Linn Products was founded in 1973 by Ivor Tiefenbrun to produce the Linn Sondek LP12 turntable. This is how the Scottish audio manufacturer started and until today the company has remained always faithfully connected with audio sources, including through its Linn Records music label. But it was also in 1974, that Linn launched the Isobarik loudspeaker, allowing lower-distortion and extended low frequency response from a much smaller speaker cabinet. Now, in 2019, the company revisits those roots with the Series 3 Wireless Speaker, calling it "The best sounding wireless speaker in the world."
As one would expect from a company such as Linn, the Series 3 is an all-in-one, wireless speaker that aims to bring music to life, as close to the original as possible, and not focusing on offering the latest technologies that one would expect from a typical lifestyle Bluetooth speaker or a smart speaker. In fact, the Series 3 does not support voice assistants directly (the user can connect a smart speaker if it really wants voice control), and focuses on combining the convenience of wireless audio technologies with the best possible experience. That means of course understanding that the user will succumb to the domination from Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music, and streaming via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Airplay, hoping that at least the user will opt to do it with a Linn system and be willing to spend over $3,000 USD to do it with a Series 3.
Probably the most outstanding aspect of the Series 3 is the design combined with precision engineering. Outside, the speaker is an egg-shaped beauty, with flowing curves and natural mineral materials, carefully selected for their audio properties. A rounded cabinet with a two-way driver system, featuring a 19mm tweeter and a 160mm mid/bass long-throw woofer that is sized to sit either side of a TV on a media cabinet, connected via HDMI ARC. Inside each Series 3, there is a fully active system (2x100 Watts Class D) which combines the full experience of the company with streaming platforms, offering also support for networked servers and high resolution audio from local libraries or sources such as Tidal and Qobuz, all accessible via the Linn control app and Roon Ready.
For an even more immersive listening experience, Linn designed the Series 3 with a partner speaker for a slightly discounted price to be able to create a stereo system, connected via Exakt Link. Also, as with all Linn DSM systems, multiple Series 3 speakers can be connected around the home to play independently or together, all with the same simple control options.
The new Linn Series 3 will be available in white, with silver and gold grilles. Availability is announced for later in 2019, but Linn is taking pre-orders.
www.linn.co.uk/speakers-and-amps/speakers/series-3
