Linn speaker development

[GeraldS]

If you compare the 350 to 360 … the main concept will stay the same, only the tweeter and super tweeter is now a single tweeter.

Not really, e.g. the mid driver is made of different material and has a new bias control (together with the tweeter und upper bass), the lower bass drivers are different, they have their own DAC now combined with a new power amplifier and an FPGA based feedback loop.

You are correct, they update each part of the speakers to up-to-date knowhow and new technologies, but for me the main concepts and look stay the same.

[dikki]

I don't know anything about the 5 series. Are they Organikable? Utopikable?

None of that. I have the series 5, and I would love to upgrade them. But no option is offered.

[rmantini]

While it was interesting to read the first review of the 150' s is positive, it seems to me that as the new entry level floorstander from Linn, that a pair of Solo 800's was an out of balance demonstration, and frankly overkill! I would have preferred that the Selekt grade was chosen, or better still, some legacy kit like Akurate amps or Exaktbox i. The 150's will fill in the void in the upgrade path for those who cannot make the leap to Akubarik. I currenlty have M140's run exakt, so I am intrigued. Although going from a 4-way aktiv to 3-way seems like regression. This was my concern with replacing the M140's with Kudos. I hope there is an stand mount option that replaces the discontinued Akudoriks. The best upgrade I've made was the Katalyst DAC to the Exaktbox i. Better than upgrading the Akurate Exakt DSM to Utopik. So if Linn were ever to make Organic DAC available for the Exaktbox i, I would place my money there as first step adhering to source first philosophy.

Rob

[arm]

While it was interesting to read the first review of the 150' s is positive, it seems to me that as the new entry level floorstander from Linn, that a pair of Solo 800's was an out of balance demonstration, and frankly overkill! I would have preferred that the Selekt grade was chosen, or better still, some legacy kit like Akurate amps or Exaktbox i. The 150's will fill in the void in the upgrade path for those who cannot make the leap to Akubarik. I currenlty have M140's run exakt, so I am intrigued. Although going from a 4-way aktiv to 3-way seems like regression. This was my concern with replacing the M140's with Kudos. I hope there is an stand mount option that replaces the discontinued Akudoriks. The best upgrade I've made was the Katalyst DAC to the Exaktbox i. Better than upgrading the Akurate Exakt DSM to Utopik. So if Linn were ever to make Organic DAC available for the Exaktbox i, I would place my money there as first step adhering to source first philosophy.

Rob

Hi Rob,

I too had M140s on an Akurate Hub and AEbox10 with Akurate amps. I upgrade to two way Kudo Titan 606's a few months ago and believe me when i say there is no regression with going down to a two way Kudo's exakt set up.The T606's are LEAPS ahead of the M140. Of course, they are 3 times the price but Kudos made a REALLY good speaker and the isobaric Drivers make you realize how much bass the M140's dont deliver.

[timster]

^^This.

Reducing the number of drivers is not a regression in itself. Their quality is. My Super20s have been a similarly huge uplift in sound quality, musicality, feel.
If I was in the market for them and still had my 140s I would definitely consider trading them in. Not only because there are fewer drivers, but I have no doubt their quality is better than the 140s.

Not keen on the look though!

[Tendaberry]

While it was interesting to read the first review of the 150' s is positive, it seems to me that as the new entry level floorstander from Linn, that a pair of Solo 800's was an out of balance demonstration, and frankly overkill!

Hi Rob, it was simply a practical decision, because there were too many people standing around in the room, where the Selekt DSM was. This was a summer party to celebrate my dealer's 50 years as a Linn dealer. That's why the dealer and Gilad chose the bigger room with more listening chairs to present them.

[akamatsu]

While it was interesting to read the first review of the 150' s is positive, it seems to me that as the new entry level floorstander from Linn, that a pair of Solo 800's was an out of balance demonstration, and frankly overkill! I would have preferred that the Selekt grade was chosen, or better still, some legacy kit like Akurate amps or Exaktbox i. The 150's will fill in the void in the upgrade path for those who cannot make the leap to Akubarik. I currenlty have M140's run exakt, so I am intrigued. Although going from a 4-way aktiv to 3-way seems like regression. This was my concern with replacing the M140's with Kudos. I hope there is an stand mount option that replaces the discontinued Akudoriks. The best upgrade I've made was the Katalyst DAC to the Exaktbox i. Better than upgrading the Akurate Exakt DSM to Utopik. So if Linn were ever to make Organic DAC available for the Exaktbox i, I would place my money there as first step adhering to source first philosophy.

Rob

I think the out of balance part was having the Klimax Solo 800s being fed by a Selekt DSM. I think they would need a Klimax DSM. I don't see a problem feeding the new 150 speakers from the Klimax Solos. The 150s would just sound better.

[rmantini]

I really appreciate the feedback. Whos misses the WAM!

It is exciting that Linn has a new relatively speaking entry lever offering. It is just that brands that work with Linn - like Kudos, and evern PMC, just have almost nill to zero market penetration in North America. I reside on the West Coast of Canada. Even if you find a dealer that purports to carry the line, try finding them on hand. But they can order them!! Big dealer an order taker. So I will look forward to hearing the 150's. Years ago I had the opportunity to have an actual A/B demonstration of my Keleidh speakers in passive and active (not Exakt at time). I miss those days. I love the upgrade path. I started with bi-wire; then bi-amp then added the active modules. In a similar manner I started with the M140's in a bi-amp. And then Aktiv with the Exaktbox i. What a journey. I know the 140's can be beat as alluded to in the repsonses. But if you do everything right in front of the 140's, it is an amazing value proposition. One one has to spend three fold with the Kudos 606 to get there. Let's hope the 150's do it a just twice the price!

Rob

[arm]

Well, in my experience , you usually get what you pay. As for Kudos, you are right, there are no dealers left in NA, no distributor. Romour has it that Kudos is trying to figure things out in NA. I was lucky to get the last pair of demo T606's from a dealer in Vernon BC. I believe they can still get any pair for you but the cost of shipping one pair of speakers adds $1000-2000 onto the suggested retail. Costs drop when an importer ships a pallete of speakers in one shot. This is where the distributor comes in.

[rmantini]

Hi Arm,

I spoke with the owner of HiFi Attic in Vernon about the Kudos 606. Congratulations on getting them. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about the Kudos brand. He informed the Kudos 505 offer more clarity than the 606’s, depending on the room and one’s tastes. This is indicative of the case for stand mount speakers over floor standers it seems. There are trade offs.

He mentioned the challenge with Kudos is they are not well established relative to other makes, and at their price point it makes it difficult.

While it is nice to hear before you buy, unless you listen in your own and system, you are always listening to the entire system not just one component.

Kudos wouldn’t be risky, so well done.

[arm]

I did take a risk, but it was mitigated by the good folks around these parts that kept recommending Kudos. And , yes I was lucky. This last pair was not well advertised and I stumbled on their site. Because they were dropping Kudos, and it was their last demo pair I also got them for a stellar price. Never heard the 505's but I tell you, the isobaric bass on the T 606's is worth the price of entry. In a Linn Kilmax Organik system, they sound amazing. I am a convert and will continue to recommend them.

Hopefully they get a foothold in NA again.

[Tendaberry]

I think the out of balance part was having the Klimax Solo 800s being fed by a Selekt DSM. I think they would need a Klimax DSM. I don't see a problem feeding the new 150 speakers from the Klimax Solos. The 150s would just sound better.

The Klimax 800's were indeed fed by a NG Klimax DSM, so indeed source first truly showing what the 150's are capable of.

[arm]

I think the out of balance part was having the Klimax Solo 800s being fed by a Selekt DSM. I think they would need a Klimax DSM. I don't see a problem feeding the new 150 speakers from the Klimax Solos. The 150s would just sound better.

The Klimax 800's were indeed fed by a NG Klimax DSM, so indeed source first truly showing what the 150's are capable of.

This is the way.

[JustinR]

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[akamatsu]

I think the out of balance part was having the Klimax Solo 800s being fed by a Selekt DSM. I think they would need a Klimax DSM. I don't see a problem feeding the new 150 speakers from the Klimax Solos. The 150s would just sound better.

The Klimax 800's were indeed fed by a NG Klimax DSM, so indeed source first truly showing what the 150's are capable of.

So this would be the old source first demonstration. All speaker churners should avail themselves of this demo.

[akamatsu]

So, a two way and a three way, all available in four standard finishes.

[timster]

So, a two way and a three way, all available in four standard finishes.

They don't look too bad actually. Are the 150s down ported? Can't tell from that pic.

[PeterAlligator]

Hi Justin,

Thanks for sharing. Nice photo’s. They look good!

[timster]

I think we should stop hijacking this thread now!

[Bianconero]

I think we should stop hijacking this thread now!

Right! just to get back on topic, they remind me of the Sonus Faber.

[Mr Onion]

I think we should stop hijacking this thread now!

Several posts moved to How to build an LP12 to keep both discussions from confusion

[Moomintroll]

I think we should stop hijacking this thread now!

Several posts moved to How to build an LP12 to keep both discussions from confusion

[Coyote Jim]

IMG_3262.jpeg

Signature finish version for special 360 owners now available.

[akamatsu]

Signature finish version for special 360 owners now available.

Just got the email. That is a nice colour that I certainly would've considered.

[Coyote Jim]

Signature finish version for special 360 owners now available.

Just got the email. That is a nice colour that I certainly would've considered.

I much prefer the contrast with yours.
These look a bit too green to me “ military “
Your contrast in the room is much better.