Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Jean-Marie Reynaud Trente Speakers by Julien M.

Model:	Trente
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2300
Description:	3 way loudspeaker system using two drivers
Manufacturer URL:	Jean-Marie Reynaud
Model Picture:	View

Review by Julien M. on August 01, 2001 at 08:28:07
IP Address: 204.165.136.6

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Dear fellow inmates
I've had a pair of JMR Trente for a few months now (since April 2001) and I've postponed writing my impressions here at the AA due to lack of free time. It's actually good that it took me so long since I'm more impartial now and not as influenced with the excitement of a new toy.
The first thing about the Trente I've noticed is it's lack of boxiness and extreme transparency. It replaced a pair of Linn Keilidh I liked very much and have upgraded every single component of its crossover. The Keilidh were very transparent as well (specially after the parts upgrades) but, compared to the Trente, couldn't deliver such a deep and wide sound stage, and were a much more difficult load for my Edison 60 (class A PP triode). The Keilidh also had a slight tendency to soften the sound. That's probably a good asset when using SS amplification, but IMO not necessary with a good quality tube amp.
The Keilidh impedance load wasn't as friendlier. The Trente are rated at 4 ohms nominal, but after talking with Mr. Reynaud, I found out they only go down to 4.3 or 4.6 (can't remember the exact value). I've connected them to the 4 ohm speaker terminals in my amp. The Keilidh were connected to the 2 ohm terminals and I was feeling some lack of power from my amp (20 to 25 Watts).
The sound of my system with the Trente in became more open, spacious, and extremely fast compared to the Keilidh. Bass goes deeper than the Keilidh (even when I still had my Jolida 502b - more than 2x the power of the Edison 60) and is much more articulate. I now can hear the low registers with more texture and a better definition of the instruments that are actually playing.
On the negative side, the Trente will expose your system's flaws. I've being playing around with some components and cables since I got the Trente and every little change was much more obvious than before.
Break in is a long process, patience is a must. They'll sound magical after full break in.
The speaker terminals could be better, but I'm not sure if that affects the sound that much. Mr. Reynaud uses these in his reference no compromise models. Musicality is his priority, but he doesn't seem to compromise in transparency or accuracy of his products.
Overall, these are truly transparent speakers and extremely musical as well. They're very involving.
I can see the Trente being a good match to many low to medium power tube amps, I wouldn't go much lower than 15-20 Watts though.
Julien

Product Weakness: very long break in time
Product Strengths: extremely transparent and musical
the stained beech veneer finish is gorgeous

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Edison 60 PP triode using 6922 (input and drive stages) and modified to accept KT-88/6550. Major passive parts upgrade
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none (passive integrated in amp - DACT CT-1)
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon DVD-2800 (being tweaked), Assemblage DAC 2.6 (with signature parts and all other upgrades and some tweaks).
Speakers:	Jean-Marie Reynaud Trente on Atlantis reference 24" stands siting on Bright Star Big Rock 4's
Cables/Interconnects:	Alpha-Core Python copper single run speaker cables, Audience Au24 and Cardas Neutral Reference interconnects, JM75 digital cable (BNC to BNC). Power cords are DIY using XLO cables and Wattgate, Furutech, and other hospital grade termination.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical (large and small scale), Pop/Rock (Alternative), Jazz, World (a lot of Brazilian)...
Room Size (LxWxH):	10 x 15 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Michael Green "pillows", Soundcoat in furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Richard Gray Power Company, Bybee/Curl Signature (for digital only), Welborne labs Gatekeeper (for analog: Amp and tuner), PS Audio Ultimate Outlet at the AC outlet. Audioprism Quiet Lines, Magnam recipe DIY parallel AC filters
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	very long break in time
Product Strengths:	extremely transparent and musical the stained beech veneer finish is gorgeous