linn artikulat vs espek

I am sorry, I haven't heard the Artikulat speakers yet, so can't answer the question very completely. But I am familiar with the Espek and I doubt there is any comparison at all. To start with, the Espek costs around 4k, whereas the cheapest Artikulate (the smaller 320, in passive version) runs for around 17k. The 340 A (active) runs for 40k.

I have spoken with my local Linn shop and people who heard them at a show were not overly impressed. They sounded good, but they didn’t think they would compete all that well with other speakers they sell in the price range. Of course these people also sell Sonus Faber, which make great speakers at these higher price points.

Concerning the Espek generally, it is certainly a competent speaker, but I think you can do substantially better in this price range. Since you are in the U.K., I would audition a pair of PMC OB1s. These are simply awesome, provided your amp can drive them. For myself, the only time I have seriously considered Espeks is when I have thought about driving them actively. But even then, the cost of doing so just didn’t make it worth it. I love Linn gear, but speakers are not really what they do best.

Schneir1, what amps are you using to drive your Espeks? I still haven't totally given up on trying active Espeks in my system at some point, especially if I can do so with the Chakra amps (which are simply awesome). Anyone who knows Linn gear will readily acknowledge that you haven't really heard Linn speakers anywhere near their best until you hear them active. But historically it has been an expensive proposition with a three-way speaker like the Espek.

Very interesting, thanks for the response. I am going to be auditioning some active Espeks in a couple of configurations. First with a Chakra 6100 driving them, and second with two Chakra 2200's combined with a C2100. I was unaware you could use a 2250 with Chakra's, as I thought they took different cards.

I love the Chakra 2200 amp, and wish I could swing a way to hear the speakers driven by three them. But either way, I am anxious to hear the Espeks active. I'm waiting for my dealer to get the cards in, and also for my new preamp to arrive. Once that happens (and I shake off this nasty bug that’s been dogging me for a couple of weeks) I’ll be in business.