In this review, we will be comparing D300C and Diamond 12.C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Wharfedale Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale D300C and Wharfedale Diamond 12.C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale D300C 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 Wharfedale D300C 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.
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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both D300C and Diamond 12.C are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale D300C |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
D300C features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Black woven Kevlar Cone 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
D300C has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas Diamond 12.C has a frequency range of 90-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the D300C 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
D300C and Diamond 12.C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. D300C sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Diamond 12.C's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale D300C, 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 Diamond 12.C has a max power handling value of 102 watts RMS, 18 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
Both D300C and Diamond 12.C features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
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 Diamond 12.C's external dimensions. Wharfedale D300C has external dimensions of 190 x 510 x 232mm ( 7.8) 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 D300C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 28mm wider, 9mm taller and 11mm deeper than Wharfedale Diamond 12.C.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D300C and Wharfedale Diamond 12.C 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 Wharfedale D300C is approximately 1183.0cm2 / 183.4inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C is approximately 1065.2cm2 / 165.1inch2. The D300C requires 11% 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 Wharfedale D300C weighs 8.00kg / 17.6lbs and the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C weighs 8.50kg / 18.7lbs. This makes the Diamond 12.C 6% heavier than the D300C.
Here is a comparison of how D300C 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 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 |
120 watts
vs
102 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Minimum Impedance |
3.8 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
90 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Price per pair* |
179USD
vs
349USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Height |
181mm
vs
190mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
1065cm2 (482x221mm)
vs
1183cm2 (510x232mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Wharfedale D300C |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
25-120 watts |
20-102 watts |
Sensitivity |
89 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
3.7 ohms |
Frequency Response |
65-20k Hz |
90-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Black woven Kevlar Cone |
Klarity woofers (polypropylene and mica) |
Woofer Surround Material |
Foamed Polyether |
n/a |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
soft-dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2000Hz |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
190.0mm (7.5") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
Width |
510.0mm (20.1") |
482.0mm (19") |
Depth |
232.0mm (9.1") |
221.0mm (8.7") |
Weight |
8.00kg (17.6lbs) |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
Available Colors |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
White, Walnut, Black |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |