WHARFEDALE Diamond 12.2? (US$499)

HI-FI TRENDS (3 Mar '21) seem to think possibly so...

Compared with the previous Diamond 11, the new Diamond 12 series, completely redesigned in collaboration with speaker designer Karl-Heinz Fink...

"now moves toward greater precision and enhanced dynamics. As such, it has a faster, more agile sound."


"The soundstage and imaging are class-leading, plus the bass is fast, deep, and precise. I personally could use just a touch more warmth and richness in the upper bass and low mids, but I haven’t heard another speaker at this price range with such precise separation and placement."

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Steve Guttenberg AUDIOPHILIAC (28 Dec '20) compares the WHARFEDALE Diamond 12.2 to:


- KLIPSCH RP-600M (US$629) -

"More forward. more immediate...gradations of dynamics were better", but the 12.2s were "fuller, sweeter...more fleshed out sounding..."


- MONITOR AUDIO Bronze 100 (US$595) -

"more spatial depth...", but the 12.2s were "flatter (but) I like the way these speakers handle power"


- B&W 607 S2 Anniversary (US$700) -

"treble was much brighter...airier, more spacious, more open, more transparent, clear sounding...(but) it sounds smaller", whereas the 12.2's treble was "sweet, relaxed...darker".


The WHARFEDALE 12.2's "key strength is delivering beautiful midrange...very, very, neutral, very unforced".

Bass - "definitely ample, for it's size, it does amazingly well in low-end extension".

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

HI-FI TRENDS (7 Mar '21) follows up with a comparison between the WHARFEDALE 12.2 and the Q ACOUSTICS 3030i (US$399), both British bookshelf loudspeakers.

Interestingly, both loudspeakers are based on design input from loudspeaker designer Karl-Heinz Fink.


" I have mixed feelings... because while the Diamond 12.2 is pretty much better than the 3030i in every way... I still found myself pulled over to the... 3030i’s superior midrange and upper bass range "

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com