In this review, we will be comparing DIAMOND 12.1i and Diamond 12.0i, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i and Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i | Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Advanced polypropylene | 4" Mica-infused polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-20k Hz | 70-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-100 watts | 20-60 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 5.09kg / 11.2lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 10-1/2" x 6-3/8" x 8-15/16"
267.0 x 162.0 x 228.0mm |
|---|
DIAMOND 12.1i and Diamond 12.0i are members of Wharfedale's Diamond 12 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale Diamond 12 Series
History
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 Diamond 12.0i are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1iWharfedale Diamond 12.0i
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 |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4-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 Diamond 12.0i features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Mica-infused polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
DIAMOND 12.1i has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas Diamond 12.0i has a frequency range of 70-20k 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 Diamond 12.0i's min frequency of 70Hz.
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 Diamond 12.0i 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 Diamond 12.0i's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i, 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 12.1i can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas Diamond 12.0i has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the DIAMOND 12.1i.
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
Both DIAMOND 12.1i and Diamond 12.0i features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or 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 Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i'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 Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i has external dimensions of 267.0 x 162.0 x 228.0mm (10-1/2inch x 6-3/8inch x 8-15/16inch).
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 18mm wider, 45mm taller and 50mm deeper than Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i.
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 35% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is 50mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is 45mm 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 Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i is approximately 369.4cm2 / 57.3inch2. The DIAMOND 12.1i requires 35% more surface area than the Diamond 12.0i 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 Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i weighs 5.09kg / 11.2lbs. This makes the DIAMOND 12.1i 34% heavier than the Diamond 12.0i.
Here is a comparison of how DIAMOND 12.1i and Diamond 12.0i'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 Diamond 12.0i?
Here are the items that come with the Diamond 12.0i:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User's Manual
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
60 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
70 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
267mm
vs
312mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
369cm2
vs
500cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-100 watts |
20-60 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.0 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
65-20k Hz |
70-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Advanced polypropylene |
Mica-infused polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-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") |
267.0mm (10.5") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
162.0mm (6.4") |
| Depth |
278.0mm (10.9") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
5.09kg (11.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Grey |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Wharfedale's Diamond 12 series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i digs deeper - 65Hz against 70Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i takes more power (100W vs 60W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i is easier to place; Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i: bi-amping; Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i is cheaper - $399 against $499, about 20% less. |
A Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i B Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i
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 Diamond 12.1i measures better, Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i costs about about 25% 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 70Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i much easier to justify. 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, Wharfedale Diamond 12.0i 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.