Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85 for better sound quality, the Revel Concerta2 M16 for the lower price. The Wharfedale Linton 85 ranks #29 of 105 bookshelf speakers at $1699.99. The Revel Concerta2 M16 ranks #41 at $600, $1099.99 cheaper.
What the Wharfedale Linton 85 gets right: Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. Set against that: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
What the Revel Concerta2 M16 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. The catch: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Revel Concerta2 M16 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | Revel Concerta2 M16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1699.99 | about $600 used |
| Ranked | #29 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #41 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 22.2"H x 11.8"W x 13"D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 14.8"H x 8.6"W x 10.8"D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 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 | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs / 18.4 kg each | 32 lbs / 14.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
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- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Technics SB-C700
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Linton 85: $1699.99 Crutchfield
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Discover Why I Can’t Stop Raving About the Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary Speaker
- 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 DB63
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs JBL HDI-1600
- See all 19 comparisons
Revel Concerta2 M16: about $600 used
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. Predicted in-room response is very nice, with just extra bass and a bit of roll-off above 20kHz - the reviewer calls it “nice!” Distortion is well controlled through most of the range at both test levels.
Cons: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows some lingering resonances in the 300Hz-1kHz region. The reviewer cautions not to over-cover the cabinet/grille area with thin fabric, as it can audibly affect the top-end response.
Full Revel Concerta2 M16 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.8"H x 8.6"W x 10.8"D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB |
| Weight | 32 lbs / 14.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs JBL HDI-1600
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC DB63
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC DBR62
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Technics SB-C700
- See all 13 comparisons