It’s not all the time straightforward to be half of a big, profitable dynasty. Simply ask the Windsors. Regardless of the inherent benefits of belonging to a affluent lineage, it may be powerful to make your personal mark and be seen – for optimistic causes at the least.
Much like the Royals, fellow British establishment Wharfedale and its Diamond sequence of audio system have an extended and storied legacy (albeit with considerably much less scandal), in addition to a little bit of a German connection. Starting in 1982 with a single mannequin, the accessibly priced Diamond vary is now in its 14th technology, barely confusingly often called Diamond 12. This technology consists of three sizes of stand-mount audio system (12.0, 12.1, 12.2), two choices of floorstanders (12.3 and 12.4) and a single centre speaker (12.C).
However there are not any hereditary hangovers to be discovered right here. For Diamond 12, Wharfedale introduced in German-based designer Karl Heinz Fink, beforehand closely concerned with Q Acoustics, to makeover the vary from entrance to again. Nearly each facet of the development from the cupboard to the motive force materials has been revised, and the result’s a surprisingly charming, inexpensive and well-engineered line-up of audio system for a stereo or 5.1 (or extra) encompass set-up.
Worth
There are a number of potential methods to configure combos of Diamond 12 fashions in a house cinema atmosphere. Right here, we’re testing a system comprising a quartet of the superb, mid-sized Diamond 12.1 bookshelf audio system for fronts and surrounds (priced at £249 / $399 / AU$699 per pair), with the 12.C within the center (£229 / $229 / AU$575) and the SW10 powered subwoofer (£349 / $ 599 / AU$1149) supplying the bass.
Within the UK, this method is known as the Diamond 12 Residence Cinema Pack and will be picked up for £999 – a saving of £77 over the price of shopping for every little thing individually.
Construct
Diamond 12’s redesign started with the development of the cupboard, and the result’s a stable, sensible, understated construct. Accessible in 4 shades of matte wooden grain, the basic design is neatly offset by a high-shine baffle in stable black or white.
The engineers created the panelling from various thicknesses of MDF that, along with spot bracing, assist higher management undesirable resonances. The bins have a considerable really feel however aren’t visually obtrusive. Additionally they look costlier than they’re. Every of the audio system has a claimed 8 ohm impedance and two units of terminals for bi-wiring, with mirror-finish metallic straps included for non-bi-wired set-ups.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Residence Cinema Pack tech specs
Diamond 12.1:
Kind 2-way, bass reflex
Max energy 100W
Sensitivity 88dB
Impedance 8 ohms
Frequency response 65Hz to 20kHz
Dimensions (hwd) 31 x 18 x 28cm
Weight 6.8kg (every)
Diamond 12.C centre
Kind 2-way, bass reflex
Max energy 120W
Sensitivity 90dB
Impedance 8 ohms
Frequency response 90Hz to 20kHz
Dimensions (hwd) 18 x 48 x 21cm
Weight 8.5kg (every)
SW10 subwoofer:
Amplifier output 200W
Sensitivity 110dB
Line enter impedance 10 kilo ohms
LFE enter Impedance 5 kilo ohms
Frequency response 40Hz to 120Hz
Dimensions (hwd) 42 x 34 x 38 m
Weight 16.5kg (every)
The 12.1 stand mounters have a two-way rear-ported design that includes a single 13cm mid/bass driver composed of one thing referred to as ‘Klarity’, which isn’t a Kardashian however a brand new polypropylene composite cone materials with mica added to enhance rigidity. The Klarity cones are pushed by a magnet with an aluminium compensation ring to minimise the consequences of fluctuations in inductance that may happen because the voice coil strikes.
The 25mm textile tweeter domes, in the meantime, are nearly fully uncovered, with a excessive gloss coating and a design meant to supply extensive dispersion, easy response and powerful dynamics. The 2 drivers are linked with a rigorously calibrated crossover that the corporate says makes use of premium elements. The 12.C is configured equally to the 12.1, however with a pair of 13cm Klarity drivers and a single tweeter.
The SW-10 subwoofer is obtainable in matching wooden finishes with the identical polished baffle housing a single front-facing 25cm long-throw driver. Hidden on the rear are bodily controls for degree, part and auto-sense (the sub comes out of standby when a sign is acquired), in addition to two RCA inputs. Perched upon 4 stocky toes, it sits at 42cm excessive and, regardless of it being the smallest sub within the 4 sturdy SW sequence, it’s certainly not tiny. Nonetheless, the standard of the construct means it resembles a good-looking piece of furnishings relatively than an ungainly black dice and, particularly given its efficiency, we think about most individuals will likely be blissful to create space for it of their front room.
Sound
The tautness and dexterity of the SW-10 is straight away putting when the Diamond 12.1 HCP will get taking part in. It’s an extremely musical sub and it blends seamlessly with the smaller audio system, which themselves have an. impressively well-integrated low finish. The result’s wealthy and energetic sound, notably with movies with a closely featured rating. When watching Amelie, Yann Tiersen’s well-known accompaniment bursts with heat and depth whereas there’s an simple snappiness throughout the board that isn’t restricted simply to excessive transients. Regardless of this responsiveness when issues get busy, the 12.1s preserve a powerful management, with a safe sense of authority and cohesion.
The sonic agility of the package deal is displayed nicely within the scene through which Amelie meets the picture sales space repairman for the primary time. Right here, the stylised, heightened sound design is matched up with the uneven movie modifying and every sudden impact bursts dynamically with confidence, drama and uniformity across the viewer.
The soundfield is easy and though swapping the entrance two audio system for floorstanders will surely present extra scale, there’s something to be stated for the consistency of tone created through the use of the identical speaker for fronts and surrounds.
Additionally on this respect, the 12.C centre speaker is well-matched to the 12.1s and, in contrast to with so many different packages, pulls its weight equally. We watch sonic psychological drama The Sound Of Silence and discover that audio-obsessive protagonist Peter’s extremely soft-spoken, emotionally repressed dialogue is nicely projected with readability and nuance. Set within the bustle of New York, Peter’s job is to rid the town of undesirable ambient sounds and as he pads round his purchasers’ flats trying to find creaking floorboards and whining pipes, the Diamond 12 HCP digs up loads of home element and subtlety, making us really feel the necessity to examine if it’s truly our air con unit making the annoying hum.
To present these tabletop-sized bins a bit extra of a vigorous problem we attempt Blade Runner 2049 they usually mission the meaty, sonorous rating with each composure and charisma. Within the scene through which Ryan Gosling flies to the orphanage there are many delicate nuances, from the sound of the raindrops touchdown on the windscreen to the wiper cleansing them off. Afterward, when issues inevitably begin to get explosive, the 12.1s nonetheless ship with balanced however compelling drive.
Verdict
With poise, effortlessness, lower glass diction and charisma, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP is actually the Audrey Hepburn of residence theatre speaker packages. It presents wealthy bass with out sacrificing or overpowering the mid and treble, presenting a mature sound that’s wealthy in impression, agility, element and sensitivity.
Giant sufficient to supply cinematic scale with a large soundfield, however discreet and inexpensive sufficient to be accessible to a wide range of audiences, the 12.1s show to be a superb selection for each music and movie.
SCORES
- Sound 5
- Compatibility 5
- Construct 5
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https://www.whathifi.com/us/evaluations/wharfedale-diamond-121-home-cinema-pack | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Residence Cinema Pack overview
