In this review, we will be comparing Prime Bookshelf and Diamond 220, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from SVS and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Prime Bookshelf and Wharfedale 220 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 Prime Bookshelf and Diamond 220 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
SVS Prime Bookshelf |
Wharfedale 220 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Prime Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz. 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
Prime Bookshelf has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz whereas Diamond 220 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Prime Bookshelf can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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
Prime Bookshelf and Diamond 220 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Prime Bookshelf sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Diamond 220's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the SVS Prime Bookshelf 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. 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.
Prime Bookshelf can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 220 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Prime Bookshelf.
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 220 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Prime Bookshelf has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Prime Bookshelf 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf's and Wharfedale 220's external dimensions. SVS Prime Bookshelf has external dimensions of 337.8 x 203.2 x 261.6mm ( 13.2 x 8.0 x 10.2inch) whereas Wharfedale 220 has external dimensions of 315.0 x 174.0 x 255.0mm ( 12.4 x 6.8 x 10.0inch) .
SVS Prime Bookshelf is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 29.2mm wider, 22.8mm taller and 6.6mm deeper than Wharfedale 220.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS Prime Bookshelf and Wharfedale 220 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf is approximately 531.6cm2 / 82.4inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale 220 is approximately 443.7cm2 / 68.8inch2. The Prime Bookshelf requires 20% more surface area than the Diamond 220 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf weighs 7.03kg / 15.5lbs and the Wharfedale 220 weighs 5.32kg / 11.7lbs. This makes the Prime Bookshelf 32% heavier than the Diamond 220.
Here is a comparison of how Prime Bookshelf 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Prime Bookshelf:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber bumpers Owners Manual SVS brochure Online Product Registration 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
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Height |
315mm
vs
337mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
443cm2 (174x255mm)
vs
531cm2 (203x261mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
SVS Prime Bookshelf |
Wharfedale Diamond 220 |
Brand |
SVS |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-150 watts |
25-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
4.1 ohms |
Frequency Response |
48-25k Hz |
56-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
|
Woven Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Polypropylene |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2300Hz |
2200Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
337.8mm (13.3") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
Width |
203.2mm (8") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
Depth |
261.6mm (10.3") |
255.0mm (10") |
Weight |
7.03kg (15.5lbs) |
5.32kg (11.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Available Colors |
Black Ash,Piano Gloss Black |
Black, White, Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
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 |