The Official GoldenEar Technology Speakers Thread

[Big Daddy]

Sandy Gross, Matthew Polk, George Klopfer, and Criag Georgi started Polk Audio in 1972. A couple of decades later, Sandy Gross, Don Givogue, and Ed Blais founded Definitive Technology in the early 1990's. Definitive Technology became one of the most successful companies selling relatively high-end speakers. Both Polk Audio and Definitive Technology are located in Baltimore, MD. Many of the founders of these two companies are graduates of the John Hopkins University.

Recently, Definitive Technology and Polk Audio were sold to another company. Sandy Gross and Don Givogue just started a new speaker/subwoofer company. It is called GoldenEar Technology and they officially started Business on September 22, 2010.

Their speakers have some similarity to Definitive Technology speakers, particularly the Mythos speakers. They also have built-in subwoofers. The GoldenEar speakeers can only be bought from authorized dealers. No Internet or mail-order selling.


Triton Two Tower

Specifications:
Speaker Dimensions: 7-1/2" W x 15" D x 48" H (height is with base installed, no spikes)
Base Dimensions: 11-1/2" W x 18" D
Frequency Response: 18 Hz – 35 kHz
Efficiency: 91 dB
Nominal Impedance: Compatible with 8 ohms
Driver Complement: Two - 5” x 8” long-throw quadratic subwoofers coupled to:
Two - 7” x 10” Planar Infrasonic Radiators
Two - 4-1/2" High-Definition cast-basket MVPP ™ mid/bass drivers
One – HFVR™ High-Velocity Folded Ribbon Tweeter
Recommended Amplification: 20 – 500 watt/channel
Built-In Subwoofer Power Amplifier: 1200 Watt ForceField Subwoofer


ForceField Subwoofers

ForceField 3 Specifications:
Dimensions: 11-1/2" W x 15-3/4" D x 11" H (height is with feet installed)
Frequency Response 18 Hz – 250 Hz
Amplifier 1000 watt ForceField Digital Amplifier
DriverS: One - 8” long-throw High-Output Bass Driver, One – 9” x 11” Quadratic Planar Infrasonic Radiator
Speaker Level High Pass Filter: 6dB per octave at 150 Hz (approx.)
Speaker Level Low Pass Filter" 12 dB per octave continuously variable from 40-150 Hz
Low Level Input: (Mono) Unfiltered (no low pass), direct-coupled
Wireless Input For optional GoldenEar wireless accessory (sold separately)

ForceField 4 Specifications:
Dimensions: 13-3/8" W x 17-7/8" D x 12-3/4" H (height is with feet installed)
Frequency Response: 14 Hz – 250 Hz
Amplifier: 1200 watt ForceField Digital Amplifier
Drivers: One - 10” long-throw High-Output Bass Driver, One – 11” x 13” Quadratic Planar Infrasonic Radiator
Speaker Level High Pass Filter: 6dB per octave at 150 Hz (approx.)
Speaker Level Low Pass Filter 12 dB per octave continuously variable from 40-150 Hz
Low Level Input (Mono) Unfiltered (no low pass), direct-coupled
Wireless Input For optional GoldenEar wireless accessory (sold separately)


SuperSat 50 Center Speaker

The recommended center speaker with the Triton Two tower speakers is the SuperSat 50 center speaker.

SuperSat 50 Specifications:

• Dimensions: 27" (W) x 4.75" (H) x 2.5" D
  
• Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 35 kHz
  
• Efficiency: 92 dB
  
• Nominal Impedance: Compatible with 8 ohms
  
• Recommended Amplification: 20 – 200 watt/channel
  
• Available in horizontal and vertical models
  
• Driver Components:
  
  
  1. Two 4” x 7” Quadratic Planar Low Frequency Radiators
     
     
     
     
     
  2. Two 4.5" High-Definition cast-basket MVPP™ mid/bass drivers
     
     
     
     
     
  3. One HVFR™ High-Velocity Folded Ribbon Tweeter
     
     
     

[Big Daddy]

The first buzz/review about the Triton Two tower speaker is already in. Check the October 2010 issue of the Home Theater Magazine.

According to the Home Theater Magazine, the list price of each Triton Two speaker is $1,250. If that information is correct, it is a great price for a speaker with ribbon tweeters, and built-in subwoofers.

[HD 335]

Some other info I found while searching the net
http://www.twice.com/article/457067-...s_Close_Up.php

They look more attactive than the newer Definitive lineup that is replacing the BP7xxx series although those are bi-polar. Wonder if there is an agreement that Sandy wouldn't make bi-polar speakers at GoldenEar.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by HD 335

Some other info I found while searching the net
http://www.twice.com/article/457067-...s_Close_Up.php

They look more attactive than the newer Definitive lineup that is replacing the BP7xxx series although those are bi-polar. Wonder if there is an agreement that Sandy wouldn't make bi-polar speakers at GoldenEar.

They look more like Def Tech Mythos speakers as opposed to the BP Super Tower speakers.

[Big Daddy]

The January 2011 issue of the Sound & Vision Magazine(pp.59-60) has a glorious review of Golden Ear Technology’s Triton Two tower speakers.

Al Griffin:
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/aud...tower-speakers

.
.
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One thing I discovered during setup was that the Triton Two is capable of putting out serious, voluminous bass. My regular system consists of tower speakers aided and abetted by a 12-inch sub in a medium-size room — a setup that’s capable of pretty dynamic performance. But after a few days of break-in, the Triton Two literally overwhelmed me with its low end, and that was with the respective sub-level dial of each tower at the middle position! Pushing both back a few notches to the 9 o’clock position made things just right. Bass was now powerful and present without sounding boomy or unbalanced.

Hearing the Triton Two in my home was actually the second time I had encountered the speaker. The first time was at the 2010 CEDIA Expo in Atlanta, where I was deeply impressed by its ability to convey the brass-instrument crescendos in “Shiny Stockings,” a track from the now out-of-print Reference Recordings CD Big Band Basie. Hearing that same track in my home, I remained equally in awe. The speaker’s uncannily airy top end enabled the horns to swell to loud levels without losing detail or sounding hard. Of course, what I was hearing was the HVFR (GoldenEar calls it High Velocity Folded Ribbon) tweeter at work; no matter what I played, the Triton Two’s treble retained that same compelling sense of ease and clarity.

Reaching for another audiophile nugget, I grabbed the JVC XRCD release of Holst’s The Planets as performed by Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. During the fifth movement, “Saturn,” the Triton Two managed to impact a sense of drama to the entrance of the bass violins. The speaker’s performance here was full and rich with details like the texture of bows sliding across the bass violin string coming through clearly. At the same time, there was a bottomless quality; instead of rounding off at some distinct point, the low-end extension seemed to be without limits. The Triton Two’s bass was without question the deepest, cleanest, and most nuanced I’ve heard in my room.

Bottom Line:

Over the past decade, there’s been a great deal of consolidation and shrinkage in the speaker business. Given these forbidding conditions, it’s thrilling to watch somebody make the bold move of launching a major new speaker brand. But here, that “somebody” isn’t just anybody. The founders of GoldenEar Technology bring decades of experience (founded Polk & Definitive Technology) to the game, and that seasoning is very much in evidence in the Triton Two tower.

GoldenEar’s sleek speaker offers a rich, balanced sound and its imaging abilities are nothing short of uncanny. Also, its built-in sub provides enough bass to satisfy even a demanding bass-hound. I’m not only amazed that GoldenEar was able to deliver a speaker that sounds this good for $2,500 a pair; I’m amazed that speakers can sound this good, period. SV

Brent Butterworth on Test Bench:

The GoldenEar Two delivers admirably flat on-axis response and some of the most consistent off-axis response we’ve ever seen; even at an extreme angle of 45 degrees, the off-axis response looks almost identical to the on-axis response. The woofer section delivers usable deep bass all the way down to 20Hz, but the bass output isn’t super loud.

SV Ratings:

Design: 8 out of 10
Performance: 10
Value: 10
Overall Score: 9.3

I am convinced. I am selling my front speakers and buying a pair of Triton Two’s, even though that may mean my life will be in danger. Yesterday, my wife bought a very sharp and big kitchen knife.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

The January 2011 issue of the Sound & Vision Magazine(pp.59-60) has a glorious review of Golden Ear Technology’s Triton Two tower speakers.

Al Griffin:


Bottom Line:


Brent Butterworth on Test Bench:


SV Ratings:


I am convinced. I am selling my front speakers and buying a pair of Triton Two’s, even though that may mean my life will be in danger. Yesterday, my wife bought a very sharp and big kitchen knife.

I agree, i like the way they look and the specs sound amazing!. i would love to find a local dealer to demo these babies

if you pull the trigger daddy let us know, i am very curious.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

The January 2011 issue of the Sound & Vision Magazine(pp.59-60) has a glorious review of Golden Ear Technology’s Triton Two tower speakers.

*snip*

I am convinced. I am selling my front speakers and buying a pair of Triton Two’s, even though that may mean my life will be in danger. Yesterday, my wife bought a very sharp and big kitchen knife.

i wonder where those reviews came from...

as always, take em with a grain of salt, and of course, auditioning is key as you probably know already big daddy.

Theres a store here in Campbell, where i had the chance to audition them recently over the weekend.

[Show spoiler]450 El Paseo de Saratoga
San Jose, CA 95130

408-341-1950

Albeit not as formal as a demo id like to consider (we were in a rush, and just came from REI, to pick up stuff prior to an engagement).... i did get to talk to Doug, who was quite happy to help out. He was helping out a couple who just recently bought the integra amps that were driving the Triton Two's.... and were kind enough to 'lend' it for a listen.

In a nutshell, as mentioned earlier, it was very 'transparent'. Room was around 10x12, treatments here and there, but none specific for the front soundstage. He moved a couple of speakers to accomodate, but i knew he was also rushed due to the customer he was already helping.

Anyways, the speakers themselves were driven by an integra setup, pre/pro and amps to boot... 2.0 configuration, no need of course for the subs because they're driven already in the pair... I noticed two things,
1. the subwoofer dial was almost at the 9 o'clock position,
2. the speakers around 3-4 feet away from the walls

again, take this review with a grain of salt, as i was passing through, and fairly dont consider this as a professional audition. we listened to a track or two, probably miles davis, stereo (not a 'live' performance track), but man, oh man, it sounded very very nice. I also noticed two things as well that i liked, one was localization, where you can designate areas where the instruments were (great sign of a speaker), and the fact that the soundstage was amazing given the constraints. Girlfriend thought it to be a tad harsh, but i think that was because it was too loud in the beginning... i turned it down a tad, and gladly worked a good half hour or so with them. Given the time constraint i fiddled with the subs control on the back, and realized why it was at 9 o'clock...

Man, i dont need a sub anymore if i was to get them. can they hit 18hz? i think they could, but without strain i question that part...

Would i buy them? im not certain for the moment, and the fact that i havent really had enough time with em, i cant say.

But considering that i already decided prior to listening to them, and for the price point of $2500? I think i already made my choice after reading the graphs on SNVs mag.

two things i disliked tho,
1. the stands couldve been improved more. I didnt care much for the 'oval' footprint, and it makes it look er... cheesy.
2. i hated the fact i cant take off the black mesh enveloping the speaker. I disliked that idea, and discussed that with Doug...

All with compromise right? currently they are backordered, and if i chose to, i would be number 8.

I recently quit smoking, and as a treat, will look forward to these in a year.

*edit:

one thing i forgot to mention, i got to see the matched center speaker with these, the supersat 50 center (i saw the pricetag for around $499 i think)... and didnt think it matched at all. i didnt listen to it at all, so until i do, i cant really say. One things for certain, physics tells me that this center speaker isnt going to perform as gallantly as the same as the towers, and might be better off finding another ribbon matched speaker to work with it. Slim is an understatement.

[Kobe_Beef_Short_Ribs]

I am building my first 5.1 surround system. Because I always have to be a budget audio enthusiast (wife + kids to support), in the 2-channel world my peeve has always been lack of clarity and spaciousness in the upper mid-range. Hey if SO would let me allocate the funds, I'd buy top-of-the-line Focal Audios with Beryllium dome...but alas.

I recently heard some GoldenEar Super Sat 3's at my local hi-fi shop, and could instantly tell that tweeter was for me (aka the best sound in my price range). Plus I like the flexible placement options....we live in Silicon Valley where houses are too expensive so we live in a small condo.

I snagged the last NAD T-747 from Crutchfield last week @ $599 because I will not want 3D TV until they get it right w/o glasses (which i predict is at least 5 years away). An Oppo 93 is coming any day now.

As I implied earlier, the multi-channel world is still very new to me. I just set up 3 SS 3's as LFront, RFront, Center with the NAD for the first time today. Lots of adjustments and break-in time to come of course....yet I already hear the potential with this system. More feedback and questions for you GE owners to come.

Best,
-KBSR

[sonic_debauchery]

I have spent my 7th hour with the tritons and supersat 50. The sub in the tritons lit up tonight. The sub is amazingly accurate. Operates very tightly and cleanly. My dad got the forcefield 4 and a new onkyo tx-nr 809, which are an awesome combo. The ff4 is very similar to the tritons sub, just bigger. The tritons operate during bass lines tight. No extended booming. In Aerosmiths song "Dream On" the scale in the bass licks is well defined. Never heard that with my paradigm reference speakers. I highly recommend GoldenEar equipment. It is money well spent for years of enjoyment. Will let everyone know more as i get to know these speakers.

KOBE BEEF SHORT RIBS congrats on the ss3's, pair them with a force field 4 and you will be amazed at the accuracy! I want some ss3's for my 11th pair of speakers in my now being built theater. Let us know how you like them.

[toolbox875]

Ok guy,
Long time lurker, first time poster.

After months of research and begging, lobbying, smoozing, persuading my wife. She gave me permission to get floor standing speakers.


Will be taking delivery of a pair triton 3s next week .

Just wanted thank of the participants of this thread for the great info and advice.

[sonic_debauchery]

Originally Posted by toolbox875

Ok guy,
Long time lurker, first time poster.

After months of research and begging, lobbying, smoozing, persuading my wife. She gave me permission to get floor standing speakers.


Will be taking delivery of a pair triton 3s next week .

Just wanted thank of the participants of this thread for the great info and advice.

Let us know how they sound. They look like they are going to be amazing for their price point. Perhaps a champion in their range? Very curious.

[toolbox875]

Originally Posted by sonic_debauchery

Let us know how they sound. They look like they are going to be amazing for their price point. Perhaps a champion in their range? Very curious.

Before deciding on the Triton3, I auditioned the Aon 3s and Triton 2s. I originally came from a Mirage OMD 5 fronts/Nanosat rear speakers.


In the middle of that range, was the triton 3. This was my first upgrade to Floor standing speaker and having a built in power sub was a major plus to me.

Just got them yesterday and I am in the process of setting them up now, so stay tuned.

[sonic_debauchery]

Great, they reqiure around 100 hours to break-in. You will notice around the 6th or 7th hour their sound will change to awesome, then around 25 hours their sound will turn to exceptional, then at 50 hours their sound will turn to bliss at 75 hours it will be outstanding, then 100+ hours pristine.

I have had my tritons since july and yesterday i heard stuff in a metallica song i never heard before. LOVE my TRITONS.

If you want a song that kicks out some wicked bass try EMBERS by THE CULT and turn it up.

[toolbox875]

Originally Posted by sonic_debauchery

Great, they reqiure around 100 hours to break-in. You will notice around the 6th or 7th hour their sound will change to awesome, then around 25 hours their sound will turn to exceptional, then at 50 hours their sound will turn to bliss at 75 hours it will be outstanding, then 100+ hours pristine.

I have had my tritons since july and yesterday i heard stuff in a metallica song i never heard before. LOVE my TRITONS.

If you want a song that kicks out some wicked bass try EMBERS by THE CULT and turn it up.

Sonic,

Just came back from some errands and left the Tritons and ss 50 running. I just put the movie Thor on, running the triton 3, ss50 in the fronts and OMD 5 for surrounds. Your right!!!! It is about the 6th hour and wow!!!!

Can't wait til it breaks in further.

This the most fun I had with my pants on.

[toolbox875]

Ok guys,

Little crude pics. Still moving the speakers around to get the ideal sounds.

[sonic_debauchery]

toolbox nice pics, looks good!

[Bluvette]

Great job, I like the center over the screen. The sounds seem much better to me.

[toolbox875]

Thanks guys.

They sounds better and better. About 30 hours in. Only 70 more to go.


I agree that the OMD5s make great surround speakers.

[sonic_debauchery]

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/art...three-speakers

The new Triton 3's get sound and vision mags recommendation like they bi g brothers.

Check it out!!

[toolbox875]

Hey Guys,



Anyone using using serparate(s) Amps to power the Tritons.

Currently using a Denon 3312 and I am worried about clipping the speakers.

Or am I just paranoid?