Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #36 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,999; the ATC SCM19 ranks #209, rated 2.4/5, and costs $3,750, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Wharfedale Linton 85 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. 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 4.61 for the ATC SCM19. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 60Hz for the ATC SCM19. The tradeoff: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
Why pick the ATC SCM19: A heavy, sealed pro style ATC bookshelf speaker with a very dense cabinet and low distortion at high volume. The catch: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700Hz, 4dB bump around 700Hz.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ATC SCM19 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A retro styled bookshelf speaker with an 8 inch woofer, very neutral sound, and good bass extension for its size.
A heavy, sealed pro style ATC bookshelf speaker with a very dense cabinet and low distortion at high volume.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 7.03 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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