An active speaker is a wonderful thing, particularly if you are in need of an amplifier as well as a pair of speakers. For those who are unfamiliar, an active speaker is a speaker which doesn’t require a separate amplifier… because there’s one already built in. Typically, you can control the volume on the speakers themselves, which makes active speakers a very popular choice for desktop speakers, and other “small space” locales.
There was a time when an active speaker was considered substandard to a full separates system, but as the technology improves, so do the attitudes surrounding it. High end active speakers are increasing in popularity, as those with smaller living spaces seek out high quality alternatives to a space-hogging separates system.
If this sounds like a good move, then there’s a pair of speakers you need to consider…
The Wharfedale Diamond A1 Active Speakers are the active versions of the multi-award winning Wharfedale Diamond 220 (i.e. the “passive” originals). Wharfedale are one of those brands who know when they’re onto a good thing, and the Diamond A1s are soon-to-be-classic examples of exactly that.
They’re sleek and stylish, and come in a choice of gloss black and white fronts with leatherette-finished cabinets. Sadly, this is the kind of texture that’s very difficult to capture in a single frame, so you will have to take my word on it for just how good they look.
Speaking of looks, the eagle eyes amongst you may have noticed that these are active speakers with a companion.
Each set comes with a H1 wireless hub – something which accompanies all of the Diamond active range. And yes, it’s a range. Straying away from the traditionally compact nature of the active speaker, you also have the choice to upgrade to the Wharfedale Diamond A2, the floorstanding variant. The H1 is a revolutionary bit of kit, as it operates wirelessly, and means that the two active speakers can operate without being leashed together. A slightly problematic quirk in most actives. This means that the speakers can be placed anywhere in a room, with the hub allowed to move freely too (up to 20m away).
All of this is well and good, but if the sound doesn’t measure up to the practicality and convenience, what’s the point? Thankfully, the sound does measure up. The
“The Wharfedale A1 uses a proprietary mid/bass driver with a 13cm woven Kevlar cone coupled with a 25mm fabric dome tweeter derived from the Diamond 200 series for clear high frequencies. The Diamond Active speaker also gets a specifically optimised crossover network which works to offer an immersive, bold and cohesive performance which is as equally as impressively refined.” ~ Wharfedale
And they are certainly bold. Clear. Defined… and brilliant.
It’s models like this that make hardened hi-fi aficionados (separatists, as I’m hoping will catch on!) question themselves. The only question is, how much better can they actually get?
Like what you see? Then click here for the full listing, including the tech specs.