Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Linton. It ranks #24 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $2,699; the JBL 708i ranks #72, rated 3.7/5, and costs $3,198, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Wharfedale Super Linton: 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.
Why pick the JBL 708i: High-output 8-inch professional monitor with JBL’s compression driver and Image Control Waveguide. The catch: This is not self-powered: achieving the measured active-mode response requires compatible external amplification and JBL processing, adding substantial cost and complexity.
Buy the Wharfedale Super Linton. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 708i 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Super Linton | JBL 708i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699.00 per pair | $3,198 per pair |
| Ranked | #24 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #72 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.9Hz (measured active-mode, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 23.8”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (604.5 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 17.2H x 9.8W x 11.5D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 1” compression driver, 8” woofer |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.09 | 4.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.94 | 6.21 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way passive/bi-amplified, dual front ports |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB continuous, 114dB peak |
| Amplifier Power | - | External Crown DCI amplifier and JBL DSP required for measured active configuration |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
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 Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 23.8”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (604.5 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 | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.94 |
| Weight | 43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 Reasons Wharfedale Super Linton is the Hidden Gem of Audio Equipment More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Wharfedale Super Linton Review
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Upgrade Your Sound with These 6 Surprisingly Affordable Speakers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Absolute Favorite Products of 2024 Revealed
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL 708i: $3,198 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: High-output 8-inch professional monitor with JBL’s compression driver and Image Control Waveguide. In JBL’s intended bi-amplified Crown DCI/DSP configuration, ASR data shows 39Hz extension, controlled roughly +/-50-degree horizontal coverage and a 6.21 preference score with a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: This is not self-powered: achieving the measured active-mode response requires compatible external amplification and JBL processing, adding substantial cost and complexity. On-axis smoothness (0.241), predicted in-room smoothness (0.198) and a 4.33 raw preference score are modest for the system price.
Full JBL 708i review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | External Crown DCI amplifier and JBL DSP required for measured active configuration |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured active-mode, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.2H x 9.8W x 11.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” compression driver, 8” woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way passive/bi-amplified, dual front ports |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB continuous, 114dB peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (1W/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.21 |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons