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Wharfedale 220 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf Comparison

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Wharfedale 220

Passive Bookshelf | 56-20k Hz

Wharfedale Diamond 220
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SVS Prime Bookshelf

Passive Bookshelf | 48-25k Hz

SVS Prime Bookshelf
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Wharfedale 220 Wharfedale 220
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SVS Prime Bookshelf SVS Prime Bookshelf
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Wharfedale 220
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SVS Prime Bookshelf
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Wharfedale 220 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 220 and Prime Bookshelf, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and SVS.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale 220 and SVS Prime Bookshelf first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Wharfedale 220 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
  • 56-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-100watts
  • Weight:5.32kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 315.0" x 6.8" x 10.0"( 315.0 x 174.0 x 255.0mm )

SVS Prime Bookshelf Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Woofer
  • 48-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-150watts
  • Weight:7.03kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 337.8" x 8.0" x 10.2"( 337.8 x 203.2 x 261.6mm )

What size room are the Wharfedale 220 and SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 220 SVS Prime Bookshelf
Near-field Average Poor
Small Room Good Average
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Poor Average
Very Large Room Bad 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 220 and SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 220 and Prime Bookshelf are 2-way speakers.

Driver Wharfedale 220 SVS Prime Bookshelf
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5-inch 1 x 6.5-inch

Diamond 220 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the Prime Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz.

Frequency Response

Diamond 220 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas Prime Bookshelf has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Prime Bookshelf can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Diamond 220's min frequency of 56Hz.

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

Diamond 220
Prime Bookshelf
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale 220
SVS Prime Bookshelf
Min
Average
Max

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 220 and Prime Bookshelf have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Diamond 220 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Prime Bookshelf's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the SVS Prime Bookshelf a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale 220, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Diamond 220
Prime Bookshelf
Min
Average
Max

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 220 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 220 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the Prime Bookshelf.

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 220 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Prime Bookshelf has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Wharfedale 220 Terminals
Wharfedale 220's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

SVS Prime Bookshelf5-way post Terminals
SVS Prime Bookshelf's 5-way post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Diamond 220 has a bottom firing port whereas Prime Bookshelf has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale 220's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 220's and SVS Prime Bookshelf's external dimensions. Wharfedale 220 has external dimensions of 315.0 x 174.0 x 255.0mm ( 12.4 x 6.8 x 10.0inch) whereas SVS Prime Bookshelf has external dimensions of 337.8 x 203.2 x 261.6mm ( 13.2 x 8.0 x 10.2inch) .

SVS Prime Bookshelf is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 29.2mm wider, 22.8mm taller and 6.6mm deeper than Wharfedale 220.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale 220 and SVS Prime Bookshelf in scale.

Wharfedale 220 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Wharfedale 220 and SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 220 is approximately 443.7cm2 / 68.8inch2 and base area of the SVS Prime Bookshelf is approximately 531.6cm2 / 82.4inch2. The Diamond 220 requires 17% less surface area than the Prime Bookshelf which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

Wharfedale 220 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale 220 and SVS Prime Bookshelf on a Media Console
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 220 weighs 5.32kg / 11.7lbs and the SVS Prime Bookshelf weighs 7.03kg / 15.5lbs. This makes the Prime Bookshelf 32% heavier than the Diamond 220.

Here is a comparison of how Diamond 220 and Prime Bookshelf's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Wharfedale 220
SVS Prime Bookshelf
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Wharfedale 220?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Diamond 220:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • User's Manual
  • Installation Guide
  • What's in the Box of SVS Prime Bookshelf?

    Here are the items that come with the Prime Bookshelf:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber bumpers
  • Owners Manual SVS brochure
  • Online Product Registration Card

  • Reasons to choose Wharfedale Diamond 220 over SVS Prime Bookshelf
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Height 315mm vs 337mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 443cm2 vs 531cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 249USD vs 600USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose SVS Prime Bookshelf over Wharfedale Diamond 220

    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 87 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 48 Hz vs 56 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 25k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Wharfedale 220 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Wharfedale Diamond 220 SVS Prime Bookshelf
    Brand Wharfedale SVS
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 25-100 watts 25-150 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 4.1 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 56-20k Hz 48-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Woven Kevlar
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Polypropylene
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Dome Hard-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2200Hz 2300Hz
    Firing Direction bottom rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 315.0mm (12.4") 337.8mm (13.3")
    Width 174.0mm (6.9") 203.2mm (8")
    Depth 255.0mm (10") 261.6mm (10.3")
    Weight 5.32kg (11.7lbs) 7.03kg (15.5lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood veneer MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Black, White, Walnut Black Ash,Piano Gloss Black
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 24" 24-28"
    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

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