I already owned Linn electronics and other Linn speakers, however I am left dumbfounded by the dynamics and quality of these speakers. They have the same musicality and smoothness as other Linn speakers, but a "punch" or definition to the sound. If you get these or any Linn speakers, and are looking for some added low-end information, look into REL Subwoofers..... they are amazing when coupled with Linn (or any) speakers.
A lot of people are saying negative things about them..... I do not understand. Did they listen to them in a garage? Do they need to clean the shit out of thier ears? Wake up!

I do not care what anyone says.... SOURCE is CRITICAL!!!! If you plan on driving these with a piece of crap reciever, then do not bother even listening to them. Why the hell would someone want to spend almost $3,000 on a pair of speakers of this magnitude, than hook it up to shit front end???

These speakers are great sounding (if you have the goods). Once you have decided that you like a certain speaker, think abount the electronics (the IMPORTANT part) that you will be putting behind them.

And yes, going ACTIVE with these will be to your benefit. I am waiting to go active with mine now, and have upgraded from passive to active with other Linn speakers in the past. It makes a REAL worthwhile difference.

Also..... Martin Logan????? I recently listened to a pair of Martin Logan Monoliths in a store here. They were hooked up to all Krell gear. I was beside myself..... $11,000 or so speakers, $15,000+ in amps (class A (whoopie-big fuckin' deal)) and as much into the cd player/pre-map as well. They sounded like SHIT!!!!! No mid or mid-bass at all. The bass was thin to say the least. I cannot believe the money that some people spend on this shit.

Linn equipment (especially the entry level stuff) is a great value. Please, look into it!

These speakers produce lush, golden harmonics for vocals and warm instruments (strings, woodwinds). Base response (response from 30Hz) is not prominent, just well-integrated and accurate. (This is not the speaker to blast out mega-bass from a laserdisc movie or heavy metal CD.) However, it is the best I've heard in the price range ($1800-3000) for pop, rock, blues and classical vocal recordings. It was also outstanding with solo piano.
The speakers produce a strong emotional response. The music is very rich and opulant. If you're into divas of any stripe (folk, rock, blues, opera, etc.) you have to hear this speaker!

I matched these speakers with a Mark Levinson No. 39 CD transport/processor combo and a Proceed AMP2. Transparent plus interconnects and Linn bi-wire speaker cable.

Also auditioned in the $1800-3000 price range were Thiel 1.5, Thiel 2 2, PSB Stratus Gold, Stratus Silver, B&W (several models) and Magnepan. Others to compare would be Martin Logan and von Schweikert VR-3.

The Linn AV 5140 retail price is $2495 / pair.

See http://www.linn.co.uk/avbrop1.html for specs.

Fantastic speakers for audio! I have not listened to them using audio/video sources yet, but I suspect they are great also. This speaker sounded great on two systems, one using a Denon AV1500 and an other using an old Crown DC300. I listen to rock and vocals, some jazz, the Linn's work well for all.
I am replacing Definitive speakers, while I have BP8's, not top of the line, I listed to others in the Definitive line. They are very consistant in quality, going significantly up in price range did not seem to increase the quality of sound much, but that is my perception only. I also compared these to an old pair (I am dating myself audio wise!) Infinity Quantum 3's. The Linn's had much better, tighter bass. The Linn's will not produce as much bass as the Infinity's, but thats not a surprise given the driver size and construction of the Infinity's. But the Infinity's are great everywhere else, and the Linn's are at least equal.

The Linn's seemed fairly uncaring about placement, great job by Linn on these!