Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #36 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,999. The ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 ranks #65, rated 4.1/5, at $1,299, $700 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
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 5.44 for the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 58.6Hz for the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62. The tradeoff: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
The case for the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62: A three way bookshelf speaker with a coaxial tweeter and midrange for stable imaging, well controlled tonality, and front ports for easy placement. Watch for: Erin measured very low 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity; his 110W Parasound was insufficient for the high-level test and the more powerful HINT 6 was needed.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $700 with the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $1,299.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #65 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.6Hz (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 13.1”D |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms minimum near 50Hz (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 | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 6.5” woofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 23.5 lbs (10.68 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, dual front slot vents |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 5.44 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 7.7 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension | - | 41Hz manufacturer specified; Erin’s response-linearity graph shows limited high-output bass headroom |
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