Wharfedale Diamond 121

Diamond 121, 2-way Bookshelf Speaker, black Driver Performance
As you would expect from a series of this stature, the Diamond 100 is bang up to date in terms of
technology and performance. Foremost in the design criteria for Diamond 100 is the ongoing
research into loudspeaker driver sound quality. To that end the famous Wharfedale Woven Kevlar cone was put under the technology spotlight and given a new profile based on the research originally carried out for the high-end Jade range.
Incorporated in the low frequency and midrangecones are semi-elliptical ‘break-up’ areas which
smooth the response throughout the audible range. In addition each surround is treated to match
the cone edge with a unique ‘Diamond Pattern’ moulding. Finally the dust cap is blended and
treated to provide a smooth transition and perfectacoustic match to the treble unit.
The treble unit chosen for Diamond 100 came under equal scrutiny during development. As well
as selecting a sheer fabric dome and advanced ferrite magnet system, the dome is surrounded
by a carefully crafted wave guide that encourages outstanding midrange performance.

Cabinet Design
Naturally cabinet design was not forgotten inamongst all the other technology. Rectilinear cabinet
shapes were chosen to maximize the internal volume and provide the deepest, most extended
bass response. Again the research from the highend Jade series was incorporated to elicit the latest advance in loudspeaker reflex loading – the Slot- Loaded Distributed Port.
Exiting at the base of the speaker cabinet, the refl ex port is loaded by a slot created by the plinth. This equalises the air pressure to mimic that inside the cabinet allowing smooth transition between
the pressure variation in the cabinet and the low frequency sound developed in the room.
Cabinet walls and internal bracing were alsom incorporated in the ‘Virtual Speaker’ model, with
the help of Delayed Cumulative Spectral Analysis that ruthlessly reveals panel coloration in all its
forms. Using this technique Wharfedale engineers formulated a cabinet panel construction of multigrain faceted boards bonded together to damp annoying High-Q resonances and block internal
sound leakage. The effect is that the ‘noise’ from cabinet walls is buried more than 35dB below
the driver output. In Diamond 100 all you hear is crystal clear music from the drive units without
any attendant coloration from the cabinet. Again computer analysis helped refine this novel
technique, but the result is an audibly superior bass performance of great articulation and clarity.

The Real Test
That doesn’t mean that Diamond 100 is purely a computer design, clever though that might be.
This ‘Virtual Speaker’ is simply a tool that allows the Wharfedale engineers to explore all facets of
the loudspeaker ’s performance before starting listening tests. In the final evaluation weeks are
spent fine tuning the acoustic performance using a wide variety of music in Wharfedale’s five listening rooms, each of which mimics the kind of domestic environments the Diamond Series are likely to be used in.
Only when the acoustic tests are deemed truly satisfying are the loudspeaker designs signed-off
for production, ensuring that each speaker model fulfils its eventual owner’s dreams of musically
enjoyable reproduction from Britain’s Most FamousLoudspeakers.