In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 12.1 and Debut 2.0 B5.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 12.1 and ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale 12.1 | ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Mica-infused polypropylene | 5.25" Woven Aramid-Fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-20k Hz | 46-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-100 watts | 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 5.90kg / 13lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.2" x 7.0" x 10.9"
312.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm | 13.4" x 7.0" x 9.2"
341.0 x 180.0 x 234.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Wharfedale 12.1 and ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Wharfedale 12.1 |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Diamond 12.1 and Debut 2.0 B5.2 are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale 12.1ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
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 12.1 |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Diamond 12.1 features a 1" Textile Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Mica-infused polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz. On the other hand, the Debut 2.0 B5.2 features a 1" Cloth Soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Woven Aramid-Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Diamond 12.1 has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas Debut 2.0 B5.2 has a frequency range of 46-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Debut 2.0 B5.2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Diamond 12.1's min frequency of 65Hz.
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 12.1 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Debut 2.0 B5.2 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Diamond 12.1 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Debut 2.0 B5.2's is rated at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale 12.1 a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2, 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.
Debut 2.0 B5.2 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas Diamond 12.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Debut 2.0 B5.2.
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 12.1 features 5-way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Debut 2.0 B5.2 has a 5-Way Metal post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2's 5-Way Metal post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Diamond 12.1 has a rear firing port whereas Debut 2.0 B5.2 has a front firing ports. ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Wharfedale 12.1 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 12.1's and ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2's external dimensions. Wharfedale 12.1 has external dimensions of 312.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm (12.2 x 7.0 x 10.9inch) whereas ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 has external dimensions of 341.0 x 180.0 x 234.0mm (13.4 x 7.0 x 9.2inch).
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Wharfedale 12.1 needs about 19% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale 12.1 is 44mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is 29mm taller.
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 12.1 is approximately 500.4cm2 / 77.6inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is approximately 421.2cm2 / 65.3inch2. The Diamond 12.1 requires 19% more surface area than the Debut 2.0 B5.2 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 12.1 weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs and the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 weighs 5.90kg / 13lbs. This makes the Diamond 12.1 15% heavier than the Debut 2.0 B5.2.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 12.1 and Debut 2.0 B5.2'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 12.1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Diamond 12.1:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User-feets Manual
What's in the Box of ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2?
Here are the items that come with the Debut 2.0 B5.2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Operating Instructions
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
312mm
vs
341mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Base Surface Area |
421cm2
vs
500cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
330USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-100 watts |
120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
65-20k Hz |
46-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica-infused polypropylene |
Woven Aramid-Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.0mm (12.3") |
341.0mm (13.4") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
278.0mm (10.9") |
234.0mm (9.2") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
5.90kg (13lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
CARB2 Rated MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,Oak,White |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
3 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 digs deeper - 46Hz against 65Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Wharfedale 12.1 is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Wharfedale 12.1 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | A | Wharfedale 12.1: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is cheaper - $330 against $449, about 27% less. |
A Wharfedale 12.1 B ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
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?
The usual trade-off: Wharfedale 12.1 measures better, ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 costs about about 36% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 65Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Wharfedale 12.1 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 for a mid-size room and a large 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.