Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i Bookshelf Speaker (Pair)

Refined Evolution of a Modern Classic

Since its launch in 2020, the Wharfedale DIAMOND 12 Series has been widely praised as a standard for performance and value in affordable hi-fi loudspeakers. After over five years of consistent success, awards, and glowing reviews, it has become one of the most enduring and best-selling speaker series in its class.

The new DIAMOND 12i Series introduces luxurious, modern finishes and subtle acoustic refinements that build on the solid foundations of the original design. The result is a loudspeaker that looks and feels more premium, with audible improvements that enhance real-world listening.

More Than Skin Deep

Known for quality, affordability, and exceptional build, the DIAMOND series has always prioritised fit and finish. The upgraded cabinet finishes elevate the 12.1i’s visual appeal to match its performance, helping it sit comfortably in both contemporary and traditional interiors.

Incremental Acoustic Enhancements

Wharfedale’s engineering team revisited the internal design, focusing on bass port tuning and airflow control. Careful refinements to the port structure and internal damping have improved bass articulation, low-frequency control, and integration with the midrange—especially in real living rooms rather than just lab conditions.

Led by Director of Acoustic Design Peter Comeau, alongside senior engineers Dan Bailey Ornellas and Oliver Davies, the team used laser interferometry, extensive anechoic and in-room measurements, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyse port behaviour. Hundreds of hours of critical listening confirmed a bass response that is tighter, more articulate, and better integrated, all while preserving the DIAMOND 12’s trademark neutrality.

Klarity™ Cone Technology

At the heart of the DIAMOND 12.1i is a 5" mid/bass driver made from Klarity™ — a carefully balanced blend of polypropylene and mica. This composite provides excellent stiffness with low coloration and distortion, resulting in a cone that is light, well-damped, and highly responsive.

A low-damping surround promotes dynamic range and efficiency, while ribbed cone shaping and profile simulation help maintain a smooth, linear frequency response without added distortion or breakup artefacts.

Advanced Magnet Assembly & Voice Coil

The mid/bass driver uses a precision magnet system with an aluminium compensation ring to reduce inductance variation as the voice coil moves. This reduces intermodulation and harmonic distortion, leading to a cleaner, more accurate midrange and bass.

The voice coil itself is wound on a high-power epoxy/glass fibre bobbin, chosen for its superior performance compared to typical materials at this price point. It offers improved power handling, thermal stability, and structural rigidity.

25mm Textile Dome Tweeter

High frequencies are handled by a 1" (25mm) woven polyester textile dome with a high-loss damping coating, providing extended, smooth treble. The front plate is acoustically optimised with a flat profile and minimal waveguide to improve dispersion and off-axis performance, giving a broad and natural listening window.

High-Quality Crossover

The DIAMOND 12.1i employs a sophisticated Linkwitz–Riley crossover topology with air-core inductors—components more often seen in higher-end designs. The network is carefully tuned for minimal phase shift and seamless integration between the Klarity™ mid/bass driver and the textile dome tweeter.

Low-Resonance Cabinet Design

The enclosure uses a multi-layer sandwich construction that significantly reduces panel resonance and unwanted coloration. Even the adhesive layers between panels are selected and tested for optimal damping. Inside, intelligent spot bracing connects opposing walls in a way that reduces vibration without simply transferring energy, contributing to the solid, authoritative sonic character of the DIAMOND 12i Series.

Preserve the Essence, Perfect the Experience

The DIAMOND 12.1i preserves everything that made the original DIAMOND 12.1 special—neutral tonality, musical engagement, and value—while refining the experience in terms of finish, bass control, and overall consistency. It looks, feels, and sounds like a thoroughly modern update to a proven classic.

Technical Specifications – Wharfedale DIAMOND 12.1i