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Wharfedale D320 vs Polk S15 Comparison

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Wharfedale D320

Passive Bookshelf | 56-20k Hz

Wharfedale D320
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Polk S15

Passive Bookshelf | 50-40k Hz

Polk Audio Signature S15
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Wharfedale D320 Wharfedale D320
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Polk S15 Polk S15
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Wharfedale D320
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Polk S15
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Wharfedale D320 vs Polk S15 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing D320 and S15, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Polk Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale D320 and Polk S15 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Wharfedale D320 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
  • 56-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-100watts
  • Weight:6.02kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 321.0" x 7-1/8" x 10-7/8"( 321.0 x 181.0 x 277.0mm )

Polk S15 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 5.25" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer
  • 50-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-100watts
  • Weight:5.90kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 304.8" x 7.4" x 10.2"( 304.8 x 190.0 x 260.4mm )

What size room are the Wharfedale D320 and Polk S15 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 D320 Polk S15
Near-field Average Average
Small Room Good Good
Mid-size Room Average Average
Large Room Poor Poor
Very Large Room Bad Bad

(* 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 D320 and Polk S15 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 D320 and S15 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Wharfedale D320 Polk S15
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 S15 features a 1" Terylene Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

D320 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas S15 has a frequency range of 50-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the S15 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

D320
S15
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale D320
Polk S15
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

D320 and S15 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. D320 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the S15's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Polk S15 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale D320, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

D320
S15
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.

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 Pair of Binding Posts - Gold Plated type posts and S15 has a Pair of Binding Posts - Gold Plated type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Wharfedale D320 Terminals
Wharfedale D320's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

D320 has a bottom firing port whereas S15 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 S15 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 S15'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 S15 has external dimensions of 304.8 x 190.0 x 260.4mm ( 12.0 x 7.4 x 10.2inch) .

Polk S15 is 16.2mm shorter and 16.6mm less deeper than Wharfedale D320 but it is also 9mm wider.

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 S15 is approximately 494.8cm2 / 76.7inch2. The D320 requires 1% more surface area than the S15 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 D320 weighs 6.02kg / 13.2lbs and the Polk S15 weighs 5.90kg / 13lbs. This makes the D320 2% heavier than the S15.

Here is a comparison of how D320 and S15's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Wharfedale D320
Polk S15
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Wharfedale D320?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of D320:
  • 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 S15?

    Here are the items that come with the S15:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grille (attached)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Wall-mount template
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Product Registration

  • Reasons to choose Wharfedale D320 over Polk Audio Signature S15
    Price per pair* 249USD vs 259USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Polk Audio Signature S15 over Wharfedale D320

    Sensitivity 88 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 40k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
    Height 304mm vs 321mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 494cm2 vs 501cm2 Takes less floor space
    Wharfedale D320 vs Polk S15 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Wharfedale D320 Polk Audio Signature S15
    Brand Wharfedale Polk Audio
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 25-100 watts 20-100 watts
    Sensitivity 87 dB 88 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 3.8 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 56-20k Hz 50-40k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Woven Kevlar Mica-reinforced polypropylene
    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 2500Hz
    Firing Direction bottom rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 321.0mm (12.6") 304.8mm (12")
    Width 181.0mm (7.1") 190.0mm (7.5")
    Depth 277.0mm (10.9") 260.4mm (10.3")
    Weight 6.02kg (13.2lbs) 5.90kg (13lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl Meddite MDF
    Available Colors Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut Black, Walnut, Brown Walnut
    Mounting Bracket No Keyhole
    Recommended Stand Height 22-24" 24-30"
    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

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