Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85 for better sound quality, the Polk Signature Elite ES20 for the lower price. The Wharfedale Linton 85 ranks #36 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $1,999. The Polk Signature Elite ES20 ranks #119, rated 3.7/5, at $398.98, $1,600.02 cheaper.
The Wharfedale Linton 85 is the more accurate choice. 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 4.49 for the Polk Signature Elite ES20. The catch: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
What the Polk Signature Elite ES20 does well: Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage. The catch: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Polk Signature Elite ES20 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A retro styled bookshelf speaker with an 8 inch woofer, very neutral sound, and good bass extension for its size.
Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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 | Polk Signature Elite ES20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $398.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #119 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” polypropylene woofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 4.49 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 6.44 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United States (design) |
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