Copyright 2000-2023 M2N Limited E. & O.E. You could adapt any powered stereo speaker system for use with such turntables through the addition of an outboard phono preamp, but thats more money to spend, plus an extra set of cables to connect and an extra power supply to plug in. Add Mission LX /LX mark 2 range if available in your country. I can't demo them in store now obviously, so looking . 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 will mostly be using them to listen to classical music and watch films at my computer which is in front of a wall. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Theyre certainly not as lively as the Dali Spektor 2s not a bad thing if you listen to older recordings. I think KEF are freaking amazing. This subreddit is for the budget minded audiophile that wants to grow out of soundbars, boomboxes, mini systems, portable bluetooth, lifestyle speakers, and PC peripheral branded audio solutions. They are considered passive speakers while Bluetooth devices are active speakers. 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. Still that well all depend on amplifier, source room. I use the older Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350. 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. 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. This is a review and detailed measurements of the Triangle Borea BR03 bookshelf speaker. It's a dense piece of music, and the Dali's really articulates all the layers whilst producing a full sound. I haven't used any of the others, but I'm really loving my Dali's and don't regret them one bit. Still for jazz I would look at Whardale speakers. 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. 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. But the methods of recycling these products may have their own adverse impacts. Given you have an AV receiver with dubious power ratings into 6ohm i think the triangles will not be the best idea for it My 607's are on a shelf "alcove" with the wall around 10cm behind and sound great. Finishes: Light oak, black, walnut, white List Price: $599 Canadian/pair, $449 US/pr. 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. Among all the powered speakers we tested, the S1000MKII pair produced the most enveloping sound; its vocal reproduction was realistic, too, and its bass was impressively full. If so, buy both. So depending on how much room you have, they might be a better choice. The other is that the speaker-cable connectors are the cheap spring-clip type, which tend to produce a looser connection than good binding posts dobut for inexpensive spring clips, they keep a pretty firm grip on the speaker cable. The Polk Alpha AM5 has a more focused and intimate sound that fans of jazz, classical, and acoustic pop may find appealing, but it distorts more with bass-heavy music. company number 03997482, registered in England and Wales. $599.99. I am trying to decide between these two, but I can't test them given COVID. The Dayton Audio B652-AIR is basically the B652 with an air-motion transformer (AMT) tweeter. Sure, you could spend upwards of a thousand bucks or pounds and get mind-blowing sound, but these options below offer incredible output in an affordable package. what amp would you recommend? Nice bookshelf shootout Victor, well done. As I discovered when putting together the Bluetooth codec comparison on my personal website, aptX HD does sound better than aptX and the standard SBC Bluetooth codec, although the difference isnt dramatic. Nothing comes close. I have only listened to KEF's so far. 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. Good looks plus good sound sealed the deal and the Triangle Borea BR03 are replacing the KEF Q150 in my 2-channel setup. 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. The No. The speakers come with foam plugs for those ports if you do place them next to the wall, but that will reduce the bass output. Best were the 607's and the Dali Menuets but they're 850 and I couldn't justify +2x of the 607's. This is also our runner-up pick in our guide to the best surround-sound speakers for most people. They may be best option. Youre the first to write about their audition of both of them that I could find. What stands out in the 3020is performance is the detail and clarity that these speakers bring out in every recording. The BR03 provides a clear step up in sound quality over the lower-cost models we recommend, offering the most natural, balanced sound weve heard from a bookshelf speaker priced under $1,000 per pairand theres no real need for a subwoofer unless youre a deep-bass fanatic. KEF Q150. Even when we played Lil Babys ultra-bass-intensive Woah at a loud volume, the BR03 didnt distort, and it produced only a barely perceptible amount of chuffing from its front ports. As research shows, reliable, unbiased comparison tests of audio products can occur only if the identities of the products are concealed from the listener and if the volume levels are matched. 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. Thanks! SHOP NOW. Frequency range: 51Hz - 22KHz (+/- 3dB) Power handling: 80W Nominal impedance: 8 Minimum impedance: 3.6 Dimensions: 17.6 cm (~7") W, 31cm (~12.2") H, 27.4cm (~10.8") D Weight: 4.87kg (~10.7 lbs.) The Triangle Borea BR03 has a frequency response of 46Hz - 22kHz with +/-3dB. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The charts below show the on-axis (directly in front) frequency response of our picks. 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. I have not listened to the Dali nor the Triangle. For reference, the lowest note of a standard bass guitar or double bass is E1 at 41.2 Hz, so 40 Hz is deep enough for most rock and jazz recordings. The Fluance Ai61 had a recessed mid range, which in our tests took the body out of singers voices and made them sound a little like they had their hands cupped around their mouths. 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. My Own Devices Audio Channel. Measured bass output was impressive, at 106.3 dB from 40 to 63 Hz, and it stayed strong all the way down to 31.5 Hz, where the system output 84.7 dB. The proportions of the Triangle are entirely satisfying. He regularly gigs on double bass (and occasionally ukulele) with Los Angelesarea jazz groups. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. These versatile, good-sounding speakers offer the widest variety of connection options, including a phono input for a record player. These are the speakers to do it. The 3020i pair comes in a variety of finishes to match your decor. A magnetically attached grille is included to protect the speaker drivers. Before conducting listening tests, I broke in each speaker pair for 10 hours with music. Its fairly common to see audio enthusiasts using refurbished 50-year-old speakers with modern amplifiers and sources. I love that glossy deep rich finish! Press J to jump to the feed. Star Wars 4-6 are the best movies. To use aptX HD, you need an Android device that supports it or a PC with an aptX HD Bluetooth dongle. Passive speakers dont require power to function as theyre driven by a separate amplifier; active speakers have an amplifier housed within their enclosures and thus require power. The system cant pump out low bass, but it doesnt sound thin, eitherand adding a subwoofer is easy, thanks to an analog audio output whose level you control with the HD3s volume knob. The BR03 is well worth its higher price. The only bad audio system, is the one you don't enjoy to the fullest. Theyre fairly tall, black boxes that arent attractive, and even though the bass was present in our tests, it wasnt tight or detailed. AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, The mid range looked quite flat, but there was a big peak at 3.6 kHza frequency often reached by the upper harmonics of female vocals, but not so often by male vocals. Nice review Victor. Check the Detailed Comparison of Triangle Borea BR02 vs Borea BR03 for more details. They eliminate at least one component (the receiver/amplifier) and at least one cable. KEF Q150 has a higher list price and is on sale, so I'm wondering if it's supposed to sound better and is a better deal. 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. Brent Butterworth is a senior staff writer covering audio and musical instruments at Wirecutter. The switchers also let me move among the speakers (labeled only by number) without knowing which one I was hearing. I'll most likely go with the kefs since they're slighter cheaper than the triangles. In addition to our subjective panel testing, we measured each system to get an unbiased second opinion and detect any anomalies. 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. We all hear different. I also did CTA-2010 bass output measurements, using the same process we use for our best high-performance subwoofer and best budget subwoofer guides. I hear that the Q150s are supposedly even better, despite their smaller profile. Privacy Policy. JavaScript is disabled. The Dayton Audio MK402X looks a little nicer than the B652, but its mid range sounded a little rough, and it didnt have much bass. Just want to know which would sound better for a desktop setup. 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. 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. They thought the speakers sounded generally good, but somewhat soft and mellow in comparison with our top picks and most of the other similar models we tested. For example, the BR02 are significantly smaller. 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. 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. Some powered speakers (including one of our picks) even incorporate a phono preamp so you can plug a turntable straight into them. Thanks all for the suggestions. Some of the company's more expensive ranges have ticked . Thanks for the insight. I'm looking to invest in my first set-up with the current sales. The Dali's are in their way. Are there any major differences to how these sound? Compared to the KEFs, these speakers shine for me on mellow, melty songs such as Julian Lage - Nocturne or John Scofield - A Go Go. Combined with a minimum impedance of 4.1ohms, these specifications make the speaker quite easy to drive. The HD3 offers a rich array of features, including aptX HD Bluetooth, a USB digital input, and a front headphone output. I demoed the B&W's 607's when I bought my Rega Brio Amp a before lockdown. First and foremost, the 3020i performs beautifully, offering a clear, spacious sound on vocals and instruments thats at least as good as anything weve heard in its price range. 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. The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 and 12.2 got similar reactions from our panelists. We also think few would complain about the BR03s design and shape. 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. Okay, say for arguments sake I was dead set on the triangles. 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 Audio said it is not using recycled materials in packaging or production. The Triangle has similar levels of resolution but roughed up frequency response, which is overall less coherent and a "sparkly". I was expecting a fuller sound from the ELAC DBR62 since it has the 6.5 woofer compared to the 5.25 woofer on the KEF Q150 but it just didnt work out that way, at least, not in a significant way to my ears. 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. In all likelihood KEF will win this poll because KEF spends way more on marketing than Triangle, and the recent discount is fresh on everyone's mind. Note that we didnt make a budget pick for powered speakers because we didnt like any of the inexpensive ones we tried. In the case of powered speakers, we asked whether the products firmware can be updated by the owner; updatable firmware also extends a products life because it can allow bugs to be fixed or new features to be added. 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. The Edifier S1000MKII had excellent measured on-axis frequency response by any standard, but its results were especially good for a speaker in its price range. 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. 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. The 3020i cabinet is ported to help improve bass output, but because the port is rear-facing instead of front-facing, the speakers will sound boomy if you push them against a walland the fact that theyre rather deep, at 10.5 inches, makes it more likely youll need to push them back against the wall. 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. 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. The B652s 6.5-inch woofer covers most of the audio band, from the bass to the mid-treble. Music stuff - Roksan Kandy KA1-MKIII, Dynaudio DM2/6, REL Strata III, 16.0mm 6181Y Double Insulated Cable (commonly electrical meter tails). 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. 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. Good looks plus good sound sealed the deal and the Triangle Borea BR03 are replacing the KEF Q150 in my 2-channel setup. Maybe give the 607s a go and return them if you think they are not up to par. The DBR62's have a very wide soundstage and decent bass response for a front slot ported design. These speakers also had a less attractive finish and were harder to drive than some other models. TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too. The Marantz PM6006 would be an excellent choice have heard that amp with the B&W 607s. A removable grille is included. We also recognize that the following may not paint a complete picture of a products supply chain and life-cycle impact. 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. The only area that I thought was a little off was the midrange. 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. Triangle Borea BR03 are a popular option in the middle of the speakers price range. The BR03 offers binding posts to connect the speaker wire. 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. 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. To our ears, it didnt sound quite as good as the Edifier S1000MKII pair, but our eyes appreciated the R-51PMs more compact form and contemporary look. They dont take up as much visual or physical space as larger tower speakers doand they dont put out as much bass, either. The Polk Audio Monitor XT20 comes very close to the performance of the Q Acoustics 3020i, with clear highs and natural-sounding voice reproduction, but its bass sounds slightly boomy and for the price, its looks are rather plain. 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. It also looks nicer than most powered speakers do, although its styling is decidedly old-school. 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. The bass is a little bit more impactful than the KEFs, but not hugely so in my space. The size isnt just for presence. Good thinking! The Q acoustic concept 20s and Elac debuts (can't seem to get the other speakers mentioned) seem to be about double the price of the other options I proposed so I'm not sure whether that's worth it in my market. 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. I've have a pair of KEF Q300s for the past 10 years and I absolutely adore them. We take that seriously, too, which is why weve asked the manufacturers of all our picks to answer some basic questions about materials, product life cycles, and other sustainability issues. We found that the more high-frequency sounds the music contained, the harsher the B652 sounded. Curious to hear them in person. These monochrome offerings from Triangle come in both black and white pairs and are pretty sizeable, making a true audio-visual statement. KEF Q150: 10% With the above considerations and the available specs of the Triangle Borea BR02 speakers I came to the following: Triangle Borea BR02: @25% => 20-80 W(Recommended) Considering the above, I'm assuming that the Triangle Borea BR02 can be powered within the range of 20-80 W @ 8 Ohms. I've been thoroughly enjoying them for music and pc gaming. The Q Acoustics 3020i set has pretty much everything most people could ask for in a pair of passive bookshelf speakers. I'm auditioning both the BR03s and Q150s right now through an Emotiva TA-100 for a desktop nearfield setup. I have the Triangles, paired with a Topping MX3 for my desktop setup. The rear-facing bass ports make it unwise to push these speakers up against a wall because blocking the ports reduces the bass. 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). It includes bass and treble controls for you to fine-tune the sound to your liking, as well as a remote, a variety of input options, and built-in Bluetooth. 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. In my 3rd system they come close to my much higher priced . That said, they are both very different speakers, and which is right for you really comes down to preference. Its massive. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The amplifier is located in the right speaker, and the two speakers connect with a proprietary cable thats 16 feet longyoure unlikely to need anything longer. A keyhole mounting bracket on the back makes it easy to hang each speaker from a drywall screw; in my lab, I have a set hanging this way, which I use to produce noise for headphone measurements. 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. 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. The 3020i speakers deliver great detail and a spacious sound, and their design and build quality are better than what you get from most speakers in their price range. You might also like: Sony A95L QD-OLED, X95L MINI LED And Full BRAVIA Range For 2023 (In-Depth Interview). That said, the styling is definitely old-school, more suited for a wood-paneled study than a contemporary living room. 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. Looking to mount your speakers on a stand? 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. 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. In all likelihood KEF will win this poll because KEF spends way more on marketing than Triangle, and the recent discount is fresh on everyones mind. I've listened to both in my home, and I think it's going to come down to personal preference between these two, rather than one being definitively better than the other. The S1000MKII is the first powered speaker system weve tried that supports the aptX HD Bluetooth codec, a newer version of the aptX codec that runs at a higher data rate. The pair I like better depends on my mood and what I'm listening to. Very good sound and couple of guys on here also speak well of them. 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 B652s frequency response measurements werent impressive, although any attempt on Dayton Audios part to make them better would almost certainly involve increasing the cost. Too bad their sales aren'tbut the Q150s are excellent, and thats' a solid price for a pair. The R-51PMs audio performance isnt quite as good as that of the Edifier S1000MKII, but the 5.25-inch woofer in this speaker does allow the system to produce a reasonable amount of bass. But its more than twice as costlyand the performance improvements dont merit that big of a price increase. Many readers are concerned about how the manufacturing, shipping, and normal use of the products we recommend impact the world. With most female voices and higher-pitched instruments, such as cymbals and acoustic guitars, the tweeter is more active, and the sound can become harsh and fatiguing if you play it loud. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28c9117a1c8b83 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 . With its tone controls centered, the Edifier R1700BTs pair sounded too trebly and thin, and voices sounded coarse and crude. Rega Planar 2, Rega Brio, Rega Fono Mk3, IFI Zen Blue 2, Marantz CD6006UK, Dali Opticon 1 Mk II. For more details, read our blog post about Bluetooth codecs. The frequency response measurements for the 3020i looked very good, with a variance of only about 2.6 decibels through most of the audio range. Because this guide combines two previous guidescovering passive bookshelf speakers and powered speakerswe had to consider many speaker types and the needs of many different types of listeners. The Monoprice MM-5R offers deeper and more powerful bass than either the PSB or the Edifier sets, and it includes a USB digital input and a mono subwoofer output. A great pair of bookshelf speakers is one of the best investments a music lover can make. 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. I have rears for surround sound. Everything on this list sounds great, so youll be happy whether youre a classical enthusiast, a metalhead or anything in between. 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. Was just curious! As lovely as all this sounds. The worlds defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking whats new and whats next since 1952. The higher the speaker line rises above the reference line, the more exaggerated those frequencies are. 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. 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. In our tests it did a reasonable job with the bass notes in most light rock and pop music.