Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Bookshelf speakers

Since 1982, Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Bookshelf speakers loudspeakers have been hailed worldwide as incredible values for money, boasting performance that exceeds speakers priced two to three times higher.

“When (the Wharfedale Diamond Series) first burst onto the scene in 1982, the budget speaker market changed forever: the performance-per-pound benchmark was substantially lifted, the entry point to true high-fidelity sound truly redefined.”

WhatHiFi?, September 2020

Diamonds have undergone continuous improvement over the years. The latest Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Bookshelf speakers range includes technologies not typically found at these prices, such as internally braced multi-layer cabinets, ribbed Klarity™ midrange cones, and air-core crossover inductors. The Diamond 12 series raises the bar for affordable, high-performance loudspeakers.

Klarity™ Affords Focus

The new Diamond series woofers feature our new Klarity mica-infused Polypropylene cones with moulded radial ribs to add stiffness and reduce flexing. The result is a lightweight cone with high rigidity, low colouration, and lightning-fast response.

The woofer voice coil is wound on a high-power epoxy/glass fibre bobbin – highly unusual in speakers at this price level – with higher power handling than an aluminium bobbin, and greater stiffness than the Kapton type usually used in this price-class.

Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Bookshelf speakers design takes advantage of the woofer’s rear radiation by venting it via a rear-positioned critically tuned port. Computer simulations and extensive listening tests determined the ideal port design to match the enclosure’s internal volume and woofer’s behaviour.

Thanks to Klarity technology, voices and instruments are rendered utterly natural, clear, and distortion-free. Diamond 12.1 bass is extended, precise, and impactful – Diamond cuts to the heart of the music.

A Better Tweeter

The 25mm dome is made from a woven polyester film with a high-loss damping coating to deliver open and smoothly extended high frequencies. The magnet system is optimised to minimise compression for lower distortion at high volume levels.

The front plate is flat with no exposed screw heads or other diffraction-inducing obstructions, ensuring low colouration and wide dispersion. Diamond 12.1 present a broad, deep, and stable soundstage that will envelop you within the music. Close your eyes and be transported.

Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Bookshelf speakers crossover network is far more sophisticated than one usually finds in speakers in this price class. It uses a complex Linkwitz-Riley 24dB/octave topology featuring air-core inductors (coils) of the type more commonly found in high-end speakers. Air-core coils produce the lowest distortion of all inductor types, contributing to Diamond’s well-deserved reputation for freedom from listening fatigue – perfect for an evening or an entire day of stress-free music enjoyment.

Resonance Control Cabinet

The best drivers and crossovers in the world would be for naught in a poorly made, highly resonant enclosure. Diamond 12 cabinet walls employ a multi-layered sandwich design to suppress resonance. Inside the cabinet, Intelligent Spot Bracing connects opposite walls with a wood brace to further reduce panel flexing and vibration. These braces are precisely modeled by computer simulation to improve upon the commonplace ‘figure of eight’ brace, which may transfer resonance from one wall to another.

Rap on the side of any Diamond model and hear the reassuring “thud.” Listen to music or a cinema soundtrack and hear the purity of sound that only comes with superior drivers positioned within an acoustically inert cabinet.

Connection Ease

All Diamond series models provide two sets of high quality 5-way binding post terminals for optional bi-wire connection. The terminals are angled, allowing easier access and neater wire management.

Always on Trend

Choose the finish that suits your style – black, white, light oak, or walnut.

The Choice for Home Cinema

If assembling a superior performance home cinema system at a sensible price is your goal, the Diamond 12.1 Series is an ideal choice. All models use the same tweeter, driver cone design, and crossover topology for matched tonal balance and seamless surround imaging.