In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 12.C and Silver C250 7G, 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 Silver C250 7G 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 Silver C250 7G Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter
- 3" Midrange
- 2 x 5.25" C-CAM with Rigid Surface Technology (RST) Woofer
- 3" Midrange
- 65-35k Hz Frequency Response
- 88.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:80-200watts
- Weight:10.63kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 205.0" x 18-15/16" x 10-3/4"( 205.0 x 482.0 x 274.0mm )
What size room are the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G 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 Silver C250 7G |
| 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 Silver C250 7G 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.C is a 2-way design whereas the Silver C250 7G 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 Diamond 12.C |
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
2 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 Silver C250 7G features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter , a 3" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" C-CAM with Rigid Surface Technology (RST) Woofer .
Frequency Response
Diamond 12.C has a frequency range of 90-20k Hz whereas Silver C250 7G has a frequency range of 65-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the Silver C250 7G 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 Silver C250 7G
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 Silver C250 7G 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 Silver C250 7G's is at 88.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Diamond 12.C a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G, 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 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 12.C has a max power handling value of 102 watts RMS , 98 watts less than the Silver C250 7G.
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. Silver C250 7G 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 Silver C250 7G'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 Silver C250 7G'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 Silver C250 7G has external dimensions of 205.0 x 482.0 x 274.0mm ( 8-1/16 x 18-15/16 x 10-3/4inch) .
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale Diamond 12.C and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale Diamond 12.C and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G 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 Diamond 12.C is approximately 1065.2cm2 / 165.1inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G is approximately 1320.7cm2 / 204.7inch2. The Diamond 12.C requires 19% less surface area than the Silver C250 7G 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 Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G weighs 10.63kg / 23.4lbs. This makes the Silver C250 7G 25% heavier than the Diamond 12.C.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 12.C and Silver C250 7G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G
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 Silver C250 7G?
Here are the items that come with the Silver C250 7G:
Center-channel loudspeakersGrille2 Jumpers (pre-installed)4 Rubber feetHex-keyOwners ManualImportant Safety Instructions
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
181mm
vs
205mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1065cm2
vs
1320cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
102 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
90 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C |
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-102 watts |
80-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
88.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
90-20k Hz |
65-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Klarity woofers (polypropylene and mica) |
C-CAM with Rigid Surface Technology (RST) |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
soft-dome |
gold dome C-CAM |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
3" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
181.0mm (7.1") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
| Width |
482.0mm (19") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Depth |
221.0mm (8.7") |
274.0mm (10.8") |
| Weight |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
10.63kg (23.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
White, Walnut, Black |
White |
| 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 |