In this review, we will be comparing Imagine XC and Diamond 12.C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from PSB and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Imagine XC and Wharfedale Diamond 12.C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the PSB Imagine XC and Wharfedale Diamond 12.C 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 PSB Imagine XC and Wharfedale Diamond 12.C 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 Imagine XC and Diamond 12.C are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
PSB Imagine XC |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
Imagine XC features a 1" titanium with neodymium magnet dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" clay ceramic-filled polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, the Diamond 12.C features a 1" woven polyester soft-dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Klarity woofers (polypropylene and mica) Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Imagine XC has a frequency range of 50-23k Hz whereas Diamond 12.C has a frequency range of 90-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Imagine XC can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Diamond 12.C's min frequency of 90Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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
Imagine XC and Diamond 12.C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 90 dB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Imagine XC can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 12.C has a max power handling value of 102 watts RMS, 48 watts less than the Imagine XC.
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 12.C features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Imagine XC has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 PSB Imagine XC's and Wharfedale Diamond 12.C's external dimensions. PSB Imagine XC has external dimensions of 172.0 x 486.0 x 281.0mm ( 6-3/4 x 19-1/8 x 11-1/16inch) whereas Wharfedale Diamond 12.C has external dimensions of 181.0 x 482.0 x 221.0mm ( 7-1/8 x 18-15/16 x 8-11/16inch) .
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C is 4mm narrower and 60mm less deeper than PSB Imagine XC but it is also 9mm taller.
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 Imagine XC is approximately 1365.7cm2 / 211.7inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C is approximately 1065.2cm2 / 165.1inch2. The Imagine XC requires 28% more surface area than the Diamond 12.C which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Imagine XC weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs and the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C weighs 8.50kg / 18.7lbs. This makes the Imagine XC 6% heavier than the Diamond 12.C.
Here is a comparison of how Imagine XC and Diamond 12.C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Imagine XC?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Imagine XC:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille4 Rubber feetQuick Start GuideWarranty Card
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Diamond 12.C?
Here are the items that come with the Diamond 12.C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille2 Jumper-bars(pre-installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser-feets Manual
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
102 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
90 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
172mm
vs
181mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
1065cm2 (482x221mm)
vs
1365cm2 (486x281mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
PSB Imagine XC |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
Brand |
PSB |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
20-150 watts |
20-102 watts |
Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
Frequency Response |
50-23k Hz |
90-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
clay ceramic-filled polypropylene |
Klarity woofers (polypropylene and mica) |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
dome |
soft-dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2000Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
172.0mm (6.8") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
Width |
486.0mm (19.1") |
482.0mm (19") |
Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
221.0mm (8.7") |
Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
Available Colors |
Black |
White, Walnut, Black |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |