Bookshelf Speakers — Linn 119

The 119 is a two-way passive bookshelf loudspeaker from Linn, the Scottish company known for its Sondek turntable and its network music players. It draws on the development of Linn's 360 loudspeaker and is designed to perform well even when placed close to a wall. It can be converted to Linn's Exakt digital crossover system.

Key specs that matter

The 119 uses a 19.55 mm soft Sonomex dome tweeter and a 160 mm Nextel-coated paper bass driver in a rear-ported cabinet of 9 litres. The crossover is an analogue passive, lower-order design. Nominal impedance is 4 ohms, sensitivity 86 dB and frequency response 50 Hz to 20 kHz within 6 dB. Both drivers use large ferrite magnets, and the tweeter voice coil sits in ferrofluid. Two pairs of binding posts are fitted. The cabinet measures 191 mm wide, 328 mm high and 241 mm deep, and weighs 7.15 kg. Finishes are walnut, oak, satin black and satin white.

Engineering and use context

Following the 360, the drivers are mounted flush with the front of the cabinet and there is no grille, to avoid obstructing the sound waves and to allow free excursion. The lower-order crossover keeps the signal path simple. The key feature is the upgrade path. The internal crossover can be bypassed in minutes, allowing conversion to Exakt, Linn's technology in which a digital crossover in the network player splits the signal before separate amplifier channels drive each driver directly. The Selekt DSM can house the amplification, DAC modules and Exakt crossover, so a 119 system can move from passive to fully active without changing speakers. An Exaktbox also allows Exakt operation. A magnet-mounted trim around the drivers carries fine concentric grooves evoking the surface of a vinyl record, and the tweeter guard is an electro-formed Linn logo, both inspired by the 360. Optional pedestal stands in black or silver mild steel are available. US pricing was about USD 3,550 per pair. Linn builds and tests each speaker before it leaves the factory. The 150 floorstander was launched alongside it with the same drive unit approach. Linn's network music players add a bass augmentation filter that extends the low end further.

Pairing

The 119 pairs with Linn's Selekt DSM, which can later convert it to Exakt. In passive form it suits any good integrated amplifier in rooms up to about 20 m2.

Alternatives

Linn's 150 is the larger passive loudspeaker introduced alongside the 119 with the same design approach.