The 3030is are also considered unfussy speakers, which really just means theyll work well with most (budget) amplifiers and wherever in the room you place them. If for no other reason the KEFs coaxial setup will image better, especially on a desk. Is there any of these that should be a clear favourite? I like the design of the Triangle Borea BR02 the best, but it seems that it along with the Dali are sold with higher premiums in the United States. I think they are a little out of my price range at the moment. I agree completely. Voices sounded natural, with perhaps a slightly exaggerated treble, and the bass, while a bit too punchy on occasion, was loud, full, and clear. Try comparing or getting your ears on other speakers in the same price range as the Q150's like the Triangle Borea BR03, or for your application, the Triangle Borea BR02. We concluded that Fluances Ai41 speakers sounded decent but could use a little more bass; their sound wasnt full enough for us. But for most people and most music styles, a good pair of bookshelf speakers will deliver a satisfyingly complete sound. He regularly gigs on double bass (and occasionally ukulele) with Los Angelesarea jazz groups. The BR03 offers binding posts to connect the speaker wire. Music stuff - Roksan Kandy KA1-MKIII, Dynaudio DM2/6, REL Strata III, 16.0mm 6181Y Double Insulated Cable (commonly electrical meter tails). We focus on education, discussion, and sharing of entry and mid level separate & multi component audio systems. The KEFs will highlight some serious shortcomings in poorly recorded Youtube videos for instance. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. The charts below show the on-axis (directly in front) frequency response of our picks. B & W 607's vs Elac B5.2's - Anyone heard a back to back? And measuring 8.11 x 12.36 x 14.96 inches, the Borea BR03s are the largest on this list, too. Haven't tried the Kefs, but have no qualm recommending the BR02s. The enclosure uses point-to-point bracing to focus the stereo output, and is available in a series of colours (were quite partial to the walnut version) to ensure it fits with your homes interior design. 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). It also has no output to connect a subwoofer, if you want more bass. The Klipsch R-51PM set is a great choice for vinyl-record enthusiasts because it includes a phono input, so you can easily connect most record players without having to buy a separate phono preamp. KEF Q150. I am a fan of the Wharfedale 12.1's. In response to the question about the Triangle BR03, I have reviewed them. 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). They also all have aptX HD Bluetooth. The Triangle Borea BR03 is a two way standmount speaker and the larger of two models in the Borea range of speakers that makes up the second rung in the Triangle model line-up. 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. The 3020i also has a slightly bright tonal balance that may leave some listeners craving a fuller sound or yearning to add a subwoofer. I have been keeping my eyes a pair off B & W DM602/602's. They may be best option. 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. Some metal parts of the speakers may be recyclable; the company does not have a recycling partner in the US, but in France it works with a recycler called Eco-System. 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. Its available in a black or walnut finish with a black front panel, or in a white or light oak finish with a white baffle. Just want to know which would sound better for a desktop setup. The Borea BR03 is larger than our other passive-speaker picks, but its just-right proportions keep it from looking intrusive. Looking for first speaker set [onkyo9010], Advice needed, mixed usage stereo & home cinema, with bias towards stereo music. The addition of USB and optical digital audio inputs, a subwoofer output to connect a powered subwoofer, and a nice remote control give the system excellent versatility. Like the larger PSB Alpha AM5 set (which we list in Other bookshelf speakers we like), the PSB Alpha AM3 pair produced wonderfully clear and natural vocalsbut with its smaller woofer and weaker amp, it distorted easily when we played loud rock, and it produced a lot of port noise when we played hip-hop tunes. The former is a big plus. Hip-hop, R&B, and modern pop recordings often extend to lower frequencies, so if youre a fan of those genres (and you wont use a subwoofer), pay special attention to our CTA-2010 results at 31.5 Hz. The speakers are also nicely designed for the price, with custom binding posts, magnetically attached grilles, a decor-friendly 10.875-inch height, and nicely rounded corners that resist chipping. I demoed speakers from 350 - 800 for a 600 Amp. For more information, please see our The best entry-level turntables and record players on a budget, Add to your classic car collection with this LEGO Creator Expert Fiat 500 collectible model, Catch em all with this Pokmon Ultra Ball Replica, Get a free subscription to Disney+ when you sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited, This Star Wars smart projector is the droid you are looking for, Take to the skies with the DJI Mavic Mini drone for just $399, Kickstart the party with this Sony wireless speaker, now 20 per cent off. Frequency response measurements for the BR03 were excellent, with a variation of about 2.5 decibels through most of the audio range and an even balance of bass to mid range to treble. The Q Acoustics 3020i set has enough bass for most music styles, but with just a 5-inch woofer, its no low-end powerhouse. That means voices and instruments will sound pretty much like theyre supposed to. Good looks plus good sound sealed the deal and the Triangle Borea BR03 are replacing the KEF Q150 in my 2-channel setup. 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. The back panel has two stereo analog inputs plus optical and coaxial digital inputs, as well as bass and treble controls and a volume control that doubles as an input-selector button. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Finishes: Light oak, black, walnut, white List Price: $599 Canadian/pair, $449 US/pr. As for the Triangle BR03's, also fantastic speakers. The S1000MKII lacks some features found on competing models, such as the Klipsch R-51PM. It sounded similar to that model but had less bass. Seattle Area. . Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. 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. So whether youre listening to vocals, instruments, or a bit of everything, the Spektor 2s will sound entertaining. While there were no major introductions of new bookshelf speakers at CES 2023, we have found a few current models that we hope to get in for testing. 11 AlchemistBleach 2 yr. ago Thanks for the insight. The Q Acoustics 3020i also had a fairly flat response, but with less deep bass. Copyright 2000-2023 M2N Limited E. & O.E. what amp would you recommend? There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Still for jazz I would look at Whardale speakers. From the very first notes, the BR03 impresses with its energy, delivery of deep notes and power handling. These speakers also had a less attractive finish and were harder to drive than some other models. The Triangle has similar levels of resolution but roughed up frequency response, which is overall less coherent and a "sparkly". Edit: The Q150 benefits the most of a subwoofer. Excellent review Vic! 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. Triangle Borea BR03 Vs KEF Q150. highend666. JavaScript is disabled. Most lower priced triangle speaker are bright like some Dali and B&W can be, so careful system matching is important Once had a pair of Triangle LN01, they where to bright for my taste, bass okay but sounded like a slightly uneven frequency response Okay, demo for sure before you buy. Sony A95L QD-OLED, X95L MINI LED And Full BRAVIA Range For 2023 (In-Depth Interview). Note that we didnt make a budget pick for powered speakers because we didnt like any of the inexpensive ones we tried. While this response is quite similar to what others offer, the BR03 can manage it while delivering a sensitivity of 90dB. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Are there any major differences to how these sound? The B5.2s are the second version of the line, but this isnt an incremental upgrade. Use this Slickdeals link to access the $279 sale prices for the BR02 at Adorama as it has links to the different finish options, https://slickdeals.net/f/14642636-triangle-borea-br02-bookshelf-speakers-279-or-brc1-center-speaker-199-free-s-h. PSB Alpha P5 vs Kef Q150 vs Triangle BR03 vs Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 review. 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. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). 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. 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. Triangle Up-sizes The Sophistication. Compared to the KEFs, these speakers shine for me on mellow, melty songs such as Julian Lage - Nocturne or John Scofield - A Go Go. Your IP: and most of the amps that have been recommended are stereo, good amps non the less, but not really what I'm looking for. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. ELAC tweaked everything, from the enclosure size to the tweeter to the speaker drivers, and the result is a robust bookshelf speaker that reproduces balanced, if a little too mature, audio. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28c9117a1c8b83 Learn more. I like the distinctive white face of the BR03 but don't care much for the imitation white oak enclosure: The dual ports . Thanks all for the suggestions. We focus on education, discussion, and sharing of entry and mid level separate & multi component audio systems. The Micca COVO-S is a cute little concentric (tweeter-inside-woofer) speaker set. Triangle Audio said it is not using recycled materials in packaging or production. Not surprisingly, the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 set sounded very similar to the larger B6.2 pair (listed in Other bookshelf speakers we like), just with less bass. Was just curious! Using speaker stands like the Sanus BF24B or Monoprice 39494 can also solve this problem. 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. Good luck. Triangle promises it will maintain an inventory of parts for at least 10 years after a product is produced. Measured bass output from a pair of 3020i speakers was 107.6 dB. For bookshelf speakers, we asked the manufacturers whether their packaging or products use recycled materials, and whether the packaging and products are recyclable. Just going to step in here and say thank you for writing this up. When youre comparing speakers around the same price range that both have a good reputation, there is no better one. They dont take up as much visual or physical space as larger tower speakers doand they dont put out as much bass, either. Just found out another possible problem. If you really want bass for a B652-based garage sound system, youd better add an inexpensive subwoofer. We independently review everything we recommend. 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. Audiolab 6000a with BW685 s2 missing bass. Unfortunately, in our tests this pair had almost no bass and distorted easily. However, the B6.2 is much larger and sports the plain, vinyl-wrapped black-box look for which speakers are often loathed. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. O seu design e componentes so inspirados nos desenvolvimentos tecnolgicos de mais de 40 anos da Triangle Hi-fi e beneficiam das inovaes acsticas desenvolvidas na aclamada srie Triangle Esprit Ez. 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. Bookshelf speakers arent just for music, either. These monochrome offerings from Triangle come in both black and white pairs and are pretty sizeable, making a true audio-visual statement. Bookshelf speakers are great for the music lover who wants better performance than anyone can get from the vast majority of one-piece, wireless tabletop speakers that dominate the scene right now. Is there any of these that should be a clear favourite? 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. 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. Dayton Audio said the B652 does not use recycled or recyclable materials, but that the company does offer replacement parts if repairs are needed. Suggestions for amp/speaker upgrade: Marantz, Musical Fidelity, KEF, Dali - how does it all fit. Send the loser back. I would try both at home, then see which speakers you prefer. The Edifier S1000MKII is the best affordable powered speaker system weve heardas was its predecessor, the S1000DB, the former top pick in our now-retired guide to the best wireless powered bookshelf speakers. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. 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. The Q Acoustics 3020i is our favorite pair of passive bookshelf speakers to mate with your favorite stereo receiver, while the excellent Edifier S1000MKII pair is a more complete option with built-in amplifiers and Bluetooth. A magnetically attached grille is included to protect the speaker drivers. Its performance is bound to please practically any listener, and we like the sophisticated, minimalist design, which should suit almost any space. 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. For movie and TV watching, a pair of good bookshelf speakers can deliver much better dynamics and vocal clarity than the speakers built into any TV, and many of our recommendations have a matching center speaker designed more specifically for dialogue reproduction. Powered by Xenforo, Hosted by Nimbus Hosting, Original design Critical Media Ltd. I love that glossy deep rich finish! 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. (And if you really want more bass, you can often add a subwoofer.). For more details, read our blog post about Bluetooth codecs. 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. What stands out in the 3020is performance is the detail and clarity that these speakers bring out in every recording. 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. I am a Kef owner of almost 20 years with some Kef Reference Ones. Best were the 607's and the Dali Menuets but they're 850 and I couldn't justify +2x of the 607's. Finally, for what it's worth, the Q150s are much smaller than the Triangles. In our tests it did a reasonable job with the bass notes in most light rock and pop music. I intend to use whatever I pick for a long time, so I may in the future use it in the living room of a small apartment in New York, if this should in any way affect my decision making. I have the Triangles, paired with a Topping MX3 for my desktop setup. The room I am trying to fill is 12.5x9 FT so its an odd shape bedroom and I don't think I can return something that isn't faulty in the UK. What Triangle has done with the Borea range is ensure that it is very definitely less marmite than some previous offerings from the company. Considering how negligible the price premium is for the B652, we recommend the larger model if you have space for it. The Spektor 2 has the best bass response, is reasonable smooth but not as revealing. 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. 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. The Triangle Borea BR02 sounded much like the BR03 but had less bass and sounded a little brighter and more trebly. What Do You Get When You Spend More for Speakers. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Not the surrealist Dali stands for Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries, and theyre a seasoned brand that has earned near-universal plaudits for its entry-level and mid-range hi-fi speakers. I've been thoroughly enjoying them for music and pc gaming. . As lovely as all this sounds. The Edifier S1000MKII is an updated version of the S1000DB set, which was the top pick in our guide to the best wireless powered bookshelf speakers (which weve now rolled into this guide), and in our brand-concealed tests it was every bit as excellent as its predecessor was. The Dayton Audio B652-AIR is basically the B652 with an air-motion transformer (AMT) tweeter. 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. Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade, Cambridge Audio CXA60 integrated amplifier, Fluance RT82 turntable w/ Nagaoka MP-110 cart, Bottlehead Reduction + Integration upgrade phono preamp, Audioquest Golden Gate interconnect cables, Audioquest Red River interconnects cables (phono pre to RF1), APC H10 line conditioner / surge protector. Cookie Notice In my current tests and in the original panel tests we conducted for the previous wireless powered speaker guide, we gave the R-15PM speakers positive feedback for their sound quality, but everyone concluded that voices sounded a bit bright and trebly, which suggests this set could use a little more bass (although some audiophiles may disagree). The BR03 is well worth its higher price. As the name suggests, these speakers are sized to fit on a shelf or to be mounted in a stand. I have no previous experience in audio, so I would greatly appreciate any advice that I receive. TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too. Big into jazz myself, I don't think I've ever heard in a silent way sound this good (I do own decent headphones which is my comparison) . Bookshelf speakers are, as their name suggests, compact units that are meant to be placed on a shelf or a mantle. I started reviewing speakers professionally in 1991 as senior editor of Video magazine, and Ive since served as an editor or writer at audio-focused publications such as Home Theater, Sound & Vision, SoundStage, and HomeTheaterReview.com. Stylish design and great sound make the Polk Signature Elite ES15, ES10, and ES30 combo our pick for the best surround-sound system. $599.99. The Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers had bright, clear treble but lacked authority in the bass. Voices, in particular, sounded smooth, with no harshness, boominess, or chestiness, no matter the gender or range of the singer. 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. Interesting comparison to the Q150s, maybe they're not quite the steal at $600 I thought they were when I owned them. For the CTA-2010 results, I averaged the output from 40 to 63 Hz to give you a quick idea of each speaker systems output. New 5.1 speakers to accompany Yamaha Aventage RX-A1080 - B&W. The House of Marley Get Together Duo is a small set of powered speakers with Bluetooth and line inputs, and the right speaker has a rechargeable battery that lets it work on its own as a portable speaker. On more mainstream pop recordings in our tests, the 3020i set performed equally impressively, presenting a natural and detailed sound on voices and guitars. Rega Planar 2, Rega Brio, Rega Fono Mk3, IFI Zen Blue 2, Marantz CD6006UK, Dali Opticon 1 Mk II. Audio enthusiasts might think they should spend more on speakers than the cost of the Triangle Borea BR03 pair, but this is such a satisfying set of passive speakers that Im not sure you really need to spend more. The Dayton Audio B452 is a smaller version of the B652. I'm curious, between the Triangle and L200, which would you keep? TRIANGLE BOREA BRO3 vs KEF Q150 - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC They eliminate at least one component (the receiver/amplifier) and at least one cable. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. The 3020i set sounds more detailed and spacious, but the B6.2 pair plays louder and puts out more bassan average of 7.7 decibels more between 40 and 63 Hzso it might be the better choice for fans of bass-heavy music. And while they are a relatively diminutive pair 6.7 x 9.4 x 11.5 inches they offer a wide soundstage and expressive equalisation. KEF amazon.com. 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. If you want a smaller speaker than the B6.2, and if you listen to lighter music or prefer to use a subwoofer, this set is a good choice. In the BR03, particularly in the black finish, this could also legitimately be seen to be a little dull. I have only listened to KEF's so far. #1. Lively piano jazz such as Old Castle by Chick Corea and Hiromi is still really fun and engaging. Thanks for your time. I haven't used any of the others, but I'm really loving my Dali's and don't regret them one bit. Details; Discussions; . Theyre fairly tall, black boxes that arent attractive, and even though the bass was present in our tests, it wasnt tight or detailed. Excellent Review Victor! The No. When we auditioned the Edifier AirPulse A100 for our previous round of tests, it sounded a little better than the Edifier S1000DB (the predecessor of our new powered pick, the S1000MKII), with somewhat clearer treble. *At the time of publishing, the price was $319. It offers standard speaker-cable connectors to join the speakers, so you can sub in a longer cable if you need it. Performance & security by Cloudflare. We found that the more high-frequency sounds the music contained, the harsher the B652 sounded. 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. 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. I liked the look of the black fascia with the Walnut cabinets but the bare metal grill over the tweeter really stood out to me and I felt it would have looked better had it been a flat black or a gloss black instead. If you want more bass than the Q Acoustics 3020i delivers: Our former runner-up pick in this guide, the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is a great speaker pair that comes close to the Q Acoustics 3020i in sound quality. I have to say I am a little upset that you got so many responses to your question on my post when I got nothing on mine. They are both 399, do just a question of which is superior and would fill room better. The bass is a little bit more impactful than the KEFs, but not hugely so in my space. I mainly listen to classical and jazz. The SVS Prime Wireless Speaker System provides DTS Play-Fi Wi-Fibased audio in addition to Bluetooth and a subwoofer output; I liked it, but the rest of our panelists said it needed more bass. Triangle Borea BR03. To help narrow it down, weve put together our list of the best budget bookshelf speakers under $500 you can find right now. 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.