Who's the winner? Wharfedale Linton 85th vs. EVO 4.4 - Soundtest 

I auditioned Lintons and Evo 4.2's side by side in a store (I needed something shelf mounted). I went in planning to buy the Lintons based on reviews, but I bought the Evo 4.2, and I am very happy with them. They sound somewhat different and it comes down to preference. I found the Lintons sound richer and forward in the mid to highs, which I did not like. In other words, I found the Lintons sound too forward and bright (in comparison), and preferred the 4.2's, which seemed more balanced and relaxed. Separately, I think the walnut Evo's are one of the best looking speakers around . I love the matt look. The Lintons look dated to me. But this is all personal preference.

In this test, with the same Audiolab 9000 that I’ve just purchased, the Lintons sound better in this video in every way to me. The 4.4's did come alive more with Retata but the Lintons still sounded better. Great video as I’m looking at the Lintons and the 4.4’s were also on my list.

Same here as most of commenters - ended up with Lintons, although I tested Linton 85 speakers against both Diamond 11.4 (which I was told is a hidden gem and kicks way above its weight) and Evo 4.3, not 4.4. Similar sentiments as yours. I also found Diamond 11.4 a little too forward sounding, not in a bad way but still a little tiring. And yes, I added a subwoofer but I have had Wharfedale SW150 from before so was easy addition ;). Deffo god to have a subwoofer, agree.

in my opinion, Linton is better, they are freer, relaxed, and 4.4 are constrained, sound like from under the bed ... I once had 4.3, and I am not at all enthusiastic about them, and I don’t think that 4.4 is much better than 4.3 ...

You do a great job of putting this vid together, well done.

Tested both at my local Audio shop, took Lintons home. They were beautifully warm sounding, well balanced non tiring. Evo's were coming across as a little more clinical and I could tell the music coming separately from left and speakers with eyes closed, while the Lintons had centre-focused sound stage. One personal suggestion though, for both of these speakers, so make sure you add a sub, not a big or powerful one but sub nevertheless as it will fill a bit more at the bottom range. I use 10" sub and it's more than sufficient. Lintons dig a little deeper than Evos in low frequency range but still benefit from a sub, IMO.

Wow! You did a Great Job with this sound demo! Thank you.

It's funny, to me the Linton sounds more forward, more impactful. Bass is "bigger" The EVO is more laid back, softer delicate treble and bass, less impact, more mid focused and "open" or diffuse. Can sometimes sound slightly hollow. Can't really say one is better than the other with this recording. They likely will sound different in person and especially in a different room. Also I personally would have the speakers playing on the outside, or, stagger them so they are always teh same distance apart

I've got the Lintons and they are staying. They are connected to a Creek Evolution 100A (outstanding piece of kit). For the price, I can't ask for a better sound

Thank you for posting your sound test videos! Can easily hear the sound signature differences between speakers, using earbuds/headphones, even through YT video playback is compressed. I prefer the L85’s laid-back sound over the forward and bright Evo 4.4. I own the bookshelf Denton 85 (D85) and glad I didn’t almost purchase the Evo 4.2. Below is my comment posted to your L85 vs D85 sound test demo: “I have the Denton 85’s (4 ohms) paired with a Denon 1600ne integrated amp (140W) and SVS PB-2000 Pro subwoofer (550W). Not bright sounding at all (older, hearing tops out @ 12kHz). Absolutely love these bookshelves!! Mainly listen to Jazz. D85 excels in mid-range clarity and tonality of instruments (sax, guitars, string bass, drums, piano, etc). Set-up in 16’x22’ family room. Can play loud/clear/controlled to 95dB (meter positioned 3’ in front of speaker) and reach 85dB @ center listening chair 16’ away. Also sounds good at low listening levels, too. Love these D85’s, pure musical bliss, every time I turn my system on!!” PS: Stream music using the BlueSound Node, however, bypassed its DAC and now use the internal DAC on the Denon 1600ne amp (Burr Brown chip, PCM 1795). It’s ever so slightly better/fuller sounding than the BlueSound DAC.

Thx for the sound test!! . I owned a pair of Evo 4.1's and swiftly sold/moved them on.. I have been considering the Evo 4.4 but after listening to this i'd sooner pass and go with the Lintons! Cheers

Expecting a delivery of my Lintons today...can't wait.

Evo 4.4 is much more open and has greater air.. my preference. The LINTONS are much warmer sounding. They also sound good.

I really like the Lintons in my 19' x 14.5' room and have never felt the need for a woofer but I strictly listen to 2 channel music and no TV etc.

The Lintons are designed to have the grills on.

En la última canción se puede apreciar como las Evo manejan mejor la parte alta. Las Linton ofrecen un sonido desordenado. Por lo menos eso escucho con mis auriculares.

Interesting. Like my Evo 4.1 - the 4.4s sound a bit 'strangled'. I rebuilt my old Ruark Sabres with Peerless D27TG35-06 and Monacor SPH-165 with a home-made crossover, and while maybe a little bright, sound far more 'open' than the Evos - similar to (but more so than) the contrast between the 4.4s and the Lintons. I have the old 'Ruarks' on re-capped Arcam 8R/8P combo which sounds 'better' (but a lot less bassy though) then the Evo 4.1s on a Rotel A11 Tribute - the difference is like listening to the Evos music through a beanie (hat).

EVO 4.4 has a clear stage and separation but lack deep bass in comparison. Linton sound more round and warm because of the bass but also muddier. EVO 4.4 would be great in a 2.1 environment or a home theatre setup. Linton is used in a small room standalone setup. So in my opinion they shouldn't directly compare because the different use scenario.

I feel Evo Series is made to use with EQ, subs, and play High volume. Because that’s where the AMT tweeter really shines around 80DB in my honest opinion. I have the 4.1 and WH-D10 sub. And it sounds great with 80 crossover. I’m considering upgrading to surround with either 4.3 or 4.4 and adding another WH-D10. They’re great for my Denon AVR.

EVO sound is more relaxed and recessed to me while Linton has great clarity. However, Linton sound is not forward and neutral to listen to. Mine goes to Linton.

I own Evo4.2 and this listening test confirmed me I made a good choise! In Pachelbel Canon Evo reproduce a real sound of violin, not some schreeching cats.

Evo’s sound a little strained at the top? Could be that strange tweeter.

What are your thoughts on how the Lintons would perform with an Aperion super tweeter and 8" subwoofer?

Love linton´s stage.

Jeez man ,how can someone say smthing over...."4.4 lack bass and all" YES ,they have,Insane amount of bass,anyway ,need a good positioning are awesome for acoustic music deff no for electronics.thinking to change them for Transpulse 1000 ,cheers ;)

Great presentation. Question and your advice. I'm about to buy a Yamaha amplifier AS 1200. But I'm undecided between these two types of speakers. Can you tell me. Is the Fharfadale Evo 4.4 a better choice? ​

Wrong time stamps on Curtis Cole - Ratata. Please correct.

That jazz song is just a world of difference from the Lintons. The choice is clear

I definitely choose Linton, (evo sounds weird)

But, what are the sources and amplifiers?

The 4.4 has more detail but somehow is not as balanced and natural as the Linton's .

The Lintons have more punch, a far more audible and articulate bass, and are more detailed, but if you listen to the violins and chellos during the Pachelbel track, the treble gets a tad too sharp, which is a huge minus in my book. The Evos are too laid back to be detailed or powerful enough.

Love the look of the Evo 4.4 but I think the Lintons sound better but look a little old fashioned

evo sounds 'clearer' , more definition of notes, but definitely, less fun... the lintons have a fuller more relaxed sound. for the classical music example i did prefer the Evos; the other examples, the lintons, no question. thanks

Las Linton 85 tiene más ataqué las Evo con ese tweter de cinta son más suaves

Stil go for e70 and e90 series! The best!

Linton🏆👍👍👍👍✌🏻✌🏻

Could you pair the lintons to a chord mojo 2 and drive them sufficiently as the DAC amp? Or could you use the mojo 2 as the DAC and then buy a seperate amp plus add a sub? Also, i'd need to stream my Tidal music to the speakers aswell. I wonder how these would sound using the mojo 2 DAC. Never looked into a HI-FI system but a new house now means a cinema room. These lintons appear to sound nice from my online research, I'd need to hear in person with my playlists though. Input anyone?

These comments are fucking hysterical, like you can honestly make a judgment from an audio recording on youtube? You call yourselves audiophiles to boot, that's grand! lol

Nice idea to compare the sound through mobile phone…

non riesco a capire come fate a dire che le Linton sono migliori. A un certo punto diventono assordanti e fastidiose. Le Evo sono sempre morbide, equilibrate e dettagliate. E se alzate il volume restano spenditamente bilanciate e si esalta anche il tweeter. mah

Linton 4 me

I owned a pair of 4.4s, buying them based on a few online/youtube reviews. I hated them and sold them after 7 months. Cheaply made, does not pass the knock test. I won't buy anything from wharfedale, terrible workmanship and drivers.

Sounds like the Evo’s need a bigger amp.

85th👍

DoveDale ! DoveDale ! DoveDale ! DoveDale ! ................lol 🔈🔉🔊

Lintony they sound fuller and warmer, definitely Linton wins!

4.4 сравнить бы с S60e ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rVwKJCm1ckQ.html

linton speaker win

Lingtong wins

I had the 4.4 and didn't like them at all.

Lingtong from Xi´an/China

Lintons all the way

Спасибо. ЗАШИБИСЬ.

Sod them both...buy the equivalent priced Focal and hear what proper in house drivers and decent crossovers made by the actual designers themselves can do.

85th with out bass

Much better soundstage with the Lintons …not as sterile

They both greate, but not perfect, hard choice

those "soundtests" make no sense lmao. what am I supposed to hear ? i hear your speaker... on my speaker. It demonstrates nothing

Both of them, sound the same. No one different. / 🎵🤔 🎶🤔