In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 225 and 3030i, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Q Acoustics. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 225 and Q Acoustics 3030i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale 225 and Q Acoustics 3030i 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 Q Acoustics 3030i 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 3030i are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale 225 |
Q Acoustics 3030i |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-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 3030i features a 1" decoupled Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz.
Frequency Response
Diamond 225 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz whereas 3030i has a frequency range of 46-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Diamond 225 can go slightly deeper then the 3030i's min frequency of 46Hz.
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 3030i which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Diamond 225 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the 3030i's is rated at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3030i 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 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 3030i has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 45 watts less than the Diamond 225.
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 225 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. 3030i has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Diamond 225 has a bottom firing port whereas 3030i has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale 225's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Q Acoustics 3030i 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 Q Acoustics 3030i'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 Q Acoustics 3030i has external dimensions of 325.0 x 200.0 x 329.0mm ( 12.7 x 7.8 x 12.9inch) .
Wharfedale 225 is 4mm narrower and 39mm less deeper than Q Acoustics 3030i but it is also 30mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale 225 and Q Acoustics 3030i 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 Q Acoustics 3030i is approximately 658.0cm2 / 102.0inch2. The Diamond 225 requires 14% less surface area than the 3030i 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 Q Acoustics 3030i weighs 6.20kg / 13.6lbs. This makes the Diamond 225 6% heavier than the 3030i.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 225 and 3030i'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 Q Acoustics 3030i?
Here are the items that come with the 3030i:
2 x 3030i bookshelf speakers 2 x Speaker Grilles 2 x Foam Bungs 1 x User Manual
Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Minimum Impedance |
4.2 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Base Surface Area |
568cm2 (196x290mm)
vs
658cm2 (200x329mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
325mm
vs
355mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
General |
Wharfedale Diamond 225 |
Q Acoustics 3030i |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Q Acoustics |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-120 watts |
25-75 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
45-20k Hz |
46-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Coated paper |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Dome |
decoupled |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2300Hz |
2400Hz |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
355.0mm (14") |
325.0mm (12.8") |
Width |
196.0mm (7.7") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
Depth |
290.0mm (11.4") |
329.0mm (13") |
Weight |
6.55kg (14.4lbs) |
6.20kg (13.6lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
n/a |
Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut |
Walnut, Black, White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24" |
n/a |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
4 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
4 Years |