Magnetic grilles complete the clean look. It gives me Scandinavian vibes a la Dali speakers, except here, Wharfedale ups the ante with a glossy white baffle and tasteful chrome accents. However, this gives the impression of a speaker looking to “punch above its weight,” as they say.Īs far as looks go, I really dig the aesthetic of the Light Oak model the company sent out. I always marveled at a speaker at this price range, including this option, since I don’t see too many people doing bi-amping with an entry-level bookshelf. On the rear of each speaker are dual five-way binding posts, which allow for bi-wiring and bi-amping, a feature that returns to the Diamond speaker after its removal from the Diamond 11 standmount models. A quick rap test also bears witness to the enclosure’s stoutness, as I only got a brief “thunk” upon tapping them. ![]() I didn’t expect them to be as heavy as they are. The Diamond 12.2 is a compact yet substantial speaker, and you can feel the work put into cabinet reinforcement upon picking it up. This sounds a lot like the P2P bracing in the Q Acoustics 3020i, which worked well to optimize cabinet vibration reduction, thus cleaning up the midrange. ![]() There is also what Wharfedale calls “Intelligent Spot Bracing,” which uses the aforementioned computer modeling to pick the precise placement of the internal wood braces. The Diamond 12.2’s enclosure has a multi-layered sandwich design to quell resonance. He is known for his use of computer modeling to eliminate cabinet vibrations while keeping costs low, and he has applied that expertise to the Diamond 12 series. This time around, they are using a more traditional rear-ported (bass reflex) box, a choice that seems to result from the hiring of prolific speaker designer Karl-Heinz Fink.įink, the man behind several well-received loudspeakers like the Q Acoustics 3020i and Concept 300 (check out our reviews here and here), was recruited to guide the development of the Diamond 12 line. According to Wharfedale, the tweeter’s flat front plate and magnet system allow for wide dispersion, providing a wide sweet spot and filling the room with sound.Īs far as the enclosure is concerned, as stated earlier, Wharfedale has moved away from the curved cabinet/ bottom slot-port design of the Diamond 11. This Klarity woofer is mated to a new 1” woven polyester dome tweeter, which is pretty much par for the course for this type of speaker. This is said to contribute to extended yet tight bass, plus reduce coloration and supply speed to the performance. The stiffness of the cone is further augmented by ribs molded into its surface. The 2-way Diamond 12.2 features a brand new 6-1/2″ Klarity™ woofer made of polypropylene augmented with mica for additional stiffness. Read on for more details regarding this spellbinding affordable speaker!ĭisclaimer: The Diamond 12.2 was sent over as a review loan by the US distributor it will be returned upon completion of this review. Especially if you like a speaker with impeccable timing and dynamics. The Diamond 12.2’s fast, tight bass, focused imaging, and detailed highs provide a vibrant soundscape that is definitely worth a listen. As such, it has a faster, more agile sound. While the Diamond 11 with its curved enclosure trended toward smoothness and warmth, the Diamond 12 with its box enclosure now moves toward greater precision and enhanced dynamics. ![]() That means it’s a total departure in both looks and sound from the previous model. This latest Diamond standmount is a complete redesign. Unlike the original Diamond, which was a single model, the new one is part of a series, taking its place as the larger bookshelf in the line. Now twenty-something years later, I’m listening to Wharfedale’s Diamond 12.2 Bookshelf Speaker ($499 as tested), a boxy 2-way model just like the original Diamond.
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