triangle borea br03 vs kef q150 triangle borea br03 vs kef q150

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. As are the trebles: KEFs tweeter is one of the best at this price range. 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. We independently review everything we recommend. Everything on this list sounds great, so youll be happy whether youre a classical enthusiast, a metalhead or anything in between. 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. Q Acoustics, Edifier, and Klipsch were unable to provide answers to our questions. Otherwise, the S1000MKII set just does its job well without many noticeable sonic flaws, something that we cant say about most powered speakers in its price range. If youre looking for powered speakers that cost less and sound good, check out our best computer speakers guide. Click to reveal 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. This website uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb. We havent seen any major introductions in this category since our last update, but there are a few models we havent tested yet, including the Jamo Concert 9 Series C93 and S803, JBL Stage 130, and Heco Aurora 300. 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. 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. 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). You are using an out of date browser. I'm auditioning both the BR03s and Q150s right now through an Emotiva TA-100 for a desktop nearfield setup. Particularly for jazz and classical. Their sound stage is more coherent and interesting to my ear. Its a neat concept, but the speakers sound is rather thin and crude. AUDIO AND SCOTCH 743 subscribers Subscribe 11 Share 667 views 10 months ago Show more Show more Best Speaker Under $600 - Elac Debut Reference. 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. technically its discontinued but you can still get your hands on a second hand model.. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Sony A95L QD-OLED, X95L MINI LED And Full BRAVIA Range For 2023 (In-Depth Interview). Okay, say for arguments sake I was dead set on the triangles. 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 . Price: All of the speakers weve chosen are priced at $500 or below for a pair. I love that glossy deep rich finish! These versatile, good-sounding speakers offer the widest variety of connection options, including a phono input for a record player. 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 was so impressed with the BR03 that I had to check out . 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. The Fluance XL8S pair put out a good amount of bass for its size and price, but voices sounded somewhat thin and harsh. 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. 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. 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. 13.1K subscribers. 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. However, the B6.2 is much larger and sports the plain, vinyl-wrapped black-box look for which speakers are often loathed. In that time, Ive written reviews of at least 1,000 speaker systems ranging in price from $5 to more than $500,000, and Ive published more brand-concealed, multiple-listener speaker evaluations than any other audio journalist in the world. So whether youre listening to vocals, instruments, or a bit of everything, the Spektor 2s will sound entertaining. 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). Looking to mount your speakers on a stand? Anyone heard both the Triangle BR03 and the B&W 607? Finally, for what it's worth, the Q150s are much smaller than the Triangles. Stylish design and great sound make the Polk Signature Elite ES15, ES10, and ES30 combo our pick for the best surround-sound system. These are the speakers to do it. The Pro-Ject Speaker Box 5 sometimes drops into the price range for this guide, so we decided to test it. I use the older Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350. As for the Triangle BR03's, also fantastic speakers. In the BR03, particularly in the black finish, this could also legitimately be seen to be a little dull. 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. Credit: Triangle Manufacture Electroacoustique. Performance & security by Cloudflare. While they may be a tad too large (7.9 x 12.8 x 13 inches) to mount on your wall, theyre advertised as being perfect for bookshelves, and they put their larger cabinet size to use with increased internal volume for clearer sound. 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. These $549 Triangle Borea BR03 and $599 KEF Q150s are just the kind of speakers that I enjoy listening to and evaluating. Speakers with boosted treble can sound more exciting than the BR03, but to us they dont sound as natural. 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. 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. I will mostly be using them to listen to classical music and watch films at my computer which is in front of a wall. The package includes a remote that controls volume, source selection, and play/pause/track-skip for Bluetooth devices. Powered by Xenforo, Hosted by Nimbus Hosting, Original design Critical Media Ltd. 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. 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. Next up are the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers, which arrived the day after the LSiM703. 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. SHOP NOW. These Q Acoustics speakers offer excellent sound quality at a great price in a handsome, wood-panelled package. 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. Part of this clarity comes from the 3020is slightly bright tonal balance, which means the treble seems subtly emphasized. These speakers also had a less attractive finish and were harder to drive than some other models. 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. The Dayton Audio B652 had a fairly even response except for a large peak and dip in the middle of the treble range, where the tweeter started to operate. 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). 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. . 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. Its a tonal balance that audiophiles tend to love because it makes music seem a little more exciting and captivating. 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. For 299 they are a steal. 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. Voices, in particular, sounded smooth, with no harshness, boominess, or chestiness, no matter the gender or range of the singer. 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. Compared with passive speakers, powered models are a more plug-and-play, all-in-one option. 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. The No. 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. Very nice review!!! Sound quality: Arguably the biggest part of picking any speakers, youll want to know that your music or content will sound great when its being played. Just going to step in here and say thank you for writing this up. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I've been thoroughly enjoying them for music and pc gaming. 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\" Curious to hear them in person. Here are the criteria we considered when deciding which models to test: A pair of speakers can cost anywhere from two to seven figures. Suggestions for amp/speaker upgrade: Marantz, Musical Fidelity, KEF, Dali - how does it all fit. 1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. We didnt include charts of these results here, but we do mention them in the discussions above for each model. $599.99. The latter should be a plus, ideally, because most electronics contain many recyclable materials. 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. 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.. The lower it falls below the reference, the more subdued the sounds in that frequency range are. The R-51PM has an unusually versatile set of connection options, including a phono input and an optical digital audio input. It lets the speakers project huge sound with great separation between instruments and tracks. 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. (And if you really want more bass, you can often add a subwoofer.). This website uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb. The Triangle Borea BR03 comes with a magnetically attached speaker grille. 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. No worries its an idea of where you "should" be at the end of the day given the quality of the speakers.. You can also often pick these up in good condition used on ebay or similar these days also. I am a Kef owner of almost 20 years with some Kef Reference Ones. And not forgetting the Q Acoustics Concept 20 if they are available in Belgium. We especially loved that the treble had a just-right character; it always had enough detail and sparkle to hold our attention but never veered into sounding bright, thin, or harsh. 1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. The Spektor 2 has the best bass response, is reasonable smooth but not as revealing. The B652s 6.5-inch woofer covers most of the audio band, from the bass to the mid-treble. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. This effect may be a perception created by the modest bass output of the 3020is relatively small 5-inch woofer. 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 looks are refined (four finish options are available), and the engineering is outstanding. Read More. 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. The bass is a little bit more impactful than the KEFs, but not hugely so in my space. Considering how negligible the price premium is for the B652, we recommend the larger model if you have space for it. Youll also want to ensure your speakers can handle the power output (measured in watts) of your amp. 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. The BR08 fairs a little better in this regard. I demoed the B&W's 607's when I bought my Rega Brio Amp a before lockdown. Theyre certainly not as lively as the Dali Spektor 2s not a bad thing if you listen to older recordings. 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 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 Triangle has similar levels of resolution but roughed up frequency response, which is overall less coherent and a "sparkly". Just want to know which would sound better for a desktop setup. 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 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. Good luck. Klipschs R-51PM, which was another pick in our previously separate guide to the best wireless powered bookshelf speakers, is one of the most versatile powered speakers weve encountered because it has almost every type of audio input we can think of, including a phono input for connecting a turntable, a USB input for a computer, an optical digital connection for TVs, Bluetooth, and a standard analog line input. How big is your room? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. The KEFs are brighter, more analytical, and I favor them for situations when I intend to listen actively. I mainly listen to classical and jazz. The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 and 12.2 got similar reactions from our panelists. Mar 25, 2021. With most male voices, such as John Legend or James Taylor, the tweeter is barely in the mix because a filter capacitor inside the speaker limits the tweeter to frequencies above about 6 kHz (almost 2 kHz above the highest note on a piano). That said, the styling is definitely old-school, more suited for a wood-paneled study than a contemporary living room. 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 DALI Oberon 1 is more or less competitive with the Triangle Audio Borea BR03 in price and sound quality, but not in the deep bass department, where it tends to sound weaker than the larger Borea BR03. I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D. Nice review Victor. That makes the S1000MKII pair a good choice for hip-hop, pop, and R&B, which tend to have a lot of deep bass. I hear that the Q150s are supposedly even better, despite their smaller profile. 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. 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. But for most people and most music styles, a good pair of bookshelf speakers will deliver a satisfyingly complete sound. It was kindly sent to me for testing by a member and costs US $499 on Amazon including Prime shipping. 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. AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, KEF . 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. Front ports can make chuffing noises more audible, but the noises are so low with the BR03 that this isnt a concern for us. Brent Butterworth explains what improvements you might get when you spend more. 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. I used the output at 1 kHz as the reference for 0 dB. Archived post. In addition to our subjective panel testing, we measured each system to get an unbiased second opinion and detect any anomalies. Nothing comes close. 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. 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 frequency response measurements for the S1000MKII were a little shocking in that they were the best of any of the speakers we tested. 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 would try both at home, then see which speakers you prefer. 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. The right speaker houses the amplifier and inputs, including optical and coaxial digital inputs and two stereo analog inputs. 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. DM range out the window, gotchya. Good thinking! Seattle Area. 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. They are considered passive speakers while Bluetooth devices are active speakers. Press J to jump to the feed. Thats why this speaker sounded a little trebly. 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. Learn more. Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. I have rears for surround sound. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. But I reckon these ones will be all right. 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. They eliminate at least one component (the receiver/amplifier) and at least one cable. What Triangle has done with the Borea range is ensure that it is very definitely less marmite than some previous offerings from the company. 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. A better comparison may be the Polk L200 vs the KEF R series bookshelf speaker (3-way design). The Klipsch R-41PM (which we did not test) is a smaller version of the R-51PM with the same features but a smaller woofer. 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 think they are a little out of my price range at the moment. 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. With that in mind, weve gone for style-conscious designs. In our tests it did a reasonable job with the bass notes in most light rock and pop music. The Q Acoustics 3020i also had a fairly flat response, but with less deep bass. 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. They will also highlight poor recording quality, so consider your source. 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. I have the Dali Oberon 1s going through a Denon 2600h receiver and I've been blown away. Good looks plus good sound sealed the deal and the Triangle Borea BR03 are replacing the KEF Q150 in my 2-channel setup. JavaScript is disabled. For bookshelf speakers, we asked the manufacturers whether their packaging or products use recycled materials, and whether the packaging and products are recyclable. Rega Planar 2, Rega Brio, Rega Fono Mk3, IFI Zen Blue 2, Marantz CD6006UK, Dali Opticon 1 Mk II. The worlds defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking whats new and whats next since 1952. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Following are our impressions of some of the other speakers weve tested for this guide. 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. But like the S1000MKII, the R-51PM has rear bass ports, which means you cant back the speakers up tight against a wall without affecting the sound quality. 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. Triangle Borea BR03 Speakers https://amzn.to/2ybOCwjPrice: $549 (April, 2020), Overall Rating: Pros: Detail Sound, Clean Midrange and Bass . We tested speakers with expert listeners, and we concealed the identities of the products to eliminate bias. Planning on throwing the V601s into the mix once we get em down there? I think the Triangles are 31.5cm deep (though some sites have them deeper. You are using an out of date browser. 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. Compared to the KEFs, these speakers shine for me on mellow, melty songs such as Julian Lage - Nocturne or John Scofield - A Go Go. We all hear different. Our panelists liked it pretty well for instrumental music, but found it tended to de-emphasize the sound of voices. 16K views 1 year ago. Triangle Borea BR03. 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. But thank you for the suggestions. I really wanted the Dali's but couldn't pass up the Triangle sale going on right now. 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. 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. The 3020i also has a slightly bright tonal balance that may leave some listeners craving a fuller sound or yearning to add a subwoofer. We found that the more high-frequency sounds the music contained, the harsher the B652 sounded. I demoed the B&W's 607's when I bought my Rega Brio Amp pre lockdown. The proportions of the Triangle are entirely satisfying. 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.