Linn Klimax 360

[Spannko]

Here’s 360’s set up by Linn.

https://youtu.be/EgvVhwQI0gc

[quinn_t]

Is this really what Linn sounds like nowadays, or is it just examples of a bad setup?

I was gobsmacked when I listened to the passive Linn 360s, in the flesh, driven by 6 Solos, last Sunday, demo'ed by Gilad, in one word, wow!

I have never heard the depth, the layering, instrument timbres, separations were that good, and I can clearly hear the singers' breath on some tracks, so incredible, so musical !!!

[Charlie1]

That last clip with them setup by Linn were very impressive, especially the last track - reminded me of the Naim Statement amps at the Bristol show a few years ago with great big Focal speakers. Musically, I'm not really hearing anything particularly special, but would like to hear them for real.

[matthias]

Here’s 360’s set up by Linn.
https://youtu.be/EgvVhwQI0gc

I was there in room, I found it inferior to a good set-up with 3677s at a fraction of that price.

[Matteo]

Here’s 360’s set up by Linn.

https://youtu.be/EgvVhwQI0gc

This set up seems to sound very good

The price though ...

[lindsayt]

Here’s 360’s set up by Linn.
https://youtu.be/EgvVhwQI0gc

I was there in room, I found it inferior to a good set-up with 3677s at a fraction of that price.

It's the high efficiency large woofered thing vs the low efficiency medium-sized woofered thing.

Just goes to show, an extremely high retail price doesn't mean anything - when it comes to sound quality - if the design is barking up the wrong tree.

[matthias]

I would describe the sound signature of the 360s as "polite".
All music played back with these speakers at HE Munich sounded somewhat similar.

[matthias]

low efficiency

Yes, 87dB/Watt/m

[ThomasOK]

Although we have gotten a little off topic here, there is a video file posted above I wanted to address so I'll carry us a little further off...

I find it the video posted by Spannko very interesting for a couple of reasons. One is that the second track, a streamed one is a pretty "audiophile" type of piece and one that Linn used in Glasgow and that it has "surface noise" recorded as part of the track. But what really caught my attention was the choice of the record for the first track. That is "Little Sister", a cover of an Elvis tune by Ry Cooder off the album "Bop Till You Drop". This album is quite famous, although more infamous to music lovers, as it was the first ever digitally recorded pop album on the market coming out in 1979. As such it quickly developed a reputation for not sounding all that good. Some reviewers noted that the rather potent rhythm section sounded a bit weak compared to what they would have expected and Ry Cooder himself blamed the less that stellar recording on the (obviously quite early) digital recording technology. Somehow it seems a strange choice to me to show off the LP12 because certainly anyone around of my age is aware of the quality (or lack thereof) of that album.

With that I thought I'd do a little illustration to see what you all think. So I made a clip of the same track on my system after a solid warmup of the LP12 which I am posting here:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tm9sh18s ... 54ikm&dl=0

I don't think it sounds particularly good, even on my system, but it is interesting for comparison. For that I have a second clip off the same system just about a dozen minutes later. This is also Ry Cooder but from the really excellent album, both musically and sonically, entitled simply "Jazz", which was released only a year earlier in 1978. The track is "Big Bad Bill Is Sweet William Now" an old blues piece also covered later by Van Halen in a very atypical piece for them. I chose it mostly because it is cool, one of the few on that album with lyrics and the lyrics start quickly. It is also the first track on side one, as is "Little Sister". Have fun.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tajaa3sx ... edf47&dl=0

[Charlie1]

The first track is quite well known over here. It does sound a bit odd somehow but much more engaging on your clip.

[quinn_t]

I was particularly impressed by this track "In spite of ourselves, John Prine/Iris DeMent", demo'ed by Gilad last Sunday, I could hear and feel as if DeMnet was breathing down my neck, it was that real!

[Spannko]

Here’s a really interesting video describing how Gilad turned things around at Linn. Well, sort of!

https://youtu.be/mWylKk0Y6PU

[Ianw]

That’s so funny.

Actually, Martin guitars still use hide glue on some of their ‘Authentic Series’ and ‘Modern Deluxe’’ range.

[matthias]

Here’s a really interesting video describing how Gilad turned things around at Linn. Well, sort of!
https://youtu.be/mWylKk0Y6PU

I would say the majority of "high end" manufacturers do this.
They do bait the pride of the customers and these are happy to get this treatment.

[Charlie1]

Very funny video - thanks for sharing. As amusing as it was, the guys in the clip were for sure finding it even funnier.

[Rutger]

Here’s 360’s set up by Linn.
https://youtu.be/EgvVhwQI0gc

I was there in room, I found it inferior to a good set-up with 3677s at a fraction of that price.

I have had the opportunity to listen to 360 exakt for more than an hour with wellknown music material and I wasnt overly impressed. To much hifi sounding for me, they sound much brighter than the older 350 . I also agree with Matthias opinion on the speaker sounding polite. That said, they played tunes in a good way - but the ”hifi sound” caracter made me loose some interest in the music, the Police records didnt sound as involving as Im used to.
A bad setup and to much use of space optimization ? Maybe .

Its seems a long time ago I was so impressed by the music as the first time I heard Linn Keltik in an optimal setup.

[Tendaberry]

Linn-MUC.JPG

Let's hope that this year's setup at the High End in Munich improves things. Alas, first indications are, that it may not be so :-(

[Nature]

What a disgusting sight.

[matthias]

Linn-MUC.JPG
Let's hope that this year's setup at the High End in Munich improves things. Alas, first indications are, that it may not be so :-(

Wow, full metal jacket !!!

[Charlie1]

Do ya reckon they'll start with Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain?

I know Linn aren't into blind listening tests but perhaps they should make an exception this time :)

[Nicolav]

Even the best Linn system will sound bad as long as they continue to use the space optimization.
SO serves as a good illustration of a good basic idea that results in catastrophic outcomes in practice...

I had the opportunity to listen the 360 with a couple of solo 800 WITHOUT SO, and the results were simply amazing.

[anthony]

Even the best Linn system will sound bad as long as they continue to use the space optimization.
SO serves as a good illustration of a good basic idea that results in catastrophic outcomes in practice...

I had the opportunity to listen the 360 with a couple of solo 800 WITHOUT SO, and the results were simply amazing.

I agree, I heard the same, best I’ve heard 360.
I’d like to hear 150 with the solos, I am so enjoying these speakers.

[ThomasOK]

It appears that Linn has already changed the tweeter in the 360, from the much-lauded beryllium to some type of carbon fiber mesh. The claim is that there is no sonic difference although they also say they removed the Linn logo grill which improves dispersion. There is no mention of it on the website but there is also no longer mention of beryllium.

[sunbeamgls]

I hear the same about the tweeter material, but its the mesh grille in front of the tweeter that's gone (which will improve the dispersion), the logo grille remains.
Very strange to make such a significant change so early.

[matthias]

Very strange to make such a significant change so early.

Such behavior doesn't build trust in a manufacturer.
And beryllium tweeters are known to be expensive...I suppose the price is the same after the change...