Diamond 12Ci

While there remains no obvious need to upgrade the Diamond 12 Series, a natural evolution in Wharfedale’s design and manufacturing processes has presented an opportunity to update the speakers’ design whilst maintaining the many strengths that contribute to the range’s continued dominance. Impressive new finishes and subtle but worthwhile performance upgrades have been applied to every model, triggering a refresh that Wharfedale has named Diamond 12i.

Most remarkably of all, Wharfedale has brought these improvements without increasing prices by a single penny. Now that, in this day and age, is truly unique.

Wharfedale reviewed the design of each model to see where improvements could be applied. Critically, the company was determined that any changes must be delivered without increasing retail prices.

With Wharfedale’s Director of Acoustic Design Peter Comeau leading the project, alongside engineers Dan Bailey Ornellas and Oliver Davies, the team focused on bass port tuning and airflow control. Their intention was to refine low-frequency performance through extensive empirical testing and listening evaluations, making use of laser interferometry, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and anechoic and in-room measurements to assess airflow and pressure in the port structure.

This research led to a new bass-reflex port design and revised internal damping, the results of which were confirmed over hundreds of hours of listening tests. This has enabled improved bass clarity and control throughout the range, especially noticeable in real-world environments where space is at a premium. Low frequencies are more articulate, with enhanced transitions between bass and midrange and a more consistent spatial performance, no matter where the speakers are placed. These changes maintain the signature neutrality and transparency of the Diamond 12 Series whilst subtly increasing listener engagement and dynamic flow.

Other incremental improvements have been brought to the new Diamond 12i range through refinements to the manufacturing process. This includes the drive units which, though fundamentally of the same design as the previous Diamond 12 models, benefit from even tighter production tolerances to maximise their impressive sonic potential.