Wharfedale Diamond 240From real comments

Name: Wharfedale Diamond 240
Rating: 2.8 (13 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 13 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment62%

PROS 62%

CONS 38%

Rank based on 13 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a full, musical floorstander in the $500-$999 range
You have a powerful amp or receiver to drive its low-impedance load
You want a speaker that can run without a subwoofer for stereo listening

What users love

Great value for moneyNotable0 mentions

Strongly positive

Rich, satisfying sound0 mentions

Strongly positive

No subwoofer needed for stereo0 mentions

Widely praised

Works well in a multi-speaker system0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You only have a modest 50W amplifier and don't want to upgrade
You prefer bright, detailed metal-dome tweeters over soft domes
You want a speaker still built in England with strong third-party support

What users complain about

Needs powerful amplification0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Low impedance can dip to 3 ohms0 mentions

Generally negative

Soft dome tweeter lacks brilliance0 mentions

Generally negative

No longer made in England, mid-fi character0 mentions

Generally negative

Basic cabinet construction0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Premium

Klipsch Cornwall IV

Emotionally engaging, 'forever speaker' soundBig, effortless dynamicsRefined, clean bass and midrange after break-inQuestionable build quality for the priceHigh price relative to componentsLarge size and placement demands

Klipsch Cornwall IV

Emotionally engaging, 'forever speaker' sound

Big, effortless dynamics

Refined, clean bass and midrange after break-in

Questionable build quality for the price

High price relative to components

Large size and placement demands

Best value

2Premium

Wharfedale Elysian 4

Effortless, immersive 'wall of sound'Beautiful build and finishDeep, tight bassHigh price relative to budgetPlacement-sensitive, dislikes wallsCan feel 'boring' to some listeners

Wharfedale Elysian 4

Effortless, immersive 'wall of sound'

Beautiful build and finish

Deep, tight bass

High price relative to budget

Placement-sensitive, dislikes walls

Can feel 'boring' to some listeners

3Mid

Martin Logan Foundation

AMT tweeter detail and clarityAttractive styling and finishGood value versus pricier alternativesLimited deep bass extensionConfusing/overlapping product line pricingNarrowed dispersion versus older Motion-series speakers

Martin Logan Foundation

AMT tweeter detail and clarity

Attractive styling and finish

Good value versus pricier alternatives

Limited deep bass extension

Confusing/overlapping product line pricing

Narrowed dispersion versus older Motion-series speakers

4Premium

Focal Scala Utopia

Airy, detailed soundEnd-game musicalityStriking design and finishBright or thin midrange for someHigh price relative to sound for someOutperformed by some rivals in specific traits

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Airy, detailed sound

End-game musicality

Striking design and finish

Bright or thin midrange for some

High price relative to sound for some

Outperformed by some rivals in specific traits

5Premium

Focal Aria 936

Smooth, non-fatiguing trebleTight, defined bassAttractive appearanceRising, questionable pricingCheap-feeling build detailsRequires lengthy break-in

Focal Aria 936

Smooth, non-fatiguing treble

Tight, defined bass

Attractive appearance

Rising, questionable pricing

Cheap-feeling build details

Requires lengthy break-in

6Budget

Polk Audio T50

Excellent value for moneyImproves with placement tweaks and break-inStrong bass for the sizeRequires break-in and careful setup to sound bestTreble can be hot on some systemsCan be too much bass for small spaces

Polk Audio T50

Excellent value for money

Improves with placement tweaks and break-in

Strong bass for the size

Requires break-in and careful setup to sound best

Treble can be hot on some systems

Can be too much bass for small spaces

7Premium

Polk Audio RTi A9

Dramatically improves with separate power ampHigh power handling and bass outputAccurate, high-quality soundRequires significant amp investmentBi-amping benefit debatedSensitive to placement

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Dramatically improves with separate power amp

High power handling and bass output

Accurate, high-quality sound

Requires significant amp investment

Bi-amping benefit debated

Sensitive to placement

8Premium

Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL

Transparent, airy soundDetailed, lifelike instrument reproductionLong-term durability and satisfactionRequires careful setup and room treatmentHigh price for the formatLimited bass extension

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Transparent, airy sound

Detailed, lifelike instrument reproduction

Long-term durability and satisfaction

Requires careful setup and room treatment

High price for the format

Limited bass extension

9Premium

Klipsch Klipschorn AK6

Life-changing, room-filling dynamics

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Life-changing, room-filling dynamics

10Budget

Wharfedale Diamond 12.3

Precise, punchy bassStrong value for priceBalanced, warm British sound signatureRoom-dependent bass bumpSensitive to cables and positioningBasic spiked feet

Wharfedale Diamond 12.3

Precise, punchy bass

Strong value for price

Balanced, warm British sound signature

Room-dependent bass bump

Sensitive to cables and positioning

Basic spiked feet

You are here

31Mid

Wharfedale Diamond 240

Great value for moneyRich, satisfying soundNo subwoofer needed for stereoBasic cabinet constructionLow impedance can dip to 3 ohmsNeeds powerful amplification

Wharfedale Diamond 240

Great value for money

Rich, satisfying sound

No subwoofer needed for stereo

Basic cabinet construction

Low impedance can dip to 3 ohms

Needs powerful amplification

Great value
1. Polk Audio T50arrow_upward10
2. Wharfedale Diamond 12.3arrow_upward4
Wide soundstage
1. Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESLarrow_upward3
2. Polk Audio T50arrow_upward3
3. Wharfedale Diamond 12.3arrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Wharfedale Elysian 4arrow_upward5
2. Wharfedale Diamond 12.3arrow_upward2
Deep bass
1. Wharfedale Elysian 4arrow_upward4
2. Focal Scala Utopiaarrow_upward3
Expensive
1. Focal Aria 936arrow_downward3
2. Focal Scala Utopiaarrow_downward3
High price
1. Wharfedale Elysian 4arrow_downward2
2. Klipsch Cornwall IVarrow_downward4

Overall Impression

Owners consistently describe the Diamond 240 as a genuine value pick. Multiple commenters bought the speakers between $500 and $999 and called them worth every penny or a steal at that price. A three-year owner running a bi-amped setup says they play beautifully and that few speakers beat them for the money, while another viewer says a professional review's balanced assessment of the 240 was bang on.

The speakers can be demanding to drive properly. One owner found his 7x120W Yamaha receiver struggled with the Diamond 240 until he added a dedicated power amp, after which the sound came alive. Another commenter flags that impedance can drop to as low as 3 ohms at times, which complicates matching amplifiers or accessories originally rated for 8-ohm loads.

Tweeter character and build quality draw some criticism. One listener dislikes the soft dome tweeter, saying hi-hats sound dull and lack the brilliance of a metal tweeter. Another notes the cabinets are ordinary MDF or particleboard rather than especially dead-sounding, and points out the range is no longer made in England, describing the overall sound as mid-fi with weak third-party support.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

attach_moneyGreat value for moneyNotable

4 mentions

Strongly positive

Buyers who paid between $500 and $999 for the Diamond 240 repeatedly call them worth every penny or a steal. This value-for-money reputation comes up across several separate purchase reports.

@deepcuttabeats356

After all you’ve heard up to now in 2024, what is your suggestion for best floor standing speaker pair under $600? Would it be these 240s because they are available for $599. Thanks!

smart_display

February 29, 2024

@MrWslindsay

I bought a pair of these for Christmas 2022 for $500. Well worth it. I would call them a steal at that price. I enjoy them very much. Worth every penny 👍

smart_display

January 11, 2023

@tommytommy8390

Nice and clean. I have the Diamond 8.3 from 2001, and i love them., good value for price.

smart_display

July 8, 2017

@blueboyblue

The Wharfedale Diamond 240 run about $999/pr. I have the Diamond 9.6 and am very pleased, but I like a smooth sound.

smart_display

June 8, 2017

graphic_eqRich, satisfying sound

2 mentions

Strongly positive

A three-year owner in a bi-amped setup says the speakers play beautifully and are hard to beat for the money, and a viewer confirms a balanced professional review of the 240 was accurate.

@DW95165

I have had these speakers for 3 years now and I must say they are very, very good. I bought them second hand in perfect condition in a reputable hifi store here in the Netherlands. \n\nI connected the speakers to a Sony STR-DN1080, in Bi-amp mode. Speaker cables used are OFC 4x2.5mm2 (because Bi-amp), length 250 centimeters. They play beautifully. And yes, I am waiting for the Sony STR-AZ5000ES to replace my current Sony ;-).\n\nIn stereo, the speakers don't need a subwoofer, but I did connect two Wharfedale WH-D10 for movies. That extra kick during explosions or other scenes give just a little more depth.\n\nCenter is a Wharfedale Diamond 220C and surround Wharfedale Diamond 225 bookshelf speakers with WH-ST1 stands. Yes, old school setup.\n\nThere may be much better speakers out there but for the sound and the money you can hardly find anything better. 😀

smart_display

July 3, 2023

@ProjectOverseer

Very good \"balanced\" review of these domestic HiFi speakers. I'm familiar with the 240's and I would say your assessment is pretty much bang on. \nMany thanks 👍

smart_display

June 6, 2017

speakerNo subwoofer needed for stereo

1 mentions

Widely praised

One long-term owner reports the Diamond 240 doesn't need a subwoofer for stereo music listening, only adding subs for extra impact during movie watching.

@DW95165

smart_display

July 3, 2023

surround_soundWorks well in a multi-speaker system

1 mentions

Widely praised

The same owner successfully paired the Diamond 240 towers with a matching Diamond center channel and bookshelf surrounds, indicating good synergy within the same speaker line.

@DW95165

smart_display

July 3, 2023

battery_alertNeeds powerful amplification

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One owner found a 120-watt-per-channel receiver insufficient and had to add a separate power amp before the speakers truly came alive, suggesting the Diamond 240 is not easy to drive to its potential.

@djcwes

I cannot subscribe to the statement that a 50watt amp is sufficient. I own the Diamond 240 and my Yamaha RX V 1600 receiver (7x120 watts 8 ohms) struggled with them. So I had to upgrade with a power amp (Proton AP2080) before the speakers came alive. But once I did that... WHOA!!

smart_display

June 22, 2018

warningLow impedance can dip to 3 ohms

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter notes the Diamond 240's impedance can drop as low as 3 ohms at times, which can make matching amplifiers or add-on components rated for higher-impedance loads more difficult.

@johnli3401

How do the Aperion Super Tweeters work with the Diamond 240's low impedance (it can drop to 3 ohms at times)? I know you've reviewed the Aperion's on the 220 series but they are 8 ohms

smart_display

February 6, 2023

volume_downSoft dome tweeter lacks brilliance

1 mentions

Generally negative

One listener dislikes the soft dome tweeter, saying hi-hats sound dull and pot-lid-like rather than crisp, and prefers the brighter character of metal tweeters found on other speakers.

@Dreez76

It's a nice pair of speakers, but i prefer speakers with a metaltweeter of some sort, they're more brilliant.\nAnd when i listen to music where they hit a hi-hat drum, i want it to sound like a hi-hat and not like someone banging on the lid of a cookingpot.\nI really don't lke softdome tweeters, they tend to sound very dull on higher notes.

smart_display

January 22, 2019

report_problemNo longer made in England, mid-fi character

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter points out the Diamond 240 isn't made in England anymore, calling it hard to label a British loudspeaker, and describes the sound as mid-fi at best with weak third-party support.

@phoenixrising4073

These aren't made in England anymore so it's hard to call it a British loudspeaker. 3rd party support and a mid-fi sound at best. Thanks for the upload.

smart_display

May 30, 2017

inventoryBasic cabinet construction

1 mentions

Generally negative

One commenter notes the cabinets aren't especially dead-sounding and are just another MDF or particleboard enclosure, which they attribute to the price point and driver count.

@RennieAsh

Those cabinets don't sound super dead to me, just another MDF or particleboard cab :-) But that you'd expect from the price + number of drivers

smart_display

May 24, 2017

Wharfedale Diamond 240chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Great value

Wide soundstage

Build quality

Deep bass

Expensive

High price

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Wharfedale Diamond 240From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression