Linn Products has a 50-year track record of offering great audio products, including Turntables, Power Amps, and Speakers. For its 50th year, they have announced a new flagship speaker. The 360, which comes in two variants. The active version of the Linn 360 Loudspeakers were on display this weekend at T.H.E. Show and you can read Lynn Miller’s impression of their performance here.
From Gilad Tiefenbrun, CEO of Linn: “Decades ago, my father astonished a journalist when, upon being asked how – and if – music reproduction could get any better, he replied that he believed that we were only 1% along the road to making music at home as involving and impactful as live performance…As counter-intuitive as it sounds, we have found that the differences we have been able to achieve in our products are actually getting bigger. Much bigger. Because as we reveal more of the tiny details that lend realism to the music, the listener is able to connect with its emotional content in a way that they didn’t realize was possible…Our new 360 loudspeaker comprehensively demonstrates this step change. It is without a doubt the finest loudspeaker we have ever made; streets ahead of our previous benchmark – and we are thrilled to share it with the world today.”
No Coloration
Linn claims the 360 eliminates audible distortion. This is accomplished by incorporating cutting-edge material science for the drive units and integrating that design with Linn’s amplifier technologies in both the bass system and the new 360 array. As a result, Linn’s newly established Exakt and Space Optimisation technologies eliminate all coloration on the 360.
Tweeter
The tweeter used in the 360 is the first 19mm Beryllium dome seen in the audio industry. Tooled by Linn, the tweeter’s distortion and resonance are pushed above the range of human hearing or the range detectable by Linn engineers’ measurement system. The tweeter produces a clean and open sound.
Midrange
The 360’s midrange dome incorporates thin-ply, woven carbon fiber. This material provides an optimal mix of stiffness and lightness. Similar to the tweeter, any inherent resonance and distortion present in the midrange drive unit are pushed almost three octaves above the audible range.
Tip: The thin-ply woven carbon fiber was originally used by NASA for the Mars rover.
Upper Bass
Both upper and lower bass drive units employ an aluminium-magnesium alloy, selected for its stiffness. This ensures precise piston-like motion without deviation.
Low Bass
The 360’s lower bass drivers are designed for greater range and more than double the excursion of Linn’s previous lower bass drivers. The bass drive units can be pushed loud and driven hard without losing control.
More On Bass
The bass system in the 360 delivers lower frequency sound with more impact, efficiency, and dramatically less distortion thanks to Linn’s Power DAC technology. Built from the ground up, this new Linn technology combines DAC and amp into a single step – thus extending the digital path and reducing loss.
360 Array Adaptive Bias Control
Linn’s new Adaptive Bias Control amplifier technology supports the performance of the tweeter, midrange, and upper bass drive units – comprising the all-new 360 Array. Adaptive Bias Control eliminates distortion from the amplifiers using real-time, dynamic management and correction; ensuring that they behave at their absolute optimum in all scenarios – for all types of music, at all kinds of listening levels, and at all times.
Dispersion
For a speaker to provide a great listening experience it needs to direct and disperse sound so it reaches the listener. With that in mind, Linn claims that the 360 does the job.
The curved front of each speaker tapers from bottom to top, with shaped radii specifically matched to each individual drive unit.
The drive units are placed flush within this baffle, so that they emanate sound, out and away from the speaker, without obstruction. This results in the speaker producing the same tonality in every direction, creating a realistic soundstage.
Overall Cabinet Design
The 360’s cabinet features folded and formed cutting-edge 3D laminates to construct a fluid front baffle that reaches around either side of the speaker.
Machined into the 360 Array trim piece is a series of concentric arcs – taking the character of vinyl record grooves as a nod to Linn’s legendary Sondek LP12 turntable.
Finishes
- The Glasgow Collection: Clyde Built, Single Malt, Linn Heritage
- The Classic Collection: Piano Black, Alpine White
Variants and Pricing
As mentioned previously, the Linn 360 speakers come in two variants.
Exakt Integrated Variant (for use in conjunction with a Linn DSM Network Music Player): This model incorporates all crossover, amplification, and digital-to-analog conversion circuitry within the speaker. Prices start at $105,000 (€87,500) per pair.
Passive with Aktiv Bass (PWAB) Variant: This version requires 3rd-party amplification or an all-external Linn Exakt system using Exaktbox. Prices start at $66,000 (€55,500) per pair.
Linn speakers and other products are available through authorized dealers.
Linn 360 Model Variant Exakt Integrated
(Active)Passive with Aktiv Bass
(PWAB)MSRP $105,000/pair $66,000/pair Speaker Type 4-Way Floorstanding 4-way Floorstanding Tweeter 19 mm Berylium Dome 19 mm Berylium Dome Midrange 64mm Thin-Ply Woven Carbon Dome 64mm Thin-Ply Woven Carbon Dome Upper Bass 190 mm Aluminum/Magnesium Cone 190 mm Aluminum/Magnesium Cone Lower Bass (2) 220 mm Long Throw Aluminum Cone (2) 220 mm Long Throw Aluminum Cone Crossover Type Exakt Digital Analog Passive Exakt Yes Requires external amps and Exakt Box 360 Array Class A/B Amp with Adaptive Bias Control Requires external amplification Bass System Power DAC Technology Power DAC Technology Room Correction Space Optimization Requires connection to LINN Network Music Player Available Upgrades N/A Exakt Exakt Link 2 available None Binding Post None 3 Pairs XLR for Aktiv Bass None 1 available Cabinet Volume 60 liters 60 liters Dimensions (WHD – mm) 411 x 1141 x 484 411 x 1141 x 484 Dimensions (WHD – inches) 16.18 x 44.92 x 19.1 16.18 x 44.92 x 19.1 Weight (with stand – kg) 70 70 Weight (with stand – lbs) 154 154
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