In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 11.2 and Crystal 4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Wharfedale Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 11.2 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale 11.2 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 11.2 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 11.2 and Crystal 4.2 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale 11.2 |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Diamond 11.2 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the Crystal 4.2 features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
Diamond 11.2 has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz whereas Crystal 4.2 has a frequency range of 60-20k 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 Crystal 4.2'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 11.2 and Crystal 4.2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 88 dB.
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 11.2 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Crystal 4.2 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Diamond 11.2.
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 11.2 features 5-way post type posts and Crystal 4.2 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Diamond 11.2 has a bottom firing port whereas Crystal 4.2 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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 11.2's and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2'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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 has external dimensions of 266.0 x 181.0 x 220.0mm ( 10-7/16 x 7-1/8 x 8-5/8inch) .
Wharfedale 11.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 42mm wider, 90mm taller and 101mm deeper than Wharfedale Crystal 4.2.
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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 is approximately 398.2cm2 / 61.7inch2. The Diamond 11.2 requires 80% more surface area than the Crystal 4.2 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 11.2 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs and the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 weighs 4.20kg / 9.2lbs. This makes the Diamond 11.2 114% heavier than the Crystal 4.2.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 11.2 and Crystal 4.2'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 loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser-feets ManualInstallation Guide
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Crystal 4.2?
Here are the items that come with the Crystal 4.2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)User-feets ManualInstallation Guide
Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
266mm
vs
356mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
398cm2 (181x220mm)
vs
715cm2 (223x321mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Wharfedale Diamond 11.2 |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-125 watts |
20-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
48-20k Hz |
60-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Woven Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Foam |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
356.0mm (14") |
266.0mm (10.5") |
Width |
223.0mm (8.8") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
Depth |
321.0mm (12.6") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
4.20kg (9.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
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 |