In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 12.C and Bronze C150, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Wharfedale and Monitor Audio .
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Diamond 12.C and Monitor Audio Bronze C150 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" soft-dome Tweeter
- 2 x 5" Klarity woofers (polypropylene and mica) Woofer
- 90-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-102watts
- Weight:8.50kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 181.0" x 18-15/16" x 8-11/16"( 181.0 x 482.0 x 221.0mm )
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" vented dome with waveguide Tweeter
- 5.25" aluminum Woofer
- 66-30k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-120watts
- Weight:7.01kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 167.0" x 17-13/16" x 8-15/16"( 167.0 x 453.0 x 228.0mm )
What size room are the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C and Monitor Audio Bronze C150 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 Diamond 12.C |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
| 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 Diamond 12.C and Monitor Audio Bronze C150 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
Both Diamond 12.C and Bronze C150 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-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 Bronze C150 features a 1" aluminum vented dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" aluminum Woofer .
Frequency Response
Diamond 12.C has a frequency range of 90-20k Hz whereas Bronze C150 has a frequency range of 66-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 66Hz, the Bronze C150 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
Monitor Audio Bronze C150
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 and Bronze C150 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Diamond 12.C sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Bronze C150's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Bronze C150, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 12.C has a max power handling value of 102 watts RMS , 18 watts less than the Bronze C150.
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. Bronze C150 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Bronze C150's Binding post terminals
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 Monitor Audio Bronze C150'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 Monitor Audio Bronze C150 has external dimensions of 167.0 x 453.0 x 228.0mm ( 6-9/16 x 17-13/16 x 8-15/16inch) .
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is 29mm narrower and 14mm shorter than Wharfedale Diamond 12.C but it is also 7mm deeper.
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 Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is approximately 1032.8cm2 / 160.1inch2. The Diamond 12.C requires 3% more surface area than the Bronze C150 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.C weighs 8.50kg / 18.7lbs and the Monitor Audio Bronze C150 weighs 7.01kg / 15.4lbs. This makes the Diamond 12.C 21% heavier than the Bronze C150.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 12.C and Bronze C150's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Bronze C150
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 Monitor Audio Bronze C150?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze C150:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille2 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetHex-keyQuick Start GuideImportant Safety Instructions
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
395USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
102 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
66 Hz
vs
90 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
167mm
vs
181mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1032cm2
vs
1065cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-102 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
90-20k Hz |
66-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Klarity woofers (polypropylene and mica) |
aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
soft-dome |
vented dome with waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
181.0mm (7.1") |
167.0mm (6.6") |
| Width |
482.0mm (19") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| Depth |
221.0mm (8.7") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Weight |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
7.01kg (15.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
White, Walnut, Black |
Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |