Wharfedale Linton Heritage or KEF LS50?

Print
Category: Reader Feedback Reader Feedback
Created: 06 April 2020 06 April 2020

To Doug Schneider,

I read your review about the Wharfedale Linton Heritage. I am considering buying the Heritage, but I can’t decide between the KEF LS50 or it. Can you compare them side by side?

Thanks,
Ambrus Seban
Hungary

It’s not surprising that you’re looking at these two speakers -- their retail prices are similar, though I have seen the LS50 greatly discounted lately, as if they’re being blown out by KEF. I don’t know if price is a factor in your decision, but since that can have an effect, I wanted to mention it.

Insofar as sound quality goes, I can’t give you a side-by-side comparison of the two speakers because both models have been returned to the companies, but I can tell you some general things. The most obvious is that the Linton Heritage is a much larger speaker than the LS50 is. The Linton Heritage is also a three-way design, while the LS50 is a two-way. What’s more, the Linton Heritage has an 8” driver dedicated to the bass, while the LS50 has a 6.5” driver for the bass and midrange frequencies. Combined, the Linton Heritage can play louder and generate deeper bass than the LS50 can. In fact, I found that the Linton Heritage can play louder and cleaner than many speakers priced much higher. If those things are important to you, that should sway you toward the Linton Heritage.

If higher output capability and deeper bass aren’t everything to you, then the LS50 should definitely still be in the running. One thing I like about the LS50 its midrange presentation -- it has an uncanny way with vocals that can make them sound very real. The KEF design team really hit the nail on the head in that regard. I also like the way the Uni-Q disperses its sound so evenly in all directions, as well as how it makes the imaging very precise.

Outside of those sonic attributes, I can’t really tell you much more. What I can say is they’re both excellent designs that warrant consideration. Which speaker is better for you, however, is up to your discretion. Good luck with the search. . . . Doug Schneider