In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 11.0 and S20, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 11.0 and Polk S20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Wharfedale 11.0 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 4" Woven Kevlar Woofer
- 75-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 85 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:15-75watts
- Weight:3.09kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 256.0" x 6-3/16" x 7-1/8"( 256.0 x 158.0 x 181.0mm )
Polk S20 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer
- 39-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-125watts
- Weight:7.73kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 376.0" x 8.5" x 13.7"( 376.0 x 216.0 x 350.0mm )
What size room are the Wharfedale 11.0 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Wharfedale 11.0 |
Polk S20 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* 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 11.0 and Polk S20 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 Diamond 11.0 and S20 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Wharfedale 11.0 |
Polk S20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Diamond 11.0 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" 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
Diamond 11.0 has a frequency range of 75-20k 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 Diamond 11.0's min frequency of 75Hz.
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
Diamond 11.0 and S20 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Diamond 11.0 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the S20's is at 88 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Polk S20 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale 11.0, 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.
Diamond 11.0 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 11.0 has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS , 50 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
Diamond 11.0 features 5-way post type posts and S20 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Diamond 11.0 has a bottom firing port whereas S20 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale 11.0'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 11.0's and Polk S20's external dimensions. Wharfedale 11.0 has external dimensions of 256.0 x 158.0 x 181.0mm ( 10-1/16 x 6-3/16 x 7-1/8inch) 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 58mm wider, 120mm taller and 169mm deeper than Wharfedale 11.0.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale 11.0 and Polk S20 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale 11.0 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 11.0 is approximately 286.0cm2 / 44.3inch2 and base area of the Polk S20 is approximately 756.0cm2 / 117.2inch2. The Diamond 11.0 requires 62% 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 11.0 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 11.0 weighs 3.09kg / 6.8lbs and the Polk S20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the S20 150% heavier than the Diamond 11.0.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 11.0 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 11.0?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Diamond 11.0:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 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 |
256mm
vs
376mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
286cm2
vs
756cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
39 Hz
vs
75 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 11.0 |
Polk Audio Signature S20 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-75 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
75-20k Hz |
39-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Foam |
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 |
256.0mm (10.1") |
376.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
158.0mm (6.2") |
216.0mm (8.5") |
| Depth |
181.0mm (7.1") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
3.09kg (6.8lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Meddite MDF |
| Available Colors |
Rosewood |
Black, Walnut, Brown Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
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 |