Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85 for better sound quality, the ELAC DBR62 for the lower price. The Wharfedale Linton 85 ranks #36 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $1,699. The ELAC DBR62 ranks #79, rated 4.0/5, at $699.98, $999.02 cheaper.
The Wharfedale Linton 85 is the more accurate 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 5.07 for the ELAC DBR62. Watch for: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
Why pick the ELAC DBR62: An affordable bookshelf speaker that is very forgiving of placement and aiming, with wide sound and a little extra bass punch. Watch for: A slight recess in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal presence somewhat compared to other speakers in direct comparison.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the ELAC DBR62 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Wharfedale Linton 85 reaches 35 Hz (10 dB down) against 41 Hz for the ELAC DBR62, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Wharfedale Linton 85 scores 7.9 against 7.3 for the ELAC DBR62 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | ELAC DBR62 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.00 per pair | $699.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #79 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (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 8.2”W x 10.8”D (358.1 x 208.3 x 274.3 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, 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” Aramid Fiber woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.3dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 7.27 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Wharfedale Linton 85: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- ELAC DBR62: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Audio Science Review.
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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