There are probably very few speakers that offer greater value then Wharfdale Linton's!
Drama start no? I heard the Wharfdale Linton driven by the magnificent Luxman M-700u power amp (oozing finish and those mesmeric VU meters) and the Audiolab 6000A serving as the preamp. Front end was my RAL24192 RATOC DAC. And the venue was Designer Audio - Anil from Hifimart wanted to know whether I wanted to listen (I have been rather hifi deprived lately, and did I need a second ask), and there I was with Anil and the gregarious Kshitij (good to know a 2 channel Distributor keeping prices sane and seems to be doing well).
The music had all the attributes of a well balanced system. To start with the dynamic swings were mightily handled (my own Graham LS5/9 would have strained a bit). So when we listened to something big like Shostakovich's 10th (Karajan) the macrodynamic changes were handled with ease. As Shostakovich’s anguished howl was unleashed, the system did not flinch.
And the bass - everyone wants to hear about it (I want to hear about the midrange). When we listened to Art Farmer's "Blame it on my Youth" the bass was strong and present, and a great anchor. More deep than tight, but positioning was good that there was not too much overhang.
And that, we saw when we listened to Kendrik Lamar's "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe". The bass was satisfying and punchy. The chorus was well handled with good separation, and Kendrik's voice came across as natural.
Which was also the impression when we listened to Michael Buble singing "Feeling Good". The music was foot tapping good, and the voice came across with great transparency.
The depth perspective was good in the system as well - with the woodwinds in the aforementioned Shostakovich showing good tone. In fact the tone was good through out - sounded natural without sounding hifi (nothing tilted for fake detail). This was particularly true of the relatively decent treble - sibilants kept under check.
We also listened to Schubert (Maisky and Argerich), and that came across without boxiness. Sure, the midrange was not limned with microdynamic texture like my pricier Graham was (and I just love them for that), but the music was a satisfying whole.
In fact, what you get when you pay a lot more is more nuance, more texture, better refined sound. A bit of spooky reality. Like say a LS3/5 with voices, but bye bye dynamics and bass. However, at its price, the Linton’s balance of virtues is remarkable. It wowed me like the Castle Knight 2 did when I heard it first - musical.
At the current price of less than INR 1.2 lakhs including stands - the Wharfedale Linton Heritage Speakers offer serious value! Of course, it was driven by a mighty expensive amp, but how well it sounded and across how many different genres. Non fatiguing, big sound with good transparency. No need to make a small speaker compromise and google for subwoofer reviews and integration.
A no brainer, if someone with a big room starts with "I have a budget of about INR 1 lakh for a pair of speakers"...you have to hear them.
Hifimart or Designer Audio should be able to help.
Drama start no? I heard the Wharfdale Linton driven by the magnificent Luxman M-700u power amp (oozing finish and those mesmeric VU meters) and the Audiolab 6000A serving as the preamp. Front end was my RAL24192 RATOC DAC. And the venue was Designer Audio - Anil from Hifimart wanted to know whether I wanted to listen (I have been rather hifi deprived lately, and did I need a second ask), and there I was with Anil and the gregarious Kshitij (good to know a 2 channel Distributor keeping prices sane and seems to be doing well).
The music had all the attributes of a well balanced system. To start with the dynamic swings were mightily handled (my own Graham LS5/9 would have strained a bit). So when we listened to something big like Shostakovich's 10th (Karajan) the macrodynamic changes were handled with ease. As Shostakovich’s anguished howl was unleashed, the system did not flinch.
And the bass - everyone wants to hear about it (I want to hear about the midrange). When we listened to Art Farmer's "Blame it on my Youth" the bass was strong and present, and a great anchor. More deep than tight, but positioning was good that there was not too much overhang.
And that, we saw when we listened to Kendrik Lamar's "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe". The bass was satisfying and punchy. The chorus was well handled with good separation, and Kendrik's voice came across as natural.
Which was also the impression when we listened to Michael Buble singing "Feeling Good". The music was foot tapping good, and the voice came across with great transparency.
The depth perspective was good in the system as well - with the woodwinds in the aforementioned Shostakovich showing good tone. In fact the tone was good through out - sounded natural without sounding hifi (nothing tilted for fake detail). This was particularly true of the relatively decent treble - sibilants kept under check.
We also listened to Schubert (Maisky and Argerich), and that came across without boxiness. Sure, the midrange was not limned with microdynamic texture like my pricier Graham was (and I just love them for that), but the music was a satisfying whole.
In fact, what you get when you pay a lot more is more nuance, more texture, better refined sound. A bit of spooky reality. Like say a LS3/5 with voices, but bye bye dynamics and bass. However, at its price, the Linton’s balance of virtues is remarkable. It wowed me like the Castle Knight 2 did when I heard it first - musical.
At the current price of less than INR 1.2 lakhs including stands - the Wharfedale Linton Heritage Speakers offer serious value! Of course, it was driven by a mighty expensive amp, but how well it sounded and across how many different genres. Non fatiguing, big sound with good transparency. No need to make a small speaker compromise and google for subwoofer reviews and integration.
A no brainer, if someone with a big room starts with "I have a budget of about INR 1 lakh for a pair of speakers"...you have to hear them.
Hifimart or Designer Audio should be able to help.
