Short answer: the Dynaudio Heritage Special for better sound quality, the Wharfedale Linton 85 for the lower price. The Dynaudio Heritage Special ranks #23 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $7000. The Wharfedale Linton 85 ranks #26 at $1699.99, $5300.01 cheaper.
On the Dynaudio Heritage Special side: One of the rare cases where the reviewer measured a speaker as flawed but still genuinely enjoyed listening to it. Set against that: At lower listening volumes, dynamic range and kick-drum punch fell short of higher-sensitivity speakers the reviewer has tested (JBL 4367, KEF Reference 1 Meta) - the sheer output ceiling is impressive.
The case for the Wharfedale Linton 85: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. The tradeoff: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
Buy the Dynaudio Heritage Special if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Heritage Special | Wharfedale Linton 85 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,000 | $1699.99 |
| Ranked | #23 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 18cm MSP cone woofer, 28mm Esotar 3 dome tweeter | 8"(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5"(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1" (25mm) soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 15.2"H x 8.2"W x 12.6"D (385 x 208 x 320 mm) | 22.2"H x 11.8"W x 13"D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs / 11 kg (24.25 lbs) each | 40.6 lbs / 18.4 kg each |
| Impedance | 5.1 ohms minimum, ported mode (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Discontinued | Yes (limited run of 2,500 pairs) | - |
| Country of Origin | Denmark | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio Heritage Special: $7,000 Safe and Sound HQ
Pros: One of the rare cases where the reviewer measured a speaker as flawed but still genuinely enjoyed listening to it. A massive 4” voice coil on the midwoofer gives it exceptional output capability for a bookshelf speaker - averaged 100dB at 3.5 meters with no audible mechanical noise, port chuffing, or woofer bottoming even when deliberately pushed hard. Bass is very robust and doesn’t noticeably give up output as volume increases, staying solid at both low and high listening levels. Big, well-proportioned soundstage - wide without losing image focus. Limited run of 2,500 pairs with genuine collectible/heritage value; the tweeter (Esotar 3) and midwoofer both use premium Dynaudio-made drivers with an unusually wide, stout voice coil.
Cons: At lower listening volumes, dynamic range and kick-drum punch fell short of higher-sensitivity speakers the reviewer has tested (JBL 4367, KEF Reference 1 Meta) - the sheer output ceiling is impressive, but it isn’t a highly dynamic-sounding speaker at modest levels. A degree of “softness” in the upper mid-range. Selective sibilance in the 4-6kHz treble region that shows up on some tracks but not others, which the reviewer found mildly aggravating and would want to EQ down given the choice. Neither the tweeter nor the woofer is fully flush-mounted to the baffle, likely intentional as part of the heritage-styled look, but the reviewer wonders how much this affected linearity. At $7,000/pair MSRP (and a discontinued limited run, so used/open-box pricing around $5,000/pair is about the best you’ll do now), this is a serious investment for a bookshelf speaker.
Full Dynaudio Heritage Special review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Country of Origin | Denmark |
| Dimensions | 15.2"H x 8.2"W x 12.6"D (385 x 208 x 320 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes (limited run of 2,500 pairs) |
| Drivers | 18cm MSP cone woofer, 28mm Esotar 3 dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 5.1 ohms minimum, ported mode (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs / 11 kg (24.25 lbs) each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs Revel M126Be
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs KEF R3
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs Perlisten S4b
Wharfedale Linton 85: $1699.99 Crutchfield
Pros: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension.
Cons: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good
Full Wharfedale Linton 85 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 22.2"H x 11.8"W x 13"D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 8"(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5"(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1" (25mm) soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs / 18.4 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Discover Why I Can’t Stop Raving About the Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary Speaker
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Wharfedale Linton 85 Review
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top 5 Speakers at Any Price
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Upgrade Your Sound with These 6 Surprisingly Affordable Speakers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Personal Favorite Speakers Under $2500
- Reddit Search for Wharfedale Linton 85 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs ELAC DB63
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs MoFi SourcePoint 8
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