Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Excellent soundstage with tremendous width and depth, and excellent image specificity within that soundstage
- Balanced and unbiased sound across various genres, accurately differentiating between subtle tonal variations and providing precise positional and imaging information
- Rich, tuneful bass extends well, contributing to its ability to express power and provide a foundation for the music
- Balanced radiation pattern throughout the audible spectrum means the tonal balance and soundstage are similar regardless of the listener's position in the room
- Seamlessly blends with the room without drawing attention to itself, achieving an even off-axis polar response
Product Considerations
- Accurate reproduction means the LX521.4 will accurately reproduce how the recording was done, so poorly recorded music will not sound good
- Requires specific placement, with the manual recommending initially setting up the system in an 'ideal position' and requiring speakers to be at least 3-4 feet out from the front wall and 2-3 feet from the side walls
- Some listeners may find the detail retrieval not state of the art, with the sensation of not being one foot from the orchestra
- Class D amplification may be a turn-off for some, however—the Linkwitz amplifiers perform their intended function without drawing attention to themselves or interfering with the music
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Kharma speakers with LCH subwoofers, the Linkwitz bass was not quite as resolved, though stronger
- Raises the bar on open baffle dipole design compared to PureAudioProject speakers
- The soundstage of the Diptyque DP140 MkII is comparable to the LX521.4
Takeaway: The LX521.4 is a unique speaker system that offers a different listening experience with exceptional soundstage and balanced sound. It is a good choice for those who want to enjoy music without complicated equipment tweaking.
All
LX521.4
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Configuration: 4-way loudspeaker
- Minimum Room Size: 25 sqm
- Minimum Distance from Reflecting Surfaces: 1 m
- Amplifier Requirements: 8-10 power amplifiers of 50W to 200W
I love music. Life's circumstances prevented me from learning to play an instrument, but I make up for it by enjoying the creations of great composers and the art of musicians. I have designed speakers first of all for myself and free of commercial pressures. With the LX521.4 I have arrived at a level of performance, which makes me search no further. Instead I gratefully enjoy what I can hear.
I excuse the recording/mixing engineer for his or her imprint and marginal acoustic scene capture, as long as the music still comes through. As hired engineers they work within a set of imposed limitations, one of which is the typical monitor loudspeaker.
The LX521.4 is a 4-way loudspeaker, designed as full-range dipole, for flat on-axis and off-axis response in the horizontal plane and frontal hemisphere. The speakers need breathing room of at least 1 m to the nearest large reflecting surfaces and a room with a minimum floor size of 25 sqm. The LX521.4 can be built DIY from a Kit for around $3300, including a miniDSP 4x10HD equalizer/crossover. Additionally, the speaker requires between 8 to10 power amplifiers of 50 W to 200 W. SL - 8/16
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
Select products
LXmini
- Positioning: The entry-level model in the Linkwitz lineup.
- Description: Offers a compact design with a 2-way loudspeaker system, providing clear and neutral sound with a 3D-like imaging experience. It requires fewer components compared to the LXmini+2 and LXstudio. The frequency range is from 45 Hz to 20 kHz, and it can be upgraded to the LXmini+2 for enhanced bass performance. It is ideal for small rooms or those with budget constraints.
LXmini+2
- Positioning: A mid-tier option that builds upon the LXmini by adding subwoofers for extended bass.
- Description: Enhances the LXmini's capabilities by incorporating additional subwoofers, extending the frequency range down to 25 Hz. It offers a similar sonic performance to the LX521.4 but at a lower cost and reduced volume levels compared to the LXstudio.
LXstudio
- Positioning: The high-end model designed for professional studio use.
- Description: Combines the LXmini with two LXsub4 dipole subwoofers, providing a 10 dB higher output capability than the LXmini+2. This model offers a frequency range from 25 Hz to 20 kHz and is designed to minimize room mode excitation.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
LINKWITZ speakers take the room out of the equation. No room treatment necessary, no DSP "room correction" necessary (as demoed on AXPONA2025). This is possible because these are full range dipoles (not only open baffle speakers , which end being dipoles at around 1-2kHz) . This benign radiation pattern allows a wide "sweet area" to enjoy a believable soundstage, that can actually achieve a depth of 20ft and more. The LINKWITZ dipole bass regularly provokes jaw drops. You can feel the drum stroke in your chest. Dry, powerful and un-boomy due to its unique radiation pattern. Physics at play! This kind of top performance can only be achieved as an active setup. We optimized our fully analog signal processor to the latest phase coherent, cascaded architecture.
What's your approach to customer support?
Fortunately, since more than 12 yrs in business, we see very few issues, as everything is thoroughly tested before shipping. If any issues arise our customers email us for further procedure. Our service for turnkey systems includes set-up assistance for optimal positioning / toe in (video call)
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
Two aspects:
Demo, how authentic a spatial setting of musicians & their music can be experienced at home. This can be judged best, when you know, the situation at the recording venue:
- Come On In My Kitchen by Carmen Gomez Inc, (Label SoundLiaison)
- Equinox by Markus Schwartz & Lakou Brooklyn (Label Soundkeeper Recordings)
- The reference recording in DSD256, done in minimal mic technique from this event is a milestone in authenticity, believability and naturalness. See this free download link.
Demo of dynamic and chest-hammering bass drums with dipole subs:
- Liberian Girl (Michael Jackson)
- Bass and drum Intro (Nils Lofgren)
- Game of Love (Daft Punk)
What other products pair best with yours?
We appreciate every source , that provides a good analog signal to feed our PowerBoxes. This can be reel-to-reel tape machines, vinyl or very good DACs. We prefer, if the signal is kept with least interference/filtering/altering.
Of course, everything starts with the proper recording technique and equipment. We appreciate the outstanding work of labels like e.g. SoundLiaision, Soundkeeper Recordings, Outermarker records, Cohearent records, selected ones from EVO sound, and some older OnePoint recordings from DENON.
What if you spend more?
The MG2.7i’s are a pair of 3-way, full-range, Magneplanar loudspeakers. Both the Bass and Midrange sections are comprised of aluminum foil. Often referred to as “quasi-ribbon,” the foil is adhered to the Mylar diaphragm which is visible through the front of the fabric cover. The True Ribbon Tweeter is also comprised of aluminum foil however it is not mounted to a substrate but rather suspended freely. The MG2.7i’s reproduce sound by introducing an AC signal to: the conductor foil on the diaphragm which reacts to the fixed array of magnet strips mounted behind the Mylar; and the tweeter foil which reacts to the magnet channels on either side of it. This reaction vibrates the diaphragm/foil projecting sound as a dipole, both forward and backward.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- A true ribbon tweeter delivers clean, accurate, and detailed high frequencies
- See-through quality with a big three-dimensional soundstage and exceptional presentation of image depth, disappearing sonically
- Strikingly spacious sound and a strong sense of envelopment by the music
- Revealing in the good sense—audiophiles will clearly hear differences in gear and recordings
- Controlled dispersion means fewer sidewall and ceiling reflections to mess up the sound
Product Considerations
- Big and needs lots of space behind it
- May not be the most sonically neutral speaker on the market, with a mild coloration in some rooms
- Like most panel speakers, has a rather narrow sweet spot
- For true full-range sound, needs a subwoofer or two
- Magnepan recommends that a powerful and/or high current amplifier(s) is best
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X, the Martin Logan ESL X offers curved electrostatic main driver and two eight-inch cones to handle the bass
Takeaway: The MG2.7i offers a spacious and detailed sound that audiophiles will appreciate, especially with the addition of a subwoofer. It's a great option for those seeking a high-resolution speaker for focused listening and who appreciate a 'they are here' experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Natural, open sound reproduction, free from colorations and compression effects found in traditional box designs
- Very detailed and immersive soundstage with great depth
- Superb dynamics and impulse accuracy, resulting in a fresh and lively sound
- Deep, powerful, and well-defined bass that maintains clarity and control without being muddy
- Appealing, open design and is manufactured in Germany
Product Considerations
- Careful placement is required to achieve optimal bass response, as it is an open baffle design
Takeaway: The Spatial Europe MC Series No.3 offers a very immersive sound with a deep and controlled bass thanks to its open design. It combines high-quality audio performance with a visually appealing design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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