Linn's 360 speaker was introduced in 2023, heralded as their best ever speaker product. It was certainly a huge step in the right direction after the somewhat long in the tooth 350. It features some interesting technology, particularly in the fully active version - such as Organik DAC / power amp modules with adaptive bias amplifiers, Exakt phase correction / time alignment and the cabinet that features no flat panels - improving dispersion and imaging.
Within about 6 months of its introduction Linn quietly dropped the beryllium tweeter in favour of a less toxic material - other than that little has changed in the 3 years since.
However, today, Linn launched an upgraded version with new upper bass and bass drivers - Audiophile Musings was invited along to the product launch at House of Linn in Manchester for the first ever demonstration of the product outside the Linn factory.
Those of you who know a little about the 360 will also notice another change - the availability of a full cabinet walnut veneer - a no cost option alongside the existing paint finishes.
Talking of cost - this new version has upped the list price of the fully integrated active version from £87.5k to £99.5k. The passive with active bass version sees a similar uplift of around £12k. Existing owners can upgrade for £16k but if you bought within the last 6 months the upgrade is the same as the uplift in the list price - £12k.
Linn's ambassador Paul was on hand to explain the differences in the drivers between the original version of the 360 and this latest iteration. In brief:
- the original used "off the shelf modified" drivers from a well-known driver provider
- the new version uses all-new Linn designed drivers built for exclusively for them
- these are the first ever designed from scratch Linn drivers
- they're dubbed Pistonik - the design features in the upper bass and bass drivers
- the feature a large motor structure, an aluminium cone which is almost flat, a double layer suspension system and enormous linear (front to back) excursion
- they are claimed to reduce distortion
- are said to be designed to suit the 360 cabinet
More information and pictures on Linn's website here: https://www.linn.co.uk/uk/speakers/upgrades/linn-drive-units
DEMO
Audiophile Musings was invited to the first ever demo of these upgraded speakers outside the Linn factory. Thanks to Brian and Trevor at House of Linn for hosting the session.
The system tonight:
Turntable: Linn LP12 with Bedrock plinth, Keel SE subchassis, Ekos SE arm, Ekstatic cartridge, Urika II phono stage
Streamer / Pre-amp: Linn Klimax DSM/3 with Utopik PSU
Loudspeakers: fully integrated Exakt active original 360 with Utopik PSU and fully integrated Exakt active upgraded 360 with Utopik PSU
We started with a couple of tracks from Qobuz - which included some electronic, jazz and female vocals. As ever with the 360, I get a feeling of clarity and technical accomplishment, but not so much feeling nor emotion from the music. Good to get familar with the product again.
"This Is What You Are" by Mario Biondi And The High Five Quintet
"I Can't Stand the Rain" by Beverley Knight
"End of the Road" by Infected Mushroom
We then had a 10-15 minute break whist the team swapped over the 360s to the upgraded version. When going back into the dem room there was a 3 or 4 minute video explaining the driver upgrades and the technology within them - some nice graphics etc.
Then we went back to the same tracks and the difference in the bass was immediate and obvious - the new drivers clearly exposed the old drivers as somewhat woolly and vague - not just in terms of articulating the sounds of the instruments, but more obviously in the clarity of when the note(s) start and when they stop. This was not a subtle upgrade, but something quite clearly worthwhile. The solidity and punch on the Infected Mushroom track was a particularly good way to bring out the capabilities of the new drivers. There's also more texture and detail in the bass lines, more insight is perhaps a good way to describe this.
A few more tracks were selected by Linn including some on the LP12:
"What I Am (Album Version)" by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
"You Look Good To Me" by Oscar Peterson (on the LP12)
"Satisfied Mind" by Mavis Staples
"Shostakovich Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93: II. Allegro" by Philharmonia Orchestra - The Simon Rattle Album
"Secret Heart (Album Version)" by Ron Sexsmith
"Penpals" by The Stan Tracey Quartet
"Who'll Stop The Rain (John's Version)" by John Fogerty
Then the track choice was handed over to the attendees at which point we had:
"Kiss the Sky" by Tash Sultana
"Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer
"Yamore (feat. Cesaria Evora, Benja (NL)" by Moblack and Salif Keita
"A Plea" by Flea
"Counting (Remastered)" by The Motels
"And They All Came Marching Out of the Woods" by Jakob Bro, Thomas Morgan & Jon Christensen
"Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor: I. Trauermarsch. In gemessenen Schritt. Streng. Wie ein Kondukt" Sir John Barbirolli
All of the above cemented the initial impressions - great tightly controlled bass (possibly one of the bess bass performances of any system I've heard) and that extremely clear but unemotional overall presentation. If you have 360 and the wherewithal to have the upgrade, its pretty obvious that its something worth considering. If you have mostly liked the 360 but you felt the bass could be tighter, punchier, more revealing or all 3, now's the time to go take another listen. It will be interesting to see if Pistonik (3 years in the making) will filter down to the by-now-inevitable 2nn series speakers from Linn - that's the gap that needs plugging as soon as possible.
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