The Short Form

Price $11,250 / triadspeakers.com / 800-666-6316

Snapshot

Though clearly tailored to make its biggest impression with movie soundtracks, this smooth- and powerful-sounding system doesn't disappoint with music sources.

Plus

•Custom-made system that can handle any music or movie you can throw at it •Dizzying array of models and finishes •Unfatiguing, comfortable tonal balance

Minus

•Basic, humdrum styling •As with a tailor-made suit, it ain't cheap.

Key Features

InRoom Gold LCR ($1,900 each) with pedestal ($250 each) •1-in dome tweeter; 5.5-in midrange; (2) 8.5-in woofers; 29 in high, 22.8 in high (pedestal); 61 lb, 32 lb (pedestal) InRoom Gold Center ($1,900) •1-in dome tweeter; 5.5-in midrange; (2) 8.5-in woofers; 29 in wide; 61 lb OnWall Gold Surround ($1,500 each) •(2) 1-in fabric-dome tweeters; (4) 3-in midranges; 8-in woofer; 26.8 in high; 22 lb InRoom Gold PowerSub with RackAmp 500 ($2,050) •15-in driver; 500-watt continuous amplifier; 17.3 x 18.1 x 15.8 in; 74 lb

Test Bench

Measurements showed the LCR to be fairly directional, meaning that highs roll off more quickly as the listener moves off-axis; measured on-axis, they fell off at 2 to 3 dB per octave above 4 kHz. The Center was completely free of the off-axis lobing common to most horizontal centers, and the Surround displayed the on-axis null common to dipoles. The PowerSub was among the most powerful subs I've tested in years, delivering 110 dB SPL or more at every frequency above 25 Hz. - Tom Nousaine Full Lab Results

After experimenting with crossover points, I achieved the smoothest overall blend when I used the sub below 60 Hz for the three fronts and below 80 Hz for the surrounds. With the LCRs sitting up on their pedestals, I found they worked best when I had them pushed back toward the corners more than many other speakers I've tested in my room. I ended up with a position around 18 inches from the side walls and 22 inches from the front wall, using a fair amount of toe-in. The center channel was on a stand under my TV monitor, while the surrounds were against the side walls immediately to the left and right of the listening position and about 2 feet above it. The PowerSub sat near the front wall just to the right of the left-side LCR. These speakers are pretty easy to drive, and a 65-watt-per-channel Outlaw 1070 receiver had no problem in my room. I did, however, also try a 350-watt Halcro MC50 and appreciated the additional headroom provided by that much power.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE This is a smooth- and powerful-sounding system. As you'd expect, the LCR and Center speakers exhibit a superb timbral match - although the overall sound is balanced to err slightly on the warm side of neutral, rather than providing the hyper detail you sometimes get from speakers. Starting off in two-channel listening with Blues for Thought by Terry Evans, I was struck by how well the LCRs were able to generate a soundstage that was focused both between and well behind the speakers. Evans's voice was clear and articulate, while Jim Keltner's tight and punchy drum kit sounded clean and dynamic.

Even though I often prefer direct-radiating surround speakers for multichannel music, the SACD of the Who's Tommy sounded great on this system. Pete Townshend's six-channel mix keeps most of the action in the front, with the surrounds used mostly for ambience, along with the occasional percussion or guitar fill. The individual tonal quality of each guitar he used was plainly audible, and there were plenty of details I simply don't recall hearing on vinyl.

MOVIE PERFORMANCE Many of Triad's design choices are geared toward home theater performance, so it's no surprise that this is where the Triad InRoom Gold home theater speaker system really comes into its own. Given sufficient power, it can play exceedingly loud, showing no distress with even the most active movies. The dynamic transients near the start of Over the Hedge, where Verne goes off exploring, kept me pinned against my seat; the ultra-deep rumbling bass in Chapter 18 of 300 had me preparing an explanation for my neighbors. Subtler material, such as the narration on 300, managed to combine both warmth and clarity. Even troublesome material such as the cancan scene in Moulin Rouge managed to not grate offensively. A slightly warmish tonal balance like this is often a good fit for many movies, while the subwoofer, with its sealed enclosure, delivered plenty of extended, tight, and articulate bass.

As with many dipoles, the OnWall Surrounds delivered an expansive sense of envelopment, even while their direct-radiating woofers gave the rear space a fuller sound than is typical. The overall effect was particularly cohesive, with superb continuity as sounds that panned across the front stage integrated well with the sense of surround.

BOTTOM LINE In a world of off-the-shelf, take-it-or-leave-it audio products, Triad's approach is refreshingly different. By offering both custom finishes and matching in-wall versions, these speakers let you include a powerful home theater - with an unfatiguing, warm, movie-friendly sound - in the most decorator-sensitive home. Even if the decorator insists on mauve.

Full Lab Results Photo Gallery Test Reports RSS Feed More Test Reports Back to Homepage What's New on S&V