Wharfedale Linton Heritage & KEF LS50 Comparison Review

Price: $1200.00 Pair (Jun, 2019)
Overall Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️¼
Reasonably priced Package with quality build, overall sound is a joy to listen.
Pros: Musical Sound, Quality Midrange.
Cons: Little More Treble Refinement & Bass definition Please.,
Build Quality: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️½
Highs:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Midrange: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️½
Bass: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sound Stage:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Price: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ½
---------------------------------------------
KEF LS50 Black Edition Speakers
Price: $1300 Pair. (Jun, 2019)
Overall Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pros:High Quality Sound,Bass Performance,Best Midrange Under $5k.
Cons: None At This Price.
Highs:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Mid-Range: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Bass: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Sound Stage:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Price: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Associated Equipments, If you use these links to purchase any items from Amazon or eBay(No Extra Cost To You), I get a small percentage which help support my work xxx
PSB Alpha P5 Speaker: amzn.to/2T7SCCm
KEF LS50; amzn.to/2LV7TEF
JBL Studio 590; ebay.to/2wQKOMk
Music by Grace Mahya; amzn.to/2ukRyRG
Denon PMA-2000IVR Integrated: amzn.to/2QfcbZx
Marantz UD7007: amzn.to/21E6WSe
Canare 4S11 Speaker Cables: amzn.to/2ElpxzG
AudioQuest Big Sur RCA Cables: amzn.to/2TeeRKK
AudioQuest Type 4 Cables: amzn.to/2GSEtq2
KnuKonceptz Banana Plugs: amzn.to/2ElpvYA
AudioQuest Cables: amzn.to/1R5jxcp

[@milesdufourny4813]

I'd take the Wharfdales any day over the KEFs. Much more enjoyable, and non-fatiguing.

[@hocheye]

Wharfedale hands down! No listener fatigue.

[@ctr289]

Wrong! The Linton is shouty in the upper midrange and the treble isn't as relaxing as the Diamond 200 series

[@el34glo59]

Big and heavy and gorgeous and how a speaker should look. And I'm sorry, I've heard both of these and they're not the same. You can tell the LS50 is a smaller speaker. Both good but I'd get the Wharfedale hands down

[@edwinsprojects7039]

Thanks forbthe feedback. What are some of the key points that you enjoyed better on the Lintons over the KEFs? Im debating between these and the SVS Ultra and Klipsh Rp600ms

[@AmbientWanderer]

exactly. You just get so much more speaker for the money with the Linton's!

[@lesmatthews459]

I must admit to start - I have never heard the KEF's. BUT - I can't understand how they could even hope to keep up with the Lintons!!

[@rockroll4553]

Linton is much better!

[@pc166829]

Had them both. The Lintons styed. The Meta's went. Nuf said.

[@pc166829]

stayed

[@AmbientWanderer]

The only reason why i could imagine someone choosing the LS50's over these Wharfedale's would be due to a lack of space. But even then, at this price range i firmly believe that there are better bookshelf speakers for around the same price as the LS50's!

[@ddirt80]

I could listen to you speak about speakers all day, my man!

[@mariavon22]

The KEF are good but like all KEF's, slightly on the bright side. The Linton Heritage are more natural sounding I think.

[@nicksundby]

It's funny how reviewers usually like the the LS50 but many other people find them a painful experience

[@rotorfix]

I've had numerous speakers come through my door, priced from $300 to $6K, and the KEF LS50s are hands-down the best value I've come across, better than many other value leaders: Vandersteen, Magnepan and Klipsch for example. Sure, they don't do the lowest two octaves, but otherwise, they are about as near to perfect as speakers can get in small/medium room. Those who find them too bright have no clue how to set them up, or are pairing them with cheap AVRs.

[@el34glo59]

Come on man

[@steven2809]

H. G. Wells ...or even two small subs like REL T-zero!👍

[@AmbientWanderer]

@rotorfix You are talking complete hot hair my friend. The LS50's are hugely overrated and overpriced speakers.

[@sequentialgear]

People complaining about the LS50's bright sound should know that it is a psychoacoustic effect of not having enough control or power on the lower octaves, by means of an amplifier that isn't up to the task. I've been there myself. 😉

[@theoracleprodigy]

They are good but 6k good... I don't think so. I had them and have a diy speaker that I've dumped $1500 into. I thought they would blow away the kefs but they didn't. It was closer than I could have imagined but you can get better for the same price.

[@mrpositronia]

I really liked the Lintons when I heard them in February. They gave a real sense of space in a recording, especially live recordings. I did think the bass and treble were both a little soft, with the mid-range being the stand-out feature. This is generally fine for those who listen to very analogue recordings, especially with live instruments, rather than electronic instruments. Most recordings up to the 1980s will fare very well, if that's the preference of the listener. Also, having owned a pair of LS50s for years now, I can say that the Lintons have more soul in their reproduction than the Kefs. Last year, I purchased a pair of Tannoy XT6Fs to replace the Kefs in my living room. I'm very happy with my choice, as they have brought the soul back to my music collection, not to mention a much fuller bottom end, neat and tidy too, not bloated at all. They have a very lively mid range and can image very well too, and create a broad sound scape. My Kefs are now in my bedroom! :)

[@jonashenryz1781]

mrpositronia Cool, but I did it the other way ;) I had the Tannoy XT8, but purcased the LS50’s because I liked their true/natural sound. But I couldn´t let go of the XT8’s, because they are soo engaging. So now I have them both setup so I can easily chose what pair I want to listen to, with the help of the switch source function in Roon :) B t w the LS50’s are supported with a sub, without that they are fairly limited, if you ask me (have a pretty large room, so all bass are eaten up by the space...). Not a problem for the XT8’s though, no need for a sub there.

[@mrpositronia]

@@jonashenryz1781 yeah, I thought about getting a sub, but I just decided to spend the money on the Tannoys. Anyway, my next investment seems to be a Hegel Röst. But that's currently more than I can afford right now... Which is good, because my modest Cambridge CXA60 is still doing good things for me. Hehe! :) Cheers.

[@rotorfix]

Have also owned XT6Fs and LS50s. In a side by side comparison, the Tannoys give up a little refinement in the top end to the KEFs. If the XT6Fs had less of a one-note bass character, they'd be keepers, but my preference is the KEFs.

[@Shaumgummi]

Jonas Henryz hello! So, Linton or Tannoy xt8f? Which you choose? Please. Sorry for my English

[@sebanambrus9265]

Hi, i am realy consider buy one the Kef ls50 or the Linton heritage, can you please conpare them side by side ? what is more fast and dynamic and bigger soundstage ?

[@jm-vq4cm]

Linton + Aperion Supertweeter would end my speaker chasing game😏

[@net_news]

Geat review my friend, I have the LS50s and I was thinking about "upgrade" to the Lintons (I love how they look) but I'm not so sure now... it's amazing how the little KEFs can match or even surpass speakers twice its size...

[@Slickman2006]

More like 4 times it's size. 😱

[@jungtarcph]

These need different amps. the KEF is very bright and the Warfdale is much more dark and warm. Hence, if you find a good match for the LS50 it is not a good match. But build your own.... maybe here www.troelsgravesen.dk/SBA-941.htm

[@AmbientWanderer]

Just do it. The LS50's in my opinion are one of the most overrated & overpriced speaker that's been released over the past 10 years!

[@pc166829]

@@AmbientWanderer Totally agree.

[@AmbientWanderer]

@@pc166829 Yeah, and i guess sound can be very subjective. personally for me, my ears are very sensitive to high frequencies, so i tend to always lean towards warmer sounding speakers. :)

[@ArdaiThomasPoker]

i would even take the linton stands over the ls50

[@Tharbamar]

😀

[@atxplus]

With the Kef, you need to run them in. I ran them in by connecting them, to my amp, then feeding my collection of flac files through my laptop connected to a schitt modi 3. then they need to be carefully position on very high monitor stands. They need to placed away from corners of the room and brought away from the backwall, then you will get incredible holographic imaging. I don't recommend toeing in the speakers. Straight forward will give you the best effect. Im not a bass head, what bass they have is to my mind is great, You can always add a sub to compliment the sound.

[@wim1983]

Denton 80th is great, though if I try to play extreme loud explosion sound like the wildfire scene from Game of Thrones - S2EP09 Blackwater, the limitation is there, very elastic woofer movements but not as dynamic compare to the more violent Elac B6, next I would like to target bigger speakers from Spendor Classic line.

[@nine6835]

Nice comparison review! Any chance you'll review the Wharfedale Denton 85th anniversary?

[@Tharbamar]

No at this time.

[@cybergod77]

Linton Vs Denton 80th?

[@audioman6007]

These speakers need a lively amp, something like a rega elex R, and toe the speakers in slightly. Then it's goodbye kef hello wharfedale 👍

[@atxplus]

I Blasted the Wharfdale Lintons in your side by side comparisons, but that ISNT REALLY FAIR OF ME, as I was listening to your side by side demo with a pair of Grado 325e headphone going through a IFI Black nano headphone amp/DAC. I think I need to get myself to a hifi shop and have a proper listen. The Linton's remind me of my Roger Studio ONE in looks. So I guess the the Jury is still out on this occasion.

[@peterwood2633]

I am close to pulling the trigger on the lintons but in demoing agree bass texture and resolution is poor. More of a background whump whump vs any kind of texture

[@Tharbamar]

Quality of bass is not the strongest selling point for sure.

[@Slickman2006]

Have you heard the Triangle EZ line(Titus/Comete)? They're supposed to be amazing speakers.

[@rockroll4553]

Linton beautiful!!!!!!!

[@thesixthgeneration6573]

Hello Tharbamar It's interesting you like the Ls50 so much when many people accuse them of being bright. Going by some of your video's, you don't seem to like bright sound signature.

[@Tharbamar]

Most likely they didn’t setup right or something to do with associate components. Basic rules of LS50 is No Toe-In, at least 24” away from the wall behind it, amp with good power supply, minimum 5ft spread, they will never sound bright with good recording, in my music den they do sound a little warmer than I would liked.

[@steven2809]

Tharbamar You’re wrong about toe-in. It’s needed for correct frequency response and imaging......

[@hclandscapes]

@@Tharbamar how much power would you recommend for the kef ls50's?

[@marshallcolby4909]

Great review, I just purchased the Lintons after many months of considering and was convinced after your reviews. I have the Emotiva TA-100 (50 watts RMS/channel @8ohm, 90 watts RMS/channel@4ohm). Will it be enough muscle or do you recommend upgrading the power supply?

[@sebanambrus9265]

You like Your lintons ?

[@marshallcolby4909]

@@sebanambrus9265 Yes, they're great. Paired with the Yamaha A-S801 they sound amazing!

[@mbehan212]

I'm wondering if you could tighten the Linton's up s bit by putting some foam in the ports. If they had been a sealed box I would have bought them first day

[@stevejones8660]

A bundle of drinking straws cut the length of the port, stuck in the port works wonders.

[@koyoshima45]

i can buy a pair of LS50 second hand like new from a friend with 365 usd . or , a pair of Lintons for 920$ , from the store, resealed . I can also buy Kef R500 SH for 795$ , Dynaudio Excite X34 SH for 540$ , Triangle Genese Quartet SH for 1075$ and brand new Wharfedale Evo 4.4 for 925$ . What do you recommend . Thanks . Would help a lot.

[@Tharbamar]

X34 is hard to beat for the price.

[@koyoshima45]

@@Tharbamar thanks . the only issue on the x34 is a little dent on one of the tweeters . though, i can buy a new one for 180$.

[@buttonman1831]

Hey friend, I found LS50 a few weeks ago on sale for 899 cdn.

[@Tharbamar]

Great price👍

[@nicksundby]

Every time I hear LS50s I think they are so overrated. But they look cool, so perhaps pseuds and hipsters like them.

[@normandyflores554]

Hi. About speaker placement of the linton. Which one is the left and right speakers?

[@genecatcher1]

I have the very same Lintons. But the loudspeakers are with phillips head screws, not with torque. Can enybody explain? They were in original packages.

[@patatje6974]

Hi Tharbamar, you said you had 4 sets of kef ls50's. Do the passive versions all sound the same?

[@Tharbamar]

Yes all passives sound the same only thing can differentiate them was room and associated equipments.

[@patatje6974]

@@Tharbamar okay, thanks for the answer, I can image the factory process doesn't always produce the exact same speaker every single time.

[@sheelmirji5494]

What about Equipments to drive this speakers ? Which amplifier & ect ?

[@SuperGeorge2112]

take em back to supplier.

[@CarefreeRambler]

Why every reviewer is selling you the Meta over Linton's?! Listen to them at any volume and you go Linton's indubitably.

[@beslemeto]

Can you make a video 4.2 vs Lintons my friend?By the way which ones do you like more?Thank you!

[@Sam_CL350]

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on the comparison between the Wharfedale LInton 85th vs Buchardt S400 MKII vs KEF LS50 Meta. I have a small room, 10'x12' and have the Linton's in the corner of the 10' wall. I can only get them about 12" from the corners witch only leaves spacing of about 5' apart. They sound good most of the time but can be a bit muddy. Would I be better served with the KEF LS50 Meta or even the Buchardt S400 MKII? Thanks

[@Tharbamar]

Linton Heritage is a bit muddy sounding in general, in your space S400 MK2 will work the best due to passive radiator design or even ELAC UniFi Reference UBR62 should sound real nice in your space, thanks

[@Sam_CL350]

@@Tharbamar Thanks I appreciate the input.

[@MegaPalesz]

Hi...I have a question..I have Lintons!!!I want to replace it with Audio Monitor Gold..Is it worth the exchange?Thank!!!!!!

[@richarddegannes2928]

Hello Tharbamar, Do you have any experience with Harbeth's M40.2 speakers? I would like to buy a pair of these, they are expensive and I would like your professional opinion. Thanks

[@Tharbamar]

I have not tried them yet but I may have chance to try them in the future, thanks

[@richarddegannes2928]

@@Tharbamar Thanks. much appreciated.

[@1964wingman]

Here in Australia the Linton retails for $2,795 with stands. As far as i know you can't buy the Linton separate from the stands.

[@Tharbamar]

Here is U.S. you can buy them separately.

[@manFromPeterborough]

I saw them in Dennis White store ADL and the poxy LS50

[@bs0000431]

Polk r200 review coming?

[@Tharbamar]

Yes, I will do that soon, thanks

[@likeris2]

what about Buchardt S300 MK II?

[@Tharbamar]

Ok speakers but not great.

[@colanitower]

Funny how the Lintons always look bigger on pictures than they really are

[@harrybaque5502]

And he has a small head

[@user-hv7fb4by1w]

Focal aria 906 better at this price range

[@joshuawang5859]

LS50 sounds muffled comparing with LS3/5A

[@RennieAsh]

joshua wang I’ll have to listen to those fabled speakers one day...but people want ridiculous prices for them.

[@mykeldg]

Thats because the ls3 are sealed. Ls50 will sound muffled when placed badly

[@steven2809]

Rubbish...he’s never heard them....

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

How much power are you giving the wharfdale from your amp ?

[@Tharbamar]

Base on the measurements 120w at 8ohm, 190w at 4ohm.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Tharbamar I like how you said that Lol (No set standard ) I wish there was some way to test power ratings in clean power /dynamics/ bright vs neutral vs warm but that most likely won't happen, I tend to go by The THD levels somewhat

[@vincent77295]

which is a better choice kef r3 or wharfedale linton heritage, thanks

[@Tharbamar]

I would go with R3. Thanks

[@infodirect2005]

Hi. Can we compare Wharfedale Linton Heritage and Tannoy XT8F? Thank you.

[@Shaumgummi]

Inform Direct I like it to, bro

[@AmbientWanderer]

that would be an interesting comparison

[@johnfredmurray]

Does anyone know if a Sansui 9500 would be enough to drive these speakers?

[@markussukram9290]

kef = ugly wharfedale = beautiful

[@davidjgomm]

"If you like the KEF LS50 sound this one is good" (pats KEF LS50).

[@1jcc]

Sorry, but to say that a tiny bookshelf speaker will be able to produce as much bass as a large 3 way is pure fantasy. The laws of physics still apply here. I can guarantee that the Lintons will blow the Kefs out of the water in the low-end even before listening to them. Also, if you were to drive them at loud volumes I can pretty much guarantee that the Lintons will win as well.

[@Tharbamar]

Laws of physics don’t apply to musical sound either.

[@1jcc]

Tharbamar That makes no sense whatsoever. A larger speaker will be able to produce lower notes. What part of that confuses you?

[@Tharbamar]

@@1jcc Music is not only lower notes, laws of physic is for many people is bigger is better mindset. Nothing confuse me here, I just know the different between good sound and great sound.

[@ryvanandthings4048]

@@Tharbamar so is Linton is good sound or great sound? i am most probably going to use this for watching movies and video contents , will it be ideal? thanks.

[@garyfreeman896]

This is a ridiculous comparison even if they are in the same price range.

[@Nidhooggrs]

why?

[@DJMikeron]

Talking without hearing has no value ,it’s just an advert what you are doing

[@Tharbamar]

Talk without knowing is simply ignorant, look around I have more sound samples than any reviewers.