New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Still that well all depend on amplifier, source room. The 3020i pair comes in a variety of finishes to match your decor. Excellent Review Victor! 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. In the R-51PMs frequency response measurements, we did see a rise of a couple of decibels in the treble, specifically between 3.5 and 7.5 kHz, which is where cymbals and the upper harmonics of the human voice, snare drum, acoustic guitar, and flute reside. The ELAC DBR62 gives you a lot of sound and it is non fatiguing but it is not as laid back as the Polk LSiM while not being as forward as the KEF Q150. 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. But for most people and most music styles, a good pair of bookshelf speakers will deliver a satisfyingly complete sound. Before conducting listening tests, I broke in each speaker pair for 10 hours with music. Price: All of the speakers weve chosen are priced at $500 or below for a pair. Triangle Borea BR03 Vs KEF Q150. We focus on education, discussion, and sharing of entry and mid level separate & multi component audio systems. 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. If so, buy both. This pair did have a clear sound with a decent amount of bass in our tests, so if youre looking for something priced between our top pick and our budget pick, its worth a listen. 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. 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. It offers standard speaker-cable connectors to join the speakers, so you can sub in a longer cable if you need it. Measured bass output from a pair of 3020i speakers was 107.6 dB. Its a tonal balance that audiophiles tend to love because it makes music seem a little more exciting and captivating. 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. Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. If you really want bass for a B652-based garage sound system, youd better add an inexpensive subwoofer. 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. Was just curious! 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 higher the speaker line rises above the reference line, the more exaggerated those frequencies are. Note that we didnt make a budget pick for powered speakers because we didnt like any of the inexpensive ones we tried. Music stuff - Roksan Kandy KA1-MKIII, Dynaudio DM2/6, REL Strata III, 16.0mm 6181Y Double Insulated Cable (commonly electrical meter tails). Your IP: 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. In the BR03, particularly in the black finish, this could also legitimately be seen to be a little dull. . For near field listing the Kef you mentioned. The soundstage on both speakers is excellent and the center image was locked in place on both speakers as well. 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. They will also highlight poor recording quality, so consider your source. TRIANGLE BOREA BRO3 vs KEF Q150 - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC Triangle Borea BR03 A step up in sound quality The Borea BR03 is one of the best bookshelf speaker sets we've heard, with extraordinary clarity and spaciousness plus plenty of bass. AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, Monoprices Monolith K-BAS speakers use a bass-port design that allows for extended response. 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. 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. company number 03997482, registered in England and Wales. SDA SRS 2.3TL's/SDA SRS 3.1TL's/SDA CRS+4.1TL's and some other stuff. 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.) 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. The S1000MKII lacks some features found on competing models, such as the Klipsch R-51PM. Maybe give the 607s a go and return them if you think they are not up to par. Powered by Xenforo, Hosted by Nimbus Hosting, Original design Critical Media Ltd. 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. The binding posts are short, which makes it somewhat challenging to fit in bare speaker wire larger than 14 gauge. I have no previous experience in audio, so I would greatly appreciate any advice that I receive. 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). Check the Detailed Comparison of Triangle Borea BR02 vs Borea BR03 for more details. This size is especially recommended for dedicated listeners looking for the performance of a floorstander in a compact design. In our tests, the ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 pair offered very good bass response and detail but had a relatively restricted soundstage. Last year, France's Triangle scored a big hit with the reasonably priced BOREA BR03 standmount speaker, which supplies a huge amount of refinement and style for only $549.I went as far as making them our speaker of the year for 2019, and they piled up the accolades from many other outlets as well.. Best were the 607's and the Dali Menuets but they're 850 and I couldn't justify +2x of the 607's. Click to reveal I'm curious, between the Triangle and L200, which would you keep? The KEFs are brighter, more analytical, and I favor them for situations when I intend to listen actively. 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. 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. Voices sounded natural, with perhaps a slightly exaggerated treble, and the bass, while a bit too punchy on occasion, was loud, full, and clear. 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. The new model appears almost identical but has a nicer remote and adds support for the aptX HD Bluetooth codec, which can deliver somewhat better sound from PCs and Android devices. What is the External Dimensions of Triangle Borea BR02 The mid range, especially, looked extremely flat, varying by only 2 decibels, which is why voices sounded so natural. Privacy Policy. 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. The rear-facing bass ports make it unwise to push these speakers up against a wall because blocking the ports reduces the bass. The build quality on the DBR62 was the most disappointing of the group. I then listened to each system casually for a couple of days, getting a rough idea of its pros and cons and looking for any difficulties a listener might experience during setup and everyday use. Edit: The Q150 benefits the most of a subwoofer. My Own Devices Audio Channel. 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 like the distinctive white face of the BR03 but don't care much for the imitation white oak enclosure: The dual ports . Our most recent round of testing, completed in January 2022, included nine new passive models and two new powered models. The Kanto YU4 offers a cool design, a phono input, and a reasonable price, but only one of our panelists really liked its sound. #1. The Q Acoustics 3020i set has enough bass for most music styles, but with just a 5-inch woofer, its no low-end powerhouse. 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. The Q Acoustics 3020i set has pretty much everything most people could ask for in a pair of passive bookshelf speakers. For now I will be driving both sets by the tiny Loxjie A30 but I aim to build a more robust system around those kef speakers in my living room. Sorry, this post was deleted by the person who originally posted it. While nothing was loose or falling apart, there was a very obvious seam on the Walnut vinyl wrap located on the bottom of the speaker. 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. $599.99. Everything on this list sounds great, so youll be happy whether youre a classical enthusiast, a metalhead or anything in between. The Triangle has similar levels of resolution but roughed up frequency response, which is overall less coherent and a "sparkly". I mainly listen to classical and jazz. You are using an out of date browser. I have rears for surround sound. and most of the amps that have been recommended are stereo, good amps non the less, but not really what I'm looking for. You must log in or register to reply here. The vinyl wrap also seemed to be more bubbly to me in several spots and, for a speaker at this price point, I expect better. But we thought the midrange was somewhat de-emphasized, which tended to make voices a little less clear. I'd take a chance on them. Learn more. The bass is a little bit more impactful than the KEFs, but not hugely so in my space. Seattle Area. I demoed the B&W's 607's when I bought my Rega Brio Amp pre lockdown. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The Q Acoustics 3020i speakers sound and look fantastic, and they play music of all genres with great detail and clarity. These versatile, good-sounding speakers offer the widest variety of connection options, including a phono input for a record player. But I reckon these ones will be all right. We cover everything from under-$50 budget speakers up to audiophile-oriented models costing as much as $600 per pair. The normal price I thought was okay, but then they went on sale, which made them seem more attractive. I am a Kef owner of almost 20 years with some Kef Reference Ones. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Part of this clarity comes from the 3020is slightly bright tonal balance, which means the treble seems subtly emphasized. Triangle Borea BR03 Amazon product link: https://amzn.to/3onVXk4 KEF Q150 Show. 1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. Sony A95L QD-OLED, X95L MINI LED And Full BRAVIA Range For 2023 (In-Depth Interview). Bookshelf speakers are, as their name suggests, compact units that are meant to be placed on a shelf or a mantle. 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. I haven't used any of the others, but I'm really loving my Dali's and don't regret them one bit. These monochrome offerings from Triangle come in both black and white pairs and are pretty sizeable, making a true audio-visual statement. Triangle Borea BR03 are a popular option in the middle of the speakers price range. The package includes a remote that controls volume, source selection, and play/pause/track-skip for Bluetooth devices. Is there any of these that should be a clear favourite? 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 think KEF are freaking amazing. It also has no output to connect a subwoofer, if you want more bass. I have the Triangles, paired with a Topping MX3 for my desktop setup. The former is a big plus. Very good sound and couple of guys on here also speak well of them. Recordings sometimes sounded hollow, as if they had been recorded inside a box. SHOP NOW. My space accentuates bass a little bit, which helps balance the rear ported KEFs that may otherwise be light on bass for some people's tastes. 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. JavaScript is disabled. The BR08 fairs a little better in this regard. 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. On more mainstream pop recordings in our tests, the 3020i set performed equally impressively, presenting a natural and detailed sound on voices and guitars. 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 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. Interesting comparison to the Q150s, maybe they're not quite the steal at $600 I thought they were when I owned them. Nice bookshelf shootout Victor, well done. 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. 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. The B652 uses spring-clip connectors, not binding posts, to hold the speaker wire. 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. For 299 they are a steal. Compared to the KEFs, these speakers shine for me on mellow, melty songs such as Julian Lage - Nocturne or John Scofield - A Go Go. It's a dense piece of music, and the Dali's really articulates all the layers whilst producing a full sound. Front ports can make chuffing noises more audible, but the noises are so low with the BR03 that this isnt a concern for us. I think they are a little out of my price range at the moment. The Triangle Borea BR03 was loved by reviewers at Wirecutter (NYTimes), a highly trusted source that performs reliable in . That is my guess anyway. In my 3rd system they come close to my much higher priced . AUDIO AND SCOTCH 743 subscribers Subscribe 11 Share 667 views 10 months ago Show more Show more Best Speaker Under $600 - Elac Debut Reference. The BR03 offers binding posts to connect the speaker wire. Warmer to my ears, and more musical. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. We found that the more high-frequency sounds the music contained, the harsher the B652 sounded. PSB Alpha P5 vs Kef Q150 vs Triangle BR03 vs Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 review. Our picks in that guide are tailored more for use in a home theater setup, where the speakers dont need as much bass (because the use of a subwoofer is assumed) and high volumes are more common. I will mostly be using them to listen to classical music and watch films at my computer which is in front of a wall. Triangle Up-sizes The Sophistication. Miccas MB42X speakers are compact, but their small woofer couldnt put out much bass, and the treble had a harsh, metallic sound. 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. The size isnt just for presence. But its more than twice as costlyand the performance improvements dont merit that big of a price increase. I imagine with the sockets, etc you are going to overhang by 6-7 cm). The pair I like better depends on my mood and what I'm listening to. Very nice review!!! 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. They are both 399, do just a question of which is superior and would fill room better. 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. Following are our impressions of some of the other speakers weve tested for this guide. *At the time of publishing, the price was $330. Among the powered speakers we tested, the S1000MKII set is the least expensive of our three clear favorites, the others being the Monoprice MM-5R and PSB Alpha AM5. 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. The B652 has two real downsides. One is that youll probably have to pay for shipping, although that was only $8 last time we checked. 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. Speakers with boosted treble can sound more exciting than the BR03, but to us they dont sound as natural. 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. Very good sound and couple of guys on here also speak well of them. Haven't tried the Kefs, but have no qualm recommending the BR02s. But since you listen to jazz, maybe you well find the kef a bit analytic. 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. Considering the recent price drop for the R-51PM, and the fact that the R-51PM is already a little bass-challenged, it seems like a bad idea to go after even less bass just to save a few dollars. This effect may be a perception created by the modest bass output of the 3020is relatively small 5-inch woofer. Youll also want to ensure your speakers can handle the power output (measured in watts) of your amp. I think either the Rega or the MF would be ok for the triangle.. for sure you would most certainly hear the difference between them and the Pioneer.. even on those ageing missions of yours!. KEF Q150. Compared with passive speakers, powered models are a more plug-and-play, all-in-one option. For example, the BR02 are significantly smaller. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Anyone heard both the Triangle BR03 and the B&W 607? Nina SimoneMy Baby Just Care for Me BOREA BR03 ,BOREA BR03 The B652s grille attaches to the speaker via plastic pegs. Good looks plus good sound sealed the deal and the Triangle Borea BR03 are replacing the KEF Q150 in my 2-channel setup. A great pair of bookshelf speakers is one of the best investments a music lover can make. 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. 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. This website uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb. Bookshelf speakers arent just for music, either. These speakers are more forgiving than the KEFs, which may be important since it sounds like you may be using these as computer speakers in addition to music. Mar 25, 2021. 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. Planning on throwing the V601s into the mix once we get em down there? The Dayton Audio B652-AIR is basically the B652 with an air-motion transformer (AMT) tweeter. I am currently deciding on what to get out of the 2 listed and the KEF Q150. 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. (And if you really want more bass, you can often add a subwoofer.). They are notable in part because Triangle is not the most prolific of brands when it comes to new speakers. 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. 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. New 5.1 speakers to accompany Yamaha Aventage RX-A1080 - B&W. 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. 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). 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. As lovely as all this sounds. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. These speakers were not very picky on placement and they did not require much power to get good sound levels. These $549 Triangle Borea BR03 and $599 KEF Q150s are just the kind of speakers that I enjoy listening to and evaluating. It has a phono input and a convenient front volume/input-selector knob, which the S1000MKII lacks. Triangle Borea BR03 are $9.02 more expensive than the average speakers ($289.98). What stands out in the 3020is performance is the detail and clarity that these speakers bring out in every recording. Each speakers cabinet is finished in a vinyl wrap that looks far better than the faux wood grain you usually see at this price. The DBR62's have a very wide soundstage and decent bass response for a front slot ported design. 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. Too bad their sales aren'tbut the Q150s are excellent, and thats' a solid price for a pair. Brent Butterworth is a senior staff writer covering audio and musical instruments at Wirecutter.