Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #36 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,699; the Dynaudio Special Forty ranks #148, rated 3.5/5, and costs $3,600, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Wharfedale Linton 85 is the more accurate 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 4.73 for the Dynaudio Special Forty. The tradeoff: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
What the Dynaudio Special Forty does well: Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet. Watch for: A glaring, sometimes sibilant quality around 3-4kHz was the most noticeable issue in listening, the one thing the reviewer would want notched out with EQ.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Special Forty and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Wharfedale Linton 85 scores 7.9 against 6.7 for the Dynaudio Special Forty on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (35 Hz vs 39 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | Dynaudio Special Forty | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.00 per pair | $3600 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #148 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 54Hz (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) | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, 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 | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 4.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 6.74 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Wharfedale Linton 85: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Dynaudio Special Forty: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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