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This is quite a steal if you have a subwoofer pulling the low end, since it has an F3 of 90Hz so you'd likely need a 100Hz high pass filter (crossover), but that's how it achieves a respectable 87db sensitivity despite its compact and high-WAF form factor. (To understand how the bass-for-sensitivity trade-off works, compare with the $3K/pair SVS Ultra Evolution tower which has the same 87db sensitvity but due to being 8x the size, has a 30Hz F3 spec.)
So, if you have a subwoofer this would give you much more room-filling capacity than many speakers in its size and price range ($400/ea. MSRP). Designed by Karl Heinz Fink, who designed the first generation Q Acoustics speakers which were widely acclaimed for their combination of tonal balance, good looks, and high price-to-performance.
Caveat: if you want the traditional "warm and lush" Wharfedale sound signature, you'll have to look at earlier generations of the Diamond series which were designed by Peter Comeaux---the 12 series lean much closer to neutral and will do both music and movies well.
Even though it's marketed as a "center channel," it can be stood vertical and used as mains just like any other 2-way MTM speaker. (The industry doesn't want you to know that because they'd rather sell you tower speakers for your mains, which are much more profitable for THEM---same reason automakers are eager to upsell you to SUVs not sedans.)
Another WAF bonus: available in 4 colors, not just black.
https://www.wharfedaleu
So, if you have a subwoofer this would give you much more room-filling capacity than many speakers in its size and price range ($400/ea. MSRP). Designed by Karl Heinz Fink, who designed the first generation Q Acoustics speakers which were widely acclaimed for their combination of tonal balance, good looks, and high price-to-performance.
Caveat: if you want the traditional "warm and lush" Wharfedale sound signature, you'll have to look at earlier generations of the Diamond series which were designed by Peter Comeaux---the 12 series lean much closer to neutral and will do both music and movies well.
Even though it's marketed as a "center channel," it can be stood vertical and used as mains just like any other 2-way MTM speaker. (The industry doesn't want you to know that because they'd rather sell you tower speakers for your mains, which are much more profitable for THEM---same reason automakers are eager to upsell you to SUVs not sedans.)
Another WAF bonus: available in 4 colors, not just black.
https://www.wharfedaleu
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This is quite a steal if you have a subwoofer pulling the low end, since it has an F3 of 90Hz so you'd likely need a 100Hz high pass filter (crossover), but that's how it achieves a respectable 87db sensitivity despite its compact and high-WAF form factor. (To understand how the bass-for-sensitivity trade-off works, compare with the $3K/pair SVS Ultra Evolution tower which has the same 87db sensitvity but due to being 8x the size, has a 30Hz F3 spec.)
So, if you have a subwoofer this would give you much more room-filling capacity than many speakers in its size and price range ($400/ea. MSRP). Designed by Karl Heinz Fink, who designed the first generation Q Acoustics speakers which were widely acclaimed for their combination of tonal balance, good looks, and high price-to-performance.
Caveat: if you want the traditional "warm and lush" Wharfedale sound signature, you'll have to look at earlier generations of the Diamond series which were designed by Peter Comeaux---the 12 series lean much closer to neutral and will do both music and movies well.
Even though it's marketed as a "center channel," it can be stood vertical and used as mains just like any other 2-way MTM speaker. (The industry doesn't want you to know that because they'd rather sell you tower speakers for your mains, which are much more profitable for THEM---same reason automakers are eager to upsell you to SUVs not sedans.)
Another WAF bonus: available in 4 colors, not just black.
https://www.wharfedaleu
So, if you have a subwoofer this would give you much more room-filling capacity than many speakers in its size and price range ($400/ea. MSRP). Designed by Karl Heinz Fink, who designed the first generation Q Acoustics speakers which were widely acclaimed for their combination of tonal balance, good looks, and high price-to-performance.
Caveat: if you want the traditional "warm and lush" Wharfedale sound signature, you'll have to look at earlier generations of the Diamond series which were designed by Peter Comeaux---the 12 series lean much closer to neutral and will do both music and movies well.
Even though it's marketed as a "center channel," it can be stood vertical and used as mains just like any other 2-way MTM speaker. (The industry doesn't want you to know that because they'd rather sell you tower speakers for your mains, which are much more profitable for THEM---same reason automakers are eager to upsell you to SUVs not sedans.)
Another WAF bonus: available in 4 colors, not just black.
https://www.wharfedaleu
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SVS Ultra Evolution speakers are state of the art 3-way designs with well-regarded diamond-coated tweeters and a special shape for temporal alignment across all acoustic frequencies. I don't think that they can be compared to this center channel. Having the same sensitivity doesn't mean much in terms of how they actually sound.
SVS Ultra Evolution speakers are state of the art 3-way designs with well-regarded diamond-coated tweeters and a special shape for temporal alignment across all acoustic frequencies. I don't think that they can be compared to this center channel. Having the same sensitivity doesn't mean much in terms of how they actually sound.
As for the SVS Ultra Evo, I'm not implying that the WD 12.C would be in any way equivalent in performance, but simply as an illustration of Hoffman's Iron Law regarding speaker efficiency vs bass extension vs cabinet compactness.
That's like informing us that your Porsche outperforms a Civic. Gosh, really??? 😆
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NOMINAL impedance (the more common industry-wide spec) is "8 ohms compatible."
I don't know of any independent Klippel measurements of this speaker, so unfortunately we can't be 100% sure, but the Diamond series being a relatively entry-level model series, I doubt they'd be dumb enough to make it a power hog. That's usually reserved for top-shelf model series (Elysian series, in the case of WD) since they (correctly) assume that anyone who has the dough for that pricepoint will most likely be using beefy amplification.
That's why comparing it to $3k speaker to insinuate it's sound capabilities is so off base.
Using it vertically is just as an off base suggestion for the same reason.
Just doesn't keep up with the towers.
They're not as inefficient as say entry level Emotiva or Mono THX speakers.
Like them, they don't make too much sense unless someone finds them an end game choice imo.
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It's a classic "audiophile hack" that actually has some solid science behind it, but whether it's a "bad" idea depends entirely on how you orient them.
The short answer: Using them vertically is actually a great idea. Using them horizontally (as they are usually sold) is where the trouble starts.
The "MTM" Design Logic
MTM stands for Midrange-Tweeter-Midrange (also known as a D'Appolito array).
- Vertical Orientation: When stood upright, the two mid-woofers work together to control vertical dispersion. This minimizes reflections off your floor and ceiling, leading to a very focused, "tight" soundstage. This is why many high-end towers use an MTM configuration at the top.
- Horizontal Orientation: When flipped on its side (as a typical center channel), that same physics works against you. It creates lobing—interference patterns where the sound waves from the two woofers cancel each other out as you move off-center.
Why do people do this?Audiophiles often use three identical MTM center speakers vertically across the front (Left, Center, Right) for several reasons:
- Perfect Timber Matching: Having three identical speakers ensures that as a sound pans from left to right, the tone doesn't change at all.
- Symmetry: MTM designs are symmetrical, which provides a very stable phantom image in the center of the room.
- Space Efficiency: Many "center" speakers are designed to be high-output but shallow, making them easier to wall-mount or fit behind an acoustically transparent projector screen than a bulky floorstander.
The Potential PitfallsBefore you go hunting for a pair of center channels to use as mains, keep these factors in mind:
FactorConsiderationComb FilteringIf you use them horizontally as mains, the "sweet spot" will be incredibly narrow. One inch to the left or right and the midrange will dip significantly.Bass ExtensionMany center speakers are "sealed" or tuned for dialogue clarity, meaning they might roll off the bass earlier than a dedicated bookshelf speaker. You'll likely want a subwoofer.Tweeter OrientationSome center speakers have "waveguides" designed specifically for horizontal dispersion. If you flip the speaker vertically, check if the tweeter plate can be rotated 90° to maintain the intended spray of sound.
The Verdict
It's not a bad idea at all—in fact, three vertical MTMs is often superior to a "mismatched" setup of two towers and one horizontal center. Just make sure you have the height clearance to stand them up properly.
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1. Sensitivity: The 87dB Rating
A sensitivity of 87dB is the textbook definition of "average."
- 90dB+: High efficiency (Easy to drive with almost any amp).
- 85dB - 89dB: Moderate efficiency (Requires a decent modern receiver).
- Below 84dB: Low efficiency (Requires a high-current external power amp).
At 87dB, you aren't going to set any loudness records with a tiny 20-watt amp, but any standard Home Theater Receiver (AVR) from brands like Denon, Marantz, or Yamaha will handle it just fine in a typical living room.2. Impedance: The "8 Ohm Compatible" Catch
This is where you have to be a bit careful. When a manufacturer says "8 ohm compatible," it's often marketing-speak for: "This is actually a 4 or 6 ohm speaker, but we've tested it and it won't set your 8-ohm receiver on fire."
According to Wharfedale's official detailed specs, the 12.C has a minimum impedance of 4.0Ω.The "MTM Vertical" Context
Since you were asking about using these as vertical mains:
- The Good News: Using two or three of these vertically increases your overall output. When you use two speakers instead of one, you gain roughly 3dB of "free" headroom.
- The Power Requirement: If you run three 12.Cs (Left, Center, Right) off a budget-tier AVR, that receiver is going to be working quite hard. Those 4-ohm dips across three channels simultaneously can strain an entry-level power supply.
The Verdict: It's a well-engineered speaker, but it's "hungry" enough that I wouldn't recommend driving a full 5.1 set of them with a bottom-of-the-line receiver. A mid-range AVR (usually rated at 80W-100W per channel) is the sweet spot for these.====
Since the "80-100wpc AVR" category includes entry level models like the Denon X1800, this is a perfectly safe choice for anyone who is not a confirmed volume freak.
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