🛒 KLH Model 5: howl.me/chIMMdYA1lM 🛒 Wharfedale Linton: howl.me/ckfhw91LaKD ^ any purchases you make using these helps earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help me keep this channel going through paying for new gear to test or miscellaneous hardware needed for reviews.

The reason why many people feel the KLH is a brighter speaker than the Linton is due to the how flat the KLH is from 1-4khz where the Wharfedales have a dip there. I dont think it has so much to do with the dip at the end of the spectrum. I for one definitely felt the KLH is a leaner and brighter sounding speaker next to the Linton.

Really good format for comparing similar speakers. I think Erin's precise description of the sound characteristics of each speaker backed up by data is very helpful. The trick is to pick interesting speakers for comparison. I'd like to see more comparisons.

Great video Erin. Comparing speakers that are likely to be cross-shopped is a great idea. My issue is that I am still rocking my Definitive Technology BP10s from 1995 and, short of going through the hassle of buying and returning many sets of speakers, I am unable to relate your, albeit wonderful, reviews to my current setup. I would love to have you speak to these specific speakers, or at least bipolar speakers, in a 90% home theater application, especially in the imaging versus dispersion debate since I fell in love with the BP10s due to their ability to fill the room with a wide soundstage, but again, that was 1995 and things have changed. Thanks for all you do!

The Lintons have a wide sweet spot, more like a sweet area. Very convenient. But in the vertical, it's at its best when standing, not sitting. Easy to fix by tilting the Lintons a little bit forward on their stands. 2 or 3 mm extra rubber 'feet' at the back is enough.

I have the 5's and love them so much.

Well, here I am again writing on your You Tube channel to tell you that once again, I have purchased speakers that you have recommended. I owe you at least a couple of beers for taking the confusion level down and doing the hard work. I bought a set of the Wharfedale Lintons, they are not even broken in and I am ecstatic over the sound they produce. I have been without premium sound for a long time so these damn near brought tears to my eyes Harman Kardon 730 Twin powering these along with a vintage Technics TT, and tube phono preamp. Unbelievable, it may be me not hearing great sound for so long, but I am very pleased and relistening to everything I own Once again, I sincerely hope you come back. Other things in life are more important and should be. I have enjoyed your videos, I've learned from them. Then bought a sub and now the Linton's with your recommendations. Thanks mate.

Really great descriptions. This channel is so much more clear and helpful than those other channels that do nothing but recite fancy adjectives, metaphors, and similes. You got yourself a subscriber.

Me encantan los dos altavoces… de aspecto lookool clásico. Y sus sonidos. Muy muy buena explicación detallada… Gracias. Soy un apasionado de los altavoces…tengo los Linton pero en un futuro probaría los KLH 5 … la sala donde oírlas afecta mucho al sonido. Por eso utilizo pink noise en ecualizer. Gran trabajo por usted…

Good detailed comparison of listening w/measurements. Based on my personal preference and all I’ve read on both speakers and the price, I’m going w/the Wharfedale Lintons. I heard a pair of speakers in a store as a teen that literally stopped me in my tracks. They were a pair of early edition Lintons. They sounded so rich & full, unlike any speaker I had heard. The Lintons will be my next speaker and my last most likely. Background in radio broadcasting and as a musician. I do extensive research when buying audio gear. For the performance at the price, they are the best value for my money. 👍🏼😎

I had considered both but am very happy with my BMR’s

Thank you for your efforts, really interesting comparison with data to back it up. Hopefully go next week to sound test them at the dealers.

Room might matter to an expert but then there's practicality for most of us. I have a CAD station on my desk shoved up into a corner and I have the left KLH directly up against that corner about 45 degrees and the other on the opposite side of my desk. That one is against a window or within a few feet. My face is about 24" from the right one and 48" from the other. It sounds spectacular, I have to stop working because it puts me in a trance sometimes. I can't really tell about all the frequency specifics just that it's magical at near field. One review said that were poor at near field. So subjective it's hard to grasp. I'm sure others would sound good too but the 10" suspension driver and paper cones sold me. I just like the pure round tone that paper provides. Synthetic and ported speakers I also have but this is so nice. I'll buy a pair of Lintons one day to compare. Unless it's a perfectly flat monitor, a speaker is an instrument same as a guitar amp cabinet.

Compression data is awesome! Thanks for including it and commenting on it.

I have had quite a lot Wharfedale speakers and I have seen how much they have come better. Mainly the Diamond series. Wharfedale used to make expensive Opus series and that was fantastic, but I could not afford it. And of course they now have flagship Elysian series what looks stunning. I bet Linton would be my choice also because my speakers are placed far away from the wals.

Erin thanks for explaining why you need support. Makes me wanna help! Keep up the honest work, youre the man

Great comparison Erin, hope to see more of this type of content in the future 👍 Easy pick for me, if I was buying, as the Linton's are only around 1000 euro here, making them much better value.

Excellent and precise review. Many thanks for this great info.

Love to see you compare Ascend Acoustics Sierra line, Bower and Wilkins, and other high-end speakers.

Great video, but it raises a question for me. You mention a couple of times that wider dispersion speakers just can’t image as precisely as narrow dispersion speakers can. Does this also apply to true omnidirectional speakers like MBLs, Duevels, German Physiks, etc.? I’ve often heard those described as having the most lifelike and accurate imaging, but maybe those reviewers mean sound stage dimension rather than imaging?

Great review! What type of amp(s) did you use and were the test results different for the various power sources?

Another fair and straight forward review. Very helpful. 👍🏻👍🏻

Love these reviews! Hoping maybe just maybe you will end up reviewing a pair of SVS Ultra Towers just for a dollar value / quality / data rundown. Pretty sure SVS does affiliate links if that’s a motivating factor. Would love to watch your honest take!

Hello Erin, do they put a 3 dimensional Soundstage? If so wich one do best?

Great video, I love your style, kudos.

Interesting, I am required by the room to have the speakers no more than 15" from the wall. I had both the lintons and the KLH in my room and the lintons came off bassier but less "clear" for the treb;e amd even dialog. Interesting to hear the things you heard, it sort of lines up. I kept the KLHs as I could easily fix the midbass with EQ but I didn't find I could make that dialog clearer.

"I was that person once, then I tried starting a youtube channel" HAHAHAH. Man, your honesty is so refreshing. I can't get enough of your videos, and I'm learning so much. Thank you.

Great Job Erin , I like how you say its a matter of taste basically but amp pairing and our room accoustics matter also 😆 I been told that the KLH sound 🔥 with The big Yamahas' AS- 1200/2200/3200 And I been told the Audiolab 8300a sounds amazing with the Wharfdales funny I own both amps 😆 well 1100/8300 thanks again Erin your doing a great job !!!!

I would love if you do the Sonus Faber Lumina II. They are similar in price, smaller speaker of course, but can't find measurements.

Amazing review man, great job, thanks!

With age, my hearing sucks but still good. 13khz is my limit. I don’t know how it’s still that high? Anyway, I brought out my Polk Monitor 7 speakers for HT mains. They don’t sound as harsh as they did years ago. I say all this because of the KLH sound that I hear. KLH sound so clear and balanced to me. This is because of two things, in my opinion: Room placement and my hearing. Maybe the both are horrible, or maybe my brain is just happy with KLH?

Miss your reviews......Hope things get good for you! God Bless!

Hi ...thank for the video.. do you have a video explaining what compression is with respect to speakers?

New subscriber . I really appreciate how you review…seems so impartial and lack prejudice towards or away from a position. I was looking to build a system around the model 5 (I’m new to audio) but thinking the wharf hit the spot. Question is how to they compare to the kef meta 2 / elac uni ref / gelacs

Incredibly inciteful and awesome as always.

Great review and very valuable to your viewers.

I for some reason can’t get enough Model 5 and Linton content. You’ve been spoiling me 😂 Now if you can only get your hands on the L100 at some point. I’m just viewing for enjoyment though, so don’t mind my DREAMS.

What would be minimum distance to front wall in order for Lintons to perform?

Given that the Linton speakers cost 50% less than the Model 5, they seem like great value.

i have the 10.1 diamonds and they rock and i bet the lintons rock as well

I would like to see a comparison between the lintons and the elysian 2. The difference in price build components and sound may surprise. The amt tweeter may be star and be more linear and less of a dip at the higher frequencies. Maybe better sounding than both

Oh by the way I have gone through 10 pairs of speakers. Polk Audio Legends, B&W 702 Signature, JBL L100 Classic, completely restored AR3a, Harbeth C7, Klipsch Heresy IV, Linton's, Forte 3 , Yamaha NS 1000, Buchardt s400mk2. The 5 beats them all except for the Buchardt s400mk2. I would give 5hem a tie. So take this in consideration when you listen to these reviews. Cheers.

Measurements are interesting and helpful but ultimately as you say the only way to know if you like the speakers is to audition them in your home. At which point measurements don’t really matter. Speakers behave differently in room. So yes. Home audition and keep the one you like…but for me KLH all the way!

A year later. just one observation from here in the UK. Currently the KLH is more than double the price of the Wharfedale (with stands) and cost is definitely a big factor. By my standards the price of both of these is a major factor, but the Wharfedale presents as something of a 'bargain' by comparison. £1199 v £2519

I've been drooling over those Wharfedales. And these reviews have been super-helpful in pushing my thinking. BUT (! and there is always one with me), both speakers are too heavy. So, I'll move on..... But these are GREAT videos, so THANKS!!!

Good video. Would like to see a comparison video between the Wharfedale Linton and Polk Reserve R700.

Excellent thankyou

Bought a KLH Model 5 speaker, do I need a tube or transistor integrated amplifier, which one would you recommend?

A cumulative spectral decay (CSD) plot takes out any guesswork regarding speaker resonances.

Bruv we badly needed a sound comparison like you did in the linton review to the heresy

My choice has to be Linton but that's mainly because that's the one I own, lol! I was thinking hard about the KLH but the Linton won out, due to price and looks. Even if the KLH were better they aren't $1000 better.

Love my Linton 😍

I also enjoy a wider radiation pattern.

How Linton goes with metal, punk or hardcore? Are they have tendencies to sound boomy?

In Europe the Lintons are much cheaper. So Linton all the wa for me as well. I was however surprised how well these kinds of speakers can measure, expected much less.

Such precision hearing is unheard of...

One hell of a review 👍

In your opinion, what would be the ideal size for Wharfedale KLH Model 5 speakers? Thanks

Could have mentioned that they are both excelling at different genres of Music maybe, the Linton with their warm, voluptous Character are good for Oldschool Rock and Classic music, where the 5's may come across a bit too analytical. On the flip-side, the 5's due to their more lively, punchier nature will excell in Modern Pop, Hip Hop, Techno / Electronic Music. I'am more interested in the KLH due to my Music genre preference matching the Nature of those speakers. Both are priced very competitively, even the 5's are currently discounted and available under 2000 EUR.

Windows if placing the KLH Model 5 up against a floor to ceiling window provide any of the needed low mid/upper bass reinforcement?

If one were to get the Lintons, what center would timbre match them?

Would have liked to see the JBL L100 thrown into the comparison. Although more expensive they are all going for the same market.

Hi, if the price between KLH Model Five and Wharfedale Linton, where the same, do you still choose the Linton?

I think Wharferdale put a typical BBC-dip in the Lintons. Gives a more linear listning experience since it compensate for the non-linear human hearing. We are more sensitive to sound around 1 khz (female voice).

Can you please also review the Magnat Transpuls 1500 or the 1000. Or the Eltax Vintage PWR 1959 or MTR 1959? Because they are competing with KLH Model 5 and Wharfedale Linton. Thanks!

Awesome work putting the video together!! I’ve owned both speakers for months at a time and VERY impressed!! My basic thoughts after months with each speaker. First I love the Lintons. Could live with them forever. But 5s are shockingly good. Just as smooth but a good degree more life and detail to the sound. So far bass is very similar. Little faster and powerful on the 5s? No need for a sub with these. Super TIGHT bass. I had a sub with the Lintons and it helped but with the 5s I turned it off as it barely added anything. Maybe just our room? Bigger at 22x26’ with a slight vaulted ceiling. Lintons have awesome bass but slightly “relaxed” which is better for 70s music? Linton 7/10 KLH. 8/10 Mid range similar tonality. Super easy to listen and life like. But the 5s has better/wider soundstage which makes the mid range feel even more life like. Feels like it reaches a few feet further on the right and left and has ridiculous centre image. Easy to place too. Very smooth. Linton 8/10 KLH. 9/10 Upper mid and treble is where I felt the 5s pull away. The transitions from mid range up into the treble to my ears is close to perfect. With the Lintons I never loved the treble. It was totally fine just “boring” and flatter. The 5s are more airy - somewhere in between Lintons and a Klipsch horn. But never fatiguing surprisingly. Linton 5/10 KLH. 9/10 Also I’d say the 5s have excellent center image and 3D qualities. Linton 6/10 KLH. 9/10 Amp pairings I’ve tried the clinical solid state Yamaha AS1200, tubes on the PrimaLuna 100, and the warm solid state Hegel H95 and H120. Honestly both speakers pair awesome with all those amps which have very different characteristics. KLH 5s showed more of the amp differences in my opinion? But not in a bad way. For the price difference of each I’d say the value is identical. Both are unreal and could live with either forever.

Starting at 4:15 for like the next three minutes is like an expert sommelier discussing two fine wines. It honestly gave me goosebumps. I love the words Erin chooses to describes what he heard. Erin is such an everyday guy who also has a one in a million ear. He deserves way more subscribers.

Quality video as usual! Please make a comparison between R3 and Linton. I know you where amazed by R3's soundstage, imaging and overall sound quality. Really, rrrreeeeaaallyy curious how you would compare R3 and Linton which one you would prefere.

Erin, always learn something from your videos. The Wharfedales do look good, but I like something that can play loud. That compression would concern me a little. Thanks for the video.

Klh for me, fuller sound for rock music preference! Or more sound stage more colorful! Not as refined as you might want with classical music!

I would have a hard time deciding between these two speakers, assuming they were the only two options. They are kind of yin and yang. Having "heard" these speakers on less than optimal KZfaq demos, I find the warmth of the Lintons to be appealing at first but dull and unengaging over the long haul. In contrast, the Model 5 is more engaging but I find the upper midrange emphasis to be fatiguing after a while. (The Model 3s are even worse in this regard.) The Wharfdales measure slightly better but we must not ignore the fact that the Wharfdales achieve their "warmth" by rolling off the highs a bit. Both speakers are a little bit colored but in different ways. Not to discount the importance of measurements but I would want to audition these side-by-side before making a decision.

That means the linton are better ?

I had to get beyond the look of the Model 5's, but did get them into my home along with a pair of borrowed Linton's. Both are solid designs. But the difference for me was when I went to higher end amps. The KLH was insanely transparent at the price point. NuPrime, Rogue, Manley and even my Cambridge EVO 150 sounded superbly musical with the 5's. The Linton's did less when it came to transparency. The 5's handled female vocals with greater realism and detail. They were also less kind to some older recordings, which is a price you'll pay for that capability. The Linton's were less transparent, both to the same vocals as well as my different sources. Hooking up the the Model 5's to a Rogue Cronus Magnum III sent them to a level that surprised me. With the same amp the Linton's took less advantage of the excellent Rogue power. After some extended listening I determined that the Model 5's are good enough to exploit higher end electronics while the Linton's can't. Moving out of my listening room and into a common "against the wall" placement situation, the Linton's were in trouble. They sounded like boxes and the mid base muddied, unless I pulled them out. But the Model 5's performed even better in some respects. Overall it was no contest. The Model 5's are serious audiophile speakers for under 3K. The Linton's sound more like an entry level design. A lot will depend on your space, but the Model 5's are more tunable and likely earn some years in any given system. I like them as much as my Magnepan .7's (mated to a pair of SVS SB3000 subs), but in different ways. My buddy, who runs Magnepan 3.7's, was equally in favor of the model 5's. They're just more musical!

Does anybody here have any experience with the Linton’s vs Kef R3’s? I know thats a whole other topic but really dying for a thorough comp between these two

Wharfedale Linton for sure

Had the Lintons for a month or so. Sound was dull and warm, lacked sparkle, depth and inside. Stereopicture wasn't very stabil. Bass quantity/quality was hard to get right. Too close to wall and big boom, too much and it was thin. Not my cup of tea.

Erin is the kind of skillful, highly intelligent and knowledgeable guy who could make you change your mind about which speaker you prefer by using his equalization skills. Very talented.

Most reviewers are saying that the lintons need to be pulled at least 400 mm out from the wall. And angled in towards the listener. If not they sound a bit boomy and flat. So they are unsuitable for many people who wont be allowed to leave them sitting out that far by their partner.

This is the first KLH being called warm?? Have you read any other reviews?

That mid range dip on the Linton’s is not as audible as people think. Based on everything you’ve presented, the Wharfedales are the better value. I’d rather hear the impact of the compression at 100 dBA avg at one meter with recordings I like before buying, but the 2-4kHz harshness of the KLH’s at that volume would annoy me at my listening position. I don’t think the compression would be as annoying as it might seem from data. So many recordings have dynamics problems as it is.. Nice job. .

Mini Drago always looks like he's about to attack Erin. Stop him!

I can't agree with how you are using the term "warm". A speaker is warm if the 100 to 200 Hz region is generally higher than let's say 1 to 5 KHz region. The KLH is lacking in output above 7 KHz and especially above 10K most would describe it as lacking in "air" or top end. If it was just above 10K it would make it sound like you are farther back in the hall, generous output above 10K is often described as a front row presentation as long as the rest of the response is reasonably flat. I know many people who like less output above 7K with the view that it sounds more accurate to a live performance. More like the Celestion, British sound.

Mpla mpla mpla

Linton isnt even Wharfedales best £1200 speaker. That would be the Evo 4.4 which royally trounces the Linton for SQ. The Linton tweeter is amongst the worst ive ever heard. Like the Denton 85th.

В Линтоне - нет баса. Нет совсм. Звук неважный.

Wow I think the klh kill the Wharfdale. No bass no top end dull and boring. Oh well to each his own. Glad I don't have your ears. LOL.

I have not heard the Linton's, but I own a pair of Model 5's. Was he playing music through his voltmeter? Not the speakers I own. And lacking in mid bass? My God man, ridiculous.

It's clear that he puts the Lintons on a higher pedestal than the KLH....ok I'll leave now

Hi audiophiles Someone help me

🇷🇺 wins😎

With the caveat that I haven't heard either of them in person, only on YT, I much prefer the KLH, because it sounds much more dynamic, lively, natural, musical, and realistic to my ears, and the Linton sounds softer and less lively and dynamic, resulting in more artificial sound quality, IMO. I believe that the reason the KLH sounds livelier to me and doesn't to you is because of the broad dip in the midrange on the Linton, which the KLH doesn't have, which I believe makes it sound more lively, open, and forward through the midrange, which makes it sound brighter to me than the Linton

Model 5 is truly ugly, unless you found cheap Technics speakers of the 80s good looking. I can't have something that looks like Radio Shack stuff in my house.

Neither. Don't give companies money who are using archaic designs and not either pushing the state of the art forward or offering an incredible value. A blind test might change my mind by I think I'd take a Kali or Devialet setup over these. If you're buying speakers for aesthetics, stop. Buy art.

To technical review...wish you would speak more to the natural sound of the speaker...sound stage, bass, treble warmth...what amplification works best with it...👎

Get the better looking one because I’m already hard of hearing 🧏‍♀️