I have the
Diamond 9.6, indeed good speakers for the money. While they retailed for $1000/pr, I got mine for $425/pr.
Here is the current model that is the equivalent of the model in the photo -
Wharfedale Diamond 230 (2x6.5" bass drivers) - $799/pr -
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-281573-wharfedale-diamond-230-tower-speakers.aspx
Here is the current Diamond Center Speaker that is the equivalent of the models you are considering -
Wharfedale Diamond 220C (2x5" bass driers) - $299/ea -
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-281503-wharfedale-diamond-220c-center-channel-speaker.aspx
I don't think
Wharfedale makes that same 4" satellite/surround speakers, but from the previous
Diamond 10 series, this would be the closest equivalent -
Wharfedale Diamond 10.0 (1x4" bass driver) - on-sale $179/pr (retail $300/pr) -
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15519-wharfedale-diamond-100-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx
So, using current prices, the equivalent system would be about
($800 + $300 + $300) $1400.
Though I'm guessing, I would suggest the original price on the speakers at the link you provided, it would be about about $600/pr for Tower, $250 for the Center, and maybe $180 to $200 for the Surround speakers. That's make the
total cost about
($600 + $250 + $200) $1050/set.
The
Diamond 9.6 (2x8") were about
$1000/pr when they were the currents model line. Today that same speaker, the D
iamond 250 (2x8") cost about
$1599/pr -
Wharfedale Diamond 250 (2x8") - $1599/pr -
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-281602-wharfedale-diamond-250-tower-speakers.aspx
Keep in mind that since the D
iamond 9 series, we have had the
Diamond 10 series, the
Diamond 100 series, and now the
new Diamond 200 series which has just been released in the USA. I suspect with each new series, the price increased slightly.
Conclusion, if the speakers are in good shape, then $450/set is a very good price.
Though of limited value, here are my
Diamond 9.6 in action on a Stereo system -
You can tell exactly how they sound, but you can tell that they do sound good.
Steve/bluewizard