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Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speaker (Pair)
The all-new DIAMOND 12 Series is the best DIAMOND range yet, developed in collaboration with Karl-Heinz Fink – one of the most successful loudspeaker designers on the planet. Classic DIAMOND price points, industrial design that’s cool and contemporary yet still distinctly Wharfedale, and sound that delivers a new ‘budget’ benchmark through exceptional acoustic design and engineering – the DIAMOND 12 Series is one of the most exciting audio product launches of 2020
The more compact of the Wharfedale DIAMOND 12 series floorstanding options, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speaker loses none of the accuracy and musicality of the standmount (bookshelf) options. With enhanced presence and power, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speaker is refined and the perfect, affordable floorstanding speaker for 2-channel hi-fi systems, or as the front pair of a seriously impressive home theatre system.
Configured in a 2.5-way system with exception crossover technology, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speaker utilises dual 130mm (5”) KlarityTM drivers for impactful yet refined mid-range and bass frequencies, while the 25mm (1”) dome tweeter delivers open and smoothly extended high frequencies.
Klarity Affords Focus
New Klarity™ cone material, formulated from a blend of Polypropylene and mica adds stiffness to reduce flexing, enabling a lightweight cone with high rigidity, low colouration and lightning-fast response
Low Colour & Expression
The Klarity™ cone is fitted with a low-damping surround, thereby achieving both low colouration and expressive dynamics. By simulating many different cone shapes and adding ribs to provide further stiffening, a flat response curve was achieved without resorting to a high-damping surround, thereby striking the ideal balance.
A Magnet Of Forces
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’
A Voice Coil Beyond This Class
The voice coil is wound on a high-power epoxy/glass fibre bobbin – highly unusual in speakers at this price level. This has the advantage of not adding eddy currents and delivering greater power handling than an aluminium bobbin, whilst also being much stiffer than the Kapton type associated with this price-class.
Wide Exposure Dome Tweeter
The 25mm dome is made from a woven polyester film with a high-gloss coating to deliver open and smoothly extended high frequencies. The magnet system and the front plate have been optimised for wide dispersion and uncompressed behaviour.
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
The Crossover
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speaker crossover network is far more sophisticated than one usually finds in speakers in this price class. It uses a complex Linkwitz-Riley 24dB/octave topology featuring air-core inductors (coils) of the type more commonly found in high-end speakers. Air-core coils produce the lowest distortion of all inductor types, contributing to Diamond’s well-deserved reputation for freedom from listening fatigue – perfect for an evening or an entire day of stress-free music enjoyment.
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.
Resonance Control Cabinet
The best drivers and crossovers in the world would be for nought in a poorly made, highly resonant enclosure. Diamond 12 cabinet walls employ a multi-layered sandwich design to suppress resonance. Inside the cabinet, Intelligent Spot Bracing connects opposite walls with a wood brace to further reduce panel flexing and vibration. These braces are precisely modelled by computer simulation to improve upon the commonplace ‘figure of eight’ brace, which may transfer resonance from one wall to another.
A rap on the side of any Diamond model and hear the reassuring “thud.” Listen to music or a cinema soundtrack and hear the purity of sound that only comes with superior drivers positioned within an acoustically inert cabinet.
Inside the cabinet, Intelligent Spot Bracing connects opposite walls with a specific form of the wood brace to achieve an optimal reduction of cabinet resonance. These braces are precisely modelled by computer simulation to improve upon the commonplace ‘figure of eight’ brace, which may simply transfer resonance from one wall to another.
Connection Ease
All Diamond series models provide two sets of high quality 5-way binding post terminals for optional bi-wire connection. The terminals are angled, allowing easier access and neater wire management.
The Choice for Home Cinema
If assembling a superior performance home cinema system at a sensible price is your goal, the Diamond Series is an ideal choice. All models use the same tweeter, driver cone design, and crossover topology for matched tonal balance and seamless surround imaging.
Reviews of the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speaker
It’s tough to make a truly talented affordable floorstander, but Wharfedale has cracked it with the 12.3. They are terrifically accomplished for the money and good enough to claim a space in the Diamond’s hall of fame. Don’t buy another tower at this level without hearing this one first…. What Hi*Fi
Specifications: Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Bookshelf Speaker
| General description | 2.5-way floorstanding speaker |
|---|---|
| Enclosure type | bass reflex |
| Bass driver | 5″(130mm) advanced PP Cone |
| Midrange driver | 5″(130mm) advanced PP Cone |
| Treble driver | 1″(25mm) Textile Dome |
| AV shield | No |
| Sensitivity(2.83V @ 1m) | 89dB |
| Recommended amplifier power | 30-150W |
| Peak SPL | 102dB |
| Nominal impedance | 8Ω Compatible |
| Minimum impedance | 5Ω |
| Frequency response(+/-3dB) | 45Hz ~ 20kHz |
| Bass extension(-6dB) | 40Hz |
| Crossover frequency | 2.2kHz |
| Cabinet Volume (in litres) | 26.6L |
| Dimensions ( H x W x D ) | (925+50) x 180 x (320+28) mm |
| Net weight | 19.5kg/pcs |
Vikram Prabhu –
This speaker gives a very cohesive and full sound with my creek amplifier. Awesome midrange and tight voluptuous bass. Allow at least 50 hours of run time before judging this speaker. Overall an excellent buy.
Samir Paralkar –
Phenomenal speakers! They just give this wall of sound! I use it as a part of my home theatre too so I do have a sub but when I’m listening to music, I turn the sub off. No need for that. Love the clarity and well-rounded sound. Powering it with Marantz 5015 and its sounds awesome! If this is in your budget, go for it.
Deepak Sika –
As per hifimart recommendation I went with these speakers. These speakers surpassed my expectations. Good for both music and home theatre. I would recommend this to anyone looking for floorstanding speakers for small to medium sized room.