New GoldenEar Goodies

That was the subject heading of an email that I received from GoldenEar's Sandy Gross back in November. These turned to be another tower speaker, the Triton Five ($1999.98/pair) and a new subwoofer, Super-Sub XXL ($1999.99 each). The Triton Five is a step up from the Triton Seven, and includes design improvements learned from the design of the Triton One (which I reviewed in the February,2015, issue.) Unlike the Triton One and the Triton Two, but like the Triton Seven, the Five is not powered. Listening to a pair of Fives, the resemblance to the One (and the Two) was quite obvious, with the same sort of precise imaging and excellent bass extension and impact.

Herb Reichert comments: I found the extraordinary GoldenEar Triton 5 loudspeakers on the morning of the first day!

Sandy Gross of GoldenEar has been a student of good sound and loudspeaker design since he co-founded Polk Audio in 1972. When it comes to making quality audio products the main talent is to know what you are looking for and these new Triton 5s were a clear testament that Sandy and his design team really know what the audio world wants. The $1998.98/pair Triton 5s disappeared completely while playing music and, with their slender lozenge profiles and wrap-around grilles, they also looked extremely Dionysian! Maybe it was a trick of my mind, but these loudspeakers disappeared better than any I have ever heard—including electrostatics. The soundstage wasn't only deep and wide—it was big—and beautiful to behold. Unlike most other "disappearing" speakers, the Triton 5s retain a natural tone character and a tangible corporality.

I asked Mr. Gross what all these years of audio shows and new designs had taught him about getting good sound in a hotel room. He said, use great amps (he was using amps by Nelson Pass), measure the room and speaker locations, and be open to suggestions from visitors. In this case, he said that David Chesky (a man we both agreed had golden ears) suggested some sound deadening on the walls next to the speakers to eliminate slap echoes. Sandy took David's advice and while the music was playing, I swear I could see nymphs and goddesses dancing about the soundstage.—Herb Reichert

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