Triangle Borea BR02 & BR03 Bookshelf Speaker Review. Still competitive in 2023?
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
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Triangle Borea Lineup: www.trianglehi...
Available for sale at Adorama and various other sites.
Preamp & Power Amplifiers
Denafrips Hestia: www.vinshineau...
Kinki Studio EX-P7: www.kinki-stud...
Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono blocks: www.kinki-stud...
Hegel H190: www.hegel.com/...
Emotiva TA2: emotiva.com/co...
Source: Bluesound Node 2i
www.crutchfiel...
(all music is hi-res streamed from Tidal)
DAC: Denafrips Ares II or Venus2
www.vinshineau...
Speaker & Power Cables: Maze Audio Ref4
www.mazeaudio.c...
(rest in peace Kent)
Interconnect Cables:
Analysis Plus Oval One RCA
Oyaide Tunami Terzo XX V2 XLR
analysis.plus/...
Your results may vary based on your ears, room, and associated equipment.
I changed Q Acoustics 3030i to Triangle Borea BR02 + subwoofer SVS SB1000. Source is Marantz PM6007/CD6007. Personal experience after two months is clearly listenable upgrade from Q's.
“Sounds natural and very good at everything” “easy to drive” “well built for the price”. It’s no wonder why the br03 has become a modern classic. Always wanted to hear those suckers. Awesome review Nemo, as always.
I've only had the BR02, but I really liked them. Probably not as my primary speaker, but as something to switch to if I wanted to listen to a more romantic/lush and relaxed sound signature every once in a while (for acoustic and vocal focused music). It really excelled at that for the price. Maybe if you didn't want to buy a tube amp or preamp but you wanted a taste of that stereotypical vintage type sound, you could just get these speakers. If you're looking for a detailed and open sounding speaker, then obviously this is not for you.
well said!
I like how you threw in the IOTAVX SA3 at the end as a good pairing for the BR03. I have had the BRO3'S hooked to the SA3 PA3 stack for about a year now and think they have really good synergy. Good review
I have the BRO3's stacked with the Audiolab 6000A and IOTAVX PA3. I was worried the two might not pair well but in the end the PA3 proved (to my ears anyway) the missing link.
I’m listening to my BR03s right now, which I recently got for a great price on the used market. I’m enjoying them very much, and I’ve had a lot of speakers in here lately, some considerably more expensive. Thanks for the video.
hell yeah brother, glad you're enjoying them.
May I know how much you got your BR03s? Do you like this speaker?
I have the BR02'S paird with a powered subwoofer and I really like them. I feel that vocals and instruments sound very realistic for the price(stock). I plan on upgrading the crossover components with higher quantity components (same values) to get all the sound detail possible from them. I feel the only thing holding the BR02'S back are the price point crossover components. I have a neutral dac, open sounding preamp and slightly crisp amplifier paired with them. BR02'S do sound different with different front end components. For what they are currently priced at they are worthwhile. Do require some break-in. Live concerts are very good with the BR02'S paired with a subwoofer. Great sound stage and imaging provided they are 2 meters apart towed-in and out in the room. The BR02'S sound great without being fatiguing. I have many reasonably priced speakers. BR02'S are among my few favorites. Upgrading the crossovers will double the price of these speakers. Maybe the BR02'S will be my absolute favorite after upgrading, we'll see. I'm hoping so and betting on it.
I would just sell them and get something better personally. Heco Aurora 300 are on sale for $419, have a similar sound, but do everything better. I think a crossoverupgrade will have them beating the Aurora.
Hello Robert, did you already change the components? If so, can you share? Thanks.
I absolutly agree with your review. I just got tem myself (BRO3) and had to EQ them so they sound like I want it to. They are good but not as good as my Monitor Audio Bronze 100, sounds like a cheaper Version of the Bronze 100 (no 100% accurate I know). Also my Onkyo A-9010 is good fit for this speakers.
I am so happy to see this video! I wanted to purchase the focal 806 because it was on sale. Then I read some reviews on this speaker and saw it to was on sale for 300 a pair so I bought then instantly. People that own these speakers are amazed by the sound. They died down a bit then I see this! Thank you. Merry Christmas!
Chora 806 is really good too, better treble quality and sepparation but it costs a lot more so no surprise. The BR03 is a great speaker and even better with those crazy sales!!
@@NemoPropaganda Do you think I made a mistake? I can get the Coras but I thought this speaker was really good. Not that many people seemed to say anything about the 806, like they did the Bro 3.
@@shardie78239 I don't think so, if you love them then you made the right choice :). There will always be something more expensive thats better. I will say the BR03 midrange is better than the Chora, much more natural & organic while Chora is a bit dry in the mids which is typical for Focal.
@@NemoPropaganda Well they are getting here Wednesday. But then I saw a review on the Kali Audio IN-5 powered monitor and the sound blew me away. Have you seen this speaker? 600 for pair. Don’t miss this one. I’d like to know If you are aware of these bad boys.
@@shardie78239 i'm not really into powered monitors.
Amazon has them 349 for the BRO3 Delivered! I found that they need at least 50 hours to run them in. Once broken in the imaging becomes MUCH deeper and spacious. I'm extremely impressed with these speakers, especially at the end of a tube amp.
Its funny... I "compare" the br02 vs q Acoustics concept 300 in my home. Suddenly during the comparison, i found myself letting the br02 to play music during more time. Then i asked my wife and immediately answered "the q Acoustics is better". I had to convince myself after that. The only thing i Notice right away on the q Acoustics is the clarity. (You can hear more details) Enjoyed the music equally on both.
I have the bro8s paired with a Wellsenton R8 tube amp. Great sound, will add a sub at one point. But it's lovely.
I watched your review and Jay`s iyagi`s review of these speakers. Both of you had different opinions on the BRO2s. I went ahead and bought the BRO2s to hear for myself. You are right! The BR02`s are a bit dark and relaxed. But they can be very enjoyable with many songs that I usually passed on with more revealing speakers. I will not be questioning your opinion in the future!
I appreciate the kind words :)
Also, another factor with people saying they sound similar, I'm sure they could be listening to the room rather than speaker.
Glad to hear you mention low power amps. I am considering pairing them with the Schiit Aegir, which is a 20W Class A amp, but I was concerned with dynamics and drive at the low end for EDM style music. Sounds like you had no issues across the board!
no issues at all my man, I feel like these can be run off just about any amp out there.
I have a 25w/45w tube amp paired with the bigger bro08s, you'll have zero issues with EDM, you'll just need a sub for the sub 40hz information.
@@2HatHudders Excellent. Thanks!
@@alanmodimages your welcome
$200 for Bro2's is a steal.👍
In my experience with Triangle Bro speaker you have to unscrew the caps on the binding posts to insert a banana plug because the entrance hole in the binding post cap is a tad too small. My cure for that was to drill out the hole in the cap to a slightly larger size. Your Bro 2s have been opened up as stated.
really? that's very odd because they seem identical to the BR03, maybe it was an issue that's been corrected :)
@@NemoPropaganda Lucky me Maybe they ID'd the problem and fixed it. Those Bro2s are a couple years old. Good review.
I find in the bro08s the tweeters can get excited when driven really loud. I'm sure that's what happened in your break in time!
Excellent comparison. Keep up the good work.
I saw these on sale for less than half MSRP in November. I understand $50 off, even a $100 off but when I see things like that I can't help but be skeptical of what the speaker is actually worth. Call me a conspiracy theorist 😁
It's worth whatever people will pay for it.
Yeah, I don't love the steep discount model either and would prefer to see a more stable price over a long period of time but it is what it is.
I had both. Problem with the bro three it sounds confused when you put two instruments in the same frequency range through it. Refined no. They also fold up at high volume. Great tone however.
yeah, trebel sepparation is hit or miss around this price point, I found it to be fine at lower volumes but its certainly not a speaker I would crank at aything above 80-85dB.
Just curous can you provide a track with that issue? Thanks in advance
If youre on the fence , buy heco aurora 300. They are easier to integrate and make every song sound great. Also build quality much better on the heco. I took my br03 out of the box for a demo and the terminal snapped off like a twig. I send them back right away needless to say
Regarding people having opinions all over the place, I’m guessing the room has a lot to do with that. The room and treatment or lack of is really way more important than any component or speaker. Fix your rooms first the best you can people before spending thousands on gear. ✌️
we put partial sock in backhole of br 02... this tamed bass a bit.... it is better if triangle can give user change able crossover network.... so we can make br 02, sound more like br 03...
at this low of a price I don't think we'll see any upgrade options on the crossover. You might be better off just enjoying what you have and upgrading when the time is right. If you like the sound you have and want to upgrade one day I'd suggest your next step be the Dynaudio Emit 10 (newest version).
I didn't realise that's why the Brits say "put a sock in it!"
can fit a vintage Yamaha CA-610 amp for the BR02s, all this in a small room.. Great Channel! Best Regards
yes absolutely!
solid stuff.. for the money Triangle makes a nice product at the BRO line.
I had Bro 2 and they were too forward in upper mids lower treble so I sold them…I wish I used PEQ back then as they have a lot going for them otherwise…I wonder if they have reworked the crossover…during Covid shortages a lot of manufacturers had to change parts.
its hard to say, I've herad the BR02 described a few different ways but what you see in the video is my take :)
Nemo, I'm currently rocking the Triangle Genese Trio (they've been around for awhile and gone under the radar) with the matching center in my family room. These are some sexy looking and really good sounding speakers. Maybe Triangle can send you a pair. Would like to hear your opinion on them.
Hi bro, I think zerofidelity's review of the genese trio is better than anything I could do so I don't think I will review it.
@@NemoPropaganda I got you but your prospective matters too. ✊🏼
@@ben23a31 I'll think about it :)
I am looking for Bookshelf for my NAD d 3045 amplifier.
On paper the br02 they look rather suitable
I'd go for the more sensitive BR03 unless you want the warmer sound of the BR02.
The Yamaha rs202 I can find says min 8 ohm per speaker for A or B and min 16 ohm per speaker for A + B on the back of the amp. This impedance thing is driving me crazy. So this amp would be totally fine for the BR03?
I think it will be a great match :)
Спасибо, бро, ты сильно мне помог!🤜🤛👍
Нет проблем, брат, я рад это слышать!
С чем именно?) что ты выбрал в итоге? Я сейчас на перепутье между этими двумя вариантами и Elac Solano BS 283
I have the BR03 for about a year now and I have to say that as much as I hate to amit it its very difficult to upgrade from this speaker. Sure there are more detailed sounding speakers but muh tonality spead and naturalness of the top end. The main problem I have with this speaker is that to get it to sing you need a really precise DAC along with somthing with good grip over the drivers like the Hagel H90(currently using the NAD 316v2 but planing to upgrade when I get the money). My second problem would be the inability to get brass instruments as sharp as I would like but honestly that is a minor nitpik.
Honestly this speaker is like poison to the ears. As long as the chain is nice and tight this is producing near headphone levels of nuisance. To be honestly I should have writen this a couple of hours ago but the speakers are just too distracting. There is somthing magical about vocals, metal and electronic music on the BR03
Just a thought since the BR03 is very senitive to the chain maybe the people that say it sounds similar to the BR02 are using something warm like the audiolab 6000a?
My old audiolab 8000 is on the cold side of neutral; I have never heard audiolab amps described as warm before !
@@johnholmes912 are that's good. Might have been the demo room or something then since everything I tried with the 6000A sounded warm with the worst being the ELAC DBR 6.2 that sounded like absolute mud.
To Rock & Roll 80 and 90's. . BOREA BRO3 or Wharfedale Diamond 12 .1?????
I have not heard the warfedale.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review as always Nemo.
Its Christmas eve here in the frosen North, 🥶. Would be nice to take a flight over to SoCal and warm up a tad. 🌞
Are you happy with your REL HT/1003, Nemo. I think I will get one of those for my bedside music studio.
I need something to fill in under 50Hz where my monitors bottoms out. Do you find it as "precise, deep and fast" as the HT/1203?
Hehh,, Im a bit tippy,, 🍻🤪😅. Anyhooo,, cheers my very good friend.
It would be sooo nice to be able to hang out and listen to some gear/music and laugh a bit, Mr Masterreviewer. 🥰
Again,, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannuka, or whatever your fav poison is. Please share some thaughts about the HT/1003,s. 🙏
Hey what's up Irene, if you ever come out here let me know! As far as the 1003 I like it a lot, I'm just holding off on my review because there are a lot of original 1003 original versions for sale right now with good discounts and everyone is going to ask if they should buy the old one on sale or the new one and I havn't heard the old one so I don't want to deal with that lol. So far I really like it though it's not gonna sound as big as those ported XTZ 12's you had. Based on what little I know about your taste I think you'd really love the KEF KC62 but that's kind of expensive for a bedroom setup.
@@NemoPropaganda Cheesus what a hangover I woke up with today,, 🤪😅.
Yes,, the reason Im looking at the REL HT/1003, is that theyr letting them out cheapish now when the mk2 have hit the ground.
Im not at all looking for something to replace the XTZ 12,s.
I need a smaller sub that is able to dig deep and precise. I will drive it and my monitors through a miniDSP/DIRAC from my LapTop/home music studio.
What originally catched my eyes was the stated -6db/24Hz for the HT/1003. Thats freaking fenomeally good for the price.
The only other Sub that matches that pricepoint for a little homemusicstudio is the Yamaha HS8S, and I know empirically that the Yamaha doesnt dig as deep as what the HT/1003 is stated to do. //
Have the best of Christmasdays Nemo, and all the best to you and all of your loved ones,, 🍻🍻🥰👍👍
@@NemoPropaganda My HiFi-criteria and future gear dreams.
Deep, dry,ish detailed bass, thats not leaking in to the midrange and fucks it up.
A midrange with a sprinkle of warmth/romance.
I love texture, soundstage, imaging, layering, holography.
Detailed treble without being analythical or sterile yet with a tiny bit of sparcle.
The only "horns" I,w could stand so far are the Triangle ones.
The only AMT,s I,w could stand so far are the ones implemented with the ELAC Vela,s,
but they are too airy with no precision.
It may be that HEDD have managed to get the AMT,s just right.
I will visit them the upcoming spring/summer in Berlin, and check them out.
Best to my taste speakers Iw heard so far, are the Dynaudio Confidence 20,s.
They made me feel 100% relaxed,, all the pieces of the audiopussle just fell in place,
and I fell asleep, like after having running a Marathon or two.
The amp was a Moonlight 404 Reference. That amp has a way to make the music
feeling whole, like in one piece sort of, like no other amp Iw heard before,
and it have a tapeloop, where one can plug in a miniDSP/Dirac to tap of the subs, roomcorrect, etc.
Thanks to my lucky star the amp are made here in Sweden and the Dynaudio,s at our neighbour in the southwest, Denmark,, shippingcosts, taxes, etc. 🙏
The sub/subs will be KEF KF92,s,, 11Hz )))😋((( 💕
I hate amps/speakers that throws up the music on a Stainless Steel table in a fully tiled room,
and dissects the music with a scalpell, without feeling, without life, like a dead corps at the coroner,, 😬🥶😖🤢🤮
@@IrenESorius ahahaha, yeah that's why I don't drink anymore, hangovers just got crazy bad for me lol. Yeah so I have never heard the original 1003 but everyone says its bood so I think you might as well try it :). KF92 is awesome, a pair would be crazy for a bedroom though!
Hi Nemo, how do you think it can be combined with a solid state integrated amplifier like the Lector zax 70? lots of power but an amber amp and more on the heat with great bass. I'm very interested in the Borea 03 but I have to place it 30 cm from the back wall because there's no more space, do you think it can boom the bass? A thousand thanks
BR02 + Marantz PM6007 combo, Do you like them?
I have not heard any Marantz gear.
Would love to hear your thoughts on how these bro 3 compare to the chora 806 in overall & low volume performance.
Both are low volume champions in their respective price category but the more expensive Focal Chora 806 take the easy win though Bro3 has the more natural midrange where Chora can be a touch dry.
I have the bro3 with a vintage sanui 9090 db awesome.....
can you review Magnat Signature 503 3-Way
I don't usually like inexpensive 3-way speakers but I'll think about it.
Unfortunately, the Yamaha RS 202 doesn't have a phono input. The Yamaha RN 602 does, but isn't available except as used/refurbished. Would the Onkyo TX 8260 be sufficiently "neutral" to work well with the BRO3? It's not overpowered at 80 watts per channel. There's a Marantz NR 1200 with 75 watts, but it's too expensive unless used/refurbished. My receiver is 20+ years old, as is the 5 disc CD player. ( remember them? ) The turntable, a Pioneer PL 514X, is good, but 40 years old & could use a clean/lube. The speakers, a pair of re-foamed AR-6's, are 50 years old. It's time to get "modern", ... on a budget. Don't need more than 2 channels. No room for a "home theater", and wouldn't have one if there was.
Hi Woody, if you're trying to keep things under $200 why not go for the Sony STR-DH190? That's the RS202's main competitor but it has a phono input.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks for the feedback. The original DH190 was without the phono, and then came the 190+, which had one. I'm not looking for bargain basement equipment. The difference between them and my old receiver are probably negligible. But, the available choices for a modern unit, ( that would get the most out of the new speakers ), are few without taking additional channels along for the ride. Either that or pay $600 - $1200 or more for 2 channel improvements that might not be audible to untrained ears.
@@woodystemms3799 oh cool, I didn't know there was an old/new version. Yeah the question of "how much to spend" or "will I notice" are difficult questions in any hobby. The Emotiva TA1 is also a great option.
Hi, good day. May I know which of these is good for near field listening, ie: 2 to 3 metres away. Also, may I know if they pair well with the rega brio? Thank you Sir.
Hi, I have not heard the Brio, also I do not consider that near field. Nearfield is like 4ft or less.
@@NemoPropaganda noted and thank you.
I am sorry ! , I don't like how they sounds however I like how they built and look though. I can say the triangle titus ez model are different league I have auditioned them in the store. I prefer the Dynaudio Emit 20 any day , they are better by far.
nothing wrong with that brother, we all have our taste :)
What about Triangle Tower speakers? For my large leaving room?
i don't usually review towers.
What color is the grill cloth on the Bro3 when purchased in white?
I'm not sure, I never took the grills out of the box but google image search shows gray grills.
@@NemoPropaganda that’s what I was hoping since I want gray…thank you! Enjoyed your excellent vid.
How would the bro 3 pair with a Yamaha AS301 or AS501?
I have not heard those ones but if it sounds like the Yamaha RS202 it should match very nicely.
is the bro3 is better than the monitor audio bronze100?
similar sound, the BR03 is better at lower volumes and the Bronze 100 is better at louder volumes.
Here's another weird take... my experience was listening to the Bro3s twice at my dealers, once on a Rega brio amp and the second time on a Naim Uniti Atom. Well, for me, I can sum up all the descriptors of these speakers into one word... Boring.
These speakers didn't grab me at all in any area and if anything, sounded cheap and strained on the Rega. The last time I listened was on the Naim and I found myself playing on my phone during the audition as it started cycling through songs before I realized what I was doing.
Now, I get that everybody hears things differently and I pretty much agree with most reviewers assessments, but these... *yawn.
Now, in their defense, maybe it was the synergy with said components was just a poor choice? Possibly as I heard other speakers on them and liked those.
Let me be clear to those who own these and think I'm sh*ttin on their beloved speakers... I don't think they're bad and if they do all the things everybody says, then great, good, I'm happy for you! Really.
My experience was just quite the opposite. Who's to say if I did pull the trigger and get them and hook them up to my gear that I would've had a better experience?
I have a theory... maybe since there are so many people with polarizing views of these speakers explains an inconsistency in the build of these causing such differences in sonic character? They are cheap speakers (comparatively) after all. IDK, just spit balling here.
Honestly wish I had that experience that everyone else is having so I could understand better, because from my point of view, I wouldn't spend a dime on them which really stinks. I love auditioning speakers and hearing their differences, but these for whatever reason was a swing and a miss.
Btw, dig your attitude!
Sometimes a speaker that sounds boring initially will have a lasting factor greater than the sparkle speaker that impressed you immediately. Those traits of the 'exciting' speaker can be fatiguing and distracting down the line.
But it's all a matter of taste. I say the brio and naim are good matches for the Bro3 so you were hearing them with good matching amps!
And room makes a big difference. I found my elac unifi 2.0 to be boring until I moved. In the new bedroom, they are my favorite, while the old space favored the Bro and others.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Having the same drivers; they've got to sound similar
they don't have the same driver though, just the same tweeter, the rest is all different.
rock,,,, vs jazz huh,,,, as,,, 2 vs 3
I don't understand what you're saying/asking.
Seem cranky😂
Triangle no thanks latest craze of over hype reviews.
I wouldn't say its overhyped considering how aggressive the sales are. I think you get a lot for the money.
I feel like quality control might be hit and miss as there are some drastically different reviews out there 🥲🤷
hard to know for sure, good speaker though.