Except for the James Taylor tune, which was a 256 kbps MP3, I streamed all the tracks losslessly via the Qobuz streaming service so that I could be sure any flaws we heard werent due to a Bluetooth codec. However, passive speakers arent as accessible: there are factors such as impedance, wattage and sensitivity to factor in when matching speakers with an amp. Theyre certainly not as lively as the Dali Spektor 2s not a bad thing if you listen to older recordings. Before conducting listening tests, I broke in each speaker pair for 10 hours with music. Seattle Area. They are notable in part because Triangle is not the most prolific of brands when it comes to new speakers. The Triangle Borea BR03 is piquing my interest as well based on all of the glowing reviews but you can't find a pair to buy right now. 13.1K subscribers. I have the Triangles, paired with a Topping MX3 for my desktop setup. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Theyre well-tuned speakers, but our panelists preferred the similarly sized and priced Audioengine HD3 set (which we describe in Other bookshelf speakers we like). There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. A linha Triangle Borea oferece um desempenho vocal excelente e mdios ntidos, combinando com graves fortes e controlados. The R-51PM has an unusually versatile set of connection options, including a phono input and an optical digital audio input. The Kanto YU4 offers a cool design, a phono input, and a reasonable price, but only one of our panelists really liked its sound. Of our three passive-speaker picks, the Triangle Borea BR03 came closest to an ideal response for a bookshelf speaker. They would be used for nearfield listening now (desk usage), but hoping to use them in a medium-sized room at some point in the future.I mainly listen to classical and jazz. The Triangle has similar levels of resolution but roughed up frequency response, which is overall less coherent and a "sparkly". To use aptX HD, you need an Android device that supports it or a PC with an aptX HD Bluetooth dongle. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I wont be running them extremely loud to fill a large room, it would only be for my desk/ bedroom which I would say small/ medium size. However, the inclusion of a subwoofer output does allow you to add your own subwoofer, and the R-51PMs remote control includes subwoofer output-level controls, so you can fine-tune the bass level without adjusting your subwoofers controls. I have only listened to KEF's so far. The S1000MKII pair comes with a simple remote. Just found out another possible problem. I would try both at home, then see which speakers you prefer. In vocal reproduction, this pair ranked among the most natural-sounding of all the speakers we tested, and each 3020i speaker produces a solid amount of bass for its sizethough fans of bass-heavy music may want more. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28c9117a1c8b83 A general standard of what represents a well-designed speaker is one whose output stays within 3 decibels through most of the audio range when measured on-axis, directly in front of the tweeter. The R-51PM set is especially suitable for use with a TV not only because of its optical digital input, but also because the manual provides codes for programming remotes from DirecTV and RCA satellite receivers and AT&T, Bright House, and Xfinity cable boxes to control the R-51PMs volume and mute functions. Perhaps the most distinctive thing about the S1000MKII pairs performance is that it produced such a huge soundstagethe instruments seemed to spread across the entire width of the room, well beyond the speakers themselves. Still for jazz I would look at Whardale speakers. However, the Q150 is 3 inches shorter and 1 inch narrower than the BR03, and it often goes on sale for about half off the list price, in which case its a fantastic buy. If you have the means, trying both in your space is worth your while. Research (PDF) shows that listeners consistently prefer speakers that reproduce all frequencies of sound at approximately even levels whether the listeners are sitting or standing, or in front of them or off to the side. AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, The Triangle Borea BR03 is widely considered to be a great Bookshelf Speaker at its $460 budget. But before you take the plunge, theres a bit of research youll need to do as bookshelf speakers arent at all like your average soundbar or Bluetooth device. SHOP NOW. We used a wide variety of music for testing, including Tracy Chapmans Fast Car (found by audio testing experts at Harman International to be the all-around best overall choice for speaker listening tests), Lil Babys Woah, Ccile McLorin Salvants version of Wives and Lovers, and the live version of James Taylors Shower the People digitally dubbed from the Live at the Beacon Theatre DVD. Next up are the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers, which arrived the day after the LSiM703. Sorry, this post was deleted by the person who originally posted it. Triangle Borea BR03 has a Frequency response range of 46 - 22k Hz at 3dB and Power Range of up to 100 watts. The Dayton Audio B452 is a smaller version of the B652. But since you listen to jazz, maybe you well find the kef a bit analytic. 11 AlchemistBleach 2 yr. ago Thanks for the insight. The Line/Phono switch sets the red and white RCA jacks to the right to work with a turntable output or a standard line audio source. Haven't tried the Kefs, but have no qualm recommending the BR02s. Our panelists liked it pretty well for instrumental music, but found it tended to de-emphasize the sound of voices. The Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers had bright, clear treble but lacked authority in the bass. B & W 607's vs Elac B5.2's - Anyone heard a back to back? In our tests, its treble sounded muted compared with that of the B652; both models had a dip in their treble response around the frequency where the tweeter started working, but with the B652-AIR, the dip was much deeper. Ive owned a pair for about a decade, and Ive found many uses for them. The difference will come down to taste. Was just curious! Pair this set with an inexpensive amplifier, and it will give you better sound than most top-of-the-line wireless speakers produce, for a much lower price. Since 1989, he has served as an editor or writer on audio-focused websites and magazines such as Home Theater, Sound & Vision, SoundStage, and JazzTimes. I think they are a little out of my price range at the moment. Their sound stage is more coherent and interesting to my ear. Brent Butterworth explains what improvements you might get when you spend more. The pair I like better depends on my mood and what I'm listening to. If youre looking to build a compact, affordable stereo system, we like the Fosi Audio BT20A mini stereo amplifier for its combination of power and features. Most audio reviewers quickly notice what they dont like about a speaker, but even after hours of listening to the BR03, I cant think of a significant complaint. Forward may not be the right way to describe the Q150 speakers but I think, in comparison to the other two speakers so far, one could see it that way. The Klipsch R-51PM was less even, with a bit of excess treble, and its bass response wasnt as deep. I also measured the speakers at angles of 15, 30, 45, and 60 degrees horizontally, as well as 15 degrees vertically, to make sure their sound didnt change radically when I heard them from an angle. Although many inexpensive turntables have a phono preamp or Bluetooth support built in and thus dont need to be connected to powered speakers with a dedicated phono input, higher-quality turntables and older turntables do need a phono inputso its inclusion on the R-51PM makes for a clean, easy setup. A larger version, the Kanto YU6, won over two of our listeners, but the others werent impressed. Triangle Borea BR03. In our measurements, the 3020i pair had roughly 8 to 9 decibels less bass output than what larger speakers like the Triangle Borea BR03 and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 sets could produce, so fans of bass-heavy music might prefer one of those options. These versatile, good-sounding speakers offer the widest variety of connection options, including a phono input for a record player. As lovely as all this sounds. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). The Monoprice Monolith Encore B6 might be a good choice for people who want big bass on a budget. The Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 is a pretty nice-sounding little speaker in the midrange and treble, but our panelists thought it didnt produce enough bass for use on its own, without a subwoofer. I know you gave all of the candidates every opportunity to prove themselves. To get an unbiased second opinion on these speakers, and to ensure we werent picking something that strayed far outside established engineering norms, I ran frequency response measurements on all of the models that did well in my casual listening tests. Measured bass output from a pair of 3020i speakers was 107.6 dB. Brent Butterworth is a senior staff writer covering audio and musical instruments at Wirecutter. The S1000MKII powered-speaker pair delivers best-in-class sound, looks nice, and comes with useful features such as built-in Bluetooth, bass and treble controls, and a remote. I can't demo them in store now obviously, so looking . This means that voices and instruments sound natural, and the speakers dont add much coloration of their own. They will also highlight poor recording quality, so consider your source. We concluded that Fluances Ai41 speakers sounded decent but could use a little more bass; their sound wasnt full enough for us. AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. Just a question for you: which one did you keep? If you have a question about a model not discussed here, leave a note in the comments sectionif weve tried that model, well be happy to share our impressions. Are they being sold by stores that allow in-home auditions or do cheap and easy returns? Its performance is bound to please practically any listener, and we like the sophisticated, minimalist design, which should suit almost any space. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required as is 20 years of participation in forums (not all true). At a minimum frequency of 46 Hz, Borea BR03 will provide an average bass depth so depending on your use case, you may consider supplementing your system with a subwoofer. I'm looking to invest in my first set-up with the current sales. If so, buy both. insider9 In our tests with Holly Coles version of Train Song, the sound sparkled, filling the room with the jingle of percussion instruments and the subtle sounds of fingers scraping the strings of the double bass. At 15 inches high, 8.125 inches wide, and 12.5 inches deep, its the tallest of our picks, but its just-right proportions make it seem less visually intrusive. The Spektor 2s are among the brands most affordable speakers. The Dali's are in their way. Getting your music from the cloud has never been easier. I began measuring speaker performance in 1997 and have worked as a consultant on speaker tuning and measurement for some of the worlds biggest tech companies. As I said earlier, this was not a slam-dunk but I do appreciate the differences between the speakers enough to decide to keep them. I used two different switchers to move between systems: an Audio by Van Alstine AVA ABX (with two Outlaw Audio Model 2200 amplifiers) for the passive speakers and a switcher I built myself to test the active speakers. These $549 Triangle Borea BR03 and $599 KEF Q150s are just the kind of speakers that I enjoy listening to and evaluating. Digital assistants and smart speakers are all well and good, but sometimes you just want to output your audio the old-fashioned way: through quality speakers. I don't have an amp to go with them yet and there don't seem to be any great deals, so I'll probably pick up a Yamaha A-S301/501 and get a sound card to use the optical input. You must log in or register to reply here. The KEF Q150, however, while also a good product at this price point, doesn't stack up against its competitors quite as well. Can't go wrong with either in my opinion. The mid range, especially, looked extremely flat, varying by only 2 decibels, which is why voices sounded so natural. However, the cardboard in its packaging can be recycled. I couldn't decide so I bought dali oberons (they are smaller) for my work desk and I got kef q150 for my living room. However, the B6.2 is much larger and sports the plain, vinyl-wrapped black-box look for which speakers are often loathed. Miccas MB42X speakers are compact, but their small woofer couldnt put out much bass, and the treble had a harsh, metallic sound. $299.98 (50% off) SHOP NOW. and most of the amps that have been recommended are stereo, good amps non the less, but not really what I'm looking for. SDA SRS 2.3TL's/SDA SRS 3.1TL's/SDA CRS+4.1TL's and some other stuff. From the very first notes, the BR03 impresses with its energy, delivery of deep notes and power handling. The Dalis are bit warmer sounding. Some of the company's more expensive ranges have ticked . I am trying to decide between these two, but I can't test them given COVID. This website uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb. Youll also want to ensure your speakers can handle the power output (measured in watts) of your amp. The Borea BR03 is one of the best bookshelf speaker sets weve heard, with extraordinary clarity and spaciousness plus plenty of bass. We also recognize that the following may not paint a complete picture of a products supply chain and life-cycle impact. The 3020i is also beautifully designed, with high-quality speaker-cable binding posts, nicely rounded corners that resist chipping, a magnetically attached grille, and four finish options. #1. TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too. The B652 has two real downsides. They also seem to represent incredible emotion in male vocals, such as Aaron Neville's cover of Ain't No Sunshine or Mo Ghile Mear - Choral Scholars of University of Dublin. Triangle Borea BR03 are $9.02 more expensive than the average speakers ($289.98). I hear that the Q150s are supposedly even better, despite their smaller profile. And the company said it is often able to repair speaker drivers that are decades oldsomething thats true of the speaker industry in general. I've been thoroughly enjoying them for music and pc gaming. Performance & security by Cloudflare. This system does have a defeatable dynamic bass control that boosts the bass at low volumes, but in our experience it didnt seem to help, especially considering we did most of our testing at moderately loud levels. That said, these arent for bassheads or hip-hop fans the equalisation on the BR03s is fairly balanced, which results in a transparent sound that wont colour your music. Their dull black vinyl covering and plain design wont suit high-style living spaces (unless you want to add an ironic touch), but theyll probably sound better than all but the best one-piece wireless speakers. Cool, figured it may have been a move up to a pricier speaker. The only area that I thought was a little off was the midrange. All the reviews I can find all say that there is nothing bad to say about any of them at this price point which isn't very helpful. Where I'm based (Belgium), the following deals seem best to me (but please let me know if you know of any others): Dali Oberon 1 (280 euro)Triangle Borea BR03 (300 euro)KEF Q150 (360 euro). If you really want bass for a B652-based garage sound system, youd better add an inexpensive subwoofer. I regularly attend audio-measurement clinics and conferences, and Im a member of the Audio Engineering Society, which publishes most of the leading research on audio. At just 11.875 inches high, 6.5 inches deep, and 7 inches wide, each B652 speaker is compact enough to fit on most bookshelves, and because each speaker weighs only 4.7 pounds, most shelves can support them both easily. Very good sound and couple of guys on here also speak well of them. $350 is alot less than $600. At 13.3 inches high, 11.5 inches deep, and 7.9 inches wide for each speaker, the S1000MKII pair is a little large, but the system is beautifully made, with real wood sides. Finally, for what it's worth, the Q150s are much smaller than the Triangles. Although our product recommendations are based completely on the criteria outlined in How we picked and How we tested, we offer the following information to supplement the decision of any reader who considers environmental impact as a deciding factor in their purchases. So even though this speaker set seems intended for audiophiles, who tend to prefer acoustic music, its also a great choice for hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music. I love that glossy deep rich finish! Warm sounding speakers. And so if you can't demo both, then pick based upon other factors. Also, wed guess that many people would prefer the S1000MKIIs styling to the plain black box look of the Monoprice and PSB models, but thats a matter of individual taste. For the price, theyre one of the best budget bookshelf speakers out there that they come from a reliable brand is just the cherry on top. Kef Q150, especially when they were on sale half price for $300 couple weeks back. We independently review everything we recommend. Measured bass output of the total system was 105.4 dB from 40 to 63 Hz, just 0.9 decibel below the result from the Edified S1000MKII, but at 31.5 Hz the Klipsch sets output was 7 decibels lower, a difference youd notice when playing hip-hop and recent R&B recordings. Triangle Borea BR03 Review (bookshelf speaker) | Page 2 | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. and our Matching with an amplifier: Theres too much in this to go through here, but in general, youll want to avoid connecting speakers with a lower impedance (measured in ohms) to an amp with a higher minimum impedance. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The BR03 offers binding posts to connect the speaker wire. The Klipsch R-51PM comes with a nice remote that includes subwoofer output-level controls, so you can fine-tune the bass level without having to make adjustments on the subwoofer itself (if you add one). The Q Acoustics 3020i set has enough bass for most music styles, but with just a 5-inch woofer, its no low-end powerhouse. Check the Detailed Comparison of Triangle Borea BR02 vs Borea BR03 for more details. Decent sound at an impressively low price, Great powered speakers for vinyl enthusiasts, The best passive bookshelf speakers: Q Acoustics 3020i, The best powered bookshelf speakers: Edifier S1000MKII, Sustainability and the environmental impact of bookshelf speakers, best surround-sound speakers for most people, The Best Surround-Sound Systems Under $2,500. They dont take up as much visual or physical space as larger tower speakers doand they dont put out as much bass, either. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. I'm auditioning both the BR03s and Q150s right now through an Emotiva TA-100 for a desktop nearfield setup. The Audioengine HD6 set is a larger version of the HD3 pair (which we describe in Other bookshelf speakers we like), but only one panelist in our previous testing liked the sound. New 5.1 speakers to accompany Yamaha Aventage RX-A1080 - B&W. The grille attaches to the speaker via steel posts that stick out from the front baffle, so the pair looks much better with the grille on, but the grille is extra-thin and has little effect on the sound. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Enjoy!Small Speaker Shootout video: https://youtu.be/Iweo-S2U4c8I reviewed the KEF Q150s last year: https://youtu.be/vn5-TZCL-S8Thanks to Frank at Antal Audio Group for his valuable assistance.Instagram: @myown.devicesI have a Patreon page available if you are interested in supporting my channel: https://www.patreon.com/myowndevicesTracks that I listened to during critical listening sessions:Erykah Badu \"Otherside of The Game\"John Hiatt \"Feels Like Rain\"Fiona Apple \"Shadowboxer\"Little Village \"Big Love\"Chris Rea \"Nothing to Fear\"Chris Isaak \"Wicked Game\"Richard Thompson \"Hard On Me\"Massive Attack \"Angel\" what amp would you recommend? I'm looking to invest in my first set-up with the current sales. A good set of passive bookshelf speakers is an investment that will last longer than most other audio gear you can buy today and will never become obsolete. You are using an out of date browser. The Q Acoustics 3020i set has pretty much everything most people could ask for in a pair of passive bookshelf speakers. Weve employed various listening panelists over the history of this guide, most recently including Wirecutter updates writer Nena Farrell, Wirecutter senior staff writer and headphone expert Lauren Dragan, and John Higgins (Laurens spouse), a professional musician and composer who has also written for Wirecutter and Home Theater. 16K views 1 year ago. I took delivery of a pair of the Borea BR03's in the Walnut finish on February 17, 2020 and I've been logging hours on them since that time while comparing them to some other bookshelf/stand-mount speakers in the same price range ($600 or less). The Borea BR03 largely eliminates the unnatural sonic colorationssuch as boomy, thin, or harsh soundthat come from almost all less-expensive speakers, and it produces a fuller, more satisfying sound than most bookshelf speakers do. I'd take a chance on them. KEF Q150 Compare: 2-way : 86 dB: 8 ohms: 51-28k Hz: Polk ES20 Compare: 2-way : 86 dB: 8 ohms: 41-40k Hz: Frequently Asked Questions about Triangle Borea BR02. *At the time of publishing, the price was $319. The binding posts are short, which makes it somewhat challenging to fit in bare speaker wire larger than 14 gauge. I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D. Nice review Victor. Copyright 2000-2023 M2N Limited E. & O.E. They're in the top 3 bestselling speakers and have dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Kef Q150 or Klipsch RB-61 II . What Do You Get When You Spend More for Speakers. Its a well-tuned system that delivers fuller, more natural sound than almost all of its competitors, and it has more refined (if old-fashioned) looks and sturdier construction than most of them. Voices, in particular, sounded smooth, with no harshness, boominess, or chestiness, no matter the gender or range of the singer. Press J to jump to the feed. If you want smaller active speakers for an office or bedroom where you may not need or want loud volumes and deep bass: Even though the Audioengine HD3 powered speakers measure only 7 inches high, they put out a surprisingly full sound that our listeners liked in previous panel tests. What is the External Dimensions of Triangle Borea BR02 When youre comparing speakers around the same price range that both have a good reputation, there is no better one. The B652 is a sealed-box design with no bass ports, so you can place the speakers against a wall without making the bass sound too boomy. Its fairly common to see audio enthusiasts using refurbished 50-year-old speakers with modern amplifiers and sources. The B652s frequency response measurements werent impressive, although any attempt on Dayton Audios part to make them better would almost certainly involve increasing the cost. This pair costs little more than you might expect to pay to ship them, yet theyre fully functional speakers that sound good enough for background music in settings you might deem too hazardous for a nice set of speakers, such as a workshop or a childs playroom. The BR03 cabinet features a front-facing port, so pushing the speakers back close to a wall is less of a concern than it is with rear-ported models like the Q Acoustics 3020i. The under-$50 Dayton Audio B652 passive-speaker pair is the ideal complement to an inexpensive mini stereo amplifier or an old receiver youd like to put to good use. He regularly gigs on double bass (and occasionally ukulele) with Los Angelesarea jazz groups. Take it with a grain of salt. From the front, the B652 speakers are close in size to the 3020i set, but they have a more basic look, with a dull black vinyl covering. Some powered speakers (including one of our picks) even incorporate a phono preamp so you can plug a turntable straight into them. Unfortunately can't demo or return the triangles. Is there any of these that should be a clear favourite? The KEFs really shine on songs that are heavily layered, for example Emancipator - Rattlesnakes or The Books - Tokyo. Its a neat concept, but the speakers sound is rather thin and crude. The B652 set isnt handsome, but its surprisingly good for the price, making it perfect for workrooms, kids rooms, and other places where expensive speakers dont make sense. Klipsch also offers a smaller model with the same inputs and features, the R-41PM; we havent listened to it, but considering that the larger R-51PM could use a bit more bass, we expect wed feel the need for more low end to an even greater extent with the smaller model. They are both great speakers by my standard (I'm no expert), and by the standard of many others as well as evidenced by the numerous good reviews for each. Instrument separation and detail are impressive, and we like how the low-end bass instruments and baritones is clear and belies a speaker this size (11.92 x 7.08 x 10.94 inches). JavaScript is disabled. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This set produces a generally full and natural sound, though we think it could use a little more bassbut there is a subwoofer output, so adding a sub is easy. TRIANGLE BOREA BRO3 vs KEF Q150 - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC I was pleased with the performance of the DBR82 but they didnt stand out in any specific way to me beyond what the KEF speakers were already giving me. Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. The worlds defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking whats new and whats next since 1952. The Polk Audio Monitor 40 Series II doesnt sound as natural as the less-expensive Monitor XT20; high-frequency sounds like cymbals and tape hiss are accentuated, and the bass sounds boomy. Still that well all depend on amplifier, source room. The 3020i pair comes in a variety of finishes to match your decor. I think KEF are freaking amazing. Nice review Victor. With the above criteria in mind, we scanned sites such as Amazon, Audio Advisor, Best Buy, and Crutchfield to see what new models were available, and we reached out to manufacturers we thought might be introducing new models in these categories. We tested speakers with expert listeners, and we concealed the identities of the products to eliminate bias. A better comparison may be the Polk L200 vs the KEF R series bookshelf speaker (3-way design). Triangle Borea BR03 (300 euro) KEF Q150 (360 euro) They would be used for nearfield listening now (desk usage), but hoping to use them in a medium-sized room at some point in the future. Dayton Audio said the B652 does not use recycled or recyclable materials, but that the company does offer replacement parts if repairs are needed. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I demoed the B&W's 607's when I bought my Rega Brio Amp a before lockdown. I then moved on to more formal testing, in which I concealed all the speakers behind a sheet of thin, black fabric in my acoustically treated listening room. With its tone controls centered, the Edifier R1700BTs pair sounded too trebly and thin, and voices sounded coarse and crude. Each R-51PM speaker measures 13.3 inches high by 9.1 inches deep by 7 inches wide, so a pair isnt quite as bulky as the Edifier S1000MKII set. The 0.5-inch tweeter is really there only to add a little sparkle to the soundalthough that sparkle might be more accurately described as glare. Triangle Borea BR03 + Cambridge Audio CXA81 3,882 views Nov 20, 2021 29 Dislike Share Matti M 33 subscribers My setup playing Lorde - Royals Amp: Cambridge Audio CXA81 Streamer: Cambridge Audio. And last your own taste. In these tests, we listened mostly for the following: Finally, I did lab measurements to compare the speakers performance, a process that effectively gave me an unbiased second opinion; you can read more about this process and see the results in the Measurements section.
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