Enjoying Wharfedale Linton Heritage Speakers

Nice interpretation of a ‘70s big box speaker. This is an interesting niche, in that the “new” KLH brand, JBL, Mission and Wharfedale (both of last two designed by Peter Comeau) have popular three way speakers in the market for under $2,500 a pair with both throwback appearance and modernized performance.

The Wharfedale’s are delightful. They make no bones about bringing their own warm color with them. Low frequency baffle step from the big dimensions works in their favor. There’s an honest effort here to build a good speaker at an attractive price point with a specific appeal.

The big thing that strikes me is lack of fatigue with these things. Been playing a lot to break them in and find myself enjoying the music subconsciously, LOL. They don’t image like narrower towers or stand mounts but, at the risk of offending, I think this “heritage” niche is working because makers are delivering some very good musicality to consumers with added appeal of retro home furnishing!

Peter Comeau’s interviews on his latest two designs have been fun. Explaining his affection for low baffle step speakers and how much (or little) role he has as final tuner of any speakers. His take is that people above him in the design chain have already decided what a speaker is going to look like and what is going to be bolted into it….his job is to make it sound its best within those parameters.