Wharfedale Diamond Bass Driver - freesclouds90’s blog

Driver Performance As you would expect from a series of this stature, the Diamond 100 is bang up to date in terms of technology and performance.

Wharfedale CRYSTALII-SUB/WINTER MAPLE. Speaker LF Driver Size 165mm Speaker MF Driver Size 165mm Bass-Mid Speaker HF Driver Size 25mm Textile.

What is the Wharfedale Diamond 220 HCP.The Diamond 220 HCP is a 5.1 standmount speaker package and the successor to the brilliant Diamond 100 HCP system launched in 2013. It s based around speakers from Wharfedale s new Diamond 200 series, including the Diamond 220 standmounts at the front and rear, the 220C centre and the SPC-10 powered subwoofer the middle model in the company s PowerCube range.

You don t have to settle for this configuration though – the 220s can be swapped for the 230 or 240 floorstanders to create a larger and more powerful system, but the 220 s standmount line-up should offer a nice balance of power, price and living-room friendliness. The price of this package is 50 less than the sum of the speakers, and a good 100 less than the Diamond 100 HCP.

Wharfedale Diamond 220 HCP – DesignWe loved how the Diamond 100 HCP system sounded, but our main criticism concerned the system s underwhelming build quality. The speakers plasticky fascia and plinth wasn t quite up to the standard we expected for the money. Taking this on board, Wharfedale has upped its game considerably, resulting in a design that looks and feels more luxurious than its predecessor.

The system comes in a choice of black, white, walnut and rosewood finishes, and our black version looks absolutely gorgeous. The Diamond 220 s gleaming lacquered baffle and silver driver surrounds form an eye-catching coalition, while the removable round cloth grilles and black wood grain cabinet complement the look nicely.

Playing devil s advocate, some might deem the 220 s boxy shape too conventional for modern living rooms where curvier designs are de rigueur. The contoured cabinets of Q Acoustics 2000i system are more elegant, but if you prefer the traditional approach you won t be disappointed.

The 220s measure 315mm high by 227mm deep. If that sounds too intrusive then you could investigate the more compact Diamond 210 standmounts, a pair of which sells for 50 less than the 220s.

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The plinth at the bottom not only provides a sturdy base but also creates a 5mm gap underneath the cabinet, which is crucial to the speaker s Slot-Loaded Distributed Port bass system more on that later.

Naturally the 220C centre speaker shares the same design traits as the 220, including the one-piece lacquered baffle, silver driver surrounds and Slot-Loaded plinth, but it s horizontally aligned and sports two bass drivers instead of one. It s also big and bulky, but the classy styling stops it being an eyesore.

The system employs the same SPC-10 PowerCube subwoofer as the Diamond 100 HCP system, which Wharfedale feels is still the best match for these speakers and ideal for average-sized living rooms. Although it s not actually a cube, it is pleasingly compact and bijou, with a fetching black wood finish and robust build quality.

Knowing that the SPC-10 might be hard to reach, Wharfedale has placed the volume and crossover controls on top. The dials are set into a rubber panel, and thanks to a built-in sensor they light up when your hand approaches. On the back are more sockets and switches, including line-level stereo input and output, LFE input, speaker-level input and phase inversion switch.Wharfedale Diamond 220 HCP – FeaturesGiven the positive response to the Diamond 100 series sound quality, Wharfedale has been careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater in creating its successor. As a result, the Diamond 200 series is more about evolution than revolution, bringing tweaks and refinements to the 100 series technology most of which filtered down from Wharfedale s high-end speakers.

The most significant improvements are in the cabinet. Taking its cue from the company s upmarket Jade speakers, whose cabinets are crafted from a matrix of materials called Crystalam, the 200 series uses a sandwich of particleboard between layers of MDF that reduces panel resonance and sound colouration.

The Slot-Loaded Distributed Port bass system introduced in the 100 series has also been refined. Instead of using a port on the back like most speakers of this type, air exits from a port on the bottom within the slot created by the plinth. The system has been improved with an added degree of airflow control at the port exit to reduce turbulence and low-frequency distortion.

Not only does this result in enhanced bass output with less chuffing, but also it allows you to position the speakers much closer to a rear wall than you can with front- or rear-ported designs, making them easier to place in typical living rooms.

What s more, the Slot-Loaded system has now been added to the 220C centre speaker, which makes it a much better match for the 220s – its predecessor, the 101C, used a downward-firing reflex port but not the plinth, which is crucial to the Slot-Loading system.

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The driver array stays pretty much the same as the 100 series. The 220 and 220C use 130mm woven Kevlar cones complete with semi-elliptical break-up areas on the surface and 25mm soft-dome tweeters. The SPC-10 is endowed with a 10in long-throw driver and musters 215W of power.

Wharfedale also claims that the enhanced bass motor system makes the speakers easier to drive and boosts transient power, while the refined crossovers help improve integration between drivers.Wharfedale Diamond 220 HCP – PerformanceAs soon as Howard Shore s orchestral refrain kicks in at the beginning of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey you know you re dealing with a high-calibre system. The silky-smooth strings positively float from the speakers with a polished, airy quality.

It keeps this up throughout the movie, resulting in a completely absorbing and immersive listening experience. Its outstanding detail reproduction ranks right up there with Q Acoustics 2000i as the best we ve heard from a package in this price bracket. The chirping birds and insects that accompany any shot of Bag End are remarkably lucid, likewise the rustling bushes as the spiders crawl through Mirkwood.

But it s not just obvious high-frequency effects that benefit – the speakers also tease out subtle texture in effects you might not otherwise notice, giving them an impressive sense of authenticity. For example, horses footsteps have a slightly fluffy edge to reflect the fact they re hitting grass, while Thorin s gruff voice is peppered with gentle flecks of sibilance as he delivers his speech inside Bag End.

This fascinating texture and detail permeates the entire soundstage thanks to the use of identical front and surround speakers. As the dwarves make their way through the forest in a downpour, you re surrounded by crystal-clear droplets of water hitting the ground.

Impressive, but all this top-end sparkle counts for nought without the midrange and bass presence to back it up. Thankfully Wharfedale doesn t let us down. The terrific PowerCube sub is a little bundle of energy, delivering deep, thumping bass as the dwarves and trolls engage in battle. The trolls footsteps are weighty yet remarkably tight, making it feel like they re actually stomping on our floor.

When the dwarves sing Blunt The Knives earlier in the movie, their rhythmic tapping on tables and floors is quick and accurate. The system s talent for texture means you can actually tell they re banging on wood.

Even more impressive is how seamlessly the sub blends with the speakers – at no point could we tell where it was coming from.

Power and scale isn t a problem. Thanks to the superb Slot-Loaded system, the 220 speakers muster impressive bass weight on their own – boosted considerably when placed against a rear wall – but when paired with the PowerCube the result is gobsmacking. The Stone Giants battle sounds absolutely massive, with thunderous explosions filling the room.

Tonally, the Wharfedale is attacking but not overly aggressive, steering well clear of brashness even with the volume cranked up loud. Meanwhile, the centre speaker s revamped bass system gives dialogue depth and body, making it sound astonishingly articulate and authoritative.

And if you need more evidence of the Wharfedale s brilliance, it also does a superb job with music. As with movies, the sound is superbly textured, laying bare the subtleties in voices and instruments. Frank McComb s dextrous piano solos in his Live at the Bitter End album are replicated with a clean, twinkling tone, while the 220s deft bass adds subtle depth to low notes. The speakers also handle dynamic shifts with ease and tackle dance tunes in an agile and energetic fashion. That s pretty damn impressive for a so-called budget system.

Should I buy the Wharfedale Diamond 220 HCP.As you can tell, we re pretty enamoured by the Diamond 220 HCP system, and we think you will be too. It s a powerful, articulate and refined performer, sounding fabulous whether you re blasting a Hollywood blockbuster or spinning your favourite CD.

It s astonishingly good value for money too. Wharfedale has greatly improved the look, build quality and performance but somehow shaved 100 off the price of the Diamond 100 HCP, which makes it a no-brainer when shopping around for an affordable speaker system.

Admittedly the boxy design might not suit all living rooms, but as far as sound quality is concerned the Wharfedale is the bee s knees and the first system we ve heard that s capable of knocking the Q Acoustics 2000i off its perch.

SEE ALSO: Best Surround Sound Systems 2015VerdictThe Diamond 220 HCP is a sensational-sounding speaker system at a great price, made all the better by its improved build quality.

WHARFEDALE Diamond 10.3 5 Floorstanding Speakers Pair : 5 DuPont KEVLAR fiber mid/bass driver; 1 soft-dome tweeter; open-back driver design; composite front.

Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 Tower Speakers (Pr) at Music Direct

Wharfedale. Genuine Diamond 10.1 Bass Driver Woofer. - Sony Pioneer Spare Parts. Plus Glass Trays, Turntable Belts, Transformers LCD Adaptors.

Wharfedale Diamond 240 Floorstanding Speakers PAIR The Wharfedale Diamond 240 three-way floorstander has by two 6.5-inch bass drivers and a 5.1-inch midrange driver.

The Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 tower loudspeakers will change the way you respond to music for a price that doesn t begin to convey the inherent qualities within. How fantastic does it sound. For starters, you will never find a better value in speaker design considering what Diamond 10.7 costs and gives you back in return. You might notice some reviews make the mistake of calling the speaker an entry-level model. Not so. Yes, the price might be, but the performance goes beyond any expectations. The pinnacle of the British company s acclaimed Diamond line, 10.7 comes loaded with two 6.5-inch bass drivers and a two-inch dome midrange driver. They re partially responsible for the clean, taut bass, terrific midrange responsiveness, and canyon-wide soundstage. No matter your musical tastes, 10.7 will transport you to a higher plane.

The Wharfedale s ability to render detail made it very easy to hear differences in recording quality. The Diamond 10.7 is an impressive speaker that provides many of the attributes of pricier floorstanders in an attractive, small-footprint cabinet at an accessible price.

Improving on past award-winning designs, the 10.7 features Kevlar cones, a soft-dome tweeter equipped with a neodymium magnet, and full internal cross-bracing. A 6.5-inch bass driver and twin rear-firing ports bring up the bottom end and yield phenomenal punch. Other enhancements, ranging from a low-profile chassis to stronger cabinet walls and a composite front-baffle panel, all contribute to reduced vibration, lower distortion, and increased rigidity. At Music Direct, we don t expect anything less from a British loudspeaker company that for more than 80 years has prized quality and innovation over all else.

The Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 are exceptional entry-level compact floorstanding speakers. They have a huge soundstage, the bass is tight and clean in its middle and upper registers, they were able to handle large scale recordings, and best of all, they have a near peerless midrange response for a speaker in this price class.

You Can Live With This Anywhere

Visually, the Diamond 10.7 looks as pretty as it sounds. The elegantly curved cabinets and gorgeous finishes available in three striking colors give the speaker an artistic presence. Plus, the 10.7 is effortless to use. On the back, unlike many speakers whose parallel terminals cause problems with or outright prevent connections with thick cables, the 10.7 boasts offset bi-wire terminals that ensure the best-possible connectivity and allow for a wide range of options.

Cast aluminum ports, binding post and Tweeter frame for fit and finish at this price point

Tweeter, Midrange and ports are locked together stiffening the front baffle

Cast aluminum frames for all drivers reduces resonance, improves power handling

Open back driver design for zero back-wave bleed through the cone

Kevlar cones for highest stiffness to mass ratio, unheard of at this price point

Low reflection MSBR surrounds with increased linear driver excursion, improves dynamics and isolates reflections

Tweeter gets neodymium magnet for high power and ultimate control

Polypropylene Capacitors on tweeter crossover for silky smooth highs

Curved side panels reduce panel flex and cancel internal standing waves

MDF enclosure for solid impact and dynamics

Full internal cross-bracing for reduced enclosure vibration

Poly-fill stuffed enclosures improve bass and midrange performance

Suitable Amplifier Power: 30 - 200 watts

Nominal Frequency Range: 30Hz - 24kHz

Crossover Frequency: 150Hz / 850kHz / 4.5kHz

Dimensions HWD : 38 H x 8.78 W x 11.85 D

At Music Direct, we offer our customers a 60-Day Money Back Guarantee on components, hardware and audio accessories. This allows you time to ensure you made the right choice. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, contact our customer service department or your audio consult directly to arrange for a return.

This guarantee is not applicable on all Fluids, Phono Cartridges, and some special order merchandise.

Music is only returnable if it has not been opened.

To view our full return policy, click here.

Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 Tower Loudspeakers Save 600 on the Best-Value Speakers in This Price Range: Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 Tower Loudspeakers Boast Taut Bass.