Golden Ear Triton Two Towers vs. Aperion Verus Grand Towers

[Fasteddie516]

I have read some great reviews on both of these. Looking for some opinions on these Towers to be used mostly for 2 Channel Music and occasional Home Theater. I am looking to upgrade some old Advent Heritage speakers. I understand the price difference on these, mostly due to the Tritons having built in Subwoofers w/Amps. Curious if the Tritons would be worth the extra price difference. I have not yet listened to either yet, but will probably order the Aperion and take advantage of the 30 day in home trial with free shipping both ways. I currently have a separate Home Theater set up downstairs with a complete Axiom set up with the M60 Towers. The Axioms are just fine for Home Theater, but not great for 2 Channel Music. Definately looking to go in a different direction in my Upstairs Music system where I have a Denon AVR 4802R that puts out some great power.

[Goat1]

Which Aperions are you looking at?

[Fasteddie516]

The Verus Grand Towers

[marty319]

i have the triton 2 and not that happy i`ve had problems with them having to replace all the electronics on one though it was covered on warranty, i just don`t think they sound as good as all the reviews, audition them as i didn`t , i would not have bought them

[Goat1]

I heard the Triton 3's and they didn't impress me at all. The reviewers are obviously getting kick backs for praising them. The Verus grands having a silk dome tweeter should sound really smooth,almost like the sonus faber. I'd go with the Verus grands.. But look on their site,they don't ship til 12/12. I have some monitor audio RX8's coming this week in gloss white. The RX8's sound awesome.

[velociti]

Originally Posted by Goat1

I heard the Triton 3's and they didn't impress me at all. The reviewers are obviously getting kick backs for praising them.

Obviously. It's worth noting that just because you don't like them doesn't mean they're objectively not very good.

[Goat1]

They are good speakers,I never said they were garbage,there is just better speakers out there. Like say KEF R900's?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Goat1

They are good speakers,I never said they were garbage,there is just better speakers out there. Like say KEF R900's?

What I took from Velocity's comments is that, some speakers are technically built and designed very well, but it doesnt mean that the listener will prefer the sound. For example, the Kefs are well designed speakers and have lots of detail and great soundstaging, however their sound didnt fit my tastes, the XQ40 was actually the best speaker I had heard upto that point, but the sound(timbre) wasnt for me. Like you, the sound of the GEs isnt for you, but like Velocity pointed out, the design and what it can do, makes it a very good speaker.



I think what you should be saying is that YOU feel there is better sounding speakers out there.

[Goat1]

I understand that.. If I got an awesome deal with the Tritons ,like half price,I'd buy them. But I really don't like the looks either. And maybe if I heard them in my own area ,I'd like them better.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Fasteddie516

I have read some great reviews on both of these. Looking for some opinions on these Towers to be used mostly for 2 Channel Music and occasional Home Theater. I am looking to upgrade some old Advent Heritage speakers. I understand the price difference on these, mostly due to the Tritons having built in Subwoofers w/Amps. Curious if the Tritons would be worth the extra price difference. I have not yet listened to either yet, but will probably order the Aperion and take advantage of the 30 day in home trial with free shipping both ways. I currently have a separate Home Theater set up downstairs with a complete Axiom set up with the M60 Towers. The Axioms are just fine for Home Theater, but not great for 2 Channel Music. Definately looking to go in a different direction in my Upstairs Music system where I have a Denon AVR 4802R that puts out some great power.

I auditioned the Triton Twos a couple of times, and I currently own the Verus Grands (after a year of auditioning speakers). The Tritons are fine. They seem to have a good build and quality drivers. I don't know if it is the ribbon tweeters or the mids, but I did not enjoy the sound of vocals on them. Anyway, definitely the the time and really audition them if you are interested. Oh, and make sure the active bass's amp is correctly set when you are listening to them. Every time I went in to listen to the Tritons, the active subs are set way too high. Finally, I don't like the look.

If you are interested in ribbon tweeters, I listened to the Ascend's Sierra Towers w/ the RAAL tweeters, and they were pretty impressive.

[Fasteddie516]

Originally Posted by Kali157

I auditioned the Triton Twos a couple of times, and I currently own the Verus Grands (after a year of auditioning speakers). The Tritons are fine. They seem to have a good build and quality drivers. I don't know if it is the ribbon tweeters or the mids, but I did not enjoy the sound of vocals on them. Anyway, definitely the the time and really audition them if you are interested. Oh, and make sure the active bass's amp is correctly set when you are listening to them. Every time I went in to listen to the Tritons, the active subs are set way too high. Finally, I don't like the look.

If you are interested in ribbon tweeters, I listened to the Ascend's Sierra Towers w/ the RAAL tweeters, and they were pretty impressive.

Thanks to all for your help. Trying to narrow down which speakers to listen to.
Hi Kali157, thanks for the recommendations. How do you like your Verus Grands? Did you listen to the Ascend's Sierra Towers in your home? If so, how do they compare to the Verus Grands? Thanks.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Fasteddie516

Thanks to all for your help. Trying to narrow down which speakers to listen to.
Hi Kali157, thanks for the recommendations. How do you like your Verus Grands? Did you listen to the Ascend's Sierra Towers in your home? If so, how do they compare to the Verus Grands? Thanks.

I auditioned the Ascends at the the company's show room in San Diego. Dave (the owner of Ascend) even offered to open his demo room to the Aperions if I wanted to do a direct comparison. I did not take him up on it once I listened to the Aperions. The Ascends are good, but I liked the sound of the Aperions better. I will have to dig up notes if you want more specifics since I listened to Ascends Nov 2011 IIRC.

I hate to say this, but in the end, no matter what I say, I would still encourage you to listen to your choices. I say that b/c of your Axiom speakers. I have the QS8s for surround duties, but I would not enjoy the Axiom sound for fronts/center. So I am guessing my tastes vary from yours.

I will say the Verus Grands are well made with quality drivers. My other finalist in my speaker search was the Sonus Faber Luitos.

[Fasteddie516]

Originally Posted by Kali157

I auditioned the Ascends at the the company's show room in San Diego. Dave (the owner of Ascend) even offered to open his demo room to the Aperions if I wanted to do a direct comparison. I did not take him up on it once I listened to the Aperions. The Ascends are good, but I liked the sound of the Aperions better. I will have to dig up notes if you want more specifics since I listened to Ascends Nov 2011 IIRC.

I hate to say this, but in the end, no matter what I say, I would still encourage you to listen to your choices. I say that b/c of your Axiom speakers. I have the QS8s for surround duties, but I would not enjoy the Axiom sound for fronts/center. So I am guessing my tastes vary from yours.

I will say the Verus Grands are well made with quality drivers. My other finalist in my speaker search was the Sonus Faber Luitos.

Thanks Kali157, I plan on ordering the Aperions to listen to in my home. With the free return shipping, it's a no brainer for me. I will also test them in my downstairs Home Theater, so I can do direct comparison to my Axioms. I think we might have similiar tastes as I'm ok with the Axioms for the Home Theater, but when I listen to concert Blu Rays and SACD's on them, I am just not that impressed. If, I like the Aperions that much better, I might eventually replace the Axioms also. I will go audition some other speakers as well. I have a couple of dealer stores and a BB Magnolia store near me to audition some others that have been recommended on this forum.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Fasteddie516

Thanks Kali157, I plan on ordering the Aperions to listen to in my home. With the free return shipping, it's a no brainer for me. I will also test them in my downstairs Home Theater, so I can do direct comparison to my Axioms. I think we might have similiar tastes as I'm ok with the Axioms for the Home Theater, but when I listen to concert Blu Rays and SACD's on them, I am just not that impressed. If, I like the Aperions that much better, I might eventually replace the Axioms also. I will go audition some other speakers as well. I have a couple of dealer stores and a BB Magnolia store near me to audition some others that have been recommended on this forum.

Yeah, I wish the free return shipping policy of Aperion was more of a standard among ID companies. After all, there is a considerable leap of faith for the clients. I don't know why I suggested the Ascends without checking your location... I think I was fixated on a ribbon tweeter alternative.

Here is a list compiled by Audioholics.com of ID companies and their policies. It may help having most of you ID options in one location.

As for local auditions in the Aperion/Goldenear price bracket, I also liked the Martin Logan ESLs, which are available for audition in Best Buys with a FULL Magnolia store. Those stores also have Sonus Faber, but I only really liked their Luito line ($5500/pair fronts) and up. Their Toy line was just that... a toy especially for the price.

Another speaker I didn't get to audition b/c it wasn't widely available yet when I was in the market is the Polk LSiM 707s (or the 705s). I have a friend currently in the market for speakers, and I think I may tag along if he auditions these.

[Goat1]

Listen to the Sonus Faber veneres.. They sound incredible. Just pound with that 7" woofer.

[repete66211]

As you well know, it's wise to audition any speaker you're interested in buying. I was in the market for new speakers about a year ago and, having limited space, the Triton 2 and with its integrated subwoofer (equivalent) & slim center/surrounds seemed ideal. A local audio shop had them in a listening room so I took them for a spin. I only gave them about 15 minutes but they were just (pardon the cliche) underwhelming--dead, limp, distant, whatever.

The Paradigm Studio 100s in the next room (same price) were much better to my ear, to say nothing of the aesthetics. The Golden Ears are clearly not designed with looks in mind. There's the strange shape which might appeal to some, but they're also covered entirely--front, back, top--with a sock of speaker screen material. For this reason alone the Aperion Tower, a much more attractive speaker, would have to sound pretty awful to lose out to the Triton 2 in my humble opinion.

[monkuboy]

Originally Posted by repete66211

As you well know, it's wise to audition any speaker you're interested in buying. I was in the market for new speakers about a year ago and, having limited space, the Triton 2 and with its integrated subwoofer (equivalent) & slim center/surrounds seemed ideal. A local audio shop had them in a listening room so I took them for a spin. I only gave them about 15 minutes but they were just (pardon the cliche) underwhelming--dead, limp, distant, whatever.

The Paradigm Studio 100s in the next room (same price) were much better to my ear, to say nothing of the aesthetics. The Golden Ears are clearly not designed with looks in mind. There's the strange shape which might appeal to some, but they're also covered entirely--front, back, top--with a sock of speaker screen material. For this reason alone the Aperion Tower, a much more attractive speaker, would have to sound pretty awful to lose out to the Triton 2 in my humble opinion.

Just out of curiosity, you say in your first sentence that it is wise to audition speakers but I notice you now have Salks listed in your signature. Were you able to audition those before purchasing, or did you take a chance on them? I have never heard Salks myself but would like to one day mainly because they are pretty much universally praised. So how would you compare your Salks against the other speakers you mentioned?

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by monkuboy

Just out of curiosity, you say in your first sentence that it is wise to audition speakers but I notice you now have Salks listed in your signature. Were you able to audition those before purchasing, or did you take a chance on them? I have never heard Salks myself but would like to one day mainly because they are pretty much universally praised. So how would you compare your Salks against the other speakers you mentioned?

Haha, good catch. Indeed, I said it's wise to audition anything you're interested in buying--but I didn't say I was wise.

I shopped around quite a bit, at least as much as my mid-sized metropolis allowed. I was able to audition B&W CM & 600, Dali Ikon & Lektor, Golden Ear, Paradigm Studio 100/60 & Signature S8, Vandersteen 2Ce, Def Tech and a handful of others. The Paradigm Studio 100s met my price point--the imaging is amazing--but they were just too large for my limited space. That and I felt the guy wasn't giving me a good deal. So, based on nothing more than a lot of good reviews and my own fatigue, I took a chance on the Salks.

I've been very happy with what I got--so happy that I bought another Salk/Rythmik sub last month. They are sweet sounding speakers and the finishes are just beautiful. They can take a couple of months to get to your door so it's a challenge to anyone's patience but Jim Salk is a real breeze to work with. The custom options are unmatched by anything I'm aware of.

[sonic_debauchery]

Originally Posted by repete66211

As you well know, it's wise to audition any speaker you're interested in buying. I was in the market for new speakers about a year ago and, having limited space, the Triton 2 and with its integrated subwoofer (equivalent) & slim center/surrounds seemed ideal. A local audio shop had them in a listening room so I took them for a spin. I only gave them about 15 minutes but they were just (pardon the cliche) underwhelming--dead, limp, distant, whatever.

The Paradigm Studio 100s in the next room (same price) were much better to my ear, to say nothing of the aesthetics. The Golden Ears are clearly not designed with looks in mind. There's the strange shape which might appeal to some, but they're also covered entirely--front, back, top--with a sock of speaker screen material. For this reason alone the Aperion Tower, a much more attractive speaker, would have to sound pretty awful to lose out to the Triton 2 in my humble opinion.

I to auditioned digm 100's , S's, def tech, goldenear triton II's. I found the exact opposite you did. I found the digms to be good, especially the S's. but they were way out of my price range. It was between the 100's and tritons.
The tritons when set up correctly had superior imaging than the 100's to my ears. The difference i think lies in the tweeter. I found the midrange better in
the tritons because of the way the tweeter is designed. The mid range has to be faster in the triton due to the tweeter design. The truncated pyramid design is not as nice as the 100's or the Salks you have. (Nice on the Salks by the way). But i bought the tritons for functionality not looks so much persay. Again auditioning and set up are key. I was fortunate to find a dealer
who Sandy Gross visits regularly and had the Tritons set up correctly. Many dealers don't have them set up correctly.

I have had mine for 1 1/2yrs and i absolutely love them. No problems whatsoever.

The Salks look badass!

[repete66211]

Well there you go OP, a fine example of how varied the speaker audition experience can be and why it's important to find something you're comfortable with.

Thanks sonic. I'm glad you're happy with what you have. That's the important thing, not regretting a purchase.