Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85 on measured sound quality, the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 on price. The Wharfedale Linton 85 ranks #32 of 130 bookshelf speakers at $1999. The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 ranks #38 at $1748, $251 cheaper.
What the Wharfedale Linton 85 offers: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. Watch for: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good
What the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 offers: A RAAL true ribbon tweeter is paired with a custom SEAS Excel Curv woofer, with the crossover optimized against Klippel NFS measurement data. Listening window smoothness measures 0.45, a moderate but usable figure for a compact standmount. Pairs are hand matched within +/-1.5dB and shipped with their own individual frequency response printout, backed by a 7 year parts and labor warranty from direct USA assembly in Orange County, California. Watch for: On axis deviation (measured average absolute deviation 0.454) is the roughest of any speaker in this batch, meaning a listener sitting dead center may notice more on axis unevenness than the smoother AsciLab or Ascend tower models nearby. Bass extension is modest for the price class at a measured 51.3Hz at -6dB. Ascend sells direct only, with no dealer network or third party retailers for an in person audition.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $1,748 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #38 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Dimensions | 22.2"H x 11.8"W x 13"D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 14.3"H x 7.5"W x 10.5"D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | 8"(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5"(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1" (25mm) soft dome tweeter | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6" SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.21 | 5.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.01 | 7.22 |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Power Handling | - | 150W continuous, 300W peak |
| Frequency Response | - | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Warranty | - | 7 years parts and labor |
| Country | - | United States |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Wharfedale Linton 85:
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Perlisten S4b
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs AsciLab C6B
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Linton 85: $1999 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.1dB.
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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.21 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.01 |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Discover Why I Can’t Stop Raving About the Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary Speaker More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- 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
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Revel M126Be
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Philharmonic BMR (v1)
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs GR-Research NX-Bravo
- See all 62 comparisons
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2: $1,748 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay
Pros: A RAAL true ribbon tweeter is paired with a custom SEAS Excel Curv woofer, with the crossover optimized against Klippel NFS measurement data. Listening window smoothness measures 0.45, a moderate but usable figure for a compact standmount. Pairs are hand matched within +/-1.5dB and shipped with their own individual frequency response printout, backed by a 7 year parts and labor warranty from direct USA assembly in Orange County, California. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On axis deviation (measured average absolute deviation 0.454) is the roughest of any speaker in this batch, meaning a listener sitting dead center may notice more on axis unevenness than the smoother AsciLab or Ascend tower models nearby. Bass extension is modest for the price class at a measured 51.3Hz at -6dB. Ascend sells direct only, with no dealer network or third party retailers for an in person audition.
Full Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.3"H x 7.5"W x 10.5"D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) |
| Drivers | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6" SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 300W peak |
| Sensitivity | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.22 |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 vs Selah Audio Integrity
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 vs Philharmonic BMR (v1)
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 vs Perlisten A3m
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 vs Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Passive
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- See all 45 comparisons