharfedale Diamond 220 |
| Brand |
PSB |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
10-80 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
57-21k Hz |
56-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
223.0mm (8.8") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
| Width |
132.0mm (5.2") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
| Depth |
186.0mm (7.3") |
255.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
2.23kg (4.9lbs) |
5.32kg (11.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black Ash |
Black, White, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-30" |
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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (57Hz vs 56Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | Wharfedale 220 takes more power (100W vs 80W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | PSB P3 is easier to place; Wharfedale 220 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Wharfedale 220: bi-amping. PSB P3 sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale 220 is cheaper - $249 against $279, about 11% less. |
A PSB P3 B Wharfedale 220
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Wharfedale 220 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. In a large or open-plan room, Wharfedale 220 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, PSB P3 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.