WharfedaleDiamond 225 (Black)

Caveat on the 5 Star rating:FOR THE MONEY, I don't think you can find a better overall performing speaker. Some other speakers in this price category may be a small amount better in one specific area, but this speaker does almost everything you want a speaker to do very well.It's two weakest areas, which one should automatically assume will be the case for a speaker of this size and price, is the bass response and ability to sound composed at high volume levels (hang with me here so I can clarify and provide perspective).For its size and price, I was astounded by the bass response and the clean SPL these speakers can achieve, but ultimately the laws of physics are still in effect.Everything good you've heard or read about these speakers is true.If you are on a fairly limited budget, get them before they're gone.Highly recommended!P.S.I've been enjoying these for 18 months with all types of music.I still stand by everything I originally said. At higher volumes, they do lose a bit of their sonic smoothness, but that's very understandable considering the price and size of these.I just recently added a powered subwoofer and that helps them remain cohesive at higher decibel levels due to not having to handle the bottom two octaves (I set the crossover on my Denon DRA-800H at 110Hz because at that setting bass guitars sound more balanced through their range with the Warfedale's - I hate it when the tone starts thinning out as the bass notes get up in the higher low end to lower midrange - yeah, I'm a bass guitarist. Going higher than 110Hz makes male voices sound overly thick & unnatural). So, if you like playing your music &/or movies at higher volume levels, these are helped quite a bit by adding a good subwoofer (I got a Klipsche Reference R-10SW, powered 10", 150W/300W sub).

With my Cambridge Audio amp, these speakers give outstanding performance!

I matched this 225 with a brand new Yamaha A-S801. After replacing the stock power cable with a $40 5.5 ft WAudio 10 AWG Hi-End HiFi Audio Power Cable Power, running the system over 200 hours to burn in. I am very pleased with the performance of the 225. I played all sort of music from it. Other than hard rock like AC/DC I didn't enjoy, I went from 400 year old classic from Bach to jazz classic of Mile Davis, vocal of Diana Krall, Sam Smith, Sade, L Richie, Seal, all over map. I am using the speaker in a 16x12 ft room. With little bit of sound damping and diffusion. The speaker came across as delivering all the details that was recorded and the Yamaha A-S801 can manage to deliver over a 168 strands (12ac) Kimbell Kabel. The classic British speaker character is well presented with a well matched Yamaha amplifier (of warm analog character as well) while no detail is missed during presentation. With a well match power cable, enabling the 225 to deliver the low frequency in a nicely quiet background, but not a dead muff zone, music is lively in every note and turn. Very satisfy with the choice. Diamond 225 is a well tested and fine tuned speaker system.

After only a few days in, I am very happy with the Diamond 225's. The sound as described elsewhere for the 220's is open and transparent. The bass goes deep and tight - I will not opt for a sub. Speakers are funny things in that there are as many of different types as well as opinions.I drive these with a vintage Onkyo running 125 WPC RMS, so pushed with plenty of power they handle it with aplomb. Being no audiophile, I have them as speakers for all inputs: from streaming to TV & Records - with Tone adjustments, they shine in all lights.I will update the review when I get them to 50 hours of run time if there is any noticeable sound difference from out of the box.*************50 hour update**************Do not need a sub, this speaker reaches deep, 6.5" woofers can. The top end is just so, not that I'm complaining but you have to compromise. This compromise I can live with.As I've mentioned, I use them with every input from streaming to records and TV/FM/CD. The clarity and open sound/bass from CD needs to be heard. 2.0 is where I'll stay.I would buy these again in a heartbeat. Excellent buy.

great speakers (and not just 'great for the money'these stand mounters are prime Examples that you do not need to break the bank in order to achieve audiophile sound , these 225's replaced a pair of def tech towers i paid 5x the cost for , and these sound better

Coming from someone who primarily uses headphones (Sennheiser HD8 DJ, and IE80's), these speakers provide an unbelievable soundstage and superior accuracy while not being too harsh or fatiguing. I am able to hear the precise location of instruments, especially when listening to orchestral music. Bass is very clean, deep and controlled, the mids are powerful and clear and the treble is silky smooth. I am using these speakers on my desk and with the new bottom firing port design, they have no problem being against the wall. I'm giving them 50w RMS each and they can get extremely loud without distorting at all. I do have them paired with a 12inch subwoofer, but I turned the crossover down to 60hz since the speakers handle everything down to about 50 perfectly.Listening to Hans Zimmer tracks are a treat. Every instrument is heard and laid out in front of you. Listening to rock songs, it honestly feels like you're at a live performance especially when you crank them up. I have yet to find a genre that these speakers don't blow me away in.Overall, these provide a phenomenal listening experience while looking very nice at a reasonable price. Would recommend to anyone looking for an exquisite listening experience.