Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #32 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,999. The ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 ranks #54, rated 4.1/5, at $1,199, $800 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Wharfedale Linton 85: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. The catch: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
The case for the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62: True three-way stand-mount using a 1-inch tweeter concentrically mounted in a 4-inch aluminum midrange plus a dedicated 6.5-inch aluminum woofer. 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 $800 with the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $1,199 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #54 of 131 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Linton 85: $1999 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.1dB.
Cons: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good
Full Wharfedale Linton 85 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Discover Why I Can’t Stop Raving About the Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary Speaker More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Wharfedale Linton 85 Review
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top 5 Speakers at Any Price
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Upgrade Your Sound with These 6 Surprisingly Affordable Speakers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Personal Favorite Speakers Under $2500
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- See all 66 comparisons
ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62: $1,199 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: True three-way stand-mount using a 1-inch tweeter concentrically mounted in a 4-inch aluminum midrange plus a dedicated 6.5-inch aluminum woofer. Erin found the directivity and overall tonality well controlled, with dual front slot vents minimizing placement sensitivity and cabinet bracing suppressing obvious coloration. The mostly 5-ohm-or-higher load is manageable for a genuinely 4-ohm-capable amplifier, and the coherent concentric upper range supports stable imaging across seats. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: 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. Impedance reaches 4 ohms near 50Hz (Erin), while woofer excursion and bass output were less capable than expected for the cabinet size. A broad 500-700Hz rise and associated lower/female-vocal coloration were audible, and the slightly subdued listening-window treble is necessary to avoid an overly bright in-room balance rather than evidence of ruler-flat axial tuning.
Full ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension | 41Hz manufacturer specified; Erin’s response-linearity graph shows limited high-output bass headroom |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.2”W x 13.1”D |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 6.5” woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms minimum near 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.44 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.7 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 23.5 lbs (10.68 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front slot vents |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- See all 24 comparisons