In this review, we will be comparing Diamond 225 and Diamond 220, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Wharfedale Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale 225 and Wharfedale 220 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Diamond 225 and Diamond 220 are members of Wharfedale's Diamond 200 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale Diamond 200 Series History
|
Model |
Body |
Frequency |
Sensitivity | Impedance | Woofer |
 |
Wharfedale 225
|
Bookshelf |
45-20k Hz |
87 dB | 8Ω |
1 x 6.5"
|
 |
Wharfedale 220
|
Bookshelf |
56-20k Hz |
86 dB | 8Ω |
1 x 5"
|
What size room are the Wharfedale 225 and Wharfedale 220 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 Wharfedale 220 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 Diamond 220 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Wharfedale 225 |
Wharfedale 220 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 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 Diamond 220 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Diamond 225 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz whereas Diamond 220 has a frequency range of 56-20k 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 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
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 Diamond 220 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Diamond 225 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Diamond 220's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale 225 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale 220, 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 Diamond 220 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 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
Both Diamond 225 and Diamond 220 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale 225's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Wharfedale 220's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Diamond 225 and Diamond 220 have bottom firing ports.
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 Wharfedale 220'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 Wharfedale 220 has external dimensions of 315.0 x 174.0 x 255.0mm ( 12.4 x 6.8 x 10.0inch) .
Wharfedale 225 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 22mm wider, 40mm taller and 35mm deeper than Wharfedale 220.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale 225 and Wharfedale 220 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale 225 and Wharfedale 220 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 225 is approximately 568.4cm2 / 88.1inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale 220 is approximately 443.7cm2 / 68.8inch2. The Diamond 225 requires 28% more surface area than the Diamond 220 which gives it a small disadvantage 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:
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale 225 and Wharfedale 220 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 225 weighs 6.55kg / 14.4lbs and the Wharfedale 220 weighs 5.32kg / 11.7lbs. This makes the Diamond 225 23% heavier than the Diamond 220.
Here is a comparison of how Diamond 225 and Diamond 220'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 Wharfedale 220?
Here are the items that come with the Diamond 220:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet User's Manual Installation Guide
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.2 ohms
vs
4.1 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
315mm
vs
355mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
443cm2 (174x255mm)
vs
568cm2 (196x290mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
349USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale Diamond 225 |
Wharfedale Diamond 220 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-120 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
4.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-20k Hz |
56-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2300Hz |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
355.0mm (14") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
| Width |
196.0mm (7.7") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
| Depth |
290.0mm (11.4") |
255.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
6.55kg (14.4lbs) |
5.32kg (11.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut |
Black, White, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24" |
24" |
| 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 |