Wharfedale Super Linton vs Buchardt S400 MK3

Last updated: October 5, 2026

Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Linton. It ranks #24 of 141 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $2,699. The Buchardt S400 MK3 ranks #59, rated 4.0/5, at $2,300, $399 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.

Wharfedale Super Linton vs Buchardt S400 MK3

The Wharfedale Super Linton is the better-sounding option. Three-way design with a 1” soft dome tweeter, 5” woven Kevlar mid-range, and 8” woven Kevlar woofer in a dual rear-ported, heavily damped MDF/particle-board cabinet. The tradeoff: 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 case for the Buchardt S400 MK3: A ground-up redesign of the S400 with an 18 percent larger cabinet and a 7.5” SB Acoustics Satori Papyrus paper cone woofer, which Buchardt says has 65.5 percent more displacement than the MKII’s 6” driver. The tradeoff: No independent measurements have been published yet.

Buy the Wharfedale Super Linton. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $399 saving on the Buchardt S400 MK3 is not enough to make up the difference.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.

Check Wharfedale Super Linton price at Amazon ($2,699.00) →Check Buchardt S400 MK3 price at Buchardt Audio ($2,300) →

Specifications Side By Side

Wharfedale Super Linton Buchardt S400 MK3
Price$2,699.00 per pair$2,300 per pair
Ranked#24 of 141 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers#59 of 141 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers
Bass Extension (-10dB)34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)-
Bass Extension (-3dB)77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)-
Dimensions23.8”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (604.5 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm)15.4”H x 7.8”W x 11”D (392 x 198 x 280 mm)
Impedance4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)4 ohms
Drivers8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter1” aluminum dome tweeter in waveguide, 7.5” Satori Papyrus paper cone woofer
Sensitivity88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)87dB anechoic, 90dB in-room (manufacturer specified)
Weight43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, rearported, rear
Spinorama Preference Score6.09-
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.94-
DIY KitNoNo
Crossover Frequency-2.2kHz (first order)
Frequency Response-33Hz - 20kHz (in-room, manufacturer specified)
Check Wharfedale Super Linton price at Amazon ($2,699.00) →Check Buchardt S400 MK3 price at Buchardt Audio ($2,300) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Wharfedale Super Linton:

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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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The Two Speakers In Full

Wharfedale Super Linton: $2,699.00 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay

Wharfedale Super Linton ranking card

Pros: Three-way design with a 1” soft dome tweeter, 5” woven Kevlar mid-range, and 8” woven Kevlar woofer in a dual rear-ported, heavily damped MDF/particle-board cabinet. Comes as a genuinely matched pair (measured within about 1dB of each other) and includes custom matching stands. A major dynamic-range improvement over the original Heritage Linton: kick drums retain their impact from low to high volume instead of compressing, the standout objective improvement in this update. Fixes the original Linton’s main flaw: a 1-3kHz scoop that made it sound a bit soft and subdued is filled in here, giving noticeably more attack and dynamic punch. About 3dB more sensitivity than the original Linton (measured ~88.2dB), meaning roughly half the amplifier power for the same output. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70°, right in the reviewer’s preferred range for an enveloping soundstage. Lower midrange distortion than the original Linton. Bass-shelf tuning intentionally allows closer-to-wall placement (about 1 foot worked well) without excess boominess, more flexible than the original Linton in that regard. Measured bass extension of 77Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.2dB.

Cons: Rolls off earlier than the original Linton (F3 77Hz versus the original’s 52Hz), a deliberate trade-off for the closer-wall-placement flexibility. On-axis, there’s a mild treble lift around 4-6kHz that can sound a touch sibilant, though the reviewer found it not very noteworthy in practice. Diffraction shows up around 1.5-2kHz on-axis; needs about 10° of toe-out to smooth this out, though going further to 30° starts to lose some top-end air. Distortion peaks slightly higher than the original Linton in the 50-70Hz region. Minimum impedance dips to about 3 ohms around 150Hz, so a 4-ohm-stable amplifier is recommended for best results. Vertical dispersion of about ±20° means multi-row home theater seating outside that window will hear reduced top-end. Asymmetrical design requires attention to setup (tweeters need to face outward) for the most linear in-room response. A costly upgrade for existing Linton owners if the original’s specific flaws didn’t bother them.

Full Wharfedale Super Linton review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions23.8”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (604.5 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm)
Drivers8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter
Impedance4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Sensitivity88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score6.09
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.94
Weight43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, rear
Check current price at Amazon ($2,699.00) →Check current price at Crutchfield →Search eBay for Wharfedale Super Linton →

Buchardt S400 MK3: $2,300 per pair Estimated Buchardt Audio eBay

Buchardt S400 MK3 ranking card

Older models: the Buchardt Audio S400 (ranked higher, rated 4.4/5) and the Buchardt S400 MKII (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).

Pros: A ground-up redesign of the S400 with an 18 percent larger cabinet and a 7.5” SB Acoustics Satori Papyrus paper cone woofer, which Buchardt says has 65.5 percent more displacement than the MKII’s 6” driver. A custom 1” aluminum dome tweeter sits in a new waveguide, crossed at 2.2kHz with a first order Jantzen crossover. Buchardt rates in-room bass extension to 33Hz and anechoic sensitivity at 87dB, and includes foam port plugs to trim bass near a wall. Sold direct with free worldwide shipping, duties included, and a 10 year warranty for the first owner.

Cons: No independent measurements have been published yet. The S400 MKII measured very well, but the MK3 shares only its binding posts, so that result can’t be carried over and its linearity, directivity and real bass extension are unknown. The 33Hz figure is an in-room number, not an anechoic one. The MKII’s adjustable passive radiator is gone in favor of a rear port that wants at least 5cm from the wall. A 4 ohm load means it needs an amplifier comfortable driving 4 ohms, and it is sold only direct from Buchardt.

Full Buchardt S400 MK3 review and specifications →

Crossover Frequency2.2kHz (first order)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions15.4”H x 7.8”W x 11”D (392 x 198 x 280 mm)
Drivers1” aluminum dome tweeter in waveguide, 7.5” Satori Papyrus paper cone woofer
Frequency Response33Hz - 20kHz (in-room, manufacturer specified)
Impedance4 ohms
Sensitivity87dB anechoic, 90dB in-room (manufacturer specified)
Weight18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, rear
Check current price at Buchardt Audio ($2,300) →Search eBay for Buchardt S400 MK3 →
Top PickWharfedale Super LintonAmazon • $2,699.00
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