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Linn speakers

I'm currently using Linn Sara's and looking to upgrade. I like the sound of the isobarik woofer(s) and the highs very much. But I'm looking for more detail in the mids and better imaging. The Sara's are a 2-way design. I'm thinking that a 3-way speaker might provide the improvement I'm looking for - but I still want the isobarik design. I know that Linn no longer uses the isobarik design in their current speakers, so I'm obviously looking for something used. I am aware of the Keltik, but that's probably out of my price range (and is active only?). Did Linn make anything else that meets my criteria? -

3-way speaker,
Isobarik woofer design,
Can be driven passively (ability to reconfigure for bi/tri-amping would be nice),
Price range would have to be equivelant to one model down from the Keltik.

Thanks in advance
Don
hessong

Showing 4 responses by twl

twl
3,251 posts
 
Linn made the DMS(Domestic Monitor System) at about the same era the Sara was produced. It is a 3-way with Isobarik loading of the woofers. They used Isobarik-loaded modified KEF B139 woofers, modified KEF B110 midrange, and modified ScanSpeak 3/4" dome tweeter. Frequency response in the bass went as low as approximately 16Hz. Theses speakers were not all that big, considering the performance, and are easily placed in a normal room without dominating the decor. Used ones probably could be found under $2k. If you like the Sara, you'll love the DMS.

They also made the PMS(Professional Monitor System) which is the same speaker in active tri-amp configuration with no internal passive crossover. There is no conversion for these speakers, so you have to pick either passive or tri-amp version exclusively.

They both use XLR connectors for cable connections. Also there is a factory stand set that is required for proper use.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Yes. There is no provision to access the other portions of the crossover. There is only the XLR jack in the rear of the DMS. On the PMS, there is no passive crossover, and there are 3XLR plugs, and you must tri-amp with those.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Hessong, yep, that is the same critter. It had(in each cabinet) 2 B139 modified woofers in Isobarik configuration, and 2 B110 modified midrange drivers, with 1 in front and 1 on top, and 2 Scanspeak dome tweets, with 1 in front and one on top. These top-firing drivers provided an ambience filling role, but from what was explained to me, they also worked in a vibration reducing manner, where the driver frames were directly coupled by rods, and provided equal "shove" against each other, thereby reducing doppler induced effects from the drivers microscopically moving against the cabinet. I feel that there was some crossover related reasons as well. These speakers sounded quite good, and were well above the Sara in performance. They, like all Linn speakers from that era, were designed to be placed against the wall and on their factory stands.
twl
3,251 posts
 
I'm guessing at the weight, but I'd say maybe about 125 pounds each. They are only about 3 feet tall, and about 18 inches square footprint, so they are not really that big. The efficiency level was about 89db, so I think a 175 watt unit would be fine. We used to run them plenty loud at the store with a Naim NAP250, which was rated at 125wpc. If you want Isobarik, there are very few speakers made other than the Linns. And I can't even think of any others at this moment.
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