In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 11.2 and LS50, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 11.2 and KEF LS50 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale 11.2 | KEF LS50 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Vented dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Woven Kevlar | 5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-20k Hz | 79-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-125 watts | 25-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.00kg / 19.8lbs | 7.20kg / 15.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14" x 8-3/4" x 12-5/8"
356.0 x 223.0 x 321.0mm | 11.8" x 7.8" x 10.9"
302.0 x 200.0 x 278.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Wharfedale 11.2 and KEF LS50 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 11.2 |
KEF LS50 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Diamond 11.2 and LS50 are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale 11.2KEF LS50
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale 11.2 |
KEF LS50 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Diamond 11.2 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer. On the other hand, the LS50 features a 1" Aluminum Vented dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Diamond 11.2 has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz whereas LS50 has a frequency range of 79-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Diamond 11.2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the LS50's min frequency of 79Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Diamond 11.2 and LS50 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Diamond 11.2 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the LS50's is at 85 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Wharfedale 11.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF LS50, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Diamond 11.2 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas LS50 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Diamond 11.2.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Diamond 11.2 features Post type posts and LS50 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale 11.2's Post terminals
KEF LS50's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Diamond 11.2 has a bottom firing port whereas LS50 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale 11.2's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to KEF LS50 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 11.2's and KEF LS50's external dimensions. Wharfedale 11.2 has external dimensions of 356.0 x 223.0 x 321.0mm (14 x 8-3/4 x 12-5/8inch) whereas KEF LS50 has external dimensions of 302.0 x 200.0 x 278.0mm (11.8 x 7.8 x 10.9inch).
Wharfedale 11.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 23mm wider, 54mm taller and 43mm deeper than KEF LS50.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale 11.2 and KEF LS50 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale 11.2 and KEF LS50 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 11.2 is approximately 715.8cm2 / 110.9inch2 and base area of the KEF LS50 is approximately 556.0cm2 / 86.2inch2. The Diamond 11.2 requires 29% more surface area than the LS50 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is 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 11.2 and KEF LS50 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 11.2 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs and the KEF LS50 weighs 7.20kg / 15.8lbs. This makes the Diamond 11.2 25% heavier than the LS50.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 11.2 and LS50'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 11.2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Diamond 11.2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User-feets Manual
- Installation Guide
What's in the Box of KEF LS50?
Here are the items that come with the LS50:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owner's Manual
- Warranty Registration Card
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 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
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
79 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
302mm
vs
356mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
556cm2
vs
715cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 11.2 |
KEF LS50 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-125 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-20k Hz |
79-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Magnesium/aluminum alloy |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Foam |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Vented dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
356.0mm (14") |
302.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
223.0mm (8.8") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
321.0mm (12.6") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
| Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
7.20kg (15.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Polymer/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
Black, High Gloss Piano Black, High Gloss Piano White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
18-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - KEF LS50 costs roughly 2.6x what Wharfedale 11.2 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Wharfedale 11.2 digs deeper - 48Hz against 79Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Wharfedale 11.2 is more sensitive (88dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Wharfedale 11.2 takes more power (125W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | KEF LS50 is easier to place; Wharfedale 11.2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. KEF LS50 sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Wharfedale 11.2 is cheaper - $499 against $1,300, about 62% less; arguably a different class. |
A Wharfedale 11.2 B KEF LS50
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Wharfedale 11.2 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take KEF LS50 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 79Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Wharfedale 11.2 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and KEF LS50 for near-field listening and a small room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.