In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 225 and Motion 35XTi, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and MartinLogan. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 225 and MartinLogan 35XTi first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale 225 and MartinLogan 35XTi 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 225 and MartinLogan 35XTi 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 225 and Motion 35XTi are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale 225 |
MartinLogan 35XTi |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.25 x 2.4-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Diamond 225 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz. On the other hand, the Motion 35XTi features a 1.25 x 2.4" Folded Motion XT Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Diamond 225 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz whereas Motion 35XTi has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Diamond 225 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion 35XTi's min frequency of 50Hz.
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 225 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Motion 35XTi which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Motion 35XTi can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Diamond 225 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Motion 35XTi's is rated at 92 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the MartinLogan 35XTi a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale 225, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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.
Diamond 225 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 225 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 130 watts less than the Motion 35XTi.
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 225 and Motion 35XTi features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Diamond 225 has a bottom firing port whereas Motion 35XTi has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale 225's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to MartinLogan 35XTi 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 225's and MartinLogan 35XTi's external dimensions. Wharfedale 225 has external dimensions of 355.0 x 196.0 x 290.0mm ( 13.9 x 7.7 x 11.4inch) whereas MartinLogan 35XTi has external dimensions of 343.0 x 192.0 x 300.0mm ( 13.5 x 7.5 x 11.8inch) .
MartinLogan 35XTi is 4mm narrower and 12mm shorter than Wharfedale 225 but it is also 10mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale 225 and MartinLogan 35XTi in scale.
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 225 is approximately 568.4cm2 / 88.1inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 35XTi is approximately 576.0cm2 / 89.3inch2. The Diamond 225 requires 1% less surface area than the Motion 35XTi 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:
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 225 weighs 6.55kg / 14.4lbs and the MartinLogan 35XTi weighs 8.40kg / 18.5lbs. This makes the Motion 35XTi 28% heavier than the Diamond 225.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 225 and Motion 35XTi'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 225?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Diamond 225:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet User's Manual Installation Guide
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 35XTi?
Here are the items that come with the Motion 35XTi:
Bookshelf loudspeaker Grille 4 Rubber feet 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed) Users Manual Warranty/Registration Information
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Base Surface Area |
568cm2 (196x290mm)
vs
576cm2 (192x300mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
343mm
vs
355mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
General |
Wharfedale Diamond 225 |
MartinLogan Motion 35XTi |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
MartinLogan |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-120 watts |
20-250 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
92 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
45-20k Hz |
50-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.25 x 2.4" |
Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Folded Motion XT |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2300Hz |
2200Hz |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
355.0mm (14") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
Width |
196.0mm (7.7") |
192.0mm (7.6") |
Depth |
290.0mm (11.4") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
Weight |
6.55kg (14.4lbs) |
8.40kg (18.5lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Lacquer |
Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24" |
24-26" |
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 |