The Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 is the largest bookshelf speaker in the Diamond 12 series, sitting above the compact Diamond 12.0 and the mid-sized Diamond 12.1. With a larger 6.5-inch bass driver and bigger cabinet volume, the 12.2 extends bass response further than its smaller siblings while sharing the same driver technology, crossover topology, and build quality that runs through the entire Diamond 12 range.
Driver Technology
The 6.5-inch bass driver uses Wharfedale's Klarity cone — a mica-infused polypropylene with moulded radial ribs that increase rigidity and reduce cone flexing under load. The voice coil is wound on an epoxy and glass-fibre bobbin, a construction choice more commonly found in higher-priced speakers, offering superior power handling and thermal stability compared to aluminium alternatives.
The 1-inch textile dome tweeter uses a woven polyester film with a high-loss damping coating, extending high-frequency response smoothly to 20kHz. An optimised magnet system minimises compression distortion during high-volume playback.
Crossover & Cabinet Design
The crossover employs a Linkwitz-Riley 24dB/octave topology with air-core inductors — components typically reserved for speakers at significantly higher price points. Air-core coils produce minimal distortion compared to ferrite-core alternatives, contributing to reduced listening fatigue over extended sessions.
The cabinet uses a multi-layered sandwich construction with Wharfedale's Intelligent Spot Bracing system, where wooden braces connect opposite walls at precisely calculated points. This approach, refined through computer modelling, improves on conventional figure-eight bracing by absorbing resonance rather than transferring it between panels. A rear-mounted bass reflex port, tuned through computer simulation and listening tests, extends low-frequency output down to 43Hz.
Versatility
With a sensitivity of 86.5dB and a nominal 8-ohm impedance, the Diamond 12.2 is easy to drive from amplifiers rated between 20 and 120 watts. The larger 11.8-litre cabinet volume makes it well suited to medium and larger rooms, and it can serve as front speakers in a surround system — all Diamond 12 models share the same tweeter, cone design, and crossover topology for matched tonal balance across a home cinema setup.
What the Press Says
- Highly Recommended — AVForums
| Design | 2-way bass reflex |
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| Bass Driver | 165mm (6.5") Klarity mica-infused polypropylene cone |
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| Tweeter | 25mm (1") textile dome |
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| Crossover Frequency | 2.0kHz |
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| Crossover Type | Linkwitz-Riley 24dB/octave with air-core inductors |
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| Frequency Response | 50Hz – 20kHz (+/-3dB) |
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| Bass Extension | 43Hz (-6dB) |
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| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
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| Peak SPL | 96dB |
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| Nominal Impedance | 8Ω |
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| Minimum Impedance | 3.7Ω |
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| Recommended Amplifier Power | 20–120W |
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| Cabinet Volume | 11.8 litres |
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| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 330 × 200 × 312mm |
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| Weight | 8.2kg per speaker |
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| Also Available As | Black, Light Oak, White |
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