DIAMOND 12.1i
Since its launch in 2020, the Wharfedale DIAMOND 12 Series has received widespread praise as a standard for performance and value in affordable hi-fi speakers. After over five years of consistent success, awards, and positive reviews from audio enthusiasts and critics alike, the DIAMOND 12 Series has established itself as one of the most enduring and best-selling speaker series.
Now, Wharfedale is excited to introduce the updated DIAMOND 12i Series. This new series features luxurious, modern finishes and subtle acoustic improvements that build on the strong foundation of the original design.
More Than Skin Deep
Known for quality, affordability, and exceptional build quality, the Wharfedale Diamond series has always prioritised fit and finish. The new luxurious finishes enhance the loudspeaker’s premium look and feel, matching its impressive sound performance.
Incremental Acoustic Enhancements
Along with the aesthetic upgrade, Wharfedale’s engineering team revisited the speaker’s internals, paying special attention to bass port tuning and airflow control. Small but significant changes to the port design and internal damping have improved bass clarity and low-frequency control—especially in real-world environments. Listeners will notice the difference.
A thorough 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 in-room measurements, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess airflow and pressure in the port structure. Critical listening sessions—totalling hundreds of hours—were held to confirm the results. The outcome is a bass response that is better controlled and more articulate, with improved transitions between low and mid frequencies and consistent spatial performance, no matter the placement. These changes maintain the DIAMOND 12’s signature neutrality while subtly increasing listener engagement and dynamic flow.
At the Core: Klarity™ Cone Technology
The DIAMOND 12i mid/bass driver cones remain unchanged and are made from Klarity™, a special blend of polypropylene and mica that provides excellent stiffness and low distortion. This results in a cone that is lightweight, well-damped, and very responsive, delivering natural, expressive dynamics and precise transient response.
A low-damping surround enhances the cone’s efficiency and dynamic range, while ribbed shaping and profile simulation ensure a smooth, linear frequency response without added distortion.
Advanced Magnet Assembly
Each mid/bass driver features a precise 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 cleaner, more accurate sound.
The voice coil is wrapped around a high-power epoxy/glass fibre bobbin, which performs significantly better than standard materials at this price point, offering greater power handling, thermal stability, and structural strength.
25mm Textile Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are produced by a 25mm woven polyester dome with a high-loss damping coating, resulting in extended, smooth treble response. The front plate is designed acoustically with a flat profile and minimal waveguide to enhance dispersion and output. The result is clear, natural high frequencies with excellent off-axis performance.
High-Quality Crossover Components
Wharfedale’s engineers use a sophisticated Linkwitz-Riley crossover design, complete with air-core inductors—components typically found in high-end speakers. The crossover network is finely adjusted for minimal phase shift and smooth integration between drivers.
The magnet structure for the mid/bass driver is modified to address the resistance of these high-quality inductors, ensuring fast, clean bass without compromise.
Low-Resonance Cabinet Design
Each enclosure features a multi-layered sandwich construction that reduces panel resonance and distortion. Even the adhesive properties between the layers have been acoustically tested to optimise damping.
Inside, intelligent spot bracing connects opposite cabinet walls using computer-modelled braces that reduce vibration without passing it from one surface to another. This contributes to the solid and authoritative sound signature of the Diamond 12i series.
Preserve the Essence, Perfect the Experience
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. Yet, it still retains all of the qualities that made the original iteration so special!
