Tower Speaker Reviews

GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R Loudspeaker Review Specs

Specs
5 x 9 in cone subwoofer (3), 10 x 7 in passive radiator (4), 5.25 in cone bass/midrange driver (2), pleated planar magnetic tweeter; 1600-Watt subwoofer amplifier; enclosure, 8 x 54 x 16 in (WxHxD); base, 12.3 x 19.8 in (WxD); 80 lb
Price: $5,998/pair

Company Info
GoldenEar Technology goldenear.com

COMPANY INFO
GoldenEar Technology
goldenear.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
SkyRider's picture
Submitted by SkyRider on December 20, 2018 - 9:26am

I have heard that the Golden Ears have a very narrow sweet spot. If true, this would eliminate them from my consideration as I do not listen in a room with an audience of one (me)- especially as part of a home theater system. Can you please address this?

ednaz's picture
Submitted by ednaz on December 20, 2018 - 3:38pm

I had a pair of original Triton 2, and now a set of Triton 1. Sitting about 9 feet apart, 10 feet from my "listening couch" - which seats 3 - the sweet spot is MUCH bigger than the couch. In fact, that's what sold me on the Triton 2 that I bought. When I listened to them in the showroom, I could walk around all over the room, standing, sitting with almost no difference in sound quality. Imaging was kind of holographic - instruments and singers were in the same places, but the perspective on their location changed as you went from one side of the room to the other.

The place where I got the Triton 2 delivered and set up, and when I said "Hey wait, that's a STUPID amount of toe in" they took the time to show me... The holographic imaging was spectacular with a lot of toe in. It went almost completely away, and flattened out, as you removed the toe in. On GoldenEar's web site, they're VERY clear about lots of toe in. When I first heard the Triton 1, Sandy was there, and I think everyone asked him why they were toed in so much. Sometimes my kids will be sweet and help clean, and I can tell you the second I turn on music if they screwed up the toe in.

What I love about these speakers... when we have people over, all through dinner, people are jumping up to scurry from dining room to family room for some song or another. Once at dinner, all conversation suddenly stopped for quite awhile, followed by someone whispering "damn that's really spooky... Muddy Waters is in your family room." And then she snuck over to check.

Our home theater is Triton 1, with a SuperSat 60C center, and Aon 3 for backs. Great for movies. We've laughed as our dogs tracked a movie dog around the room. Spectacular for concert videos.

SkyRider's picture
Submitted by SkyRider on December 20, 2018 - 3:50pm

Awesome and helpful response, Ed. I will keep the Golden Ears on my short list. Sounds like they are as musically involving as their imaging prowess.

SkyRider's picture
Submitted by SkyRider on December 20, 2018 - 9:30am

Also, I understand that say, the Reference, is not the right solution for every size listening room. Can you give recommended Golden Ear models for various listening room sizes? Mine, for example, is 400 sq ft. And does the height of the room influence this? Thanks

FluffySantiana's picture
Submitted by FluffySantiana on December 20, 2018 - 10:16am

I have a similar sized room with 10 foot ceilings. I have the Triton 3+'s and they fill the room with rich robust sound. I am extremely happy with them and my guests are always impressed. Considering my own budget, the 3+'s are perfect for me. It should be noted, that I do run an SVS SB16 Ultra to fill out the bottom end for music (and of course I crank it up for movies). Per your taste in bass, the 3+'s or larger Tritons may not require this.

SkyRider's picture
Submitted by SkyRider on December 20, 2018 - 3:51pm

Thanks, Fluff. Good and helpful info!

ednaz's picture
Submitted by ednaz on December 20, 2018 - 3:41pm

We had Triton 2 in a really large space where we used to live, and the bass level was set to 12 o'clock. When we upgraded to Triton 1, the setting was well below that. In our new place, which has a much lower ceiling, it's turned down even lower. Square feet isn't the right way to think, it's cubic feet.

drny's picture
Submitted by drny on December 20, 2018 - 11:51am

I love Powered towers for an A/V systems, not so much for Audio only.
I auditioned the original Triton one and the Reference, both excellent speakers for an A/V systems.
My own A/V system consists of DefTech ST-L mains, STS rear towers, side monitors and Myths center channel as well as an additional original Super Cube.
I much enjoy my system for movies, concerts on bluray, and even just for music only.
However, at $6,000 you start getting into direct competition with Speakers designed and engineered with Audiophiles in mind.
Focal, Revel, B&W, PSB, KEF, now Paradigm and others manufacture some somewhat affordable (read starts at $5,000) Main Tower speakers that together with a very good sub will outshine Golden Ear and Def Tech powered towers for music only enjoyment.

Don't get me wrong for those of us who are true A/V enthusiasts, top of the line Powered towers from Golden Ear and Def Tech are a dream come true.
However it is my experience that the far majority of Video enthusiast cap their spending on their speaker system at $5,000 (for most that is 7.1 or 9.2).
Meanwhile Audio enthusiast start at $5,000 for their main speakers (as they usually prefer stereo).
Consequently Golden Ear Triton One R finds itself in the reverse Goldilocks position.
Too expensive for video guys, too shabby for snobby audio guys.
Results, not many sales.
Lucky for me that is exactly how I put together my system.
Floor demo models that were hardly auditioned, and put out to pasture at a dramatic discount to make room for more popular models.

jaredjcrandall's picture
Submitted by jaredjcrandall on January 3, 2019 - 8:28am

I want to keep my setup simple and listen to 80% movies, and 20% music--although I'd like to listen to music more, and i have the choice between buying the one.r and keeping my sb16-ultra, or buying the reference and selling the sb16-ultra. I like the idea of just two speakers--for a simple clean looking configuration along with a unified sound, but I want the same mids/highs of the reference. My room is only 2000 square feet, and I am running any GE with anthem STR. any suggestions? thanks!

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