Diamond 12.1

The true all-rounder, the Wharfedale DIAMOND 12.1 is a traditional standmount (or bookshelf) speaker that embodies the history and performance values of the Wharfedale DIAMOND series.

The perfect ‘affordable’ hi-fi speaker, the DIAMOND 12.1 offers the best of both worlds – compact size with power and detail.

Perfect for 2-channel hi-fi systems, thanks to its intricate performance but also compact and capable for immersive home theatre, the DIAMOND 12.1 is designed and certified to perform, regardless of room size and application.

The DIAMOND 12.1 features a high-performance 130mm (5”) Klarity^TM driver for exceptional timing and refined bass. The superb 25mm (1”) woven polyester dome tweeter delivers open and smoothly extended high frequencies.

Klarity affords focus

NEW Klarity™ cone material, formulated from a blend of Polypropylene and mica adds stiffness to reduce flexing, enabling a lightweight cone with high rigidity, low colouration and lightning-fast response.

Low colour and expression

The Klarity™ cone is fitted with a low-damping surround, thereby achieving both low colouration and expressive dynamics. By simulating many different cone shapes and adding ribs to provide further stiffening, a flat response curve was achieved without resorting to a high-damping surround, thereby striking the ideal balance.

A magnet of forces

A precision-made magnet system with an aluminium compensation ring to minimise the effect of variations in inductance as the voice coil travels. This contributes to an absence of distortion and intermodulation generated by the ‘motor system’.

A voice coil beyond this class

The voice coil is wound on a high-power epoxy/glass fibre bobbin highly unusual in speakers at this price level. This has the advantage of not adding eddy currents and delivering greater power handling than an aluminium bobbin, whilst also being much stiffer than the Kapton type associated with this price-class.

DIAMOND highs

The 25mm dome is made from a woven polyester film with a high-loss coating to deliver open and smoothly extended high frequencies. The magnet system and the front plate have been optimised for wide dispersion and uncompressed behaviour. The front plate is flat and exposes the dome as much as possible; only a very short duct on the front plate balances the acoustic load and improves the SPL (sound pressure level) measurement.

A crossover of style

The crossover network uses an acoustic LKR 24dB topology. This includes air-core inductors of the type more commonly found in high-end speakers, selected because they produce the lowest distortion of all inductor types. As the resistance of the coil is higher than a standard laminated steel or ferrite core inductor, the magnetic structure of the mid/bass driver has been modified to compensate, resulting in fast, clean bass with no distortion from the inductor.

Firm and fair

The DIAMOND 12.1 ’s rear-ported enclosure is precisely sized so that the internal volume works in harmony with the drive unit system to deliver the desired sonic result. A multi-layered sandwich design subdues the identifiable characteristics of the cabinet’s ‘sound’. Even the resonant properties of the glue between the layers was measured to determine the optimum combination.

Brace yourself

Inside the cabinet, Intelligent Spot Bracing connects opposite walls with a specific form of the wood brace to achieve an optimal reduction of cabinet resonance. These braces are precisely modelled by computer simulation to improve upon the commonplace ‘figure of eight’ brace, which may simply transfer resonance from one wall to another.

General description    2-way bookshelf speaker
Enclosure type    bass reflex
Transducer complement    2-way
Bass driver    5"(130mm) advanced PP Cone
Treble driver    1"(25mm) Textile Dome
AV shield    No
Sensitivity(2.83V @ 1m)    88dB
Recommended amplifier power    20-100W
Peak SPL    96dB
Nominal impedance    8Ω Compatible
Minimum impedance    4.0Ω
Frequency response(+/-3dB)    65Hz ~ 20kHz
Bass extension(-6dB)    60Hz
Crossover frequency    2.6kHz
Cabinet Volume (in litres)    8.2L
Dimensions ( H x W x D )    312 x 180mm x (250+28) mm
Net weight    6.8kg/pcs

Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 review

Surprisingly sophisticated standmounters for their size and price Tested at £249 / $399 / AU$699

By What Hi-Fi? October 01, 2020

OUR VERDICT

The Diamond 12.1s are excellent speakers for the money and deserve a place on the shortlist

FOR

• Detailed but easy-going nature
• Seamless and fluid midrange
• Pleasing build and finish

AGAINST

• Tough competition

Once in every few generations of its Diamond speakers, Wharfedale tends to start with a clean sheet – and the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 is one of those occasions. Pretty much everything here is new, from the drive units to the cabinet construction.

The original Wharfedale Diamond was introduced in 1982. Back then it was a single product, rather than the range it is today. That speaker was such a success that it started a dynasty that remains at the core of the brand to this day.

Almost 40 years on, the 12.1 model is a far more sophisticated design, but its mission remains the same: to offer top class sound at an affordable price. 

Build

The 12.1 is a neat and compact box – standing just 31cm tall, it won’t dominate any room. While the older generation of Diamond benefitted from a near-wall placement, these sound balanced even when positioned out into a room. But, importantly for a product of this type, the sound stays listenable if that isn’t possible.

Build quality is good and we like the neatness of the finish. The cabinet feels reassuring solid – as it should do considering the care taken in its construction. Where required, the engineers have chosen to make the panels up from differing thicknesses of MDF bonded together to control resonances. Add strategic bracing and the result is a rigid but well controlled box.

These standmounters are a two-way design. The 13cm mid/bass uses a polypropylene/mica composite cone material that the company calls Klarity, and it’s designed to offer a good balance between rigidity and damping. This driver is tuned by a rear firing reflex port, rather than the elaborate downward facing design used by previous generations.

The tweeter is a 25mm textile dome designed for wide dispersion, a smooth response and strong dynamics. The two drivers are linked with a carefully calibrated crossover that’s claimed to use parts usually found at higher price points.

Compatibility

Speakers at this level have to achieve a difficult balancing act. They have to be forgiving enough to work with micro systems, but still have the transparency to make the most of dedicated separates components. The Diamond 12.1s manage this task well.

These speakers have a surprisingly bold and full-bodied presentation. They sound confident and composed in a way that evades most budget rivals, and top that with a good degree of refinement.

Sound

We start with Arvo Part’s Tabula Rasa and the Diamonds put in an impressive performance. They dig up a pleasing amount of detail and manage to organise it in a cohesive and musical way, with easy to follow low-level musical strands and a presentation that doesn’t start to get confused when things get busy.

Tonally they’re smooth and forgiving but remain nicely balanced, with enough in the way of bite. Feed these Wharfedales a poor signal and they’ll tell you all about it, but they also refuse to over-egg things and that’s an important quality at this level.

We like the reassuring way the Diamonds handle larger-scale dynamics, delivering more in the way of authority and scale than their modest price and size suggest. Low frequencies come through with confidence and more fullness than expected. However, these are small boxes, so if you want floor-shaking bass look elsewhere.

They deliver a good soundstage, too. For the price point, it’s expansive and stays stable even when the recording becomes demanding. We switch to Neneh Cherry’s Blank Project, and the Wharfedales sound comfortable. They have a strong punch and deliver rhythms with a surefooted sense of drive.

We’re impressed by the seamless integration between the drive units and the way these speakers convey Cherry’s voice with such confidence. The Diamonds sound subtle and insightful with this album, and communicate the passion in the music really well.

But this is a tough part of the market and there’s no shortage of talented rivals. Our current favourites are Elac’s Debut B5.2s, and in comparison they deliver a bit more transparency through the midrange and have a greater rhythmic snap. The Wharfedales counter with a less analytical but more easy-going nature that will win many friends. The choice comes down to taste and partnering electronics. Either way, you end up with a talented pair of speakers.

Verdict

We’re hugely impressed that the Diamond 12.1s can live with the best at the price. They have a broad spread of abilities that will help them get the most from price-compatible electronics and deserve a place high on your shortlist.

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Compatibility 5
• Build 5