Hz ratings are "for reference only". Even if nowadays more and more manufacturers are also mentioning whether it is +-3dB or +-6dB or +-10dB
Because what they never tell you is whether those are "in typical application scenario". Some brands actually mention whether those Hz numbers are "in room" or even "on table" or even "with back wall". But basically if they never specify "anechoic", you can treat it as it is not anechoic. And even if they say it is anechoic, I don't trust it either.
Furthermore sometimes the values can be technically correct but actually useless. The trick is saying for example +-3dB, but the midbass frequencies are boosted compared to the treble (although still keeping to the +-3dB). But then the -3dB bass cutoff point is -3dB versus the treble. So, yes, it is still a +-3dB response, but the bass rolls off faster than what the number suggests.
Whatever the reason, it is not uncommon to have measurements differing from rating. Take these two measurements of Diamond 220 for example.
https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/wharfedale-diamond-220-speaker-system-review-test-bench
Diamond 220 (purple) +1.44/–4.56 dB, 200 Hz to 10 kHz; –3 dB @ 99 Hz, –6 dB @ 76 Hz; impedance minimum 4.35 ohms @ 224 Hz, phase angle –35.10º @ 120 Hz; sensitivity 87 dB, 500 Hz to 2 kHz.
And I wouldn't say these prove the rating is incorrect, because there will be some way to make the rating correct. Same goes for sensitivity, btw.
And finally perhaps the hardest to understand part of all, is that even if two speakers have the same anechoic frequency response, they can still behave differently on your table.
Size of woofer, location of port, distance between drivers, basically things affecting dispersion pattern, these may have minimal effect in a perfect measurement set up, but these nearfield effects will have an effect on the sound when you are, erm, nearfield.
tl;dr, basically just throw everything away and just ask a guy who has both which one has more bass. Yea, and I forgot to mention that bass extension is not bass quantity. And insufficient bass quantity is worse than having enough bass quantity but less extension.
I would believe that general consensus is that Wharfedale has more bass while the Q speakers have less.
