Since its launch in 2020, Wharfedale’s DIAMOND 12 Series has received widespread acclaim as the benchmark for performance and value in affordable hi-fi speakers. Following more than five years of consistent success, awards and positive reviews from both enthusiasts and specialist critics, the DIAMOND 12 Series has established itself as one of the longest-running and best-selling speaker ranges.
Wharfedale is delighted to present the updated DIAMOND 12i Series. This new series features luxurious, modern finishes and subtle acoustic enhancements that build upon the solid foundation of the original design.
Alongside the aesthetic update, the engineering team at Wharfedale has revised the speaker’s internal components, paying particular attention to the tuning of the bass port and airflow control. Small but significant changes to the port design and internal damping have improved bass clarity and low-frequency control, particularly in real-world environments. Listeners will notice the difference.
A comprehensive port design effort led by Wharfedale’s Director of Acoustic Design, Peter Comeau, and senior engineers Dan Bailey Ornellas and Oliver Davies aimed to refine low-frequency performance through extensive empirical testing and listening evaluations. The development process lasted several months and included advanced techniques such as laser interferometry, extensive anechoic and room measurements, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess airflow and pressure within the port structure.
Critical listening sessions, totalling hundreds of hours, were carried out to confirm the results. The result is a more controlled and articulate bass response, with improved transitions between low and mid frequencies and consistent spatial performance, regardless of listening position. These changes preserve the DIAMOND 12’s characteristic neutrality, whilst subtly enhancing listener engagement and dynamic flow.
The DIAMOND 12i midrange/bass driver cones remain unchanged and are made from Klarity, a special blend of polypropylene and mica that provides excellent rigidity and low distortion. This results in a lightweight, well-damped and highly responsive cone, delivering natural and expressive dynamics as well as precise transient response.
A low-damping surround enhances the cone’s efficiency and dynamic range, whilst the ribbed design and profile simulation ensure a smooth, linear frequency response without added distortion.
Each midrange/bass driver features a precision magnet system with an aluminium compensation ring to reduce the effects of inductance changes as the voice coil moves. This advanced motor system minimises intermodulation and distortion, producing a cleaner and more precise sound.
The voice coil is wound around a high-power fibreglass/epoxy bobbin, which performs significantly better than standard materials in this price range, offering greater power handling, thermal stability and structural strength.
High frequencies are produced by a 25 mm woven polyester dome with a high-loss damping coating, resulting in a wide and uniform treble response. The front plate is acoustically designed with a flat profile and a minimalist waveguide to improve dispersion and output. The result is clear, natural high frequencies with excellent off-axis performance.
Wharfedale’s engineers utilise a sophisticated Linkwitz-Riley crossover design, featuring air-core inductors – components typically found in high-end loudspeakers. The crossover network is finely tuned to minimise phase shift and achieve seamless integration between the drivers.
The magnetic circuit of the midrange/bass driver has been modified to compensate for the resistance of these high-quality inductors, ensuring fast, clean bass without compromising on quality.
Each cabinet features a multi-layer sandwich construction that reduces panel resonance and distortion. Even the adhesive properties between the layers have been acoustically tested to optimise damping.
Inside, an intelligent point-bracing system connects the opposing walls of the cabinet via computer-modelled supports that reduce vibration without transmitting it from one surface to another. This contributes to the solid and authoritative sound signature of the Diamond 12i series.
Overall, the new DIAMOND 12i series is sure to impress. The changes may seem minor, but the impact is significant. It looks, feels and performs like something new – because it is. However, it retains all the qualities that made the original version so special.
Features:
- 2-way centre channel speaker with 3 drivers
- 1" tweeter with fabric dome.
- 2 x 5" woofers with advanced PP cones.
- Frequency response: 90Hz to 20kHz.
- Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 4 ohms).
- Sensitivity: 89 dB.
- Recommended amplifier power: 20 to 120W.
- Maximum sound pressure level: 96 dB.
- Dimensions: 18 cm high x 48 cm wide x 20.8 cm deep.
- Weight: 8.5 kg
