Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality and design.
- Produces a holographic, three-dimensional soundstage with detailed and airy presentation.
- Delivers powerful, effortless, and punchy sound with clean bass.
- Ribbon tweeter provides a sweet, smooth, and non-aggressive treble response.
- Great value for the price, offering high-end performance at a mid-tier cost
Product Considerations
- Stands are mandatory and add to the overall cost.
- The industrial/modern style might not appeal to everyone.
- May require more powerful amplification to perform optimally.
- Mid/bass driver's 'checkered flag' style is not liked by everyone.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Fleetwood Deville SQ, the Børresen X1 has beefier bass and better holographic soundstage.
- Vs Dynaudio Heritage Special, the Børresen X1 is more liquid, organic, and holographic with imaging.
- Vs Focal Diablo Utopia, the Børresen X1 offers fuller mids and a more musical flow.
- Vs Sonus Faber Guarneri, the Børresen X1 stands toe to toe in looks and build, and offers better value.
Takeaway: The Børresen X1 speakers offer high-end sound and build quality at a reasonable price, creating an immersive and enjoyable listening experience. They are great speakers to get if you want to dive into the world of high-end audio.
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X1
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Manufacturer details
- Dimensions (Speaker & Stand): 113 x 29.5 x 39 cm (44.5 x 11.4 x 15.4 inches)
- Weight (Total): 23.7 kg (52.3 lbs)
- Speaker Dimensions: 42 x 20 x 39 cm (16.5 x 7.9 x 15.4 inches)
- Speaker Weight: 12.9 kg (28.4 lbs)
- Stand Dimensions: 71 x 29.5 x 39 cm (28 x 11.4 x 15.4 inches)
- Stand Weight: 10.8 kg (23.8 lbs)
- Frequency Response: 50Hz – 50kHz
- Sensitivity: 86 dB /1W
- Impedance: >6 Ohm
- Recommended Amplifier: 50W
- Drivers: 1 x Børresen planar ribbon tweeter, 1 x 4.5 inches Børresen bass/midrange driver
- Finish: Black or white piano lacquer
This membrane is designed to achieve maximum stiffness with minimum noise. The technological requirements for this unrivaled high-end membrane performance made it necessary to design, develop and assemble all components in-house. The X-series membrane that consists of three skins laminated into a single unit: two layers of spread carbon fiber, with a layer of aramid honeycomb spacers in between. The combination of these materials gives this membrane its unique properties.
In the X-series magnet motor system, we use double copper caps on the pole rings to achieve high flux and low inductance. The use of copper caps has been adopted from the Børresen Z-series. Copper produces a response to flux changes – the better the counter-effect of these copper rings, the flatter the inductance curve, and the lower the electro-magnetic resonance.
The t...
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- The brand distinguishes itself through its implementation of iron-free magnet systems in its dynamic drivers, designed to significantly reduce inductance and improve driver control, linearity, and overall sonic purity.
- Borresen speakers utilize a proprietary ribbon tweeter, offering a lightweight membrane for exceptional speed, clarity, and extended high-frequency response.
- The company produces its own proprietary capacitors, voice coils, and baskets for use in the speaker crossovers.
Select products
Børresen X6
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and accessibility.
- Description: Offers a strong entry into high-end audio with its advanced spread-tow carbon membrane, ensuring maximum stiffness and minimal noise. Unlike the more premium M-series, uses a simplified magnetic motor system with double copper caps, making it more cost-effective while still delivering impressive sound quality. Ideal for those with budget constraints seeking high performance in smaller spaces.
Børresen C1
- Positioning: High-end stand-mounted speaker, focused on precision and design.
- Description: Features the RP94 ribbon tweeter, providing exceptional speed and clarity. Compared to the X6, the advanced magnetic motor system and laminated carbon fiber membrane offer superior sound detail and depth.
Børresen Z5
- Positioning: Top-end of the Z-series, offering high-end performance with conventional components.
- Description: Features a high-efficiency ribbon tweeter and a unique magnet system, delivering clarity and dynamics akin to the 0-series but at a more accessible price point.
Børresen 05
- Positioning: Flagship model of the 0-series, representing the pinnacle of Børresen's technology.
- Description: Equipped with an iron-free magnet system and a composite membrane, delivering exceptional sound purity and precision. Surpasses the Z5 in terms of technological sophistication.
Børresen M6
- Positioning: Premium model in the M-series, blending form and performance.
- Description: Features a zirconium basket and a multi-layered membrane, providing outstanding stiffness and resonance control. Compared to the 05, offers enhanced musicality and aesthetic design.
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Used
Borresen
What if you spend more?
The principle that guided the development of the Z-series loudspeakers was to provide an uncompromising high-end audio performance with more conventional components than the 0-Series. The technology behind the Z-series consists of electronic components that are either adopted from the 0-series, completely redesigned, or are innovative spin offs resulting from Børresen Acoustics' extensive audio research activities.
The Børresen tweeter features exceptional efficiency. Elaborate finite element methods have been applied to linearize and optimize the magnetic flux field, to facilitate driver movement and to ensure high efficiency and outstanding linearity. The efficiency of this closed ribbon tweeter amounts to an exceptional 94dB and operates from approximately 2.5 kHz upwards. The moving mass is extremely low at 0.01 grams. The totally concealed tweeter has the capacity to operate at an incredible speed, which is an absolute prerequisite to unlocking the most subtle and refined sound details of any kind of music. The enormous robustness of this tweeter allows it to handle extremely high transient peaks without any ear fatiguing breakups. No transformers are being used.
The Børresen membrane consists of a composite of two layers of very thin carbon on both sides of a 4 mm Nomex honeycomb core. This composite structure – like the one used in formula 1 type of racing cars – provides the ultimate combination of stiffness to weight ratio. The exceptionally low weight of only 5.5 grams allows a very high acceleration factor in the driver, resulting in both outstanding resolution and higher efficiency.
With the invention of the patented iron-free driver system in the 0-series, Børresen Acoustics came to realize that it is possible to reduce induction to an amazing 0.04 mH, which is approximately 10 times lower than that of common driver systems. The challenge for manufacturing the Z-series was to design a new, but less costly driver system with significantly reduced induction. As a result, Børresen Acoustics developed a driver with an 8 mm voice coil and an induction of only 0.06 mH. By linearizing the magnetic field, the driver is less affected by the actual movement and is more easily controlled by the amplifier.
The Z-series is fitted with a parallel crossover configuration using the same exclusive components from the 0-series. This ensures a very mechanically stable crossover, which minimizes its own resonance.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Proprietary drivers, including a rectangular ribbon tweeter, contribute to maximum resolution
- Stand is integral to the sound concept
- High-resolution sound with quick dynamic response
- Neutralizes the loudspeaker cables' antenna effect
- Exceptional audio crossover
Product Considerations
- Expensive, especially considering the optional stands
- Build uses HDF instead of aluminum
Takeaway: The Z1 offers impressive engineering and delivers a clear, high-resolution sound. It is a unique sound transducer that provides a satisfying listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bass/midrange Drivers: Børresen DCC5 Neo
At the core of the C1's performance is the Børresen 5-inch CC Neo bass/midrange driver, meticulously crafted to deliver superior clarity and dynamics.
The Membrane
Michael Børresen and his team of experts were able to leverage the cutting-edge technology and development process of the Børresen C series membrane. The membrane consists of three laminated layers: two layers of spread-tow carbon fiber with a honeycomb spacer in between. This design provides optimal stiffness, reducing sound-disturbing vibrations and resonances, which leads to exceptional clarity in the bass and midrange frequencies.
The Magnetic Motor System
The C1 features a sophisticated magnetic motor system with double copper caps on the pole rings. This design, adapted from higher-end Børresen drivers, minimizes electromagnetic resonance and lowers inductance, easing the load on the amplifier.
The Børresen Ribbon Tweeter: Speed and Precision
The C1 is equipped with Børresen's renowned RP94 ribbon tweeter, a signature feature of the Børresen brand. With a remarkable efficiency of 94 dB and an ultra-light moving mass of just 0.01 grams, this closed ribbon tweeter is capable of incredible speed and responsiveness. Operating from 2.5 kHz and above, it captures the finest sonic details with precision and is robust enough to handle high transient peaks without distortion. This level of detail and clarity allows listeners to experience music with a level of subtlety and refinement rarely achieved.
Crossover
The Børresen C1 loudspeakers is based on serial crossover networks, which provide the same phase-locked electric current flow to transducers in the filtering region. Although this crossover topology is significantly more difficult to implement, by diverting the out-of-band currents it creates a much more coherent filtering system.
Cabinet: Designed for acoustic excellence
The Børresen C series speaker enclosures are constructed from internally reinforced wood composite material, designed to minimize sound distortion, standing waves, and external resonances. This material, combined with 1mm-thick carbon fiber panels applied to the sides, significantly increases the rigidity of the enclosure. Glossy white/black side stripes laid on top of the thick carbon layers allow this material to work at its very best, and greatly contribute to the speaker's unique aesthetic.
C1 Stand: Perfect Synergy Between Speaker and Stand
The C1 loudspeaker stands are designed to support the Børresen C1 speakers in the best possible way by placing the speakers in the correct height and angle. The stands are made of the same robust wood composite material as the cabinets, creating the perfect synergy between speakers and stands. As the stands are without iron components any magnetically interference into the loudspeakers crossovers is avoided. The stands are equipped with Ansuz Darkz S2t Resonance Control devices, further reducing vibrations and improving sound quality. The stands can also be upgraded with additional Darkz for even greater resonance control and performance enhancement.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Top-tier tweeter, the same as used in the M series
- Refined magnet system with new copper rings and copper caps
- New membrane with a honeycomb spread toe and graphene particles for a more rigid result
- Carbon fiber reinforcements on the sides make the cabinet more rigid
- High resolution and extreme focus in the middle provide pinpoint imaging
Product Considerations
- The Børresen C1 with stands has a MSRP of $16,500
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Børresen X1, the C1 offers a quieter background, more dynamic range, and better headroom
Takeaway: The Børresen C1 is a high-performance stand mount loudspeaker that delivers exceptional imaging and clarity, suitable for various room settings. The speaker's advanced engineering and rigid cabinet design contribute to its impressive soundstage and resolution.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Cryogenic treatment of metal components improves conductivity and reveals finer musical details
- Produces a stunningly low noise floor
- Delivers deep bass despite the 50Hz spec
- Soundstage depth and width is formidable
- Offers an additional layer of detail—with an organic improvement in the sound—compared to the non-Cryo version
Product Considerations
- Requires unconventional placement along the side walls to achieve its full potential
- The Børresen Monitor Z stands are expensive
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Børresen Z1 (non-Cryo), the Z1 Cryo adds an additional layer of detail with more of an organic improvement in the sound
- Vs Børresen M1, the Z1 Cryo becomes closer to the M1 when placed along the side walls
Takeaway: The Borresen Z1 Cryo loudspeakers provide a detailed and immersive listening experience with a low noise floor. They are especially great when paired with other components within the Audio Group Denmark ecosystem.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The design of the AN-J Loudspeaker, by contrast, follows an altogether different philosophy. It calls for a cabinet that complements the chosen drive units, rather than fighting against them. Instead of trying to kill the resonances, we tailor the cabinet to place them in frequency bands where they aid and enhance the operation of the drive units, culminating in a loudspeaker system that makes the most of the preceding amplifier’s output. The material choice for the cabinet is an area where a great deal of research and development has taken place. Over the years, we have tried many different materials and combinations, a time consuming endeavour culminating in the current design, which utilises the highest quality birch ply for the entire cabinet. Bracing and internal damping is kept to a minimum and strategically applied to help, not hinder the drivers.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Solid bass performance for a speaker of its size
- Able to do justice to any genre of music and at realistic volume levels
- Very easy to drive
- Offers a balanced presentation from top to bottom with seamlessness between the woofer and tweeter
- Started sounding like far more than a pair of 8″ two-way monitors when properly positioned along the side walls
Product Considerations
- Achieving the best imaging and deep bass may require experimenting with toe-in and distance from corners and the back wall
- Does not provide much forward/backward information, with the image typically stopping at the outer edge of the speakers
- The basic 'D' model comes only in black ash veneer, while higher-end models offer more choices
- Bass can be overblown if not adjusted properly in room placement
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The AN-E has more bass, is easier to drive, and has a bigger presentation
- Some may prefer the J because they find it a more taught presentation in the mid bass, as well as more "present" in the voice band
Takeaway:
The AN-J is a near full-range loudspeaker capable of articulation and organic flow, making music sound natural and engaging. If someone is looking for a communicative quality that remains consistent wherever they listen, then the AN-J could be a good fit.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent build quality, featuring a blend of aluminum, leather, and wood veneer, or gloss paint.
- Detailed sound with excellent stereo imagery.
- Good detail and clarity.
- Wide and deep soundstage.
- Design features contribute to cabinet rigidity and reduced coloration.
Product Considerations
- May sound bright with the wrong amplifier or cables.
- May require a high-power solid-state amp.
- Needs quality amplification and may sound soft if underpowered.
- Requires stands, adding to the overall cost.
- Bass may not satisfy those seeking high-output bass without a subwoofer.
Takeaway: The 805 D4 is an excellent speaker that is beautifully built and delivers a detailed and engaging sound. It's a great option for those seeking a premium listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Full-range sound, impressive bass response, and the ability to pressurize a room, often negating the need for a separate subwoofer
- Smooth, warm, and coherent midrange provides natural and engaging vocals and instruments for long listening sessions without fatigue
- Well-extended treble presents in a naturally smooth, enjoyable, and pleasing manner
- Excellent imaging and soundstage capabilities create a realistic and immersive listening experience
- Sound reproduction makes it a speaker that one can live with
- Connectivity options are available
Product Considerations
- Quality amplification with sufficient power and current is required to achieve optimal performance and control the woofer effectively
- The backplate for bass adjustment uses wood screws, making it easy to strip if not handled carefully
- Placement and setup, especially stand height and toe-in, are crucial for achieving the best high-frequency response, it can sound dull if not optimized
- May not be ideal for listeners who prefer a brighter, more forward sound signature or those who prioritize extreme loudness levels
- Grilles may cause micro-rattling at moderate to loud listening levels due to weaker magnets
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Totem Acoustic Manny 2 Signature: The Studio 2 has a more forgiving presentation, denser midrange, and stronger bass
- Vs Klipsch Forte 3: The Studio 2 offers a more natural tone, especially in the midrange and upper bass, along with greater soundstage depth
- Vs Vienna Acoustics Mozart Symphony Editions: The Studio 2 beats them in bass and midrange
- Vs Harbeth (SHL5 and Compact 7 XTs): The Studio 2 cannot be matched by the Harbeth's articulate bass response
- Vs Celestion SL6-S: The Studio 2 has deeper roots in the trunk, and they got high branches and leaves, but they don't go all the way up to the highest branches and leaves at the tippy top
Takeaway:
The Studio 2 is a well-built bookshelf speaker that delivers a smooth, full-range sound with surprising bass and clear imaging, making for an engaging listening experience. With the right setup and quality components, these speakers can provide years of musical enjoyment in a variety of room sizes.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Integrated technology allows direct high-resolution listening without extra devices
- The speaker uses the same Pascal Class D amplification and processing technology from Dynaudio's Pro line Core series
- Discrete amplification channel per driver: 110 watts for the tweeter and 280 watts for the woofer
- Dirac Live room correction is available, which can tune some of the annoying sounds of a garage, for example, using the soft dome tweeter
Product Considerations
- Running a digital coaxial cable from one speaker to the next results in the signal being sent at 24-96 kilohertz, which is a lower quality than what the master speaker receives (24-192)
- There is no HDMI arc or e-arc connection
- Drilling holes may be required to attach the speaker to stands
- Setting up the speaker with the app is not as quick or seamless as Bluesound
- A microphone is required to do Dirac room calibration
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs PSB Alpha IQs: Plays louder with a higher level of amplification
- Vs Dynaudio Core 7: The Core 7 has more power and a slightly better tweeter and woofer, but is not as aesthetically pleasing and needs a Bluesound Node
- Vs Dynaudio Evoke: It is similar to an Evoke speaker, but with a bigger woofer
Takeaway: The Focus recMsY5ljWopDD7UU is a sophisticated wireless speaker that pulls technology from Dynaudio's Pro line and features Dirac room calibration. It is ideal for someone looking for high-resolution listening without extra devices and who values sophisticated sound and aesthetics.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptionally well-built, described as monolithic and like concrete bricks
- The tweeter provides detailed highs, comparable to a good AMT tweeter, and performs effortlessly even at high volumes
- The midrange is special, with a carbon graphene construction for well-behaved out-of-band performance and high output
- The speaker's design allows for significant room gain, providing real bass extension below 20 Hz
- Immense potential, described to be a top shelf product
Product Considerations
- The image was a little high
- The speakers want power from a good amplifier to really open up
- The listener might not always be as emotionally convinced by the result as they perhaps should have been
- The speakers are large and may be obtrusive for most UK spaces
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- vs Paradigm Founder 120Hs: Similar to the Paradigm Founder 120Hs, which have active jumpers
- vs RBH SVTRs: The reviewer loves the RBH SVTRs, and these new speakers are being tested to see if they can be a game changer in the industry
- vs Spendor Classic 3-1: Arendal 1528 is neutral from top to bottom, while Spendor is warm from top to bottom
- vs Cabasse Morano: Cabasse Morano has some coloration, but the Arendal 1528 is dead neutral
Takeaway:
The Arundel Sound 1528 recMsY5ljWopDD7UU speakers are incredibly well-built with high-quality components that deliver an excellent listening experience. They are capable of filling large rooms with detailed sound and powerful bass.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Magellan line represents Triangle's 'all out, cost no object designs'—making these speakers among the best the brand makes
- The tweeter provides an accurate, smooth, and fluid musical quality, highlighting fine details and upper harmonics
- The midrange/bass driver delivers firm and dynamic bass frequencies while maintaining clarity and finesse in the vocal register
- They offer fantastic clarity and an open sound, making listening to music an exciting experience—allowing listeners to soak it all in
- The speaker creates a wide sweet spot great for listening with more than one person
Product Considerations
- The speakers can sound overly bright, hard-edged, and forward if not properly run-in, requiring a break-in period before critical listening
- They need careful partnering with electronics to avoid an overly bright sound, as they aren't particularly forgiving of aggressive recordings or brighter-sounding equipment
- The bass may sound weak in a large room, so Triangle suggests a small to medium room for these speakers
- The packaging may not be sufficient, as the speakers are heavy and shipped in one box, potentially damaging the packing materials
- Siting can be critical, with placement affecting the bass quality—positioning them too close to the rear wall can negatively impact the bass
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Børresen X1: The Triangle Magellan Duetto has a more open and airy sound, whereas the X1 has a more bass-centric sound
- Vs Daniel Hertz Ambers and Focal Diablo: The Triangle Magellan Duetto offers more musical information
Takeaway: The Triangle Magellan Duetto is a high-end bookshelf speaker known for its clarity, detail, and engaging sound. Beautifully crafted, they are a great way to enjoy music if a detailed and lively sound is desired.
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