In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Wharfedale. Wharfedale D300C is a Center Channel speaker whereas the D320 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale D300C and Wharfedale D320 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Wharfedale D300C Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 2 x 5" Black woven Kevlar Cone Woofer
- 65-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:25-120watts
- Weight:8.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 190.0" x 20.1" x 9.1"( 190 x 510 x 232mm )
Wharfedale D320 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
- 56-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:25-100watts
- Weight:6.02kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 321.0" x 7-1/8" x 10-7/8"( 321.0 x 181.0 x 277.0mm )
D300C and D320 are members of Wharfedale's D300 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale D300 Series History
What size room are the Wharfedale D300C and Wharfedale D320 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* |
Wharfedale D300C |
Wharfedale D320 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale D300C and Wharfedale D320 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 D300C and D320 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Wharfedale D300C |
Wharfedale D320 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
D300C features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Black woven Kevlar Cone Woofer . On the other hand, the D320 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
D300C has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas D320 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 56Hz, the D320 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the D300C's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
D300C and D320 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. D300C sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the D320's is at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale D300C a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale D320, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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.
D300C can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas D320 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the D300C.
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
D300C features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. D320 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale D300C's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Wharfedale D320's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both D300C and D320 have bottom firing ports.
New
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 Wharfedale D300C's and Wharfedale D320's external dimensions. Wharfedale D300C has external dimensions of 190 x 510 x 232mm ( 7.8) whereas Wharfedale D320 has external dimensions of 321.0 x 181.0 x 277.0mm ( 12-5/8 x 7-1/8 x 10-7/8inch) .
Wharfedale D300C is 131mm shorter and 45mm less deeper than Wharfedale D320 but it is also 329mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D300C and Wharfedale D320 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale D300C and Wharfedale D320 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 Wharfedale D300C is approximately 1183.0cm2 / 183.4inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale D320 is approximately 501.4cm2 / 77.7inch2. The D300C requires 136% more surface area than the D320 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Wharfedale D320?
Here are the items that come with the D320:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Tweeter grilles (pre-installed)2 Woofer grilles (pre-installed)User-feets ManualInstallation Guide
Max Input Power 
Sensitivity 
Number of Woofers 
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring 
Height 
Price per pair* 
Base Surface Area