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Specifications:
Monitor
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Drivers: One 1" Tweeter, Two 6.5" Woofers
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FR: 65-40 kHz
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Efficiency: 92 dB
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Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
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Power Handling: 200 Watts
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Dimensions: 19.4" H x 9.8" W x 12.8" D
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Weight: 40 Pounds
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MSRP: $3,450/Each
MiniMonitor
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Drivers: One 1" Tweeter, One 6.5" Woofer
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FR: 55-20 kHz
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Efficiency 86 dB
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Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
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Power Handling: 150 Watts
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Dimensions: 13.5" H x 8.8"
W x 11" D
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Weight: 24 Pounds
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MSRP: $1,750/Each
PowerSubs/RackAmp500
Triad Speakers |
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Introduction
The prospect of reviewing a major home
theater audio amplification package from ADA (Audio Design Associates) sent me looking for
what I thought might be a better match for the powerful amplifiers than I
could supply with my modest home theater speakers. Triad seemed like a
perfect fit – I was dead on!
I had a wonderful opportunity to discuss the package I was getting with Paul
Scarpelli, Director of Sales and Marketing, a 10 years+ man at Triad before
"placing my order". That's correct; you cannot just purchase Triad speakers
since they are all customized and must be purchased through a dealer. Don't
fret, however, as by the time the credit card has been approved, Triad's
factory ala Toyota method of "lean manufacturing" (Paul's words not mine)
produces over 60 models of InWalls, OnWalls, and InCeiling which they ship
daily. If your preference is custom paints then Triad needs abut a week and
with custom veneers allow them a few weeks.
Custom also means allowing their engineering department led by Jim Laughlin
to modify and adapt their products to specific installations and further if
one-of-a-kind is necessary, Jim's group can accommodate.
Paul exuded confidence and delight in acquainting me with Triad and its
history. When most speaker manufacturers are turning to the Far East for
production, Triad builds them at home in Oregon. No shape, size, or color is
out of the question; Triad will build "application based" speakers for its
dealers. If you're interested in a tour, give Paul a call and head west.
Paul went on to talk about components, from the best drivers and materials, to
damping and quality box construction and fabrication. In fact, he was kind
enough to also ship to me an enclosure cut in half to expose the inner
chamber. I was impressed with the high level of interior machining and
thorough damping.
Chris Groppi, fellow reviewer here at Secrets, was fortunate to audition the
top-of-the-line Platinum speakers from Triad and he exulted the highest
praise. I would soon discover why, as I experienced the Gold package.
And likewise, look for Ed Mullen's previous and thorough review of the Triad Gold
subwoofer.
My Package
In the Gold line, Triad offers multiple levels from in-wall, on-walls, and
in-room (monitors) including full subwoofers. For across the front I
received the pedestal mounted Monitor units, and for sides and rears, MiniMonitors. Now that's seven if you're counting, and to top it off,
they sent a pair
of subwoofers and outboard amplifiers.
As Paul concluded the "order", he asked if I minded them in black - like I'd
say no. Within two weeks they arrived on my driveway, all 21 boxes!
For those not completely familiar with Triad, they categorize speakers as
InWall, InCeiling or OnWall, all self-explanatory and "InRoom" meaning
speakers on shelves or stands." The Gold line is quite extensive, Triad
offers LCR's, monitors, surrounds and multi-use Omnis.
Gold
Monitor
Damn, they're heavy - how about 40 pounds each! At nearly 20" tall, 10" wide, and
almost 13" deep, these monitors are solid (the speaker on the left in
the photo below). The matching pedestals are about
30" tall and are sized specifically for the footprint of the monitor. I did
ultimately find this to be a bit high, but Paul did ask me how high I wanted
them, mea culpa.
Wire management is through the base into the
rear of the speaker via conduit buried in the boxy pedestal. The pedestal
has a wide base, solidly screwed thankfully, as this tower is quite heavy.
The overall design is quite conservative, bordering on the plain, but that
is what generic black is supposed to be (if you want Ferrari red, you can
get them that way). The
face is flat, save a crease across the middle through the mid-mounted
tweeter. Front grilles are provided, but they never made it out of their
protective bags – I like them raw!
Triad refers to the unusual tweeter as an "Extended Response ScanSpeak ring
radiator". Above and below arranged á la D'Appolito
are two large 6.5" ScanSpeak drivers.
ScanSpeak is a high-end manufacturer of drivers founded in Denmark in the
early 1970s. The 1" R2904 tweeters and the 6.5 mid-woofers found on the Gold
Monitors are the "Revelator" series, known for their high level of detail and
low distortion. Needless to say, these drivers represent some of the best
available and are quite expensive.
The
Gold Monitor can handle up to 200 watts of power, while maintaining a high
sensitivity rating of 92 dB. These 4 Ohm speakers will dip to a low 65 Hz,
with the -3 dB down point at 40 H.
On the rear is a solid pair of binding posts, significantly recessed on an
angled baffle.
MiniMonitors
These (the speaker on the right in the photo above) are quite compact, yet still maintain the solid construction of the
larger brothers. While it sports only one 6.5" ScanSpeak driver designed
for Triad, its 1" fabric dome tweeter is unlike the Monitor tweeter.
The Mini's can handle 150 watts, have a sensitivity rating of 86 dB and an
impedance of 4 ohms. Internally, it is identical to the LCR with
extensive bracing. The Mini does come with a grille cloth cover.
At 24 pounds, certainly more manageable than the larger Monitor, the Mini
will give you a frequency response down to 50 Hz. Everything else is very
much the same with the matching base stands and wire management.
Go to Part II.
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