Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Linton. It ranks #25 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $2,699; the Dynaudio Contour 20i ranks #96, rated 3.9/5, and costs $5,750, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Wharfedale Super Linton is the better-sounding choice. A retro styled three way bookshelf speaker with punchy dynamics, a matched pair, and custom stands included in the box. 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 Dynaudio Contour 20i is the deeper-bass choice. Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 77Hz for the Wharfedale Super Linton. The catch: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Buy the Wharfedale Super Linton. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Contour 20i and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A retro styled three way bookshelf speaker with punchy dynamics, a matched pair, and custom stands included in the box.
Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall.
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Super Linton | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699.00 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #25 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 56Hz (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) | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, 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 | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.5dB |
| Weight | 43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.09 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.94 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Wharfedale Super Linton: