Wharfedale DP8.1A Diamond Pro Active Monitor (5 in.)
No longer available at zZounds
1/4 in. unbalanced input. Volume level. Carefully tailored bass filter switch.
Overview
Wharfedale DP8.1A Diamond Pro Active Monitor (5 in.)
The Diamond 8 Series
Make no mistake -- these don't just lead the class, they completely redefine it!
There's not much to say about these that hasn't already been said. "The hi-fi products of the decade"--(HiFi World), "The most amazing loudspeakers for 25 years"--(Ken Kessler - Hi-Fi News - D8.1), "Instantly sets the level to which all rivals must now aspire"--(Gramophone).
They have totally redefined the expectations at the price. No longer will sloppy drive units, poor build and single wire terminals suffice -- even in budget loudspeakers. If you are serious about sound, but restricted by cost, there is no other choice.
The Diamond 8 is nothing short of a revolution in audio. Wharfedale's unique bi-directional KEVLAR weave creates a cone that can start and stop in an instant -- for detail and resolution that will amaze even the most skeptical listener. Coupled with the most refined Ferro-fluid cooled, neodymium powered, textile tweeter in it's class, this range has it all -- detail, dynamics, one of the most impressive soundstages you will ever hear (at any price) and the kind of excitement and involvement that many who spend 100 times as much on their loudspeakers would envy.
For Home Cinema enthusiasts, there is now a special edition of the DFS speaker tonally and aesthetically matched to the Diamond 8 series. This bi-polar speakers produces an ideal rear sound field, with both direct stereo imaging and the ambience… read more required -- all with the same detail and resolution you have come to expect from the rest of the range. read less
The Diamond 8 Series
Make no mistake -- these don't just lead the class, they completely redefine it!
There's not much to say about these that hasn't already been said. "The hi-fi products of the decade"--(HiFi World), "The most amazing loudspeakers for 25 years"--(Ken Kessler - Hi-Fi News - D8.1), "Instantly sets the level to which all rivals must now aspire"--(Gramophone).
They have totally redefined the expectations at the price. No longer will sloppy drive units, poor build and single wire terminals suffice -- even in budget loudspeakers. If you are serious about sound, but restricted by cost, there is no other choice.
The Diamond 8 is nothing short of a revolution in audio. Wharfedale's unique bi-directional KEVLAR weave creates a cone that can start and stop in an instant -- for detail and resolution that will amaze even the most skeptical listener. Coupled with the most refined Ferro-fluid cooled, neodymium powered, textile tweeter in it's class, this range has it all -- detail, dynamics, one of the most impressive soundstages you will ever hear (at any price) and the kind of excitement and involvement that many who spend 100 times as much on their loudspeakers would envy.
For Home Cinema enthusiasts, there is now a special edition of the DFS speaker tonally and aesthetically matched to the Diamond 8 series. This bi-polar speakers produces an ideal rear sound field, with both direct stereo imaging and the ambience… read more required -- all with the same detail and resolution you have come to expect from the rest of the range. read less
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
(25 ratings)
Submitted June 14, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Wharfedale studio monitors are great"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
If I do eventually upgrade from these it'll probably be 3- 5 yrs from now and mostly only to judge either speaker designs I build or if I do decide to do minimilist recordings for fun or profit. They are great for the price and have very few features but they earn their keep with quality sound.
Sound
The sound keeps up quite well to my stereo's $1200/pr bookshelf speakers. Quite surprisingly accurate, I wouldn't say they are equivalent since they do have less detail and can't play as low but for around 1/5th the price and self powered they are wonderful. I look forward to eventually buying another one of Wharfdale's products. Sounds a ton better then my old pr of B&W 602 series 2's which were over twice as much.
Features
The controls are basic. It has volume, power, bassfilter, and two inputs on back. I do wish it came with a few response controls (for room loading and/or other placement variables), but that is just nitpicking at this price since it's the sound that matters most and it's very nuetral as is.
Ease of Use
Bought an external USB interface to use as a pre-amp for them. I have more questions about how to get the most out of the usb interface then I'll ever have about these speakers.
Quality
Feels solid finish is sweet, the grained metallic veneer would look great on a countertop. All the corners look perfectly joined, everything seems to fit… read more like a glove. Only thing that bugs me is the grills, they need to either rest on a rubberized part of the faceplate or have some kind of decoupler on them, they do feel a bit flimsy. I'd take them off for critical listening to reduce the effects of what their resonance and defraction might add.
Value
Great price / performance ratio. Very hard to find such good soundquality for near this price anywhere.
Manufacturer Support
the LED on the left speaker didn't work from day one but the speaker sounds great so haven't bothered to use it.
The Wow Factor
Quaint little mini-monitors, I assume most people would love their looks (my tastes are a bit odd as far as what most people preffer from speakers). They fit nicely on a regular desk.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist, Audiophile, plays with a bass guitar
Musical Style:
Alternative read less
Sound
The sound keeps up quite well to my stereo's $1200/pr bookshelf speakers. Quite surprisingly accurate, I wouldn't say they are equivalent since they do have less detail and can't play as low but for around 1/5th the price and self powered they are wonderful. I look forward to eventually buying another one of Wharfdale's products. Sounds a ton better then my old pr of B&W 602 series 2's which were over twice as much.
Features
The controls are basic. It has volume, power, bassfilter, and two inputs on back. I do wish it came with a few response controls (for room loading and/or other placement variables), but that is just nitpicking at this price since it's the sound that matters most and it's very nuetral as is.
Ease of Use
Bought an external USB interface to use as a pre-amp for them. I have more questions about how to get the most out of the usb interface then I'll ever have about these speakers.
Quality
Feels solid finish is sweet, the grained metallic veneer would look great on a countertop. All the corners look perfectly joined, everything seems to fit… read more like a glove. Only thing that bugs me is the grills, they need to either rest on a rubberized part of the faceplate or have some kind of decoupler on them, they do feel a bit flimsy. I'd take them off for critical listening to reduce the effects of what their resonance and defraction might add.
Value
Great price / performance ratio. Very hard to find such good soundquality for near this price anywhere.
Manufacturer Support
the LED on the left speaker didn't work from day one but the speaker sounds great so haven't bothered to use it.
The Wow Factor
Quaint little mini-monitors, I assume most people would love their looks (my tastes are a bit odd as far as what most people preffer from speakers). They fit nicely on a regular desk.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist, Audiophile, plays with a bass guitar
Musical Style:
Alternative read less
7 of 7 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
No longer available at zZounds
In most cases, a product is unavailable because it has been discontinued by the manufacturer
This is a carousel with product cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate.
People who bought this item also bought
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Duo Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface
$999.00
- 12 x$83.25
- 8 x$124.88
- No Credit Check6 x$166.50
- No Credit Check4 x$249.75
Yamaha HS8S Active Studio Subwoofer
$499.99
- 8 x$62.50
- No Credit Check6 x$83.33
- No Credit Check4 x$125.00
JBL LSR310S Powered Studio Subwoofer Speaker
$399.00
- 8 x$49.88
- No Credit Check6 x$66.50
- No Credit Check4 x$99.75
Neumann TLM 102 Studio Microphone
$749.00
- 12 x$62.42
- 8 x$93.63
- No Credit Check6 x$124.83
- No Credit Check4 x$187.25
Universal Audio Apollo Solo Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface
$499.00
- 8 x$62.38
- No Credit Check6 x$83.17
- No Credit Check4 x$124.75
Shure SM7B Dynamic Cardioid Studio Vocal Microphone
$399.00
- 8 x$49.88
- No Credit Check6 x$66.50
- No Credit Check4 x$99.75
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 4 USB Audio Interface
$199.99
- No Credit Check6 x$33.33
- No Credit Check4 x$50.00
Universal Audio Apollo Twin Duo MkII Thunderbolt 2 Audio Interface
$899.00
- 12 x$74.92
- 8 x$112.38
- No Credit Check6 x$149.83
- No Credit Check4 x$224.75
KRK S10.4 Powered Studio Subwoofer (160 Watts)
$479.00
- 8 x$59.88
- No Credit Check6 x$79.83
- No Credit Check4 x$119.75
