Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Linton if sound quality matters most, the Polk Signature Elite ES20 if price matters most. The Wharfedale Super Linton ranks #25 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $2,699. The Polk Signature Elite ES20 ranks #119, rated 3.7/5, at $398.98, $2,300.02 cheaper.
The Wharfedale Super Linton is the more accurate pick. 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 4.49 for the Polk Signature Elite ES20. 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 Polk Signature Elite ES20 is the deeper-bass option. Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage. Its bass reaches about 55.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 77Hz for the Wharfedale Super Linton. The tradeoff: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading.
Buy the Wharfedale Super Linton when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Polk Signature Elite ES20 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
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.
Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Super Linton | Polk Signature Elite ES20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699.00 per pair | $398.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #25 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #119 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 23.8”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (604.5 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” polypropylene woofer |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB |
| Weight | 43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.09 | 4.49 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.94 | 6.44 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United States (design) |
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