Tower Speaker Reviews

GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference Loudspeaker Review Test Bench

Test Bench

Sensitivity: 92 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

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This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the Triton Reference (purple trace). The loudspeaker was measured with grille at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input.

The Triton Reference’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +3.12/–2.23 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +3.30/–1.87 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 20 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 18 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.07 ohms at 302 Hz and a phase angle of –26.23 degrees at 158 Hz.—MJP

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COMMENTS
dommyluc's picture
Submitted by dommyluc on April 4, 2017 - 12:30pm

"Price may seem high to non-audiophile civilians."
Gee, pardon us po' folks for living. I'm amazed you could see the keyboard you were typing on while you were looking down your nose at us.

jnemesh's picture
Submitted by jnemesh on April 4, 2017 - 1:00pm

It's all a matter of priorities. I make WELL under six figures (significantly so), and yet I have both a 2 channel system worth over $10,000 and a 5.1 theater system worth about $12k.

Now, I also drive a 3 year old Kia Soul, and live in a 960 sq ft home.

My point is that if audio is important to you, and I mean REALLY important, you will sacrifice other things in life to enjoy your hobby. If it's not a priority, then a $2000/pair set of speakers will seem excessive to you. Do not judge others based on where THEY are approaching their hobby from!

I would also point out that not everyone earns the same amount of money you do. You could approach this fact of life with an attitude like your ("pardon us po' folks") or realize that some products will ALWAYS be out of your reach. I will never own a pair of Wilson Audio speakers, for instance. But this doesn't mean that these products have no place in our society. There are MANY people in the supply chain, from the people manufacturing the speakers (most high end brands are NOT made in China!), to the people who ship the speakers, to the distributors, to the salespeople who all make a living wage to supply the wealthy with toys the rest of us can not afford. In short, sir, I find your comment nonsensical, and strange considering the forum in which you post it.

mars2k's picture
Submitted by mars2k on April 5, 2017 - 10:30am

Hyper sensitive...you're like the guy who reacts to a normal "Hello" with "What do you mean by that?" Climb down put on your bubble wrap suite and go outside to play in the sunshine.

I too am a Golden Ear owner, super happy with the products amazing value. No apologies for the sound what so ever. Squeezing the the most sound out a of a tight wallet is a big avocation of mine...GE products = huge bang for the buck.

drny's picture
Submitted by drny on April 4, 2017 - 2:09pm

If I had the cash I would not hesitate to buy both as they represent state of the art in their respective fields, at a somewhat affordable price.
I own DefTech STS power towers, and have dreamed of up grading to the new ST-L at $5,000 a pair. I myself prefer the over all sound quality of the ST-L to the Triton one. Both of which I've audition with my own material.
Nonetheless, I'm sure the new Triton Reference towers would make me salivate.
Instead, I will settle for upgrading my reference headphones and just spend $1,000 and enjoy my music.

Winefix's picture
Submitted by Winefix on April 5, 2017 - 6:02am

As an original Triton one owner, I am curious to hear them and see how they compare.
Sold the ones after two years, and I now have the Triton fives playing with a svs sb16 sub and the mid range and highs are the same and the bass is even better than the Triton ones to my ears in every way. When you get close to $10k, there are so many options that I not am sure the reference offer that great of a value. The Triton ones are stupid cheap for what you get because they are $5k and can be bought for $4500 new, adding $4000 for the reference is probably an incremental imrpeovement for almost double the price.

MuseRuse's picture
Submitted by MuseRuse on August 24, 2017 - 10:10am

There is absolutely no doubt about the resolution the T. Refs. produce. The clarity, soundstage and imaging is congruent with this review. 'Included' subwoofers are A1.

Build quality is off though. Paint drips are all over the internals and can be seen once the cover is removed. Also, the metal grill is poorly constructed and flimsy considering the cost. If I could post a picture here I would; however, I can't. Engineering-wise, the enclosure is obviously excellent (as referenced by sound quality), it's just the aesthetic of the build which are fair, at best.

Garyreg's picture
Submitted by Garyreg on August 25, 2018 - 2:03pm

I was interested to see the 6X10 bass drivers in these speakers. They look very much like the KEF B139 driver in my vintage, C80s. These are the 3rd speakers I've owned to use this driver for Bass and I've never heard a better woofer.

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