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Wharfedale D310 vs Polk RTi A3 Comparison

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Wharfedale D310

Passive Bookshelf | 65-20k Hz

Wharfedale D310
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Polk RTi A3

Passive Bookshelf | 50-26k Hz

Polk Audio RTi A3
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Wharfedale D310 Wharfedale D310
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Polk RTi A3 Polk RTi A3
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Wharfedale D310
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Polk RTi A3
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Wharfedale D310 vs Polk RTi A3 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing D310 and RTi A3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Polk Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale D310 and Polk RTi A3 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Wharfedale D310 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 4" Woven Kevlar Woofer
  • 65-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-60watts
  • Weight:4.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 266.0" x 6-1/8" x 8-13/16"( 266.0 x 156.0 x 224.0mm )

Polk RTi A3 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Polymer composite Woofer
  • 50-26k Hz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-150watts
  • Weight:7.26kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 374.7" x 8.4" x 14.0"( 374.7 x 214.4 x 355.6mm )

What size room are the Wharfedale D310 and Polk RTi A3 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 D310 Polk RTi A3
Near-field Good Poor
Small Room Good Average
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Poor Average
Very Large Room No way Poor

(* 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 D310 and Polk RTi A3 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 D310 and RTi A3 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Wharfedale D310 Polk RTi A3
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 4-inch 1 x 6.5-inch

D310 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Woven Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the RTi A3 features a 1" silk polymer composite Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polymer composite Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz.

Frequency Response

D310 has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas RTi A3 has a frequency range of 50-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the RTi A3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the D310'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 Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

D310
RTi A3
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale D310
Polk RTi A3
Min
Average
Max

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

D310 and RTi A3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. D310 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the RTi A3's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Polk RTi A3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale D310, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

D310
RTi A3
Min
Average
Max

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.

D310 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas D310 has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS , 90 watts less than the RTi A3.

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

RTi A3 features Pair of Dual 5-way Binding Posts - Gold-Plated posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. D310 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Wharfedale D310 Terminals
Wharfedale D310's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

D310 has a bottom firing port whereas RTi A3 has a back and front firing ports.

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 D310's and Polk RTi A3's external dimensions. Wharfedale D310 has external dimensions of 266.0 x 156.0 x 224.0mm ( 10-7/16 x 6-1/8 x 8-13/16inch) whereas Polk RTi A3 has external dimensions of 374.7 x 214.4 x 355.6mm ( 14.7 x 8.4 x 14.0inch) .

Polk RTi A3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 58.4mm wider, 108.7mm taller and 131.6mm deeper than Wharfedale D310.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D310 and Polk RTi A3 in scale.

Wharfedale D310 vs Polk RTi A3 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Wharfedale D310 and Polk RTi A3 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 D310 is approximately 349.4cm2 / 54.2inch2 and base area of the Polk RTi A3 is approximately 762.4cm2 / 118.2inch2. The D310 requires 54% less surface area than the RTi A3 which gives it a small advantage 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:

Wharfedale D310 vs Polk RTi A3 Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale D310 and Polk RTi A3 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 Wharfedale D310 weighs 4.00kg / 8.8lbs and the Polk RTi A3 weighs 7.26kg / 16lbs. This makes the RTi A3 82% heavier than the D310.

Here is a comparison of how D310 and RTi A3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Wharfedale D310
Polk RTi A3
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Wharfedale D310?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of D310:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Tweeter grilles (pre-installed)
  • 2 Woofer grilles (pre-installed)
  • User-feets Manual
  • Installation Guide
  • What's in the Box of Polk RTi A3?

    Here are the items that come with the RTi A3:
  • 2 Cherry bookshelf speakers
  • 2 Self-tapping screws
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual
  • Template
  • Online registration sheet
  • Polk Audio product brochure

  • Reasons to choose Wharfedale D310 over Polk Audio RTi A3
    Height 266mm vs 374mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 349cm2 vs 762cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 199USD vs 465USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Polk Audio RTi A3 over Wharfedale D310

    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 60 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 89 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 65 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 26k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
    Wharfedale D310 vs Polk RTi A3 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Wharfedale D310 Polk Audio RTi A3
    Brand Wharfedale Polk Audio
    Speaker Type Compact bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 20-60 watts 20-150 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 89 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 3.6 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 65-20k Hz 50-26k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 4" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Woven Kevlar Polymer composite
    Woofer Surround Material Foamed Polyether Butyl rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Soft-Dome Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency n/a 2800Hz
    Firing Direction bottom back and front
    Physical Specs
    Height 266.0mm (10.5") 374.7mm (14.8")
    Width 156.0mm (6.1") 214.4mm (8.4")
    Depth 224.0mm (8.8") 355.6mm (14")
    Weight 4.00kg (8.8lbs) 7.26kg (16lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl Real wood veneer
    Available Colors Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut Black, Cherry
    Mounting Bracket No Keyhole
    Recommended Stand Height 22-26" 24-31"
    Grille Yes n/a
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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