Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

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

  • Excellent dynamics and punch with appropriate material
  • Impressive rhythmic drive, communicating energy and momentum well
  • High sensitivity, plays well with low-powered amplifiers while still performing with higher wattage amps
  • Detailed, open, and transparent midrange with 'out-of-box' realism
  • Excellent value

Product Considerations

  • Requires care in partnering with electronics to avoid brightness or harshness, best paired with warmer sounding amps
  • Needs a larger room to breathe and perform optimally, ideally between 20–40m squared
  • Cosmetically, the vinyl-wrapped cabinets may not be the most exciting-looking
  • Bass can become slightly soft and ponderous at higher volumes

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Spendor D9: Offers a glimpse of the performance at a fraction of the price, though the D9s have better bass extension and overall balance
  • Vs Triangle Borea BR03: Has more bass fullness
  • Vs Focal Chora 806: Offers more slam and chest impact in the bass, while the Chora 806 has slightly more air and space around the midrange and treble
  • Vs Dali Oberon 5: Is a very capable speaker in bigger spaces, and likely more fussy about placement and amp than the more easygoing Oberon 5
  • Vs Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2: Is more sophisticated and smooth, while the Bowers & Wilkins has better bass quality

Takeaway: The Triangle Borea BR08 is a fun, fast, and dynamic speaker that offers great sound and value. It is an engaging speaker that can fill a room with sound and is best paired with the right equipment to achieve its full potential.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

All

Borea BR08

reviews

[{"title":"Triangle Borea BR08 Floorstanding Speaker Review","link":"https://www.avforums.com/reviews/triangle-borea-br08-floorstanding-speaker-review.18953","source":"AVForums","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"Triangle Borea BR08 Speaker Review – Something Quite Unexpected","link":"https://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/speakers/triangle-borea-br08-speaker-review-something-quite-unexpected","source":"Wall of Sound","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"Triangle Borea BR08 review","link":"https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/triangle-borea-br08","source":"What Hi-Fi?","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"Triangle Borea BR08 Loudspeakers","link":"https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1069-triangle-borea-br08-loudspeakers","source":"SoundStage! Access","datePublished":"2020"},{"title":"Triangle Borea BR08","link":"https://www.hifichoice.com/content/triangle-borea-br08","source":"Hi-Fi Choice","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Triangle Borea BR08 Loudspeaker Review","link":"https://stereonet.com/au/reviews/triangle-borea-br08-loudspeaker-review","source":"StereoNET","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"Triangle Borea BR08 floorstanding loudspeaker","link":"https://hifiplus.com/articles/triangle-borea-br08-floorstanding-loudspeaker","source":"Hi-Fi+","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"TRIANGLE BOREA BR08 Review – Gallic charm","link":"https://7review.com/triangle-borea-br08-review","source":"7 Review","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"Triangle Borea BR08 Floorstanding Speaker Review: These Luxurious Towers Will Captivate You!","link":"https://hifitrends.com/2020/11/03/triangle-borea-br08-floorstanding-speaker-review-these-luxurious-towers-will-captivate-you","source":"Hi-Fi Trends","datePublished":"2020"},{"title":"A bigger bang: the Triangle Borea BR08 tower speaker","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCoUtOqjw3M","source":"Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac","datePublished":"2020"},{"title":"Better Than the Triangle BR03? Triangle Borea BR08 Floorstanding Speaker Review. (Take 2, Ep:20)","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XSt0MAZsUc","source":"SoundStage! Network","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"Triangle Borea (BR08 AND 5.1) - Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW62xUg-bJo","source":"DMS","datePublished":"2022"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Type: Floorstanding speakers with front bass reflex port
  • Crossover: 3 Ways
  • Sensitivity: 92dB/W/m
  • Bandwidth: 40Hz-22000Hz (+/-3dB)
  • Nominal impedance: 8Ω
  • Minimum impedance: 3Ω
  • Power Handling: 150W
  • Recommended Amplifier power: 75 to 250 Watts (8 Ohms)
  • Drivers: 1 x 25mm silk dome tweeter, 1 x 16cm midrange with natural cellulose pulp membrane, 2 x 16cm woofer with fiberglass membrane
  • Crossover Frequencies: 215Hz-3500Hz
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 206 x 1020 x 314 mm
  • Dimensions with pedestal (W x H x D): 260 x 1051 x 360 mm
  • Net weight: 21.2 kg
  • Gross weight: 24.1 kg
The floor standing BR08, inspired by the iconic Antal speaker, was the reference model throughout the design of the Borea range. Elegant three-way floor standing with 4 transducers, it is one of the most appreciated high-fidelity models. It incorporates a new 25mm EFS silk dome tweeter; a new 16cm midrange with a brand-new profile, based on the research on the natural cellulose paper used before in the Esprit Ez; and two new 16cm bass drivers in fiberglass.
Manufacturer Site

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:

  • Triangle leverages its Esprit Ez series paper cone technology in its more affordable Borea line, allowing for stunning realism and tonality in the midrange at an accessible price point.
  • Triangle speakers leverage their Efficient Flow System (EFS) tweeter design, pairing a silk dome with a phase plug to provide a wide sound dispersion and airy, delicate high frequencies.
  • Triangle's Borea line incorporates their Driver Vibration Absorption System (DVAS), which braces the drive units and uses high-density foam to minimize cabinet vibrations and enhance clarity, contributing to the overall sound quality.

Borea BR09

  • Positioning: The entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
  • Description: Offers a robust sound experience with its three-way design, making it ideal for larger rooms over 30m². Features three 16cm bass drivers in a bass-reflex enclosure, providing deep bass similar to more expensive models like the Esprit EZ Antal. This makes it a great choice for those seeking high power handling and a wide soundstage on a budget.

Esprit EZ Antal

  • Positioning: Mid-range floorstanding speaker, balancing performance and price.
  • Description: Features a horn-loaded tweeter and natural cellulose midrange, delivering dynamic sound and efficiency. It offers a more refined sound compared to the Borea BR09, with improved midrange clarity and bass depth, suitable for rooms between 15 and 50m².

Esprit EZ Australe

  • Positioning: High-end floorstanding speaker within the Esprit range.
  • Description: Stands out with its Dynamic Pulse System, featuring a rear tweeter for enhanced soundstage, a feature borrowed from the flagship Magellan series. It offers superior bass performance with three new-generation bass drivers.

Esprit 40th Antal

  • Positioning: Anniversary edition, celebrating 40 years of Triangle's innovation.
  • Description: Features a magnesium dome tweeter and composite membrane woofers, providing a rich and clear sound. It offers a more sophisticated design and sound quality than the standard Antal, suitable for rooms from 15 to 50m².

Signature Theta

  • Positioning: Premium bookshelf speaker, designed for compact spaces.
  • Description: Combines high-density cabinets with a horn-loaded tweeter for impressive clarity and depth. It offers a more compact solution compared to the floorstanding Signature Alpha, suitable for medium rooms between 15 and 30m².

Signature Alpha

  • Positioning: Flagship floorstanding speaker, representing the pinnacle of Triangle's technology.
  • Description: Features a semi pod-mounted horn tweeter and three custom-designed woofers, delivering deep and fast bass. It offers exceptional acoustic performance with high-density cabinets, suitable for large rooms over 30m².
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
47
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
51
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
38
Founding Year
1980

Our take on the brand

Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

Product image
Triangle
Esprit 40th - Antal 40th
4000
4000
/
8
Reviews

Antal and Comète are two emblematic models of the brand. They reflect the philosophy of the company: making sound accessible to the widest variety of customers possible through simple processes designed to foster emotion.

The Antal 40th floorstander features a new rose gold anodized magnesium dome tweeter, offering high efficiency and controlled distortion. Magnesium combines two desired qualities: lightness and rigidity. It also benefits from two new bass drivers. The use of our composite membrane made of wood pulp, flax and carbon fiber, associated with a generously sized engine, ensures a remarkable delivery of the lower frequencies.

The rich and clear sound of the midrange driver made out of natural cellulose paper TRIANGLE is known for, perfectly complements this acoustic design with surprising performances.

Each speaker integrates an accessory kit with various adaptable spikes to be used depending on the flooring. They enable decoupling by eliminating unwanted vibrations; so only the sound quality remains.

The 40th Anniversary Edition has been designed and developed with thoroughness to offer you an exceptional music experience. This speaker will fit beautifully in rooms ranging from 30 to 50m2.

Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Excellent midrange imaging and naturalness, described as smooth and stunning
  • Smooth treble with a timbre and natural decay that allows for hours of listening without fatigue
  • Expansive soundstaging with good imaging, height, and depth
  • Stellar overall balance makes it an outstanding performer
  • Beautiful wood veneer with high polish lacquer and attention to detail in construction

Product Considerations

  • Bass will not reach subterranean levels, a subwoofer may be required for strong bass enthusiasts
  • Speakers may benefit from more power
  • "Messy music" (genres with rawness or grime) may not be conveyed as well, as the speaker can be a little polite
  • Excellent clarity was brilliantly showcased by Ray Gelato's Basin Street Blues, beautifully recorded on the Linn label, which may not appeal to all audiences

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the standard Antal Ez, the 40th Anniversary edition uses a lighter—more rigid anodized-magnesium tweeter for higher efficiency, lower distortion, and better directivity

Takeaway: The Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary is a well-balanced and beautiful loudspeaker with a stunning midrange that provides a musical and engaging listening experience. Its clarity, expansive soundstage, and beautiful design make it a great addition to any audiophile's setup

Video review

Our take on the brand

Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
GoldenEar
T66
3450
3450
/
23
Reviews

Introducing the T Series The T66 is the first model in GoldenEar’s new T Series. While it boasts several significant refinements of our time-tested design concepts, the T66 is undeniably a GoldenEar loudspeaker, placing beautiful sound and music before all else. Honoring the Triton Series The T66 honors the critically acclaimed Triton Series, sharing a similarly tall, slender profile; built-in DSP-controlled subwoofer amplification; and a driver complement comprising GoldenEar’s High-Velocity Folded Ribbon AMT tweeter, cast-basket mid/bass units, quadratic planar radiators, and long-throw powered sub-bass section. Onward and Upward Several important cosmetic and sonic refinements distinguish the new T66 from previous GoldenEar speakers. These include a dramatically augmented crossover design, high-quality internal wiring, a new cast-aluminum base and metal grille, and, in addition to GoldenEar’s Gloss Black cabinet finish, a vibrant Santa Barbara Red.

GoldenEar Technology stands out for its High-Velocity Folded Ribbon tweeter, which moves air like an accordion to avoid the distortion common in metal dome tweeters, and its built-in powered bass sections with DSP eliminate the need for separate subwoofers. The brand delivers high-end sound quality at more accessible price points through its Triton series, which uses passive radiators to achieve powerful bass from compact cabinets.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Excellent bass performance is a defining feature, providing tight, smooth, even, solid, and tangible bass extension into the 20 Hz range, eliminating placement issues associated with separate subwoofers
  • Balanced overall sound, coherence, and ability to present music in a natural and effortless way is consistently praised
  • High levels of detail come through with the High-Velocity Folded Ribbon AMT tweeter and cast-basket mid/bass units
  • A holographic image over the seating area of a typical sofa is capable with excellent imaging and a wide and open soundstage, even when not seated in the exact sweet spot
  • The Santa Barbara Red finish option receives high marks for its visual appeal

Product Considerations

  • Still a significant investment, especially the Santa Barbara Red finish
  • The metal grille covering the drivers is not designed to be easily removed
  • Care should be taken with system matching, due to a slightly hot high-end

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The T66 offers more refinement and a more 'of-a-piece' sound than the Triton One.R
  • Has internal structural improvements that make it even more stable and rigid than previous generations

Takeaway: The GoldenEar T66 delivers audiophile-grade sound and aesthetics, with powerful bass and exceptional detail. These speakers are easy to incorporate into nearly any environment, and have the power to let the listener appreciate all the nuances in favorite songs or movies.

Video review

Our take on the brand

GoldenEar Technology stands out for its High-Velocity Folded Ribbon tweeter, which moves air like an accordion to avoid the distortion common in metal dome tweeters, and its built-in powered bass sections with DSP eliminate the need for separate subwoofers. The brand delivers high-end sound quality at more accessible price points through its Triton series, which uses passive radiators to achieve powerful bass from compact cabinets.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Sonus Faber
Lumina V
2999
2999
/
10
Reviews

Slender Speakers with Surprising Performance.Lumina V takes inspiration from Sonus faber’s core designs and technologies, packaged in a sleek and minimalistic floorstanding speaker.LUXURY, SIMPLIFIED.Lumina V is the flagship three-way floor standing model in the collection. A slender speaker with high-power handling and fast transient response, Lumina V produces a natural, generous, and emotional sound for an immersive listening experience.LIGHTING THE WAYThe Lumina collection ushers in exciting changes while preserving the history and values core to Sonus faber. Centered on simplicity, Lumina provides an immersive and musical experience to a broader audience.SIGNATURE SONUS FABER MATERIALSLumina V incorporates multilayer wood on the front baffle and wood veneer, available in multiple finishes. The sides and top of the speaker cabinet are hand-covered in black leather.SIMPLICITY AND STYLELumina takes note of Sonus faber’s iconic natural materials.

Sonus Faber is an Italian hifi brand that designs speakers with unique lute-shaped cabinets inspired by traditional violin-making, featuring wood and leather materials to achieve a natural sound. Their speakers incorporate distinctive elements like cork chambers for midrange drivers and asymmetrical driver baskets that mimic natural forms, with each unit being individually tuned by ear to ensure tonal perfection.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Elegant design with a combination of wood and leather that gives a classy appearance
  • Impressive bass output, with some reviewers noting deep and tuneful bass
  • The midrange is articulate and expressive, delivering vocals with palpability and detail
  • Smooth and detailed high-end reproduction, thanks to the Damped Apex Dome (DAD) tweeter
  • Relatively easy to drive with a sensitivity of 89-90dB

Product Considerations

  • Requires careful placement to achieve the best balance, especially regarding toe-in
  • The bass can sometimes be perceived as boomy depending on the room acoustics
  • Some reviewers mention the included binding posts are cheap

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the Q Acoustics Concept 50, the Lumina V has a more live sound, but the Concept 50 is more neutral, and more inert
  • Compared to the Polk R700, the Lumina V is sonically similar to the R700, but with slightly less bass and a smaller cabinet—with better aesthetics; the R700 is more full range and warmer
  • Compared to the Spendor A4 or ProAc Response DT8, the Lumina V is not as precise, but offers a natural sonic grace

Takeaway: The Sonus Faber Lumina V is an elegant speaker that delivers detailed sound and impressive bass. It is a great option if you want speakers that look as good as they sound.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Sonus Faber is an Italian hifi brand that designs speakers with unique lute-shaped cabinets inspired by traditional violin-making, featuring wood and leather materials to achieve a natural sound. Their speakers incorporate distinctive elements like cork chambers for midrange drivers and asymmetrical driver baskets that mimic natural forms, with each unit being individually tuned by ear to ensure tonal perfection.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Perlisten
R7t
4995
4995
/
9
Reviews

You wanted a flagship R-Series to fill larger rooms based on the trickle-down technology from the S-Series. The second-best two-channel system in our line-up still rivals most competitor's flagship. Employing the same DPC array and long-excursion woofers for extremely low distortion and our beam forming controlled directivity down to 500Hz make this a full-range masterpiece only rivaled by our own award-winning S7t.

Designed as a stand alone 2ch high fidelity speaker with the versatility to be used as part of multi-channel systems. Sharing "trickle-down" technology from our flagship S-Series, the DPC-Array here based on three 26mm domes, guarantees excellent directivity control and timbre matching with all R-Series speakers.

The Silk diaphragms developed ground up, chosen specifically their smooth, effortless representation of midrange and treble. The 165mm woofers are made from our proprietary HPF pulp, two years in development, bringing new technology to one of the oldest materials used in loudspeaker design.

The R7t can be aligned as bass reflex or acoustic suspension depending on specific tastes. Rich, dynamic bass matched with advanced mid/treble directivity pattern control and silky highs offer best in class performance.

Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Remarkably coherent and balanced sound profile, resulting from well-engineered and matched drivers and cabinet
  • An uncanny ability to 'disappear' in the listening room
  • The DPC array design contributes to a wide horizontal dispersion, allowing a broader sweet spot for multiple listeners
  • Accurate sound reproduction and neutral enough for studio use
  • A high level of dynamic ability, good low-end control, and a cavernous soundstage

Product Considerations

  • Only available in gloss black and gloss white finishes, which might not suit all tastes or home décor
  • The price point is a significant investment, placing it beyond the reach of many
  • Some reviewers noted a mild treble roll-off, or smooth character that was overly kind on poor recordings and might lack the sparkle and excitement some listeners prefer
  • Setting up requires assistance, due to the weight
  • The lower bass extension may not satisfy deep bass enthusiasts, with extension starting to drop below 40Hz

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the Perlisten S7t, the S7t offers more overall weight, bottom-end reach, resolution, and dynamic speed, but the R7t shines brightly on its own
  • Compared to the EgglestonWorks Oso, the Oso presented a more muscular version of the music with more bottom end oomph, while the R7t conveyed music's finer points with more apparent resolution
  • Compared to the KEF Reference 3, the KEF may yield deeper bass extension due to greater cabinet volume, and the scale of the soundstage may also be improved, but the Perlisten offers a superior disappearing act

Takeaway: The Perlisten R7t are well-built speakers that provide a detailed and immersive listening experience, with their advanced design and unique driver array creating a spacious soundstage. Their cutting-edge design creates a great listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Triangle
Borea BR10
1598
/
Released
2024
The flagship BR10 speaker is the highest-performing model of the BOREA range. The use of 8" drivers in the bass register extends the bandwidth and increases power handling, while keeping the TRIANGLE sonic qualities. The BR10 has a three-way design, with a 25mm EFS tweeter and a 6" midrange driver with a cellulose pulp membrane. In the low-frequency range, the new 8" bass drivers use a membrane in fiberglass coupled with a powerful motor. As a result, the low range is smooth, fast and controlled.
Check Amazon
Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Lively, vibrant, and punchy sound with plenty of muscle
  • Taut, snappy, and well-extended bass
  • Powerful, balanced sound at low volumes
  • Very natural midrange and finely resolving highs
  • Good build quality, with well-made cabinets and quality binding posts

Product Considerations

  • Need a larger room to perform well
  • Can lack subtlety and sonic refinement
  • Need some care with partnering equipment
  • Bass can overpower vocals in smaller rooms
  • Binding posts are tight

Takeaway: The Triangle Borea BR10 are substantial floorstanders that offer a big, bold sound at a reasonable price, making them a good value. They are geared towards all-out entertainment, especially for those who enjoy peppy pop, hip-hop, or rock music.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Q Acoustics
Concept 50
2199
/
Released
2022
A sonic step-up from the Concept 30, this elegant floorstander takes everything great about its standmount brother but delivers more powerful audio, a deeper soundstage and increased bass extension through its leading-edge, low resonance cabinet.
Check Amazon
Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Fit and finish plus performance that is a bargain for around $3k/pair
  • Gelcore cabinet construction minimizes unwanted sound energy from resonance and vibrations
  • A tweeter that is hermetically sealed and mechanically isolated (floating) from the baffle provides lower distortion
  • Size, weight, and richness of tone belies their size, with a wider baffle to each loudspeaker pointing at you
  • A mild sound throws emphasis back to the midrange that in itself seems almost holographic, as well as deeply insightful in a gentle but revealing manner

Product Considerations

  • A medium to large size room is required to shine, otherwise the bass will dominate
  • Flaws in poor recordings can be revealed due to their detail and accuracy—warts and all performance
  • The top-end is a little soft and gentle—classic BBC like—which may require amps with some zing to compensate
  • Listeners seeking absolute detail or transparency might not be satisfied because of Q Acoustics' house sound that massages treble and plumps up bass and lower mid
  • They don't go sub-40Hz deep, frequency response is rated at 42 Hz – 30 kHz (-6dB)

Takeaway: The Q Acoustics Concept 50 offers excellent value with its blend of innovative design and high-quality sound, making it a great choice for enjoying music with a sense of depth and engagement. The Concept 50s are easy to listen to and fun.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
KLH
Model Five
1249
/
Released
2021
Model Five acoustic suspension speakers are known as one of the finest and most sought-after speakers for audiophiles, both new and seasoned. Our updated version of this classic speaker has real wood veneers, cast aluminum baskets, and uses acoustic suspension design principles made famous by founder Henry Kloss. The KLH Model Five vintage speaker is offered in three gorgeous finishes (English Walnut, West African Mahogany, and Nordic Noir), allowing the loudspeaker to blend with all home decor.
Check Amazon
KLH Audio pioneered the first-ever high-selectivity FM table radio and the first full-range electrostatic loudspeaker, with their Model Nine being recognized as one of the twelve best loudspeakers ever built. The brand is known for its acoustic suspension design that uses the air volume inside the housing as an air spring, which significantly reduces distortion compared to conventional bass reflex structures, and includes an Acoustic Balance Control that lets users adjust the speaker's output to their room acoustics.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Retro aesthetics reminiscent of vintage speakers, with a well-applied veneer and woven front panel
  • Balanced sound with clarity in the midrange and treble, creating an immersive listening experience
  • Good sensitivity makes them relatively easy to drive with a range of amplifiers
  • Acoustic suspension design provides tight bass and allows for flexible placement near walls
  • Three-position attenuation switch allows for adjustment to different room acoustics

Product Considerations

  • Can sound a bit bright out of the box, requiring a break-in period
  • Sound can harden a little when provoked by poor or bright recordings, and they are finicky about upstream electronics
  • Bass might not be punchy enough for some listeners, potentially requiring a subwoofer or EQ adjustments
  • Lack of provision for spikes to fasten the speakers to the carpet
  • Grilles need to be off for best sound, according to one reviewer

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the JBL L100, the Model Five is better balanced and more enjoyable to listen to
  • Compared to the NHT C3, the Model Five is an upgraded variant, offering deeper, wider sound and more resolution
  • Compared to the Buchardt S400, the Model Five sounds more open, brighter, and more detailed—with better instrument placement
  • Compared to the Aurender S5W, the Model Five reaches lower frequencies and has better overall resolution and detail
  • Compared to the Graham LS6, they perform on par, albeit via a different approach, trading in some refinement for a more direct—in-your-face sound

Takeaway: The KLH Model Five is a speaker with retro style and balanced sound. They are versatile and can be used in different listening spaces.

Video review

Our take on the brand

KLH Audio pioneered the first-ever high-selectivity FM table radio and the first full-range electrostatic loudspeaker, with their Model Nine being recognized as one of the twelve best loudspeakers ever built. The brand is known for its acoustic suspension design that uses the air volume inside the housing as an air spring, which significantly reduces distortion compared to conventional bass reflex structures, and includes an Acoustic Balance Control that lets users adjust the speaker's output to their room acoustics.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Q Acoustics
5040
1495
/
Released
2023
5040 is a notably compact floorstander with a modest footprint - which means it's ideal for those environments where space is at a premium but the desire for full-scale audio excitement (as well a visual gratification) is strong.
Check Amazon
Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Excellent clarity and detail resolution, with leading edges of notes crisply defined
  • Accurate reproduction, with precise tonal accuracy and fine spatial definition within the soundstage
  • Superb build quality for the money, and they look more expensive than they are
  • Easy to drive without requiring excessive power to perform to their best
  • Soundstage width is better than the 3050i

Product Considerations

  • Needs care in system matching, as they are transparent and will reveal shortcomings in the source or amplifier
  • Can sound slightly lean throughout the lower midrange, and the highs can sometimes present as a bit hot depending on the content
  • Does not plumb the depths that some other floorstanders do
  • Not designed for pokey rooms and cupboard-sized man caves, they need to breathe and require adequate space
  • Some reviewers felt the build quality of the binding posts could be better

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The 5040 has a more neutral tonal balance with better-defined bass and exceptional clarity, while the 3050i delivers greater overall impact with its larger drivers and cabinet

Takeaway: The Q Acoustics 5040 is a well-built speaker that sounds great and looks modern, making it a good choice for those who want clarity and detail in their music, but system matching is important to avoid a bright presentation. These speakers are a strong statement in the right listening environment for the price.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
SVS
Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
2499
/
Released
2024
Ultra Evolution Pinnacle represents the culmination of SVS breakthroughs in driver design, component materials, and cabinet architecture, married with a relentless passion for audio excellence. The science of sonic perfection in harmony with a love of convincing and immersive sound. Never has this fusion of design elements existed in a single speaker.
Check Amazon
SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Delivers a lot of sound output and low bass, good for listeners who like full-range speakers
  • The diamond-coated tweeter offers a big sonic improvement, sounding more open and less tinny or strained on the high end
  • Exceptional value for money
  • Exceptional bass weight and presence for the price range
  • The Ultra Evolution Pinnacle offer scale, drama, and full-range sonics

Product Considerations

  • Voiced for warmth rather than accuracy
  • Can be room-sensitive in ways that other designs are not
  • Should be driven with a robust amplifier
  • The speaker's tonality is not linear, with a dip in the upper mid-range followed by a peak, making the sound somewhat shouty
  • Speakers require placement away from walls due to a wide Q bump in the lower bass region

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • vs Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4: The new tweeter in the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle loudspeakers had a lot of that open sound when playing "Blackbird" from QoBuz, but the highs weren't as open and airy as the nearly six times more expensive Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 speakers—the improvement over the past tweeter is notable
  • vs Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3: B&W is slightly more money and slightly more refined
  • vs MartinLogan XT F200: The SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle loudspeakers may have a different sonic signature

Takeaway: The SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle speakers are a great option for those seeking a powerful, full-range sound with exceptional bass at a competitive price. They are the best SVS speaker yet and will make the listening experience vibrant and fun.

Video review

Our take on the brand

SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

Questions? Ask the brand's dealers.

All Dealers
No items found.

How to buy

Speakers

Search all hifi products

Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.