Floorstanding loudspeakers — Wharfedale Diamond 12.4

The Diamond 12.4 is the bigger of the two floorstanders in the original Diamond 12 series from Wharfedale, which the company calls the powerhouse of the range and intends for bigger systems and cinema-style home theatre. It became available in November 2020 at GBP 699 for a pair, or USD 998 in America. In November 2025 Wharfedale replaced it with the Diamond 12.4i at the same UK price.

Key specs that matter

The 2.5-way layout pairs two 150 mm drivers with polypropylene based Klarity cones - one working through the midrange and bass, the other on bass alone - with a 25 mm textile dome tweeter above a 2.1 kHz crossover. The bass reflex enclosure measures 40.8 litres. Rated response is 40 Hz to 20 kHz within 3 dB, extending to 35 Hz at -6 dB. Sensitivity is 89 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, peak SPL 102 dB, and the 8 ohm nominal impedance does not fall below 5.0 ohm. Recommended amplifier power runs from 30 to 200 W. Dimensions are 1100 mm high with another 50 mm for the base, 200 mm wide and 350 mm deep plus 28 mm, and the weight is 22.4 kg each. Cabinets came in walnut pearl, light oak, white oak or black oak.

Engineering and use context

In a 2.5-way design both woofers share the low frequencies, while only the upper unit continues into the midrange before the tweeter takes over, which gives the bass section more cone area without a second crossover point in the vocal band. Mica in the Klarity cone material adds stiffness to a light polypropylene base. Wharfedale fits each mid/bass motor with an aluminium compensating ring and winds its coil on an epoxy and glass fibre bobbin, and the tweeter dome is made of woven polyester film finished with a high-gloss coating. The acoustic Linkwitz-Riley crossover has a 24 dB per octave slope and air-core inductors. Cabinet walls combine wood fibre board of varying thickness, and Intelligent Spot Bracing, modelled by computer, ties opposing panels together at chosen points. The reflex port vents to the rear.

Pairing

Its high minimum impedance makes the 12.4 an easy electrical load, and the wide recommended power range allows larger amplifiers or AV receivers in a home theatre. The rear port calls for some space behind each cabinet. Wharfedale built the 12.C centre speaker to go with it in surround systems, and the smaller models of the range can serve as rear channels.

Alternatives

The Diamond 12.3 is the smaller floorstander of the same range, using two smaller Klarity drivers.