In this review, we will be comparing DIAMOND 12.1i and Performa4 M146, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Revel.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i and Revel Performa4 M146 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i | Revel Performa4 M146 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Revel
United States · founded 1996 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Advanced polypropylene | 6.5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-20k Hz | 43-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 85.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-100 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 11.02kg / 24.2lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 14-1/8" x 9-13/16" x 12-1/2"
358.8 x 249.2 x 317.5mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both DIAMOND 12.1i and Performa4 M146 are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1iRevel Performa4 M146
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 Diamond 12.1i |
Revel Performa4 M146 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 6.5-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 Performa4 M146 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woofer.
Frequency Response
DIAMOND 12.1i has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas Performa4 M146 has a frequency range of 43-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 43Hz, the Performa4 M146 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DIAMOND 12.1i'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 12.1i is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Performa4 M146 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. DIAMOND 12.1i sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Performa4 M146's is rated at 85.5 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i a more sensitive speaker compared to Revel Performa4 M146, 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. Performa4 M146 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 Revel Performa4 M146'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 Revel Performa4 M146 has external dimensions of 358.8 x 249.2 x 317.5mm ().
Revel Performa4 M146 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 69.2mm wider, 46.8mm taller and 39.5mm deeper than Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i.
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.
Revel Performa4 M146 needs about 58% more floor or shelf area. Revel Performa4 M146 is 40mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Revel Performa4 M146 is 47mm 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 Revel Performa4 M146 is approximately 791.2cm2 / 122.6inch2. The DIAMOND 12.1i requires 37% less surface area than the Performa4 M146 which gives it a small advantage 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 Revel Performa4 M146 weighs 11.02kg / 24.2lbs. This makes the Performa4 M146 62% heavier than the DIAMOND 12.1i.
Here is a comparison of how DIAMOND 12.1i and Performa4 M146's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 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 |
 Height |
312mm
vs
358mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
500cm2
vs
791cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
43 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i |
Revel Performa4 M146 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
85.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.0 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
65-20k Hz |
43-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Advanced polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.0mm (12.3") |
358.8mm (14.1") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
249.2mm (9.8") |
| Depth |
278.0mm (10.9") |
317.5mm (12.5") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
11.02kg (24.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 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 | Revel Performa4 M146 digs deeper - 43Hz against 65Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Size | depends | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is easier to place; Revel Performa4 M146 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i: bi-amping. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
A Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i B Revel Performa4 M146
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 65Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Revel Performa4 M146 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i 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.