Linton 3XP

The Wharfedale Linton 3XP was designed as a three-way loudspeaker, characterized by its notably stylish teak cabinet and is considered an emblematic example of 1970s speaker design. It features a paper bass unit of 200mm, a midrange driver distinguished by an isodynamic paper cone, and a tweeter with a paper dome, all contributing to its rich tonal quality. The '3' in its name indicates the number of drive units, while 'XP' stands for Extra Power, reflecting its design intention to handle the rising power demands from solid-state amplifiers of the era. This model enjoyed commercial success from 1975 to 1978, with a retail price around £100. Specifications include a sensitivity rating of 85 dB/1w/1m, a maximum power input of 30W RMS, and a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. The frequency response spans an encouraging 60Hz to 20kHz at -3dB. While it may seem outdated by contemporary standards, the Linton 3XP was appreciated for its warm, musical quality, creating a pleasant listening experience, particularly in mid-range presentations. It has a soft, coloured sound signature which many found appealing, though it may struggle with dynamic range and quick overloads at higher volumes.