In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 12.2 and EVO4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Wharfedale
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 12.2 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Wharfedale 12.2 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Mica-infused polypropylene Woofer
- 50-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-120watts
- Weight:8.20kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 335.0" x 7.8" x 12.3"( 335.0 x 200.0 x 313.0mm )
Wharfedale EVO4.2 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter
- 2" Midrange
- 6.5" Kevlar Woofer
- 2" Midrange
- 54-22k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:25-120watts
- Weight:13.40kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 455.0" x 9.8" x 13.7"( 455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm )
What size room are the Wharfedale 12.2 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 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 12.2 |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale 12.2 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Diamond 12.2 is a 2-way design whereas the EVO4.2 is a 3-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.
| Driver |
Wharfedale 12.2 |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 2-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Diamond 12.2 features a 1" Textile Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Mica-infused polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the EVO4.2 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter , a 2" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
Diamond 12.2 has a frequency range of 50-20k Hz whereas EVO4.2 has a frequency range of 54-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Diamond 12.2 can go slightly deeper then the EVO4.2's min frequency of 54Hz.
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 12.2 and EVO4.2 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.
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
Both Diamond 12.2 and EVO4.2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale 12.2's 5-way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Diamond 12.2 has a rear firing port whereas EVO4.2 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale EVO4.2's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Wharfedale 12.2 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 12.2's and Wharfedale EVO4.2's external dimensions. Wharfedale 12.2 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 200.0 x 313.0mm ( 13.1 x 7.8 x 12.3inch) whereas Wharfedale EVO4.2 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 250.0 x 350.0mm ( 17.9 x 9.8 x 13.7inch) .
Wharfedale EVO4.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 50mm wider, 120mm taller and 37mm deeper than Wharfedale 12.2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale 12.2 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale 12.2 and Wharfedale EVO4.2 Size and External Dimensions
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 12.2 is approximately 626.0cm2 / 97.0inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.2 is approximately 875.0cm2 / 135.6inch2. The Diamond 12.2 requires 28% less surface area than the EVO4.2 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 12.2 weighs 8.20kg / 18lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.2 weighs 13.40kg / 29.5lbs. This makes the EVO4.2 63% heavier than the Diamond 12.2.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 12.2 and EVO4.2'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 12.2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Diamond 12.2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser-feets Manual
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.2?
Here are the items that come with the EVO4.2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Pair of white cloth gloves User Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
54 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
335mm
vs
455mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
626cm2
vs
875cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
1199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 |
Wharfedale EVO4.2 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-120 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-20k Hz |
54-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica-infused polypropylene |
Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.18x2.36" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
2" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
335.0mm (13.2") |
455.0mm (17.9") |
| Width |
200.0mm (7.9") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
| Depth |
313.0mm (12.3") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
8.20kg (18lbs) |
13.40kg (29.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,Oak,White |
Walnut,Black,White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
18-22" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |