In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 225 and Ultra Bookshelf, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and SVS. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 225 and SVS Ultra Bookshelf first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale 225 and SVS Ultra 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale 225 and SVS Ultra Bookshelf 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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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Diamond 225 and Ultra Bookshelf are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale 225 |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf |
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 Ultra Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Diamond 225 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz whereas Ultra Bookshelf has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz.
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 and Ultra Bookshelf have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 dB.
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 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 225 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the Ultra 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
Both Diamond 225 and Ultra Bookshelf 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 Ultra Bookshelf has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale 225's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to SVS Ultra 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 225's and SVS Ultra Bookshelf'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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf has external dimensions of 380.0 x 218.0 x 281.0mm ( 14-15/16 x 8-9/16 x 11-1/16inch) .
Wharfedale 225 is 22mm narrower and 25mm shorter than SVS Ultra Bookshelf but it is also 9mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale 225 and SVS Ultra Bookshelf 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf is approximately 612.6cm2 / 95.0inch2. The Diamond 225 requires 7% less surface area than the Ultra 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:
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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the Ultra Bookshelf 32% heavier than the Diamond 225.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 225 and Ultra Bookshelf'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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf?
Here are the items that come with the Ultra Bookshelf:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feet2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)Owners ManualSVS brochureOnline Product Registration Card
Height |
355mm
vs
380mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
568cm2 (196x290mm)
vs
612cm2 (218x281mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
1200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
High Frequency Response |
32k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
General |
Wharfedale Diamond 225 |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
SVS |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-120 watts |
20-150 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
45-20k Hz |
45-32k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Composite glass-fiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2300Hz |
2000Hz |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
355.0mm (14") |
380.0mm (15") |
Width |
196.0mm (7.7") |
218.0mm (8.6") |
Depth |
290.0mm (11.4") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
Weight |
6.55kg (14.4lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Oak veneer |
Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut |
Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24" |
22-28" |
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 |