Wharfedale, renowned for its award-winning Diamond 12 family of speakers, is aiming to enrich the home cinema experience with the addition of its latest member, the Diamond 12 3D. Designed to complement the existing line-up, this new speaker module is tailored to handle the height channels of popular surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, delivering an immersive three-dimensional soundfield.
The Diamond 12 3D speaker is supposed to sit atop the Diamond 12.1 standmounts or the 12.3 floorstanders when used as part of a home cinema surround system. Additionally, for added versatility, it can be easily wall-mounted. By directing sound upwards, the 3D speaker should create an encompassing audio atmosphere that brings movies, music, and games to life.
One of the key aspects of the Diamond 12 3D's appeal lies in its acoustic compatibility with the existing Diamond 12 series. Wharfedale has employed many of the same high-quality materials and components that have earned the Diamond 12 range accolades from audio enthusiasts and experts alike.
The 10cm mid/bass driver, constructed from the company's signature polypropylene/mica composite, is shared with the esteemed 12.1 and 12.3 models. Furthermore, the speaker features a 25mm textile dome tweeter, ensuring crisp and clear high-frequency reproduction.
The cabinet of the Diamond 12 3D is constructed from fibre board, with additional reinforcement provided by Wharfedale's proprietary "Intelligent Spot Bracing" technology. This meticulous design should ensure robustness and minimal resonance and contribute to the speaker's ability to deliver accurate and detailed sound.
Furthermore, the Diamond 12 3D offers users a range of finish options, including black, white, walnut, or light oak, providing flexibility to match the speaker with the existing setup seamlessly.
A noteworthy feature of the Diamond 12 3D is its use of KlarityTM polypropylene cones, renowned for their low distortion and controlled breakup. To achieve KlarityTM, Wharfedale incorporates mica into the polypropylene formulation, resulting in a lightweight cone with high rigidity, minimal coloration, and lightning-fast response.
The speaker's magnet system is precision-made and includes an aluminum compensation ring to reduce variations in inductance as the voice coil moves, ensuring minimal distortion and intermodulation. The voice coil is wound on a high-power epoxy/glass fiber bobbin, a rare feature at this price level, providing greater power handling and stiffness compared to conventional aluminum or Kapton types.
The Diamond 12 3D is available for purchase now at a price point of £349 / $549 / AU$799 per pair.
