Wharfedale Diamond series always has a knack for producing high-performing speakers at an unbelievable price point where most of us can afford without the need to dig deep into our pockets. The Wharfedale Diamond 225 is one of these amazing blockbusters of a speaker. Slightly larger than the more popular Diamond 220, will the Diamond 225 be able to perform as well. For certain, in order for them to sound their best, they will need the best amps that can unlock their potential.
If you are here to look for the best amplifiers that you can match with your Wharfedale Diamond 225 then you are in the right place. We are not just going to show you the list of amps but also share with you Diamond 225 strengths and sonic characteristics. These are important things to know as this how you will be able to match the right amplifier.
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Sound Characteristics and Strengths of Wharfedale Diamond 225
The aesthetic and design of the Wharfedale Diamond bookshelf speakers are almost identical if it weren’t for the slight difference in size. Even though is an entry-level speaker, the overall design and feel don’t give you that cheap feeling. Then the iconic down-firing ports make it look unique and more importantly make it easier to place these speakers in your home. On the glossy front of the Wharfedale Diamond 225, you will spot a 1 inch (25mm) soft dome tweeter and right below it, a 6.5 inch (165mm) woven Kevlar cone. The frequency response is very impressive for a bookshelf speaker at this price point, it is 45Hz – 20kHz (+/-3dB) and also capable of digging deep into a lower frequency, down to 40Hz (-6dB). From what we have heard from the Diamond 220, we won’t be surprised the Diamond 225 is able to reproduce such deep bass as we kind of expecting it to do so.
The nominal impedance of 8 Ohms is great and the minimal impedance will be 4.2 Ohms. The speaker sensitivity is only 87dB which means these are not really efficient bookshelf speakers and will require high-quality amps to push them to sing at high volume. We can see them being capable stereo speakers and also as one of the speakers in a home surround setup, even as desktop speakers as well but maybe a bit big though. The recommended amplifier power requirement is between 25-120 Watts. With these details, the amount of potential amplifier choices has further shrunk.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 225
We love the way the Wharfedale Diamond 225 handles the low end, never trying to impress and never exaggerates. But, the bass has weight and there’s richness as well, it really digs deep too. When the deep bass is reproduced, it is tight and well-controlled, which really caught us off guard as it is cleaner than we expected. The soundstage is really wide but the depth could do a little more. The midrange is lush and dynamic, delivering a soothing smooth sound and is great for a relaxing evening.
The vocals sounded natural and there’s warmth in them but without sounding too colored. It is soft and yet engaging enough, the musicality of the Wharfedale Diamond 225 is really alluring at times. The music presentation was never a dull moment due to the weight of the bass, which matches well with the tempo of the music. The agility of these bookshelf speakers is simply remarkable. The highs are sweet and easy on the ears, never once felt a need to take a break.
The Wharfedale Diamond 225 may sound a little lackluster for movies but if we add a subwoofer into the mix, this should easily improve the home cinema experience. For music, the Diamond 225 alone will be sufficient and enjoyable in a small or mid-sized listening room. As they are entry-level speakers, we shouldn’t be looking into HiFi separate like a preamp and power amp combo. So without further ado, here are the best amps you can choose to match with your Wharfedale Diamond 225 standmounters.
Wharfedale Diamond 225 Specifications
- Speaker Type: 2-way reflex (down-firing)
- Drive Units: 25mm (1 inch) soft dome tweeter and a 165mm woven Kevlar cone bass driver
- Frequency Response (+/-3dB): 45Hz-20kHz
- Recommended Power: 25-120 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms (min. 4.2 Ohms)
- Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m): 87dB
- Dimensions (H x D x W): 355mm x 196mm x 262mm, 14″ x 7.7″ x 10.3″
- Weight: 6.5kg (14.33lbs)
Best Amps to match with Wharfedale Diamond 225
The Marantz PM6006 is one of the top choices when it comes to pairing with Wharfedale Diamond 225. The PM6006 may have just enough power to drive the Diamond 225 but the musicality and sound quality that is been reproduce through this audio system are simply mesmerizing. The way the Marantz house sound goes so well with the sound signature of the Wharfedale Diamond 225. If we were to pick one sonic aspect it will be the PM6006 midrange which is full-bodied and smooth sounding. You will need to hear them out yourself, try to find a time to audition them, is worth it.
More Details at Amazon – Marantz PM6006 Integrated Amplifier
With slightly more power, the Cambridge Audio CXA61 is the next best amplifier to go with your Wharfedale Diamond 225 bookshelf speakers. This integrated amplifier will provide a livelier music presentation than the Marantz, but without the treble sounding harsh or hard. This also provides you with more insight and clarity, providing you with plenty of details. The CXA61 also complements the midrange reproduction of the Diamond 225 speaker very well, with a tad more clarity. On top of the sonic performance, the amp also comes with a high-quality DAC. This is another stereo setup that is worthy of your time and consideration.
More Info at Amazon – Cambridge Audio CXA61 Stereo Two-Channel Amplifier
The Yamaha A-S501 is another top entry-level integrated amplifier that you should look out for. Firstly, this amplifier packs enough power to easily drive your Wharfedale Diamond 225 bookshelf speakers. The sound characteristics of the Yamaha A-S501 are also quite close to the Diamond 225 but slightly more neutral-sounding which makes it quite easy to match them. These are insightful amplifiers too, they are very detailed in their music presentation. The only qualm we have is that it doesn’t have a built-in DAC, then again this is not really an issue.
More Details at Amazon – YAMAHA A-S501 Integrated Stereo Amplifier
If you are facing space constraints then probably you should go for NAD D 3045 which is a compact size integrated amplifier with its own built-in DAC, you can even put it upright which really helps you to save a lot of space. The NAD D 3045 may be small but they do pack a lot of power and reserves (IHF dynamic power) to drive Wharfedale Diamond 225 with ease. The sound quality of D 3045 is smooth and meaty, which blends very well with the sonic characteristics of the Diamond 225. It may not be suitable for listeners who are used to a bright sounding system.
More Info at Amazon – NAD D 3045 HybridDigital DAC/Amplifier
If budget is not an issue, and sound quality is of the utmost importance then check out Rega Elicit-R, it is one of the best stereo amplifiers to be paired with your Wharfedale Diamond 225 speakers. This amplifier will bring excitement to your music listening experience with its superb timing and snappy attacks, revealing all the subtle details of your favorite music without being clinical about it. The Rega Elicit-R has tight control over its music delivery and does bring in a bit more brightness to the overall sound reproduction. You should audition them first before deciding, and hear them out.
More Information at Amazon – Rega Elicit-R Integrated Amplifier
For AV receivers, we would recommend going with Marantz, as the sonic signature of both brands are usually quite matching. The next ideal AVR brand will be Denon and with Yamaha closely behind but if you are planning to integrate a subwoofer into the mix. We will recommend either Marantz or Denon due to their Audyssey room correction technology which ensures your whole HT system will sound its best in your listening room. Get a sealed subwoofer as they are better for music and get a ported subwoofer if you mainly use your home theater system for movies. It is not that sealed subwoofers are not ideal for movie sources, they do provide high-quality bass performance which is tighter and faster but they are not as efficient when compared to the ported cabinet subs.
More Details at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer (Piano Gloss Black) – 12-inch DriverSealed Cabinet
To Sum It Up
Wharfedale Diamond 225 is indeed a talented bookshelf speaker and is definitely comparable to Diamond 220. With the right amplifiers to drive them, you will be enjoying the Diamond 225 speakers for years to come, with countless hours of relaxing music listening experience. The amplifiers listed here are some of the best on the market and are compatible with your Wharfedale Diamond 225. Just arrange a time to audition them first, as they do really deserve your consideration. You can also use this list as a reference and search for amps that are more suitable for your current situation and needs.
