Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Linton. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#25 and #23 of 222 bookshelf speakers), and the Wharfedale Super Linton costs $2,699 against $6,000 for the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The Wharfedale Super Linton is the more accurate choice. A retro styled three way bookshelf speaker with punchy dynamics, a matched pair, and custom stands included in the box. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.09 against 5.59 for the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8. The catch: Rolls off earlier than the original Linton (F3 77Hz versus the original’s 52Hz), a deliberate trade-off for the closer-wall-placement flexibility.
The Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 is the deeper-bass choice. A big three way monitor with dual 8 inch woofers, bass deep enough to skip a subwoofer, and extremely low distortion at high volume. Its bass reaches about 41Hz before falling 3dB, against 77Hz for the Wharfedale Super Linton. Watch for: A dip in the midbase around 100Hz noticeably reduces the “chestiness” of male vocals compared to the reviewer’s reference speaker.
Buy the Wharfedale Super Linton. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $3,301 less than the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A retro styled three way bookshelf speaker with punchy dynamics, a matched pair, and custom stands included in the box.
A big three way monitor with dual 8 inch woofers, bass deep enough to skip a subwoofer, and extremely low distortion at high volume.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Super Linton | Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699.00 per pair | $6000 per pair |
| Ranked | #25 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 23.8”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (604.5 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 31.8”H x 11.4”W x 17.6”D (807.7 x 289.6 x 447 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 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 | Dual 8” woofers, 5” midrange, 28mm tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each | 103.6 lbs (47 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.09 | 5.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.94 | 7.04 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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