The new benchmark For many decades, Wharfedale has been famous for fusing even-handed neutrality and transparency with captivating clarity and expression. The Wharfedale DIAMOND 12 embodies that sonic goal. The DIAMOND 12 and 8 Audio series represents affordable, authentic hi-fi loudspeakers that truly capture the spirit of music, whatever you play – from rock to classical, jazz to electronica – whilst conveying the recording with truth and accuracy, as all great ‘hi-fi’ should. Since 1982, Wharfedale’s famous speakers have served as the classic entry point to true high-fidelity sound, their exceptional value for money earning numerous accolades and ‘best ofawards, around the world. With the introduction of the all-new Diamond 12 Series, Wharfedale is once again raising the bar for affordable, high-performance loudspeakers. The Wharfedale DIAMOND line is “one of the most successful speaker ranges of all time” Joe Cox, What Hi-Fi?, 2015, That Was Then… Wharfedale Diamond review, A crossover of style The crossover network uses an acoustic LKR 24dB topology. This includes air-core inductors of the type more commonly found in high-end speakers, selected because they produce the lowest distortion of all inductor types. As the resistance of the coil is higher than a standard laminated steel or ferrite core inductor, the magnetic structure of the mid/bass driver has been modified to compensate, resulting in fast, clean bass with no distortion from the inductor. Firm and fair The 8 AUDIO ’s rear-ported enclosure is precisely sized so that the internal volume works in harmony with the drive unit system to deliver the desired sonic result. A multi-layered sandwich design subdues the identifiable characteristics of the cabinet’s ‘sound’. Even the resonant properties of the glue between the layers was measured to determine the optimum combination.
Kevlar is the chosen material for the low frequency drivers in Wharfedale’s leading products— It’s light, stiff and strong. Even our entry level range in 8 Audio uses a premium Woven Kevlar weave in its bass and mid drivers (100mm bass driver bookshelf and a 125mm mid driver on the floorstander). Combined with Wharfedale’s advanced motor systems and in-house manufacturing to guarantee the highest quality, the delivers speech with clarity and sonic impact for movie special effects.
A precision-made magnet system with an aluminium compensation ring to minimise the effect of variations in inductance as the voice coil travels. This contributes to an absence of distortion and intermodulation generated by the ‘motor system’.
8 Audio series has been engineered for excitement — particularly for movies and music, a Crystal 4 system demonstrates coverage and depth usually associated with much more expensive home cinema systems. Intoxicating high frequencies, powerful bass — it’s mostly thanks to our tried and tested driver technology.
The 25mm dome is made from a woven polyester film with a high-loss coating to deliver open and smoothly extended high frequencies. The magnet system and the front plate have been optimised for wide dispersion and uncompressed behavior. The front plate is flat and exposes the dome as much as possible; only a very short duct on the front plate balances the acoustic load and improves the SPL (sound pressure level) measurement.
Inside the cabinet, Intelligent Spot Bracing connects opposite walls with a specific form of wood brace to achieve optimal reduction of cabinet resonance. These braces are precisely modeled by computer simulation to improve upon the commonplace ‘figure of eight’ brace, which may simply transfer resonance from one wall to another.
