Product Review
 

Triad InRoom Gold
Monitors, MiniMonitors and PowerSubs

Part I

June, 2007

Piero Gabucci

 

Specifications: 

 

Monitor

  • Drivers: One 1" Tweeter, Two 6.5" Woofers

  • FR: 65-40 kHz

  • Efficiency: 92 dB

  • Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms

  • Power Handling: 200 Watts

  • Dimensions: 19.4" H x 9.8" W x 12.8" D

  • Weight: 40 Pounds

  • MSRP: $3,450/Each
     

MiniMonitor

  • Drivers: One 1" Tweeter, One 6.5" Woofer

  • FR: 55-20 kHz

  • Efficiency 86 dB

  • Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms

  • Power Handling: 150 Watts

  • Dimensions: 13.5" H x 8.8" W x 11" D

  • Weight: 24 Pounds

  • MSRP: $1,750/Each


PowerSubs/RackAmp500

  • Driver: 15"

  • Amplifier: 500 Watts

  • FR: 20-180 Hz

  • Dimensions: 18" H x 17" W x 15.57" D

  • Weight: 73 Pounds

  • MSRP: $2,050 Sub and Amp Combo
     

Triad Speakers

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.

© Copyright 2007 Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity

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