Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #36 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $1,999 and is still sold new; the Buchardt S400 MKII ranks #111 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Buchardt S400 MKII’s replacement, the Buchardt S400 MK3, is rated 4.0/5 at $2,300.
The Wharfedale Linton 85 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 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 5.38 for the Buchardt S400 MKII. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 59Hz for the Buchardt S400 MKII. The catch: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
The case for the Buchardt S400 MKII: Bookshelf speakers with very flat sound, precise imaging and adjustable bass, now discontinued but worth buying used. The tradeoff: Sounds a bit bright and slightly boosted above about 7-8kHz on-axis, even with 30° of toe-out: benefits from about 1 inch of sidewall absorption at the first reflection points to tame it.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Buchardt S400 MKII is no longer sold new.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | Buchardt S400 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $2400 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #36 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #111 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 59Hz (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) | 14.4”H x 7”W x 11”D (365.8 x 177.8 x 279.4 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 6.5” aluminum cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.7dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 5.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 7.46 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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