Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #32 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,999. The Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon ranks #53, rated 4.1/5, at $1,688, $311 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Wharfedale Linton 85: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. 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: High-quality manufacturer NFS data gives the RAAL version a low 2.09 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation, the most consistent dispersion of the two Duo V2 variants. 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 $311 saving on the Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $1,688 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #53 of 131 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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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM 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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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 | 6.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 |
| 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
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- 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 Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- See all 66 comparisons
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon: $1,688 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay
Older model: the Ascend Sierra Luna Duo (rated 1.2/5).
Pros: High-quality manufacturer NFS data gives the RAAL version a low 2.09 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation, the most consistent dispersion of the two Duo V2 variants. Its preference score improves from 4.53 to 7.15 with a subwoofer, while the compact bamboo cabinet, dual front slots, and vertical or horizontal mounting options are unusually flexible. Measured bass extension of 79.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 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. The 0.410 normalized listening-window deviation and narrow horizontal dispersion when the MTM cabinet is placed horizontally make vertical orientation preferable; a subwoofer is strongly recommended.
Full Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 50Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.25 x 5.75 x 6 in each |
| Drivers | Two 4.5-inch glass-fiber woofers; custom RAAL true ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.15 |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon vs ELAC DBR62
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon vs KEF R3
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra Duo V2 Ribbon vs KEF R3 Meta