Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #37 of 203 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $1,999 and is still sold new; the Revel Performa M22 ranks #151 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Wharfedale Linton 85 is the more accurate pick. Very neutral frequency response and good bass extension. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.07 against 5.31 for the Revel Performa M22. The catch: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
What the Revel Performa M22 does well: Very flat frequency response from 200Hz to 10kHz. Watch for: 3dB bass boost around 100Hz.
Buy the Wharfedale Linton 85. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Revel Performa M22 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | Revel Performa M22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $600 per pair used (about), Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #151 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 14.5”H x 8.6”W x 11.9”D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 41.7 lbs (18.9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 5.31 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 7.26 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Linton 85: $1999 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.2/5), the Wharfedale Super Denton (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5) and the Wharfedale Super Linton (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5).
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)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KLH Model 5 or Wharfedale Linton? Linton for me. But you may disagree. Here is why.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Revel Performa M22: $600 per pair used (about) Discontinued eBay
Same family: the Revel Performa C52 (center, rated 4/5).
Pros: Very flat frequency response from 200Hz to 10kHz. Distortion is well controlled through most of the range, with only a modest crossover-region bump around 2-4kHz. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 3dB bass boost around 100Hz. On-axis response also droops below 150Hz and peaks above 4kHz, which the reviewer thought may sound a bit bright/light. Distortion rises substantially below 100Hz when driven hard. Discontinued.
Full Revel Performa M22 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8.6”W x 11.9”D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.31 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.26 |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs (18.9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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