In this review, we will be comparing D320 and L100, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale D320 and Polk L100 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale D320 and Polk L100 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 Polk L100 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 L100 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale D320 |
Polk L100 |
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 L100 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
D320 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas L100 has a frequency range of 57-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 56Hz, the D320 can go slightly deeper then the L100's min frequency of 57Hz.
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 L100 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the L100 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. D320 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the L100's is rated at 85.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale D320 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk L100, 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 160 watts RMS from the amp the whereas D320 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 60 watts less than the L100.
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 Post type posts and L100 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
D320 has a bottom firing port whereas L100 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale D320's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Polk L100 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 Polk L100'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 Polk L100 has external dimensions of 348.0 x 201.0 x 288.0mm ( 13-11/16 x 7-7/8 x 11-5/16inch) .
Polk L100 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 20mm wider, 27mm taller and 11mm deeper than Wharfedale D320.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D320 and Polk L100 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 Polk L100 is approximately 578.9cm2 / 89.7inch2. The D320 requires 13% less surface area than the L100 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:
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 Polk L100 weighs 7.68kg / 16.9lbs. This makes the L100 28% heavier than the D320.
Here is a comparison of how D320 and L100'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 Polk L100?
Here are the items that come with the L100:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Cleaning cloth Owners Manual Online Registration
Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Minimum Impedance |
3.8 ohms
vs
3 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
56 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
321mm
vs
348mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
501cm2 (181x277mm)
vs
578cm2 (201x288mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
160 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
General |
Wharfedale D320 |
Polk Audio Legend L100 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-100 watts |
30-160 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
85.5 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
3 ohms |
Frequency Response |
56-20k Hz |
57-38k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Polypropylene |
Woofer Surround Material |
Foamed Polyether |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Ring Radiator |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2900Hz |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
321.0mm (12.6") |
348.0mm (13.7") |
Width |
181.0mm (7.1") |
201.0mm (7.9") |
Depth |
277.0mm (10.9") |
288.0mm (11.3") |
Weight |
6.02kg (13.2lbs) |
7.68kg (16.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Available Colors |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-24" |
24-28" |
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 |