GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Source: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ekos tonearm, Linn Arkiv B cartridge.
Digital Sources: Aurender N10 music server, NAD Masters Series M50.2 digital music player; Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP universal player; PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream D/A converter; AudioQuest JitterBug, UpTone Audio ReGen USB cleaner-uppers; Mac mini running Audirvana 1.5, Pure Music 3, Roon 1.3, Vinyl Studio; Ayre Acoustics QA-9 USB A/D converter.
Phono Preamplifier: Channel D Seta L.
Power Amplifiers: MBL Corona C15, Pass Laboratories XA60.8 (monoblocks).
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Coffee (USB), Canare (AES/EBU). Interconnect (balanced): AudioQuest Wild Blue. Speaker: Kubala-Sosna Elation!. AC: Kubala-Sosna Elation!, AudioQuest NRG (Niagara 1000), manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Target TT-5 equipment racks; Ayre Acoustics Myrtle Blocks; ASC Tube Traps, RPG Abffusor panels; Shunyata Research Dark Field cable elevators; Audio Power Industries 116 Mk.II & PE-1 AC line conditioners (hard drive, computers). AudioQuest Niagara 1000 Low-Z Power/Noise-Dissipation System. AC power comes from two dedicated 20A circuits, each just 6' from breaker box.—John Atkinson

COMPANY INFO
GoldenEar Technology
PO Box 141
Stevenson, MD 21153
(410) 998-9134
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Shangri-La's picture

The Triton One was rated Class B borderline Class A. Does the Reference earn a spot in Class A (Restricted Extreme LF)? I'd love to find out now without having to wait until March for the updated recommended components spring 2018. Thank you.

Staxguy's picture

Why Restricted Extreme LF?

The Reference extends to 12 Hz (12Hz – 35kHz), when Class A (Full Range) loudspeakers extend to mostly around 32 or 40. (Though they say, 20 Hz for Class A).

Eg. Revel Studio 2, 32Hz–45kHz, –3dB.

Even a "Full Range" Class A Loudspeaker, which you would expect would show up in the "Restricted Extreme LF" section (Class A), does not.

Eg. KEF Blade 2, 40Hz - 35kHz (±3 dB).

Etc.

At least the Wilson Alexandria XLF ($210K, Extended Low Frequencies) shows up, fitting the category, and bopping under 20.

Eg. Wilson Alexandria XLF, 19.5 Hz - 33 kHz (+/-3 dB).

The limit of our hearing they say, is 20 Hz on the bottom.

Even subwoofers tend to do worse than the Triton Reference, bopping flat at around 16 Hz in my experience, of those of which I've owned.

The B&W DB1 Subwoofer, which is a Stereophile Class A Subwoofer Recommended Component, only gets down to 17 Hz.

Eg. B&W D1B, 17 – 145Hz, ±3dB.

Nothing wrong with the Triton Reference Low Frequncy (12 Hz) Extension.

You'd need the Eminent Technology TRW-17 to really do better, and hit a 1 Hz.

eg. http://www.rotarywoofer.com

That 1 Hz to 30 Hz +/- 4 dB (after all, subwoofers can have worse tolerances, we'd want +/- 1.5 dB for a loudspeaker, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, minimum response, though 100 kHz, today) is actually what we could call a subwoofer!

Ah, humour.

Restricted Extreme LF, my ass.

Shangri-La's picture

Your obsession with the bottom part pun intended is certainly commendable.

Class A (Restricted Extreme LF) has speakers that extend lower than Class A full range, e.g. PSB Image T3 comapred to Revel Studio 2 and KEF Blade 2. So to me restricted LF is more like Class A- (overall performance and price wise) than literal restricted LF.

John Atkinson's picture
Shangri-La wrote:
The Triton One was rated Class B borderline Class A. Does the Reference earn a spot in Class A (Restricted Extreme LF)? I'd love to find out now without having to wait until March...

Apologies but you will have to wait. The ratings are determined after consultation with all of Stereophile's reviewers.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

SNI's picture

Why bother about the low frequency response, when the cumulative decay looks as it does?
This is not only one of the most important measurements in a speaker, it is also by far the most difficult to get right.

tonykaz's picture

It's hard to imagine ( or forgive for that matter ) choosing to Manufacturer in China, especially now that there is an abundance of talent in the East Coast ( as well as Canada ) sitting idle. But then again, Golden Ear might be aiming at selling in Walmart stores.

I just called my local home theater dealer Paulsons and had a nice chat with Peter who tells me that Paulsons sell the hell outa Golden Ear, they put on quite a show with that powered woofer and all. They also carry Revel and B&W stuff ( he says that the lower range of B&W are also Chinese ( more disappointment--What the hell ! )

The good News from Paulsons is that LG & Sony OLED 4k monitors start at $1,500. Middle range $2,500 , 77" OLED is $10,000+ although I don't watch any dam TV but I might like a BIG monitor for my desktop iMac.

Tony in Michigan

Corsentino's picture

Your desktop iMac is also made in China, as are my Mac Pro, iPad, iPhone and Mac Book Pro. Are you disappointed in those products? In a perfect world everything would be manufactured in the USA to high quality standards and be affordable as well. Unfortunately thats just not the case given the realities of manufacturing. What I can tell you is that I own a pair of Goldenear Triton Reference Speakers and I couldn't be happier with them. Their build quality, performance, and value are all exceptional.

mrkaic's picture

These are some good looking speakers.

tonykaz's picture

Yes, of course, you're quite right.

It's silly to think that the guys in the White House can do anything about it.

We're in the 21st Century

Thanks for explaining.

Tony in Michigan

Mills543's picture

I think Corsentino was pointing out the fact that you are bashing products made in China... from a soapbox that was made in China. Apparently that DID need explaining to you. And as he points out, the GE stuff is well made and amazing sounding. I own a pair of the Ones (Reference's on order!). Couldn't be happier. While it would be GREAT if they were made in the US, I don't see how they could be better for it. That said, I love that my VPI table is all US made.

tonykaz's picture

Yes, you too are quite right.

Unfortunately I have no other supplier of Soapboxes to choose from, do I ? Can I feel disappointed for it ?

I'm not at all bashing anyone's design or products.

I'm distraught from Manufacturers choosing to take their shops to Asia, we at GM almost did the exact same thing. But we didn't, we brought the Asian Shops here. ( it was a tough decision )

I understand owners defending their decision to buy GE.

I do not support deliberate Corporate decisions to off-shore. ( to the lowest wage workers )

And, I'll wager an Acoustic Sounds Vinyl that every one of GE's owners would much rather their loudspeakers were made locally.

Paradigm & Emotive are both bringing their manufacturing back to the States, I'm told.

Tony in Michigan

ps. On the other hand, there are Established Asian Electronics Companies that manufacture and sell to a World Marketplace.

Having said all the above, No one brags about being made in China but they do go out of their way to say they are made in the USA. ( when they can )

JoshinAkron's picture

Tony, I respectfully disagree. I do brag that my speakers were made in China because I paid less than 1/3 the cost of the next closest speaker, that in my opinion, competed top to bottom with it. (The Paradigm 9h for 35k - which btw, are made in Canada.)

And while I respect, and even agree with your opinion about not wanting companies to outsource, I fear that if they don't do things to lower costs such as merge, reduce their profit margins, or yes, outsource, that the American audio industry will go the way of TVs, microwaves, and appliances in the next decade or two.

David Harper's picture

The new Honda Civics are built in an American plant in Indiana, and a Canadian plant in Ontario. The ones built in Indiana have had quality control issues. The ones built in Canada are excellent. Superior fit and finish compared to the to the American built cars. "Built in America" has nothing to do with quality.

dmineard HT's picture

I have heard a lot of the GE Tech speakers and the Triton 2, 2+ and 1 are outstanding. The Reference speakers are just that...a reference quality speakers. OUTSTANDING.

The C50 and C60 are very good and the XXXL and XXL are so good as center speakers, especially XXXL outstanding center channel speakers.

Quality of construction and reliability are important but the sound is what is number 1 with these speakers. Don't lose sight of the objective friends.

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