In this review, we will be comparing DIAMOND 12.1i and MSX10, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Cambridge Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i and Cambridge Audio MSX10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i | Cambridge Audio MSX10 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 1-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Advanced polypropylene | — |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-20k Hz | 150-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-100 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 0.43kg / 0.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12-5/16" x 7-1/16" x 10-15/16"
312.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm | 3-1/8" x 3-1/8" x 3-13/16"
79.4 x 79.4 x 96.8mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that DIAMOND 12.1i is a 2-way design whereas the MSX10 is a 1-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1iCambridge Audio MSX10
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i |
Cambridge Audio MSX10 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
1-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x -inch
|
DIAMOND 12.1i features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Advanced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz. On the other hand, the MSX10 features a " Tweeter and 1 x " Woofer.
Frequency Response
DIAMOND 12.1i has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas MSX10 has a frequency range of 150-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the DIAMOND 12.1i can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MSX10's min frequency of 150Hz.
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 12.1i and MSX10 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. DIAMOND 12.1i sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the MSX10's is at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i a more sensitive speaker compared to Cambridge Audio MSX10, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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 12.1i features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. MSX10 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Diamond 12.1i's and Cambridge Audio MSX10's external dimensions. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i has external dimensions of 312.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm (12-5/16 x 7-1/16 x 10-15/16inch) whereas Cambridge Audio MSX10 has external dimensions of 79.4 x 79.4 x 96.8mm ().
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 100.6mm wider, 232.6mm taller and 181.2mm deeper than Cambridge Audio MSX10.
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 Diamond 12.1i needs about 551% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is 181mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is 233mm 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 Diamond 12.1i is approximately 500.4cm2 / 77.6inch2 and base area of the Cambridge Audio MSX10 is approximately 76.9cm2 / 11.9inch2. The DIAMOND 12.1i requires 551% more surface area than the MSX10 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 Diamond 12.1i weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs and the Cambridge Audio MSX10 weighs 0.43kg / 0.9lbs. This makes the DIAMOND 12.1i 1,481% heavier than the MSX10.
Here is a comparison of how DIAMOND 12.1i and MSX10's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Driver Setup |
2-way
vs
1-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
79mm
vs
312mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
76cm2
vs
500cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i |
Cambridge Audio MSX10 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Cambridge Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.0 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
65-20k Hz |
150-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
" |
| Woofer Composition |
Advanced polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
2.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.0mm (12.3") |
79.4mm (3.1") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
79.4mm (3.1") |
| Depth |
278.0mm (10.9") |
96.8mm (3.8") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
0.43kg (0.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Finish |
n/a |
Die-Cast Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 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 | A | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i digs deeper - 65Hz against 150Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Cambridge Audio MSX10 is easier to place; Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | A | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i: bi-amping. |
A Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i B Cambridge Audio MSX10
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 Diamond 12.1i has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 150Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Cambridge Audio MSX10 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.