In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 11.1 and Motion 15, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and MartinLogan. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 11.1 and MartinLogan 15 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale 11.1 and MartinLogan 15 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 11.1 and MartinLogan 15 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 Diamond 11.1 and Motion 15 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale 11.1 |
MartinLogan 15 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Diamond 11.1 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the Motion 15 features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
Diamond 11.1 has a frequency range of 55-20k Hz whereas Motion 15 has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Diamond 11.1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion 15's min frequency of 60Hz.
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 11.1 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Motion 15 which has a nominal impedance of 5 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Diamond 11.1 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Motion 15's is rated at 92 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the MartinLogan 15 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale 11.1, 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 11.1 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 11.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the Motion 15.
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 11.1 features Custom 5-way tool-less binding posts type posts and Motion 15 has a Custom 5-way tool-less binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Diamond 11.1 has a bottom firing port whereas Motion 15 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale 11.1's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to MartinLogan 15 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 11.1's and MartinLogan 15's external dimensions. Wharfedale 11.1 has external dimensions of 312.0 x 196.0 x 316.0mm ( 12-1/4 x 7-11/16 x 12-7/16inch) whereas MartinLogan 15 has external dimensions of 290.0 x 173.0 x 240.0mm ( 11.4 x 6.8 x 9.4inch) .
Wharfedale 11.1 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 23mm wider, 22mm taller and 76mm deeper than MartinLogan 15.
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 11.1 is approximately 619.4cm2 / 96.0inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 15 is approximately 415.2cm2 / 64.4inch2. The Diamond 11.1 requires 49% more surface area than the Motion 15 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 11.1 weighs 6.81kg / 15lbs and the MartinLogan 15 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the Diamond 11.1 26% heavier than the Motion 15.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 11.1 and Motion 15'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 11.1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Diamond 11.1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser-feets ManualInstallation Guide
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 15?
Here are the items that come with the Motion 15:
Bookshelf loudspeaker Grille 4 Rubber feet Users Manual Warranty/Registration Information
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
5 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
290mm
vs
312mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
415cm2 (173x240mm)
vs
619cm2 (196x316mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Wharfedale Diamond 11.1 |
MartinLogan Motion 15 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
MartinLogan |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-100 watts |
20-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
92 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
5 ohms |
Frequency Response |
55-20k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
Foam |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.0 x 1.4" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Folded Motion |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2700Hz |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
312.0mm (12.3") |
290.0mm (11.4") |
Width |
196.0mm (7.7") |
173.0mm (6.8") |
Depth |
316.0mm (12.4") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
Weight |
6.81kg (15lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Piano Lacquer |
Available Colors |
Rosewood |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
24-30" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |