In this review, we will be comparing D320 and A130, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale D320 and JBL A130 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale D320 and JBL A130 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 JBL A130 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 A130 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale D320 |
JBL A130 |
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 A130 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
D320 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas A130 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the A130 can go slightly deeper then 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 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the A130 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. D320 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the A130's is rated at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale D320 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A130, 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.
D320 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas D320 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the A130.
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 A130 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 A130 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale D320's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to JBL A130 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 JBL A130'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 JBL A130 has external dimensions of 323.0 x 191.0 x 250.0mm ( 12-11/16 x 7-1/2 x 9-13/16inch) .
Wharfedale D320 is 10mm narrower and 2mm shorter than JBL A130 but it is also 27mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D320 and JBL A130 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 JBL A130 is approximately 477.5cm2 / 74.0inch2. The D320 requires 5% more surface area than the A130 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 JBL A130 weighs 5.46kg / 12lbs. This makes the D320 10% heavier than the A130.
Here is a comparison of how D320 and A130'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 JBL A130?
Here are the items that come with the A130:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feetOwners ManualWarranty Card
Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Height |
321mm
vs
323mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Base Surface Area |
477cm2 (191x250mm)
vs
501cm2 (181x277mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Wharfedale D320 |
JBL Stage A130 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
JBL |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-100 watts |
20-125 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
56-20k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Polycellulose |
Woofer Surround Material |
Foamed Polyether |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
321.0mm (12.6") |
323.0mm (12.7") |
Width |
181.0mm (7.1") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
Depth |
277.0mm (10.9") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
Weight |
6.02kg (13.2lbs) |
5.46kg (12lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF, Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-24" |
24-26" |
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 |