The Wharfedale Diamond 12.Ci is the dedicated centre channel speaker in the updated Diamond 12i series, sharing voicing with the Diamond 12.0i, 12.1i and 12.2i bookshelf models, the 12.3i and 12.4i floorstanders, and the 12 3Di Atmos modules. It is intended for stereo-matched home cinema systems built around the Diamond 12i range, where consistent tonal character across the front soundstage helps maintain dialogue clarity and a coherent surround field.
Series Overview
The Diamond 12 series launched in 2020 and remained in production for more than five years before this 12i revision. For 12i, Wharfedale's in-house team retained the original drive units and overall acoustic balance and concentrated on cabinet finishes, bass-reflex port tuning, and internal damping. The drivers themselves carry over from Diamond 12.
Driver Configuration
The 12.Ci uses a 2-way design with two 130mm advanced polypropylene mid/bass cones flanking a 25mm textile dome tweeter in a horizontal MTM array. The mid/bass cones use Klarity, a polypropylene and mica blend chosen for its combination of stiffness and internal damping; the tweeter is a 25mm woven polyester dome with a high-loss damping coating, set into a flat front plate with minimal waveguide for wide off-axis dispersion.
Cabinet and Crossover
The cabinet is a closed-box (sealed) system with an internal volume of 8.7 litres. Dimensions are 180 x 480 x 208mm (H x W x D), and net weight is 8.5kg. The crossover follows a Linkwitz-Riley topology with air-core inductors on the high-frequency section, and the mid/bass magnet structure is adjusted to compensate for the resistance of these inductors. Internal bracing connects opposite cabinet walls to reduce panel resonance.
Performance and Compatibility
Sensitivity is rated at 90dB (2.83V at 1m), nominal impedance is 8 Ohm compatible with a 4.0 Ohm minimum, and recommended amplifier power is 20 to 120W. Frequency response is 90Hz to 20kHz (plus or minus 3dB), with bass extension to 80Hz at -6dB and a crossover frequency of 2.2kHz. The cabinet does not include AV magnetic shielding.
Finishes
The 12.Ci is offered in three finishes: All-Black (a semi-matte black throughout, supplied here), Classic Walnut with a semi-matte black baffle, and Stone Grey.
