In this review, we will be comparing D320 and SX-50, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Cambridge Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale D320 and Cambridge SX-50 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale D320 and Cambridge SX-50 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 D320 and Cambridge SX-50 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 D320 and SX-50 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale D320 |
Cambridge SX-50 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
D320 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the SX-50 features a 1" Silk Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Treated paper Woofer .
Frequency Response
D320 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas SX-50 has a frequency range of 50-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the SX-50 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the D320'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
D320 and SX-50 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. D320 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the SX-50's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Cambridge SX-50 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale D320, 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.
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
D320 features 5-way post type posts and SX-50 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
D320 has a bottom firing port whereas SX-50 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale D320's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Cambridge SX-50 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 Wharfedale D320's and Cambridge SX-50's external dimensions. 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) whereas Cambridge SX-50 has external dimensions of 225.0 x 161.0 x 240.0mm ( 8.8 x 6.3 x 9.4inch) .
Wharfedale D320 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 20mm wider, 96mm taller and 37mm deeper than Cambridge SX-50.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D320 and Cambridge SX-50 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 D320 is approximately 501.4cm2 / 77.7inch2 and base area of the Cambridge SX-50 is approximately 386.4cm2 / 59.9inch2. The D320 requires 30% more surface area than the SX-50 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 Wharfedale D320 weighs 6.02kg / 13.2lbs and the Cambridge SX-50 weighs 3.00kg / 6.6lbs. This makes the D320 101% heavier than the SX-50.
Here is a comparison of how D320 and SX-50's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale D320?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of D320:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Tweeter grilles (pre-installed)2 Woofer grilles (pre-installed)User-feets ManualInstallation Guide
What's in the Box of Cambridge SX-50?
Here are the items that come with the SX-50:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 8 Self-adhesive feet 2 Foam port inserts Installation Guide
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
225mm
vs
321mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
386cm2 (161x240mm)
vs
501cm2 (181x277mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
199USD
vs
249USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Wharfedale D320 |
Cambridge Audio SX-50 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Cambridge Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-100 watts |
10-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
56-20k Hz |
50-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Treated paper |
Woofer Surround Material |
Foamed Polyether |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
321.0mm (12.6") |
225.0mm (8.9") |
Width |
181.0mm (7.1") |
161.0mm (6.3") |
Depth |
277.0mm (10.9") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
Weight |
6.02kg (13.2lbs) |
3.00kg (6.6lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Woodgrain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-24" |
28-31" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |