HIFI FLOOR STANDING SPEAKER – BOREA BR08

The floorstander BR08, inspired by the iconic Antal speaker, was the reference model throughout the design of the Borea range. Elegant three-way floorstander with 4 transducers, it is one of the most appreciated high-fidelity models.

It incorporates a new 25mm EFS silk dome tweeter; a new 16cm midrange with a brand-new profile, based on the research on the natural cellulose paper used before in the Esprit Ez; and two new 16cm bass drivers in fiberglass.

Its three-way configuration diffuses all frequencies with no interference between the transducers, producing precise voices and instruments.

This floorstander will fit perfectly in rooms ranging from 20 to 40m2.

BOREA TECHNOLOGIES

Borea loudspeakers benefit from research and innovations from the Esprit Ez range for uncompromising sound reproduction.

EFS TWEETER

A DIFFUSION THROUGHOUT THE ROOM

The tweeter of the Borea range is equipped with a next-generation system called EFS* (Efficient Flow System).

It is based on the association of a 25mm silk dome, known for its neutrality, with a phase plug developed specifically to homogenize high-frequency diffusion. This system significantly reduces the directivity regardless of your listening location in the room.

The dome is placed inside the partial horn loading, reducing reflections and allowing a clear reproduction of the high frequencies.  This transducer is powered by a neodymium motor generating high magnetic power in a compact size. It is coupled to a cooling system, ensuring a better power handling.

MIDRANGE IN NATURAL CELLULOSE

A UNIQUE TONALITY

The Borea range, inheritor of the Esprit Ez technological innovations, also incorporates a midrange driver with a membrane made out of 100% natural cellulose paper, receiving no surface treatment. This paper membrane, unique to TRIANGLE, avoids any coloration of the intermediate frequencies, and transposes the voices with stunning realism and tonality.

In an ongoing pursuit of excellence, the profile of the cone was also redesigned to improve the rigidity and now provides an extended frequency response.

On the three-way floorstander, the midrange driver incorporates a small pleat peripheral short-travel suspension, which Triangle is known for. Very rigid and perfectly adapted to the driver with short travel suspension, it allows a perfect control of the movement of the moving elements, thus ensuring natural-sounding vocals.

PUNCHING, POWERFUL AND PRECISE LOW FREQUENCIES

The mission of TRIANGLE’s engineers is to deliver a rich and dynamic sound in the low frequencies, emphasising the pace without ever distorting the music.  Controlled low frequencies is an ongoing quest. Living up to its reputation, TRIANGLE focuses on fast and precise drivers, with large engines, all housed in optimized cabinets. The impact disappears as quickly as it has arrived, for a perfectly controlled rhythmic reproduction.

To achieve this, TRIANGLE has opted for membranes in fiberglass with an excellent vibratory behavior. Their rigidity enables to strongly reproduce each impact while leaving space for the vocal range, thus keeping an airy sound.

DVAS SYSTEM

NEUTRALITY AND SOUND CLARITY

Significant research has been carried out to reduce internal vibrations in the cabinet. Unprecedented in speakers of this category, all models of the Borea range feature perforated internal panels in MDF & EVA foam, thus stiffening the transducer/cabinet combination.

This innovative concept not only reduces the vibratory behavior of the structure but also absorbs the vibrations generated by the movement of the bass drivers. This proprietary system unique to TRIANGLE is called DVAS (*Driver Vibration Absorption System).

At the end of each internal reinforcement, a high-density EVA foam gasket ensures the contact between the motor of the transducer and the reinforcement. The vibrations of the driver generated by the suspension of the membrane are greatly mitigated, the latter transmitting a low residual vibration to the cabinet.

The DVAS system considerably reduces the vibration of the speaker and reinforces the notion of neutrality and clarity when listening. It results in a better listening experience with no coloration or structure noise.

DECOUPLING

Each speaker of the Borea range has its own decoupling system.

The bookshelf and the center channel models are equipped with rubber pads, protecting your speakers and limiting vibrations transmitted.

The floorstanders have a pedestal, ensuring greater stability, on which four inserts allow the implementation of decoupling spikes. Rubber pads are also provided if the flooring does not allow the use of spikes.

MAGNETIC GRILL

All speakers in the Borea range have a magnetic protective grill, showing no visible inserts or screws. It is recommended to remove the grills when listening to the speakers, as they can impact the sound.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Number of drivers 4
Number of ways 3
Sensitivity 92 dB/W/m
Frequency range 40 Hz – 22 KHz (+/- 3 dB)
Power handling 150 W
Nominal impedance 8 Ω
Minimum impedance 3 Ω
Low frequency roll-off 215 Hz
High frequency roll-off 3500 Hz
Dimensions (inch) 8,11 x 40,15 x 12,36
Weight 41,55 lbs
Packaging Dimensions WxHxD (Inch) 12,2 x 44,3 x 16,6
Packaging Weight (Lbs/per piece) 52,91

Triangle Borea BR08 review

Superb performers capable of thrilling results Tested at £999 / $1399 / AU$1900

By What Hi-Fi? February 01, 2021

OUR VERDICT

Given a suitable system and plenty of space, these exceptional Triangle floorstanders really shine

FOR

• Excellent dynamics and punch
• Impressive rhythmic drive
• Terrific punch and agility

AGAINST

• Requires care in partnering
• Needs a larger room to shine

Triangle’s new Borea BR08 floorstanders arrive into a tough and crowded market. There’s no shortage of talented rivals at this level, with something of quality available from pretty much every serious manufacturer out there. Yet having spent some time in the company of the BR08, we feel they offer something special.

Build

Their 102cm-tall cabinets look a little basic from the outside, due to flat parallel sides and a lack of adornment, but take a closer look and you’ll find them to be solid, well made and neatly finished. They come in four finishes – black ash, white, walnut and the recently introduced (and rather nice) light oak.

As would be expected at this price, these enclosures are carefully braced internally to aid rigidity. There’s been some invention in the way the drive units are mounted, with a piece of high-density EVA foam holding the back of the driver firmly against the internal brace for extra stability. But beyond that, there’s little else unusual here.

Once their plinths are bolted on, the BR08 feel nice and stable, though floor spikes that are more piercing would be useful. The ones supplied aren’t really sharp enough to get through thick carpets, and so won't be able to make firm contact with the floor underneath.

Compatibility

We can’t complain about the drive unit array, though. It’s clear that a large chunk of the engineering budget has gone here. The BR08 are a three-way design with two 16cm fibreglass-coned bass units and a 25mm silk dome tweeter, aided by a front-firing reflex port to augment the low frequency output.

The 16cm midrange driver is taken from the more premium Esprit EZ range and uses Triangle's favoured cellulose paper cone material. The company likes the material's combination of relatively low mass, rigidity and self-damping.

The tweeter, meanwhile, utilises a design that's common throughout the Borea range. We experienced it last year in the Borea BR03 standmounters, and here it features the same unusual two-pronged phase plug, claimed to aid tonal evenness and dispersion. There’s an element of horn loading of the dome, too, due to the dished tweeter surround.

The combination of these drive units – and the partnering crossover network as well, of course – gives these speakers a relatively high sensitivity of 92dB/W/m. While this means you’ll be able to get decent volume levels from low-powered amplifiers, it’s worth noting that their nominal 8ohm impedance dips to a 3ohm minimum, so you’ll still need to check for compatibility. That said, most price-compatible amps, such as the Cambridge Audio CXA81 or Rega Elex-R, will cope fine.

Note that these speakers need plenty of room to breathe. Triangle's website suggests they work best in rooms between 20-40m squared in size, and the manual recommends placing them at least 40cm from a rear wall and more than 50cm from the sides. Such is the bass output of these speakers that we end up with them around 90cm into our test room, positioned well away from the sides and slightly angled towards the listener.

Once positioned with care and partnered with suitably talented electronics, the BR08 sound very good indeed. The one point of concern is that the 25mm tweeter is crisp and detailed but easily provoked, so to avoid any such issue don’t use partnering electronics that veer towards brightness, aggression or hardness. But follow that advice and you can enjoy one of the most entertaining floorstanders we’ve heard at this level.

Sound

The Borea BR08 deliver a thrill ride with appropriate material. We play Nirvana’s Nevermind and they sound right at home: they punch hard, combining high levels of detail with an enviable ability to tie it altogether to produce a cohesive and musical whole. Those twin bass drivers dig deep but, pleasingly, remain agile and articulate too.

We can’t think of a better alternative when it comes to rhythmic drive either. These towers charge at full throttle, communicating the energy and momentum of the music brilliantly. Cobain’s vocals come through with passion fully intact, and there’s no doubting the clarity and insight of the Boreas with music such as this.

We switch to Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring and these floorstanders continue to impress. Their presentation has huge scale and authority. Wide-ranging dynamics? Ability to play at high volumes? Expansive stereo imaging? Tick, tick and almost a tick.

While stereo imaging is pretty precise for speakers at this level, it’s not as spacious and layered as some we’ve heard. The Triangles aren’t significantly flawed in this respect, though; they’re simply decent rather than exceptional. The same can be said about the overall tonal balance, which is even enough rather than ruler flat.

These are speakers that prefer to be played loudly. Push up the volume and they come alive with a vigour that makes most rivals seem sedate in comparison. They’re still enjoyable at low settings, mind you, but lack a little pep relatively speaking.

Verdict

In overall terms, these Triangles are exceptional, and certainly good enough to challenge the very best at this price. They’re happy playing all genres of music and do it with a charm that’s addictive. We advise listening to them before buying any other floorstanders at this price. You’ll be thankful you did.

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Compatibility 4
• Build 5