Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary bookshelf speakers
88.8 dB/W / 6 Ω (min 3.5) · f3≈40 Hz (bass 8/10) · 25–200 W · bookshelf, 3-way, 1×200 mm, port rear · warm (spec.); calm (spec.); load: medium; loud 8/10; detail 7/10 (spec.); away from wall; AVR: no · room 15–30 m² · mid
prices and stock as of 2026-11-05
Audiomania expert verdict
A large three-way “bookshelf” in vintage style: a 200 mm Kevlar woofer, a 135 mm Kevlar midrange and a soft dome give 40 Hz (−3 dB), 90 dB and a “pleasant”, “vintage-tinged” delivery — for jazz, blues, electronic and rock at medium volume in 15–30 m². Needs stands and 30–50 cm from the wall (two rear ports) and an amplifier rated for 4 Ω; do not expect “crazy dynamics”. AI draft, under review
Ask about Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary
Will it suit your amplifier or room, what else to buy, what to compare with.
In brief
Best if you are looking for:
- a “pleasant”, “vintage-tinged” delivery for jazz, blues, electronic and trip-hop at medium volume AI draft, under review
- deep bass without a subwoofer: 40 Hz (−3 dB) from the 200 mm Kevlar woofer AI draft, under review
- rooms of 15–30 m² with 30–50 cm from the wall — “a detailed, spacious sound” AI draft, under review
- moderately powered amplifiers: 90 dB — Denon PMA-900HNE, Audiolab 6000A, an old Pioneer A-403R; SalonAV paired it with a low-power Quad tube amp AI draft, under review
- a vintage interior: Mahogany finish, cloth grille on pins, matching stands with a record shelf AI draft, under review
Keep in mind:
- two rear ports: needs 30–50 cm from the wall or it “booms”; plugging the ports is “a loss of quality” AI draft, under review
- “no crazy dynamics” — for drive and metal look elsewhere AI draft, under review
- 6 Ω with a 3.5 Ω minimum (an owner measured 4 Ω): needs an amplifier rated for 4 Ω; receivers rated “6 Ω and up” are questionable AI draft, under review
- a large “bookshelf” — 30 × 56.5 × 33 cm, 18.4 kg — stands of 51–61 cm only, “bookshelves are not an option” AI draft, under review
Product DNA
L184%A structured sound passport: every value carries a source and a confidence.
- Tonal balance
- warmAudiomania specialist0.5
- Delivery character
- calmAudiomania specialist0.5
- Bass depth
- 8calculated1
- Bass control
- 5Audiomania specialist0.5
- Detail resolution
- 7Audiomania specialist0.75
- Plays loud
- 8calculated0.5
± 1
Alternative value
- 8 calculated0.25
Если 110 дБ — для одной АС на 1 м (без вычета −3): полоса 109–111 → 8
- 8 calculated0.25
- Load difficulty
- 5/10 (medium)calculated1
- Drive difficulty
- mediumcalculated0.75
- Amplifier topology fit
- ideal: class A, class AB, class D, class G, hybrid; acceptable: push-pull tube; less suitable: single-ended tube, AV receivercalculated0.75
- AV receiver OK
- nocalculated1
± 1
Alternative value
- no customers0.25
При 4 Ом номинала (измерение покупателя) ресивер «от 6 Ом» не подходит
- no customers0.25
- Subwoofer need
- music: not needed; cinema: optionalcalculated1
- Placement sensitivity
- 8Audiomania specialist0.75
- Distance to rear wall
- 30–50 cm (min 20)calculated0.5
- Near-wall OK
- nocalculated1
- Cable gauge
- 4–4 mm² (min 1.5)calculated1
- Cable termination
- bare wire, banana, spade, pinspec sheet0.75
- Use scenarios
- ideal: Home stereo; good: Home cinema front pair, Long sessions, Quiet evening listening, Loud listening, Dense, fast music, Vocal and acoustic, Vinyl system, Background listening; acceptable: Rooms under 12 m²calculated0.5
- Optimal room area
- 15–30 m² (12–38)calculated0.5
- Tier
- midcalculated1
- What else you need
- amplifier, speaker cable, standscalculated1
Sound profile
- Bass8/10calculated
too few models in the band for a percentile
- Detail7/10Audiomania specialist
too few models in the band for a percentile
- Soundstage7/10Audiomania specialist
too few models in the band for a percentile
- Microdynamicsnot yet auditioned
- Emotionnot yet auditioned
- Analyticity7/10Audiomania specialist
too few models in the band for a percentile
- Versatilitynot yet auditioned
- Ease of drive6/10calculated
too few models in the band for a percentile
Scores are relative to other models of the same category and price band (100–150k ₽). An empty bar means not yet auditioned.
Sound character
The delivery is calm, “pleasant”, “with a vintage tinge”: “no crazy dynamics, yet quite detailed”. The maker's description promises the “slightly warm, very musical sound” of the classic model. AI draft, under review[2]
Bass is deep — 40 Hz at −3 dB from the 200 mm Kevlar woofer on a cast chassis; its quantity is noticeable: specialists immediately talk about 30–50 cm from the wall and possible “boom”. AI draft, under review[4]
The midrange is a dedicated 135 mm Kevlar driver with a stiffer surround “to remove colouration”; the top is a 25 mm soft dome with no hint of harshness in the evidence. AI draft, under review[3]
Stage and scale are a strength: “adds scale”, “a detailed, spacious sound” (with a Denon PMA-900HNE). AI draft, under review[2]
Use scenarios
Suits:
- home stereo in 15–30 m² on stands, 30–50 cm from the wall AI draft, under review
- jazz, blues, electronic, trip-hop, ambient at medium volume AI draft, under review
- a vinyl system and a vintage interior AI draft, under review
- low-power and tube amplifiers — 90 dB AI draft, under review
- long and quiet sessions — a calm delivery without harshness AI draft, under review
Less suited to:
- right against a wall or in a niche — “boom” AI draft, under review
- metal and “drive” — “no crazy dynamics” AI draft, under review
- receivers and amplifiers not rated for 4 Ω (3.5 Ω minimum) AI draft, under review
- bookshelves — “not an option at all” AI draft, under review
Technologies and construction
Three-way design with Kevlar bass and mid drivers
What it is: A 200 mm Kevlar woofer on a cast chassis, a 135 mm Kevlar midrange with a stiffer surround, crossovers at 630 Hz and 2.4 kHz.
Practical benefit: The stiffer mid surround — “to remove colouration”; specialist: “quite detailed”, “adds scale”.
Twin rear reflex ports
What it is: Two reflex port openings on the rear panel; the maker does not publish the diameter (owners report 50 mm).
Practical benefit: Deep 40 Hz (−3 dB) bass — at the cost of placement: “at least 30–50 cm”, otherwise “boom”.
25 mm soft dome with a ferrite magnet
What it is: A 25 mm soft fabric dome, a ferrite magnet with “a strong, even field”, its own protective mesh.
Practical benefit: A calm, non-harsh top — “with a vintage tinge”, “pleasant speakers”.
Grille on six pins and matching stands
What it is: A removable cloth grille of special weave on six metal pins; matching stands with a record shelf (a bundled version exists).
Practical benefit: The grille is “almost completely acoustically transparent”; the stands put the tweeter “at a seated listener's head height”.
Damped cabinet and audiophile crossover
What it is: Internal cabinet damping; a crossover built from selected audiophile-grade components.
Practical benefit: Vibration control and coherence between the three bands (description).
Amplifier requirements
Recommended power
60–191 W
60–191 W into 8 Ω is the sweet spot; 25–200 W acceptable
Practice band for 23 m² at average level: 34–56 W
R-AMP-POWER · 1.0.0+c1.0.0 · confidence 0.75
- Load difficulty
- 5/10 (medium)calculated1
- Preferred amplifier character
- No character preference yet — we recommend auditioning the pairing.
Suits:
- class A — ideal
- class AB — ideal
- class D — ideal
- class G — ideal
- hybrid — ideal
- push-pull tube — acceptable
Note:
- single-ended tube — not recommended
- AV receivers not recommended: the load is below their comfortable 6–8 Ω
Calculator: is the amplifier enough
Recommended system connection
To get the most from the system we recommend:
Speaker cable
- Gauge
- 2.5 mm²
- Recommended length
- up to 12.7 m per channel
- Termination
- bare, banana, spade, pin
For 3 m per speaker at 3.5 Ω, 0.59 mm² is enough; the Audiomania standard is 2.5 mm². Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary has screw terminals: both bananas and bare wire fit.
R-CABLE · 1.0.0+c1.0.0
In stock now
1,050 RUB · in stock
Why
For 3 m per speaker at 3.5 Ω, 0.59 mm² is enough; the Audiomania standard is 2.5 mm². Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary has screw terminals: both bananas and bare wire fit.
429 RUB · in stock
Why
For 3 m per speaker at 3.5 Ω, 0.59 mm² is enough; the Audiomania standard is 2.5 mm². Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary has screw terminals: both bananas and bare wire fit.
9,690 RUB · in stock
Why
For 3 m per speaker at 3.5 Ω, 0.59 mm² is enough; the Audiomania standard is 2.5 mm². Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary has screw terminals: both bananas and bare wire fit.
Room placement
- Minimum distance to the rear wall
- 20 cm; recommended 30–50 cm
- Distance between speakers
- 2.5–2.5 m
- Toe-in
- 0–10°
- Recommended stand height
- ≈ 56 cm
- bass reflex
- rear
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary: needs ≥ 20 cm from the wall (ideally 30–50), 2.5–2.5 m apart, toe-in 0–10°. Give the wall distance for an exact verdict.
R-PLACEMENT · 1.0.0+c1.0.0
- Near-wall placement
- nocalculated1
- Placement sensitivity
- 8Audiomania specialist0.75
From the specialists' experience:
- At least 30–50 cm from the back to a solid wall (two ≈ 50 mm ports); “when setting up you will have to move it around”.[2]
- Port plugs cure the “boom”, but “that is a loss of quality”: bass output drops — then an active subwoofer helps.[1]
- Stands only (the matching ones put the tweeter at head height); “bookshelves are not an option at all”.[1]
Compatible stands in stock
19,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary on Radiotehnika T6 (660 mm) puts the tweeter at 1.1 m — seated ear level (1 m). The 150×170 mm plate under a 300×330 footprint is stable; load 18.4 of 30 kg.
22,539 RUB · in stock
Why
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary on Wharfedale ST1 (592 mm) puts the tweeter at 1.0 m — seated ear level (1 m). The 151×210 mm plate under a 300×330 footprint is stable; load 18.4 of — kg.
Recommended right now
over the 45-product sampleIn-stock, current models only; refreshed with prices (2026-11-05). Not indexed.
86,233 RUB · in stock
Why
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary: 4 Ω nominal — Leak Stereo 130 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Leak Stereo 130 delivers ≈52 W into 6 Ω; the practice band for Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary in 23 m² at an average level is 34–56 W. Adequate.
109,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary: 4 Ω nominal — Denon PMA-900HNE is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Denon PMA-900HNE delivers ≈69 W into 6 Ω; the practice band for Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary in 23 m² at an average level is 34–56 W. Adequate.
61,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary: 4 Ω nominal — AudioLab 6000A is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. AudioLab 6000A delivers ≈65 W into 6 Ω; the practice band for Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary in 23 m² at an average level is 34–56 W. Adequate.
104,880 RUB · in stock
Why
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary: 4 Ω nominal — AudioLab 7000A is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. AudioLab 7000A delivers ≈93 W into 6 Ω against a 34–56 W practice band for Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary in 23 m² — the headroom that gives bass control and low-volume detail.
rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0
Audiomania ready systems
Assembled by the rules from in-stock products around this model; prices as of 2026-11-05.
Optimal
- Speakers: Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary bookshelf speakers (this model)89,313 RUB
- Amplifier: Radiotehnika RTM01 network integrated amplifier38,990 RUB
- Speaker cable: Radiotehnika Volna SP2.5 Banana finished speaker cable9,690 RUB
- Stands: Radiotehnika T6 speaker stands19,990 RUB
Total: 157,983 RUB
Checks (10)
- R-ROOM-FITideal
- R-PLACEMENTno data
- R-SUB-NEEDnot needed
- R-AMP-IMPEDANCEfits
- R-AMP-POWERadequate
- R-SOURCE-CHAINfits
- R-AMP-CHARACTERcomplementary
- R-TIER-FITweak link amp
- R-CABLEfits
- R-STANDgood
Optimal
- Speakers: Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary bookshelf speakers (this model)89,313 RUB
- Amplifier: Rotel A11 Tribute integrated amplifier70,600 RUB
- Speaker cable: Radiotehnika Volna SP2.5 Banana finished speaker cable9,690 RUB
- Stands: Radiotehnika T6 speaker stands19,990 RUB
Total: 189,593 RUB
Checks (10)
- R-ROOM-FITideal
- R-PLACEMENTno data
- R-SUB-NEEDnot needed
- R-AMP-IMPEDANCEfits
- R-AMP-POWERadequate
- R-SOURCE-CHAINfits
- R-AMP-CHARACTERfine
- R-TIER-FITbalanced
- R-CABLEfits
- R-STANDgood
Optimal
- Speakers: Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary bookshelf speakers (this model)89,313 RUB
- Amplifier: Audiolab 7000A integrated amplifier104,880 RUB
- Speaker cable: Radiotehnika Volna SP2.5 Banana finished speaker cable9,690 RUB
- Stands: Radiotehnika T6 speaker stands19,990 RUB
Total: 223,873 RUB
Checks (10)
- R-ROOM-FITideal
- R-PLACEMENTno data
- R-SUB-NEEDnot needed
- R-AMP-IMPEDANCEfits
- R-AMP-POWERideal
- R-SOURCE-CHAINfits
- R-AMP-CHARACTERcomplementary
- R-TIER-FITbalanced
- R-CABLEfits
- R-STANDgood
Comparison with similar models
How it differs from Radiotehnika Sigma 1.01 bookshelf speakers
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary bookshelf speakers:
—
Radiotehnika Sigma 1.01 bookshelf speakers:
- Nominal impedance: 8 Ω vs 4 Ω
- HF level adjustment: 2 dB vs none
- Height: 475 mm vs 565 mm
The sound difference is not confirmed by sources — specs only.
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary and Radiotehnika Sigma 1.01 are the same tier; they differ in character and in the figures below.
Full comparison →How it differs from DALI Opticon 2 MK2 bookshelf speakers
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary bookshelf speakers:
- Sensitivity: 88.8 dB/W vs 83.5 dB/W
- Low-frequency limit: 40 Hz vs 59 Hz
DALI Opticon 2 MK2 bookshelf speakers:
- Height: 351 mm vs 565 mm
The sound difference is not confirmed by sources — specs only.
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary and DALI Opticon 2 MK2 are the same tier; they differ in character and in the figures below.
Full comparison →
Specifications
Main
- Sensitivity
- 90 dB (unspecified)
- Nominal impedance
- 6 Ω
± 1
sources disagree
- 4 Ω customers0.25
Покупатель: «Сопротивление 4 Ом. Измерение делали в четырёх магазинах!» — не подтверждено
- 4 Ω customers0.25
- Minimum impedance
- 3.5 Ω
- Low-frequency limit
- 40 Hz (-3 dB)
- High-frequency limit
- 20,000 Hz
- Maximum SPL
- 110 dB (unknown)
- Recommended amplifier power
- 25–200 W
- Ways
- 3
- Crossover frequencies
- 630, 2,400
Construction
- Enclosure
- type: bass reflex; port position: rear; port count: 2
± 1
sources disagree
- type: bass reflex; port position: rear; port count: 2; port diameter mm: 50 Audiomania specialist0.25
«Попадается информация от владельцев, что диаметр каждого из двух отверстий составляет 50 мм»
- type: bass reflex; port position: rear; port count: 2; port diameter mm: 50 Audiomania specialist0.25
- Wall-mount points
- nocalculated
- Finishes
- Mahogany
- Grille
- removable: yes, magnetic: no
Drivers
- Bass drivers
- 1 × 200 mm, кевлар, литое шасси
- Midrange driver
- 135 mm, кевлар, усиленный подвес
- Tweeter
- 25 mm, fabric
- Tweeter height from base
- 441 mmcalculated
Connection
- Terminals
- one pair, screw
Dimensions
- Dimensions (W×H×D)
- 300 × 565 × 330 mm
Weight
- Weight
- 18.4 kg (each)
Box contents
- Warranty
- 36 months
Documents
No documents yet.
FAQ
›How far from the wall because of the rear port? Will it “boom”?
›If 30–50 cm is impossible — can I plug the ports without losing quality?
›How does it pair with a Denon PMA-900HNE (18 m², rock)?
›I listen to electronic, trip-hop, ambient, jazz at medium volume in 18 m² (Audiolab 6000A) — a good fit? Anything more interesting?
›Will an old Pioneer A-403R drive them?
›What is the real impedance — 6 or 4 Ω?
›Which stands? Can they go on a shelf?
›I listen to jazz, rock, reggae as background in 18–20 m², low volume, Emotiva TA-1 — Linton or something else?
›Does it need an amplifier?
Customer reviews
Алексей П., Барнаул · 2025-06-27Excellentverified purchase
Полочная акустика Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary Mahogany просто замечательная, очень доволен.
Audiomania expert opinion
The Linton 85th is a speaker our specialist describes as “quite pleasant… no crazy dynamics, yet quite detailed and at the same time with a vintage tinge, plus it adds scale”. A colleague adds: “excellent speakers — only the Wharfedale Super Linton is more interesting”. AI draft, under review[2]
The main condition is placement: the two 50 mm rear ports want “at least 30–50 cm” from a solid wall, or it may “boom”; plugs help, but “that is a loss of quality”. If the gap is impossible, the specialist honestly suggests the front-ported ELAC Debut Reference DFR52, which “does not tend to boom in rooms of about 20 m²”. AI draft, under review[4]