Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #36 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,699. The Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon ranks #64, rated 4.1/5, at $1,688, $11 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Wharfedale Linton 85 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A retro styled bookshelf speaker with an 8 inch woofer, very neutral sound, and good bass extension for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.07 against 4.53 for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 79.1Hz for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon. Watch for: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
The case for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon: A compact dual woofer bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter, very consistent dispersion, and flexible vertical or horizontal mounting. The tradeoff: Bass measures 79.1Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 43.9Hz at -12dB, and the 0.645dB on-axis average absolute deviation trails the Titan version’s 0.585dB.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $11 saving on the Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.00 per pair | $1,688 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #64 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | approximately 50Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 79.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 16.25 x 5.75 x 6 in each |
| 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 | Two 4.5-inch glass-fiber woofers; custom RAAL true ribbon tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 4.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 7.15 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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