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I am considering purchasing a pair of these...opinions?
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Hi, interesting read. theMechanic: your sonic descriptions are excellent!I know that In Living Stereo in NYC, in the village (4th street and Lafayette) has Triangle speakers (saw them with my own eyes a last week), but that Vandy's are no longer carried by any of the numerous dealers in NYC. I bought my 1c's, which are large-ish floorstanders, not bookshelves, from Sound by Singer circa 1999, but alas, they no longer carry Vandersteen. A dealer in Verona, NJ, Audio Connection, carries Vandersteen's.
(I'm a dealer in the US, but I haven't gotten to go that high in their line-up.)
I seem to remember HiFi Choice (UK) reviewed a system provided by a dealer atleast 4 months ago that included:-the Volantes
-ECS Monoblocs
-Audio Aero Capitole CD (drove Monoblocs directly)
-Wireworld Eclipse cabling.(I know it was Triangle speakers, and I could have sworn it was the Volantes.)
It blew them away.
I can find my hard copy of it if you can't locate it.From what coverage of Triangle you have likely seen already, it ought to be clear how opinionated they are in their priorities. I would strongly advise against buying them sight unheard.
That warning aside, if you like them, you are really going to like them. Just remember that they don't necessarily play by the normal rules of audiophile speaker set up.
For what it's worth-
Thanks for the post about the Volantes...I have not heard them and cannot find anywhere that I can hear them...I was in the first phase of considering buying them on reputation based on the opinion of someone who I have bought a bunch of things from and have some reason to respect. How would you characterize their "opinionated" stance?
(Where are you in the US, and is there any place that you travel to for work or leisure? I can try to locate a dealer for you.)Triangle's priorities tend to revolve around dynamics and "time domain", usually at the expense of tone and bass extension.
In the right system, they have a tremendous capacity to make things happen where AND when they are supposed to in the sound mix. Notes start, peak and then fade in a very believeable way, fitting the behavior the human brain seems to anticipate.
Too theoretical?
OK, how about this: Great sense of snap, timing, drive, groove, jump, etc. The kind of sound that makes you lean forward in your chair, trying to get nose to nose with the performer(s). But that ability can also make them sound too busy and overwhelming to other people. Their somewhat pale presentation of tone can also be a turn off for some listeners.
Think of it as a photograph where the colors aren't so vivid, but the detail is very fine, well focused and coherent.
Lastly, it is worth noting that Triangle tends to have a pretty obvious house sound, ie., if you get to hear other models in that line and like them, then there's a 95% chance you would be fine w/the Volantes, assuming your room can accomodate them. They aren't small and they probably would prefer some space to breathe.
Tell me what you think-
Hi theMechanicThanks for your appreciation re. Triangle loudspeakers: I own Triangle Lyrr at the end of a Naim gear, and I feel exactly what you describe: very fast loudspeaker, lively, with a lot of punch, but an abvious lack of bass (specially when played at low volumes), and no "flesh" in the instruments. I think they work very well with valva amps.
As for me, I'm trying to change (perhaps for Neat Elites SE
I own the Zays 222's (a notch down from the Lyrr), and I am curious about your situation.I noticed with my Zays that even the most unlikely things could affect them in unexpected ways. They certainly don't set up the same as many other speakers I work with.
And it was often the most overlooked details that ended up being the turning point.
So if there is something that I can offer that helps you get the sound you are after, I'd be happy to give it a go.
For what it is worth-
OKI've got a "5 series" from Naim (CD5/FC2/112/150), and Triangle Lyrr with Chord Odyssey cables. All my gear is on a very poor and old stand (I guess it conveys every vibration to the whole system...).
My living-room is 40m2, with 3 big windows on one side, and wide open to another room (3 big open spaces). There also is a wooden "parquet" under my feet, and the ceiling is partially covered with glass.
I'm looking for a warmer sound, with, as I said, more bass and more "flesh" in the instruments, but also with the same "punch" than the Lyrr.Thanks for your help/ideas.
I live in the Manchester, NH area and work near Boston. Your descripton is intriguing. What turns me on the most is three dimensionality. I am a long time (20 years) Vandersteen owner and have had the 3As in my main system for 10 years or so. I would really like to move up to the 5As, but they are just a ton of money. The first review of these that I found compared them to the 5As...how do you think they stack up?
Vandersteen vs. Triangle- Wow, that's a tough one! I'm in Houston and there is a VERY devoted following for Vandies down here, for good reason. The only times I have ever had direct exposure to his speakers were once at the local dealer (5's, ages ago), and more recently at a local classical CD store (bookshelfs, 1ce?).For the big 5's, the dealer readily admitted that the system wasn't yet in its final configuration- but my overall impression was one of distance. It was my own CD of orchestra music, and the Vandies seemed to have me WAAAAAAYYYY back in the hall. Maybe even in the next room.
Even though that was some years back, I have talked to several customers recently who heard the same effect, like everything was so far away. I would not take this observation as definitive, but it does seem to fit with their reputation for being easy to live with. And I could certainly see where many customers would prefer that approach.
In the case of the bookshelfs, I distinctly remember how natural and easy going they were. They just kind of melted into the background, let the music flow, and let me do my thing. Certainly nothing wrong with that!
In the case of the equivalent Triangles, they would likely show more drama and sheer energy in the music, if not in the most refined way. Whereas the Vandersteens seemed to drift the music into the room and encourage the listener to ease back and relax, the Triangles can bring things up so close and personal to the listener that you can't help but sit up and pay attention. I've had customers "complain" before because they couldn't get any work done at home; when their system was running, they kept having to stop what they were doing and go listen, even if the CD was one they had heard a thousand times before. As a brand, Triangles seem to refuse to be used for "background" music, refuse to be ingored.
In short, the two sounds are very different and equally valid. The 5a's are probably more refined and better behaved, more even-handed; the Volantes are probably rougher around the edges, but with more immediacy and emotion. I can't tell you which one you are going to like, but I can say that the Triangles are worth a listen, if only to confirm what you are already so fond of in the Vandersteen sound. That's how I often use them in demo- to help customers crystalize their opinions about what priorities they do like, even when the Triangles aren't in contention.
I'm trying to see if I can locate a dealer in your area. I know there is atleast one in NY City, but I seem to remember there being one closer to Boston. The importer is pretty easy to work with, so even if that dealer doesn't have them, something could be worked out.
The importer is based in Montreal, by the way. Do any skiing? Could be a good excuse.
For what it is worth-
thanks, mechanic...I do get to NYC pretty frequentlly, so that might work...let me know and feel free to email me.
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