In this review, we will be comparing D320 and S20, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale D320 and Polk S20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale D320 and Polk S20 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 S20 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 S20 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Wharfedale D320 |
Polk S20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
D320 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the S20 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
D320 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas S20 has a frequency range of 39-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 39Hz, the S20 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 S20 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. D320 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the S20's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Polk S20 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.
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 S20.
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 S20 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale D320's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
D320 has a bottom firing port whereas S20 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 S20 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 S20'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 S20 has external dimensions of 376.0 x 216.0 x 350.0mm ( 14.8 x 8.5 x 13.7inch) .
Polk S20 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 35mm wider, 55mm taller and 73mm deeper than Wharfedale D320.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D320 and Polk S20 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale D320 and Polk S20 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 D320 is approximately 501.4cm2 / 77.7inch2 and base area of the Polk S20 is approximately 756.0cm2 / 117.2inch2. The D320 requires 34% less surface area than the S20 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:
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale D320 and Polk S20 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 D320 weighs 6.02kg / 13.2lbs and the Polk S20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the S20 28% heavier than the D320.
Here is a comparison of how D320 and S20'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 S20?
Here are the items that come with the S20:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (attached)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
 Height |
321mm
vs
376mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
501cm2 (181x277mm)
vs
756cm2 (216x350mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
39 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Wharfedale D320 |
Polk Audio Signature S20 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
56-20k Hz |
39-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Foamed Polyether |
Butyl rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-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") |
376.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
181.0mm (7.1") |
216.0mm (8.5") |
| Depth |
277.0mm (10.9") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
6.02kg (13.2lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| 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 |
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 |