Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary speaker review & measurements by Erin's Audio Corner

[Infinit0]

I remember the Rega to be quite calm and warm. I don’t think I would be a bad match with the SuperLintons. My issue with these SuperLintons is the politeness that the Lintons don’t have. You don’t have the precision, the upper frequencies roll-off is killing all the brightness, but Lintons are very cohesive gently in their concept.

Nice, thanks a lot.

So finally I am struggling to decide if go with 1 REL Classic 98 or Two.
Or buy 1 Rel Classic 99 instead...

My room is 4.2m x 5m
The speakers are in the 4.2m wall, distance between them of 2m between tweeters
And my listening area is at 2.4m of the speakers

The only "treatment" I have in my room is DIRAC LIVE (not bass control) + carpet between listening area and speakers, + on the left a window with some curtains...
Let me upload some renders of the room + a plan

The "White" things near the TV Stand is the Wharfedale Linton.

Any tip in help me decide between those options?
ChatGPT is telling me that 99 is an overkill that will generate a lot of problems in that room, but I dont trust AI haha.
REL site is suggesting 2x REL 98
And the seller is suggesting REL 99

Visually speaking also I have found these 2 pics in the internet, one with a set of 98, and other with the 99, to see the dimensions.

 

[Snoopy]

I would get the 2 smaller subs. That should make the bass response more balanced. With or without Dirac

 

[Infinit0]

Yes I think I will finally set up in a pair of REL 98.
Thanks a lot

 

[PeterNL]

Yes I think I will finally set up in a pair of REL 98.
Thanks a lot

Really ? 3000$ to support Linton's....

 

[Miniyouuuu]

Better 2 subs like SVS 1000pro. Y have the 2000 and they almost do nothing. Lintons in my space go to 32hz. The real issue is the room nodes. So I use the subs to fill sub40hz and the nodes. If you don’t need 100db sub… any medium sub will do the task.

I also prefer two subs because you feel the position of the sub (at least above 60hz). If it is not in the middle is the room you will have a strange asymmetry.

 

[PeterNL]

Any of the owners of the linton have succesfuly added a subwoofer?
I am thinking in buying a REL t7x I think it will be a good match.

On the other hand, I am using Dirac Live and plan to buy Dirac Bass Correction too.

I have just auditioned (Subjective comment please) the Super Linton.
I must say they are a more "modern" sound compared to the original Linton, of course they sound clearer/brighter for me, specially in the. mids. Also I have noticed a better bass (If you add a sub doesn't matter in my case). Not sure in long sessions if they will fatigue instead of the relaxed/warmth sound in the original Linton. Are great speakers, but for me not worth the upgrade and not a good price/value ratio than the original Lintons.

So having in mind that, again, with price/value relation, I would say I much preffer the killer combo of Original Linton + Dirac + a sub probably
But if you have the extra money and you don't care, Super are a good option too.

First I would measure actual setup using UMIK and REW, then use REW room simulation adding 1 sub then second...

Taking and Interpreting Measurements with REW (FREE eBook)

MODS: I wanted to create this thread in "Audio Reference Library" but I have no permission to do so. Would you be able to move this thread there if you think it is appropriate and delete this message. @amirm @RickS A few years ago, Amir wrote Room Measurement Tutorial for Dummies Part 1 and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Miniyouuuu]

First I would measure actual setup using UMIK and REW, then use REW room simulation adding 1 sub then second...

Taking and Interpreting Measurements with REW (FREE eBook)

MODS: I wanted to create this thread in "Audio Reference Library" but I have no permission to do so. Would you be able to move this thread there if you think it is appropriate and delete this message. @amirm @RickS A few years ago, Amir wrote Room Measurement Tutorial for Dummies Part 1 and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I get your point of measuring and buying just what is required to planar the low frequencies. So did I! And a second sub gives you marginal improvement in most cases if you just see the frequency response in the listening spot. But the improvements come from the uniformity of bass in the room. Better 2 subs at very low volume than 1 sub.

But the better thing is to try by yourself as I did. I was 3 months with one sub, and later I bought the second. I confirmed the frequency range improved marginally, but I got other gains: more symmetry of bass, more even bass soundstage, and finally my obsession… I put a sub just behind me, and during late-night low-volume sessions, I got wonderful bass without offending my neighbors and wife

 

[djigibao]

Nice, thanks a lot.

So finally I am struggling to decide if go with 1 REL Classic 98 or Two.
Or buy 1 Rel Classic 99 instead...

My room is 4.2m x 5m
The speakers are in the 4.2m wall, distance between them of 2m between tweeters
And my listening area is at 2.4m of the speakers

The only "treatment" I have in my room is DIRAC LIVE (not bass control) + carpet between listening area and speakers, + on the left a window with some curtains...
Let me upload some renders of the room + a plan

The "White" things near the TV Stand is the Wharfedale Linton.

Any tip in help me decide between those options?
ChatGPT is telling me that 99 is an overkill that will generate a lot of problems in that room, but I dont trust AI haha.
REL site is suggesting 2x REL 98
And the seller is suggesting REL 99

Visually speaking also I have found these 2 pics in the internet, one with a set of 98, and other with the 99, to see the dimensions.
View attachment 488668

View attachment 488670

You don't need stand if you buy SUB...

Joke aside....
I think it's smarter to buy the Lintons first and listen to them for a month or two, then see/hear if it's necessary to buy the SUB.

 

[Infinit0]

Well actually I have been a user of Lintons for already 2 years. Just wanting to make the next step with covering the missing octave (I not only listen music but watch movies from time to time), usually my genres are 70/80/90, jazz, funk, soul, the more modern stuff I could listen is some Indie.
That's why I haven't even considered upgrading to another speaker (I don't have acoustic treatment in the room) only DIRAC Live, and I love the "warmth" non fatigating, relaxing sound of this boxes. It's like they hug you. (Yeah lot of random stuff that doesn't make any sense in this forum I know )

I think I am one of the few that prefer the Linton sound than the Super Linton that are better and more clear and amazing for modern genres, I saw a video that I could not agree more: Linton is to have the sound there, in the background, doing some other stuff. And supers are good to sit pay attention and listen to them. Particularly in my room the supers will generate more issues and fatigate than anything else.

 

[djigibao]

I had the Lintons for almost 2 years, so I replaced them with the Mofi SP8 at the beginning of this year, so I know how they sound and what they can do. I also have the REl T9i, but I never turned it on with the Lintons because I had enough bass in 25m2 (unlike the Mofi, which comes in handy with the REL).

 

[Infinit0]

I had the Lintons for almost 2 years, so I replaced them with the Mofi SP8 at the beginning of this year, so I know how they sound and what they can do. I also have the REl T9i, but I never turned it on with the Lintons because I had enough bass in 25m2 (unlike the Mofi, which comes in handy with the REL).

uhm you have placed on the wrong side?
logo should be faced to the outside

 

[Miniyouuuu]

I had the Lintons for almost 2 years, so I replaced them with the Mofi SP8 at the beginning of this year, so I know how they sound and what they can do. I also have the REl T9i, but I never turned it on with the Lintons because I had enough bass in 25m2 (unlike the Mofi, which comes in handy with the REL).

View attachment 489034

I’m looking for that step, but the mofi sp10 ME.
I love the softness of the Lintons but after 3 years I want more definition. In my first audition with the SP8 & SP10 I suffered from sibilance. Then I tried with another external DAC (a warmer one) and then I loved them.

 

[Infinit0]

I’m looking for that step, but the mofi sp10 ME.
I love the softness of the Lintons but after 3 years I want more definition. In my first audition with the SP8 & SP10 I suffered from sibilance. Then I tried with another external DAC (a warmer one) and then I loved them.

If some day I need to upgrade my lintons I would go with:

Mission 770 (I don't like the looks) (Even better than the Supers)
Spender Classic 1/2 or 2/3 depending on your room
Harbeth Compact or Harbeth SHL5+ XD

In my opinion are the natural upgrades... the MoFi are not in the same league of sound(again subjective opinion), Mofi are amazing speakers btw, just not the same signature I would exepct (Warmth + no fatigating + Relaxing).
Also be careful on your room and placement, sometimes a better speaker is not better in your room or position.

 

[Miniyouuuu]

If some day I need to upgrade my lintons I would go with:

Mission 770 (I don't like the looks) (Even better than the Supers)
Spender Classic 1/2 or 2/3 depending on your room
Harbeth Compact or Harbeth SHL5+ XD

In my opinion are the natural upgrades... the MoFi are not in the same league of sound(again subjective opinion), Mofi are amazing speakers btw, just not the same signature I would exepct (Warmth + no fatigating + Relaxing).
Also be careful on your room and placement, sometimes a better speaker is not better in your room or position.

And the Wharfedale Dovedale…
Recently I had a listening session comparing Lintons, Dovedale and Mofi SP10. I wanted to hear the 770s, but there was no availability.
Dovedales where too close to the Lintons, so close that it’s difficult to justify X3 value.
And Mofi’s where clearly different. I don’t consider them the natural step up from the Lintons. Their concentrical concept, some upper frequencies presence, and the more modern design separate them from the Linton, and that is the next step I want.

If I’d want to preserve laidback sound, dark presence and more relaxing sound than detailed sound, clearly your proposal is the way to go. Until I moved my brain to Mofi, the 770s were my goal. I heard them one year before and loved their coherence and their fast bass. I hear a lot of electronic music, and that bass is what I love.

I suffer a lot with sibilance. Many brands have elevated upper frequencies, and that’s something I detest. At first the Mofis got me that impression, but thanks to LAiV uDAC, that issue stopped from been a problem.

I have two subs, now bass is not my priority, so I can play with other aspect os sound.

 

[MarkS]

I suffer a lot with sibilance. Many brands have elevated upper frequencies, and that’s something I detest. At first the Mofis got me that impression, but thanks to LAiV uDAC, that issue stopped from been a problem.

Are you using NOS mode on the LAiV? That has a 3dB rolloff at 20kHz which might explain the difference you hear:

Laiv uDAC Review & Measurements

[TableOfContents] Review Design and I/O Measurements Conclusion [End] Review For the full review and my thoughts on the sound watch the video below! [YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XfoIICwCVQ] Design and I/O The uDAC is the little-brother to Laiv’s flagship Harmony R2R DAC, but...

headphones.com

 

[Miniyouuuu]

Yes. That was the trick.
NOS mode control sibilance in Mofis.

 

[djigibao]

uhm you have placed on the wrong side?
logo should be faced to the outside

Trust me, I listened to them the "correct" way and then I tried this "incorrect" way and I got a much wider sound image, and the center of the image kept its position.
My space is 3.5m wide and 7m long, I read somewhere that for a narrow space (like mine) it is better to place these speakers the "incorrect" way, and if you have a wider space then the "correct" way is better.
It's all a matter of trial and personal taste.

 

[djigibao]

I’m looking for that step, but the mofi sp10 ME.
I love the softness of the Lintons but after 3 years I want more definition. In my first audition with the SP8 & SP10 I suffered from sibilance. Then I tried with another external DAC (a warmer one) and then I loved them.

As can be seen from the tests of these two models (SP8 & SP10), the SP8 has a much better response in the high, i.e. much lower (the difference is approximately -3db from 5kHz) and therefore has less sibilants than the larger version of the SP10.

Here is place with new speakers

 

[Miniyouuuu]

As can be seen from the tests of these two models (SP8 & SP10), the SP8 has a much better response in the high, i.e. much lower (the difference is approximately -3db from 5kHz) and therefore has less sibilants than the larger version of the SP10.

View attachment 489426

Here is place with new speakers

View attachment 489429

nice stands! Please give me the reference!
Regarding the difference between sp10 and sp8, I’m looking for the new sp10 ME with a knob that allow 3 different sets of treble.
I heard the sp8 and the 10 and I didn’t get that much difference in the treble. Both were sibilant with my Audiolab 9000 and both were incredible with the cheaper musical fidelity A1. But I saw that LAiV uDAC was able to control those highs.

 

[funkera91]

My personal oppinion is that Lintons are made to listen without any Sub, just in stereo. I have tried with XTZ 12.17 edge, but it does not work properly.. The best is with class A AMP without any subwoofer and speaker like - 1 meter away from any wall.