LINTON Heritage
To celebrate its history, Wharfedale has instituted Heritage Series recreations of famous models from its past, entirely redesigned using contemporary techniques and materials. The latest speaker to join this collection is the Linton. The original Linton debuted in 1965 and the line continued in various iterations until the late 1970s. It was a classic model of its time, seen as a serious hi-fi speaker but also relatively affordable. Its cabinet was substantial, large enough to house three drive units including a good-sized bass unit, but not overly bulky by the standards of the day. The new Linton bears a clear family resemblance. It too is a three-way model – a rarity in the modern era – retaining similar proportions to the classic Linton models. Its wood veneer cabinet has a vintage look, but the standard of finish is decidedly contemporary.
Retro style, timeless musicality
The Linton makes use of its large bass by incorporating a large (by modern standards) bass driver with a 200mm Kevlar cone, mounted on a rigid die-cast chassis. Above this sits a 135mm midrange driver, also featuring a woven Kevlar cone and housed within its own internal enclosure. Finally, a 25mm fabric dome tweeter with a high-flux ferrite magnet handles the high frequencies. The original Linton incarnations of the 1960s and 1970s were well known for their rich, natural sound quality; the new model retains these attributes but improves on the performance in every department. Its bass is deep and well-defined, its midrange clear and open, with free-flowing dynamics and a wide scale that brings the music to life. It's a sound you can immerse yourself in and lose yourself in, as you listen to album after album; a nostalgic nod to the past raised to a level fit for the future.
Designed to appeal
This is a speaker that exudes authenticity, designed to appeal to the music lover. In keeping with a design that is meant to be appreciated, the new Linton features hand-matched wood veneers and optional matching stands with equally classic styling. Custom-made to ensure each speaker is positioned at the perfect height for a seated listener, the stand’s rigid metal frame provides critical damping of unwanted vibrations, accented with wood veneer panels on the top and bottom to complement the speakers. The design also provides space to store vinyl records within the stand’s structure.