I Bought the Wharfedale Super Linton as a Gift: But I Almost Kept Them for Myself
Key Takeaways:
- The Price: I paid $2,159 (a deal on the $2,699 MSRP) via WharfedaleUSA.
- The Upgrade: Significant internal re-engineering of the drivers and crossover compared to the standard Linton.
- The Sound: Cleaner midrange and tighter bass than the original, but it retains that signature vintage warmth.
- The Verdict: A serious audiophile speaker that justifies the price jump over the standard Heritage model.
I didn’t originally buy the Wharfedale Super Linton for myself. The idea actually came from my nephew, who had been quietly—well, not that quietly—campaigning for them as his “dream speakers” for months. Eventually, I caved.
Finding a pair wasn’t instant, either. After watching listings and checking local options, I finally tracked down a new set on Wharfedaleusa.com for around $2,159.00. When they arrived, I decided to set them up in my own system “just for a quick test” before gifting them.
That “quick test” turned into days of listening. And those days turned into this review.
Heritage and the Retro Revival
In the past decade, we’ve seen a noticeable wave of retro-inspired speakers: JBL with its Classic series, Klipsch’s ever-present Heritage line, and BBC-style designs from Harbeth and Spendor.
Wharfedale didn’t invent retro audio, but they were one of the first big mainstream brands to methodically revive older models alongside their modern lines, not just as one-off nostalgia pieces. It started with the Denton 80 and evolved into the full Heritage Series:
- Denton 85 & Super Denton
- Linton Heritage
- Dovedale
- And now: The Super Linton
The Super Linton doesn’t replace the standard Linton Heritage. Instead, it sits alongside it—like a “hot-rodded” version built on the same visual template but with upgraded internals and a more refined sonic character.
Design & Build: Same Suit, New Body
At first glance, the Super Linton looks almost identical to the standard Linton:
- Rectangular, old-school box
- 3-way layout (woofer, midrange, tweeter)
- Real-wood veneer in classic tones
- Matching dedicated stands
The finish quality is genuinely excellent. Edges are clean, the veneer is consistent, and everything feels solid and deliberate—this is not cheap cosplay of vintage gear.
External Differences
Look a little closer, and you’ll notice the cabinet is slightly taller (due to internal volume changes), though the width and depth stay the same. The tweeter now has a different front plate and lacks the protective grille, giving it a subtly more modern, “serious” look.
Good News: The matching stands from the Linton Heritage still fit perfectly, which is great if you are upgrading from the standard Linton and want to keep your existing stands.
Inside the Box: What Makes It “Super”
Superficially, the changes look minor. But internally, nearly everything has been re-engineered.
1. Tweeter: 25mm Fabric Dome, Refined Motor
The Super Linton uses a reworked magnet and motor assembly. The aim is not to make the speaker bright or analytical, but to give it a cleaner extension and more control than the original.
- The Result: More air and detail, less grain, but still smooth and never aggressive.
2. Midrange: Kevlar Cone With Its Own Chamber
The 135mm Kevlar midrange now works in its own internal acoustic chamber. This is a massive upgrade. By isolating the midrange from the woofer’s back pressure, vocals and instruments sound more stable, focused, and unclouded.
3. Woofer: 200mm Kevlar, Stronger Support
The woofer remains a 200mm Kevlar unit but features an improved magnet system and a new cast basket. The result isn’t “more bass” in the crude sense, but better bass—more articulate and controlled.
4. Crossover & Cabinet
- The Crossover: Completely overhauled. The Low and Mid/High sections are now on separate boards using air-core coils and polypropylene capacitors. Note: Bi-wiring is gone; these are single-wire only.
- The Cabinet: It uses a “sandwich” construction—two layers of MDF bonded with a special damping adhesive. This absorbs vibration, preventing the box from adding its own “woody” tone to the music.
System Matching: LEAK and Heritage
For this review, I paired the Super Linton with the LEAK Stereo 230 integrated amplifier and LEAK CDT transport.
This pairing isn’t random. Visually, they fit the same era. Sonically, they aim for a slightly warm, musical presentation. The Super Linton is transparent enough to reflect your upstream gear: with the LEAK 230, it leans into retro warmth; with a brighter amp, you could nudge it toward a more modern sound.
Sound Quality
Midrange: Where the Magic Happens
The very first thing that grabbed my attention was the midrange clarity. The Super Linton reveals small details—breath, texture, room ambience—without pushing them forward in a fatiguing way. It doesn’t feel like a forensic microscope; it feels like you’ve simply moved a few rows closer to the stage.
- Vocals: Whether it’s Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, or Michael Bublé, voices sound rich but not thickened.
Treble: Clean, Gentle, Adjustable
Out of the box with the LEAK Stereo 230 in Direct mode, the treble was slightly polite. Switching off Direct and nudging the treble dial to around 2 o’clock opened things up beautifully. Cymbals gained shimmer, and the sound became more “modern.”
Bass: Vintage Character With Modern Control
Let’s be clear: if your reference is ultra-tight studio monitors or subwoofer-like slam for EDM, the Super Linton will sound relaxed.
- The Character: Full, generous, and slightly rounded.
- The Control: Surprisingly tidy. Even with complex double-bass lines, it never turns into a boomy mess.
On rock, blues, and 70s/80s recordings, this voicing feels authentic. However, for modern electronic dance music, you might miss the last word in sub-bass grip.
Genre Compatibility
Where do these speakers really shine?
- Jazz & Vocals: Superb. Voices and instruments sit in the room with you.
- Classic / Prog Rock: Warm, engaging, powerful, and fun.
- Acoustic & Folk: Natural, textured, and highly enjoyable.
- Modern Metal/EDM: Enjoyable, but softer than some might prefer.
Comparison: Super Linton vs. Linton Heritage
| Feature | Linton Heritage | Super Linton |
| Midrange | Warm, forward, romantic | Clearer, more open, distinct |
| Bass | Rounder, slightly loose | Tighter, cleaner, more articulate |
| Detail | Moderate; easy listening | High; reveals micro-details |
| Vibe | Pure 1970s nostalgia | Vintage spirit, modern precision |
If you dream of a strictly “old-school” sound, the Linton Heritage is a time machine. If you love the look but want a speaker that resolves more detail and handles a wider range of genres, the Super Linton is the superior choice.
Conclusion:
The Wharfedale Super Linton is exactly what its name suggests: a supercharged Linton.
They are not the ultimate speakers for EDM or chest-thumping sub-bass. They are not trying to be studio monitors. Instead, they do something arguably more musical: they let you enjoy a huge range of music—especially jazz, classic rock, and vocals—with high-end detail, wrapped in a warm, inviting glow.
And as for that birthday gift? Let’s just say my nephew eventually got his speakers. But only after I enjoyed every track did I want to hear them first.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Excellent midrange clarity
- Warm, musical vintage character
- Smooth, refined highs
- Solid build and beautiful retro design
- More detailed and controlled than Linton Heritage
Cons
- Bass lacks modern sub-bass slam
- Treble can feel slightly polite with warm amps
- Large cabinet footprint
- Not ideal for EDM or aggressive electronic music
- More expensive than the standard Linton for a similar look
Wharfedale Super Linton Specifications
| Configuration | 3-Way Standmount Speaker |
| Enclosure Type | Bass Reflex (Dual Rear Ports) |
| High-Frequency Driver | 1″ (25mm) Fabric Soft Dome |
| Midrange Driver | 5″ (135mm) Woven Kevlar® Cone in dedicated chamber |
| Bass Driver | 8″ (200mm) Woven Kevlar® Cone |
| Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m) | 90dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 6Ω (Compatible with 8Ω amplifiers) |
| Minimum Impedance | 3.9Ω |
| Frequency Response (+/-3dB) | 39Hz – 20kHz |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 32Hz |
| Crossover Frequencies | 550Hz & 2.5kHz |
| Input Terminals | Single Wire (No bi-wiring) |
| Cabinet Construction | Dual-layer constrained-layer damping (MDF + Adhesive) |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 23.8″ x 11.8″ x 13.0″ (605mm x 300mm x 330mm) |
| Weight (per speaker) | 43.7 lbs (19.8kg) |
| Available Finishes | Walnut, Mahogany, Black Oak wood veneers |
