Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85 for better sound quality, the JBL XPL-90 for the lower price. The Wharfedale Linton 85 ranks #32 of 125 bookshelf speakers at $1699.99. The JBL XPL-90 ranks #96 at $1298, $401.99 cheaper.
What the Wharfedale Linton 85 offers: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. Watch for: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good
What the JBL XPL-90 offers: Nearly ruler-flat on-axis response up to 1kHz with even horizontal directivity until the tweeter beams above 10kHz. The reviewer found real strength with vocals and simpler instrumentation, calling it “the first speaker I have liked that has some clear response errors” and “an enjoyable speaker” despite the flaws. Titanium tweeter and internal Monster cable wiring reflect JBL’s higher-end late-1980s engineering. Watch for: Crossover region peaking around 3kHz and treble peaking above 10kHz color the top end, and poor vertical directivity means the tweeter needs to be at ear level. Distortion rises at 96dB SPL, especially around 3kHz. Long discontinued; only available on the used market.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL XPL-90 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the JBL XPL-90. It ranks near the bottom of the 125 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | JBL XPL-90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1699.99 | $1,298 used, discontinued (vintage, late 1980s) |
| Ranked | #32 of 125 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 125 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 22.2"H x 11.8"W x 13"D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 15.5"H x 9.5"W x 9.8"D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Drivers | 8"(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5"(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1" (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 6.5" bass/mid driver, 1" titanium dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs / 18.4 kg each | 20.1 lbs / 9.1 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Power Handling | - | 100W nominal, 400W max |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Linton 85: $1699.99 Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension.
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) |
| 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) |
| 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)
- Reddit Search for Wharfedale Linton 85 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs JBL HDI-1600
- See all 33 comparisons
JBL XPL-90: $1,298 used, discontinued (vintage, late 1980s) eBay
Pros: Nearly ruler-flat on-axis response up to 1kHz with even horizontal directivity until the tweeter beams above 10kHz. The reviewer found real strength with vocals and simpler instrumentation, calling it “the first speaker I have liked that has some clear response errors” and “an enjoyable speaker” despite the flaws. Titanium tweeter and internal Monster cable wiring reflect JBL’s higher-end late-1980s engineering.
Cons: Crossover region peaking around 3kHz and treble peaking above 10kHz color the top end, and poor vertical directivity means the tweeter needs to be at ear level. Distortion rises at 96dB SPL, especially around 3kHz. Long discontinued; only available on the used market.
Full JBL XPL-90 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15.5"H x 9.5"W x 9.8"D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" bass/mid driver, 1" titanium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 100W nominal, 400W max |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs / 9.1 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons