In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 12.C and A135C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Wharfedale and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Diamond 12.C and JBL Stage A135C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C and JBL Stage A135C 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C and JBL Stage A135C compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Diamond 12.C and A135C are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
JBL Stage A135C |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
6 x 3-inch
|
Diamond 12.C features a 1" woven polyester soft-dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Klarity woofers (polypropylene and mica) Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the A135C features a 1" aluminum dome with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide technology Tweeter and 6 x 3" polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
Diamond 12.C has a frequency range of 90-20k Hz whereas A135C has a frequency range of 75-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 75Hz, the A135C can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Diamond 12.C's min frequency of 90Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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.C is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the A135C which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 90 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Diamond 12.C can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 12.C has a max power handling value of 102 watts RMS , 48 watts less than the A135C.
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
Diamond 12.C features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. A135C has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Diamond 12.C's and JBL Stage A135C's external dimensions. Wharfedale Diamond 12.C has external dimensions of 181.0 x 482.0 x 221.0mm ( 7-1/8 x 18-15/16 x 8-11/16inch) whereas JBL Stage A135C has external dimensions of 105.0 x 747.0 x 186.0mm ( 4-1/8 x 29-3/8 x 7-5/16inch) .
JBL Stage A135C is 76mm shorter and 35mm less deeper than Wharfedale Diamond 12.C but it is also 265mm wider.
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.C is approximately 1065.2cm2 / 165.1inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A135C is approximately 1389.4cm2 / 215.4inch2. The Diamond 12.C requires 23% less surface area than the A135C 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.C weighs 8.50kg / 18.7lbs and the JBL Stage A135C weighs 7.46kg / 16.4lbs. This makes the Diamond 12.C 14% heavier than the A135C.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 12.C and A135C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Diamond 12.C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Diamond 12.C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille2 Jumper-bars(pre-installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser-feets Manual
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A135C?
Here are the items that come with the A135C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille4 Leveling feet4 Rubber feetOwners ManualWarranty Card
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Base Surface Area |
1065cm2 (482x221mm)
vs
1389cm2 (747x186mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
102 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Number of Woofers |
6
vs
2
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
75 Hz
vs
90 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
105mm
vs
181mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
349USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
JBL Stage A135C |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
JBL |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
Power Range |
20-102 watts |
20-150 watts |
Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
90-20k Hz |
75-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
6 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
3" |
Woofer Composition |
Klarity woofers (polypropylene and mica) |
polycellulose |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
soft-dome |
dome with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide technology |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
N/A" |
Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
181.0mm (7.1") |
105.0mm (4.1") |
Width |
482.0mm (19") |
747.0mm (29.4") |
Depth |
221.0mm (8.7") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
Weight |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
7.46kg (16.4lbs) |
Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
Available Colors |
White, Walnut, Black |
Black |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |