Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85 for better sound quality, the Polk Reserve R100 for the lower price. The Wharfedale Linton 85 ranks #32 of 125 bookshelf speakers at $1699.99. The Polk Reserve R100 ranks #95 at $649, $1050.99 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 Polk Reserve R100 offers: Compact cabinet, unusually useful bass for its size and well-controlled woofer breakup. Erin measured F3/F10 points of 68Hz/49Hz, and the X-Port vent avoids much of the chuffing and pipe resonance common to budget rear ports. The 5.25-inch Turbine Cone woofer and 1-inch Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter produce good detail at moderate levels, while listening roughly 20° off-axis reduces part of the elevated top octave. Watch for: Erin measured only about 85dB sensitivity and the impedance reaches 3.6 ohms, so it is neither efficient nor an entirely benign AVR load. The treble runs roughly 3dB above the midrange and becomes aggressive above about 85dB SPL. A directivity discontinuity through the woofer/tweeter crossover means EQ cannot fully repair the power response, and a 400Hz impedance feature plus 500Hz-1kHz response irregularity suggests a cabinet or system resonance. Substantial low-frequency compression at higher playback levels limits clean dynamics.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk Reserve R100 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Polk Reserve R100. It ranks near the bottom of the 125 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | Polk Reserve R100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1699.99 | $649/pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 125 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #95 of 125 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (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) | 12.8"H x 6.5"W x 10.2"D |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 3.6 ohms minimum (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" Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25" Turbine Cone midwoofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs / 18.4 kg each | 12.2 lb each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear X-Port |
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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
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Revel M126Be
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs GR-Research NX-Bravo
- 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
Polk Reserve R100: $649/pair Amazon Polk Audio eBay
Pros: Compact cabinet, unusually useful bass for its size and well-controlled woofer breakup. Erin measured F3/F10 points of 68Hz/49Hz, and the X-Port vent avoids much of the chuffing and pipe resonance common to budget rear ports. The 5.25-inch Turbine Cone woofer and 1-inch Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter produce good detail at moderate levels, while listening roughly 20° off-axis reduces part of the elevated top octave.
Cons: Erin measured only about 85dB sensitivity and the impedance reaches 3.6 ohms, so it is neither efficient nor an entirely benign AVR load. The treble runs roughly 3dB above the midrange and becomes aggressive above about 85dB SPL. A directivity discontinuity through the woofer/tweeter crossover means EQ cannot fully repair the power response, and a 400Hz impedance feature plus 500Hz-1kHz response irregularity suggests a cabinet or system resonance. Substantial low-frequency compression at higher playback levels limits clean dynamics.
Full Polk Reserve R100 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.8"H x 6.5"W x 10.2"D |
| Drivers | 1" Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25" Turbine Cone midwoofer |
| Impedance | 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12.2 lb each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear X-Port |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Polk R200
- Polk Reserve R100 vs JBL XPL-90
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Emotiva Airmotiv B2+
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Revel Performa M22
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Focal Aria 906
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- Polk Reserve R100 vs KEF Q350
- See all 23 comparisons