GoldenEar has launched a new flagship loudspeaker, the Triton Reference.
The Triton Reference is positioned as an evolution of the Triton One in terms of performance and design. All the components in the Reference—the active sub-bass drivers, upper-bass/midrange drivers, and high-velocity folded ribbon tweeter—are new, and have been specifically developed for use in this line. The fully balanced crossover is engineered for the Reference, and the subwoofer amplifier and 56-bit DSP control unit are an evolution of those used in the Triton One and GoldenEar’s SuperSubs.
The new 6-inch upper/bass/midrange drivers are cast-basket units that incorporate a low-mass voice coil and a newly developed cone with unique low-mass bonding to the butyl rubber surround for improved transient response. In addition, they have a large, newly designed “Focused Field” magnet structure, engineered to better direct the magnet flux to the voice coil gap. The 6- by 10-inch active low-frequency drivers for the built-in powered subwoofers have 40 percent more surface area than the active drivers used in the Triton One, along with a larger diameter voice-coil and a more massive magnet structure, which also utilizes Focused Field technology.
The new Reference High-Velocity Folded-Ribbon tweeter incorporates 50 percent more rare-earth neodymium magnet material than the company’s other HVFR tweeters, for improved transient response and higher efficiency. The four inertially balanced 10.5- by 9.5-inch side-mounted (two on each side), planar, infrasonic radiators are similar to those used in the SuperSub X, but have been retooled to allow for even greater excursion.
Other upgrades and refinements in the Reference include new internal wiring with a specially developed twist; further development of the company’s signature balanced crossover including film capacitors bridged across the high-pass section on the upper-bass/midrange drivers; a proprietary mix of long-fiber lamb’s wool and Dacron for more effective internal damping; intensive work with a high-resolution accelerometer to determine the most effective implementation of complex internal bracing; a 3/32-inch-thick steel plate built into the Medite base to further stiffen it for increased stability, which results in higher resolution of subtle details; new stainless steel floor spikes and cups, and more.
Visually, the Reference was conceived as an upgrade to the classic Triton styling, with a hand-rubbed piano gloss-black lacquer finished one-piece monocoque cabinet.
Sonically, the Reference has been engineered to perform with a dramatic and authoritative voice. Engineered to completely disappear, with three-dimensional imaging that stretches from wall to wall and beyond, and depth that makes the wall behind them seem to vanish. The bass is designed to be tight, quick, and musical, with extension flat to 20Hz and below. The high end extends to 35kHz and is engineered to have a lifelike sheen without hardness, sibilance, or stridency.
The Reference also features a high 93.25dB sensitivity, allowing for a wide dynamic range and for use with almost any high-quality amplifier, including many SET tube amps. The Reference carries a suggested U.S. retail price of $4,249/each and delivery is expected this spring.
