Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Linton. It ranks #25 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $2,699; the Yamaha NS-800A ranks #80, rated 4.0/5, and costs $4,999.90, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Wharfedale Super Linton is the more accurate option. 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 4.66 for the Yamaha NS-800A. 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 Yamaha NS-800A is the deeper-bass choice. A beautifully built bookshelf speaker with wide, consistent dispersion, low distortion, and bass that works well close to a wall. Its bass reaches about 68Hz before falling 3dB, against 77Hz for the Wharfedale Super Linton. The tradeoff: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character: notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison.
Buy the Wharfedale Super Linton. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha NS-800A and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Super Linton | Yamaha NS-800A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699.00 per pair | $4,999.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #25 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #80 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (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) | 16.5”H x 9.1”W x 14.1”D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 1.25” dome tweeter, 6.5” mid-woofer |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each | 28.7 lbs (13.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.09 | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.94 | 6.43 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 40W nominal, 120W max |
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