Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary Bookshelf Speakers w Stands (Pair)
Experience Timeless Tradition: Three-Way Wharfedale Linton Loudspeakers with Dedicated Stands Feature Eight-Inch Woofer, Play with Elevated Openness and Taut Bass
When you look at the Wharfedale Linton loudspeaker, it's impossible not to sense the legacy of natural-sounding tradition, marvel at the classy styling, and smell the hand-veneered cabinets. One of the most iconic models in the British manufacturer's history, and one that dates back to 1965, the updated Linton retains its predecessor's warm, rich disposition while also offering an elevated degree of open, detailed playback that make it a modern classic.
Featuring an eight-inch Kevlar woofer, five-inch Kevlar midrange, and one-inch soft-dome tweeter, the Stereophile Class B Recommended Linton exudes timeless audiophile sound, looks, and character.
Gorgeously proportioned, the three-way Linton boasts an inset front baffle and traditional cloth grille that speak to its English roots. The woofer arrives mounted on a rigid, die-cast chassis that allows the unit to provide taut, controlled bass marked by engaging dynamics and remarkable extension. The midrange comes housed in its own enclosure for ample separation while the tweeter—complete with a high-flux ferrite magnet for smooth high-frequency reproduction—helps account for stellar timing and imaging.
Of course, we cannot talk about Linton without mentioning those beautiful, rock-solid stands included with the speakers. Custom designed to support the size and weight of the cabinet, and to present the listening axis at just the right spot, they also supply critical damping from vibrations and allow room for you to store some of your vinyl LP collection right under the speakers. Now that is true hi-fi.
Looking at Linton, it becomes immediately clear that there's no expiration date on vintage style. The same can be said about superior sound, which you'll also find Linton offers with abundance.
"The Wharfedale Lintons merge a refined, elegantly detailed, full-range sound with a magnetic personality that made me want to play records—made me want to listen longer, and to understand more of what I was listening to. These conspicuous talents, plus the fact that the Linton look Jaguar-like expensive, and cost less than they should, make the newest Wharfedales highly recommendable. "
—Herb Reichert, Stereophile, Class B Recommended Component
"The new Wharfedale Linton reimagines the past, rather than recreating it. It delivers so much of what was great about old-school wide-baffle loudspeakers – the ease, effortless musicality and room-filling physicality – yet consigns the age-old problems of vagueness, dynamic compression, and poor transient response to the dustbin of history. It’s a special speaker in its way, but what I most like about it is that it offers all this for such an attractive price. "
—David Price, Hi-Fi Choice
"We believe good hifi should be fun, affordable, and approachable. The Lintons tick all the boxes and then some."
—TONEAudio, 2019 Exceptional Value Award
"With effortless weight, spot-on stereo imaging and layer upon layer of marvelous detail, you could listen to these speakers for days and still not get tired. Just remember to change the record once in a while."
—What Hi-Fi?, five-star review
"I found the Linton 85s to have considerable audiophile appeal as they were, by turns, engaging, energizing, seductive, and just plain fun to listen to. [They] tread the fine line between being revealing yet also inviting and at times downright seductive. They also can boogie, when the occasion arises."
—Chris Martens, Hi-Fi+
"The Linton Heritage offer all of the midrange resolution and natural sound of the original, but with a lot more detail, speed and transparency. They deliver scale and image rather well considering their boxy looking cabinet."
—Ian White, Gear Patrol
Specifications
Enclosure Type: Bass reflex
Transducer Complement: 3-way
Bass Driver: 8"(200mm) black woven Kevlar cone
Midrange Driver: 5"(135mm) black woven Kevlar cone
Treble Driver: 1" (25mm) soft dome
AV Shield: No
Sensitivity (2.0V @ 1m): 90dB
Recommended Amplifier Power: 25-200W
Peak SPL: 110dB
Nominal Impedance: 6Ω
Minimum Impedance: 3.5Ω
Frequency Response(+/-3dB): 40Hz ~ 20kHz
Bass Extension(-6dB): 35Hz
Crossover Frequency: 630Hz & 2.4kHz
Dimensions (HWD): 22.2" x 11.8" x 13.0"
Weight: 40.6 lbs.
Stand dimensions (HWD): 17.2" x 11.8" x 13"
