Wharfedale Diamond 121 compared with Dali Lektor 2

[Tibor]

I looking for a full bodied, easy for ears sounding budget speaker for my Arcam system. I have no space for larger speakers (larger speakers=stronger bass), my room is small

Mainly for classical and vocal based music

I have to decide wich one to buy:

-Wharfedale Diamond 121 new

- Dali Lektor 2 second hand, but like new

I liked the old Diamond 9.1, but I think it is lacking sufficient detail for listening classical music.

I suppose the Wharfedale has a touch stronger bass response than Dali has.

Both speaker has the same price: aprox. 230 euro, sorry I can not try the speakers, I can buy online

Thank you for response

 

[slice]

Like you I have the 9.1s, which I am happy with, though I have toyed with upgrading. I did a little research on the 121s, and think I came across a video review on YouTube which suggested that they were good speakers but that they didn't sound so good if you left the speaker covers on. Perhaps somone else who has them could comment on this and you might wish to search YouTube.

If you are the guy who was buying the 6005 cd player, are you happy with it?

 

[Tibor]

No, I has not Marantz cd player

I suppose Diamond 121 is far better than 9.1

 

[Al ears]

No, I has not Marantz cd player

I suppose Diamond 121 is far better than 9.1

From what I experienced my money would be on the 121's yes. However, speakers can vary so much dependant on placement so strongly recommend you go and listen yourself. If you can demo a pair in your own home then do so. If you live in an area of the world where this is not possible then I think I'd happily take a chance on the 121's.

Against the Lektor 2's it would be a hard-fought race.

 

[Tibor]

Thank you, is not easy to decide, the Lektor 2 as new has aprox.double price as Diamond, so it is supposed that is far better

 

[Al ears]

You are going to have to listen for yourself and decide as nobody here can do it for you. Do not make the mistake in thinking that more expensive speakers must, for that fact alone, sound better. This is sometimes not the case. In the UK the Dali's are about a third more expensive than the 121's but I wouldn't say they were 33.3% better.

 

[Blackdawn]

Hi, there are probably not many people on here who have heard both sets of speakers one after the other, especially as the Lektors 2's are older. I 'm using the Lektor 2s at the moment. They are good with all types of music and I am happy with them playing classical as well as rock etc. They need plenty of running in though, so don't go on first impressions. I've not heard the Wharfedale 121 speakers. There are some deals on the Wharfs 122 speakers, I might be tempted by the larger speaker for a few more £. or Zensor 3.

 

[Tibor]

Thank you for response

You are right, but I have no enough money for Zensor 3.

Thank you for response, the question is : Has the Diamond stronger bass response than Lektor 2?

I suppose the Lektor 2 is the better speaker for classical, but I am afraid that is a little bass light compared with Diamond 121. The Diamond series is famous for strong bass.

For example: for my tastes Dali Zensor 1 has little bass, so I suppose the Dali Lektor 2 is similar (aprox. it has the same dimension)

 

[Blackdawn]

As I say, I doubt many people have heard the Lektor 2 and 121 side by side. Both have fairly small drive units, so bass isn't going to be massive but ample. I find the Lektor 2s have enough bass. Can you spend a little more and go for the Wharfedale 122 speakers? I find the Lektor 2s exciting to listen to. Can you go into a shop and listen to the Wharfedales?

 

[matthewpiano]

In my experience, the Lektor 2s are slightly warmer than the Zensor 1s and don't sound as light. They are extremely nice speakers and never betrayed any sharp edges when I owned them, whereas the Zensor 1s can do so on occasion. However, if you want a weightier sound the Diamond 121s will give that more easily.

Very difficult choice as both are excellent.

 

[Blackdawn]

One thing that might help you decide is whether you want to hang the speakers on the wall or place them close to the wall or biwire? I have my Dali Lektor 2's on the hooks which are on the back of the speaker. All you need is a screw and wall plug for each. The Wharfedales are very flexible due to the downward firing port.

I'd like to see Wharfedale release a version 2 of the 121 and 122 with newly designed grilles. I've never been that keen on seperate grilles for tweeter and woofer and I don't really like the silver bling around the edges.

 

[Tibor]

Thank you for sharing your opinion, I will place the speakers on Mission Stancette stands aprox. 40 cm away from wall

I think I will buy the Diamonds, because I suppose they have fuller bass than Lektor 2 speakers have, however Lektor has a better finish ..The Diamond 122 as new is over my budget.

I replacing my old Acoustics Energy Aegis Neo 1, wich has enough bass, but also has hard/harsh upper midrange (it is lacking some inner warm and emotion), so it is not a musical speakers

 

[Tibor]

In my experience, the Lektor 2s are slightly warmer than the Zensor 1s and don't sound as light. They are extremely nice speakers and never betrayed any sharp edges when I owned them, whereas the Zensor 1s can do so on occasion. However, if you want a weightier sound the Diamond 121s will give that more easily.

Very difficult choice as both are excellent.

What about Q Acoustics 2020i compared with Diamond 121 (they have the same price as new)?

I think the Wharfedale has fuller sound with deeper bass, the Q Acoustics is more open sounding, but both are warm speakers