December 2024

Triangle Borea BR03 Connect Monitor Loudspeaker Review
No muss and no fuss for only $699.
Review By Ric Mancuso / Bargain Audiophile

   TRIANGLE is an audio company based in France and has been developing and manufacturing Hi-Fi loudspeakers for more than 40 years. The BR03 CONNECT speaker system is a lifestyle sound system that incorporates multi-source connectivity offering a simple and elegant way to listen to music. I own a pair of the BR02 passive speakers and use them frequently to introduce myself to electronic pairings with various components. They are used in my stable of speakers, which are of high efficiency and can reveal the nature of upstream components. In an obtuse way, they are the canary in the coal mine.

Who Is The Intended Customer?
Being the Bargain Audiophile that I am, the customer for the BR03 CONNECT system would be someone(s) who would like a no-fuss way of getting good sound with the ease of set-up and good value. I liken this approach to a modern automobile media/sound system. It's all there with a touch of a finger. Or putting in some coins to select a tune on a robust good good-sounding Juke Box.

Let's look at the BR03 CONNECT through the lens of an audiophile's ears. My first take on the sound was, "I could live with these." Live, is the key word. How does one live? How is music a part of your daily life? Does the music entertainment revolve around your work activities on your desktop or office? Is it for the family and friends to enjoy in a living space? The BR03 CONNECT would fit in all these categories. This product crosses the boundaries of the audiophile and reaches out to people who either want to downsize their system complexity or those who wish to integrate their personal devices into a central-entertainment system. Yes, convenience and usability are at the forefront of this system.

What Does It Do?
The BR03 CONNECT name indicates connectivity to various audio sources with the user interface being a remote control. There are no separate pre-amps or amplifiers to hook up. There are RCA input jacks to plug in line level sources and a phono input for a moving magnet cartridge. Here are all the input choices:

TV ARC: Television Connected via an HDMI cable, the speaker can be synchronized with your TV's remote control.

USB-B: Computer studio-quality sound without data loss (384KHZ/32BIT, DSD 256). Coaxial, optical and RCA inputs (new).

APTX-HD: Bluetooth The APTX HD module ensures high-definition sound performance (24 bits / 48 kHz).

PHONO: Turntable Built-in MM phono preamplifier.

OPTICAL / COAX: Digital inputs

RCA / 3.5mm jack: Audio

SUB Out: Subwoofer

AUX

The BR03 CONNECT speakers feature an integrated phono preamplifier, making it easy to connect most turntables on the market. Triangle has formed a partnership with the turntable manufacturer Pro-ject to offer a package with the speakers on some models.

Set-Up
The packaging is secure and removing the speakers was an easy task. Included are a remote control, connecting speaker cable, and an IEC 3-foot power cord. Optional Triangle speaker stands are available at an extra cost. The speakers are considered bookshelf models, however, placing them on 24" stands was my preference for listening in a near-field position with the speakers about 8' apart. The included speaker cable was stretched out to its maximum length. One could use a longer length of premium cable to set the speakers out wider apart or hide the cable running around the room. What is awkward is hooking up the power cable with the short, provided length to the wall socket. In a bookshelf set-up, there most likely would be an AC plug behind a cabinet or large shelf. You would need a small audio rack to place a turntable and an audio streamer or some other component close by the powered speaker. Also, getting a longer-length IEC power cord would be recommended. Also to consider is a Bluetooth turntable for those who don't want to fuss with cables and cords.

I used my BLUESOUND NODE streamer and the new Orchard Audio device currently under review. I think my first ergonomic choice would be using my NODE streamer as a wireless source with either an optical or Co-Ax cable to the BR03 CONNECT.

Sound Experience
The first audio source I listened to was a Bluetooth stream from a local Jazz Radio station. Simply pair the BR03 CONNECT to your BT device and select the stations or any music content for live streaming. I was taken aback by how good the sound quality was with my iPhone 15. Just push the BT button on the remote control.

High-Res Bluetooth Transmission
With its 24-bit processing capacity, the Bluetooth 5.0 APTX HD QUALCOMM APTX HD CHIP module delivered a very good listenable session. The next source was listening to a few Jazz albums recorded in FLAC on my BLUESOUND Vault hard drive through the NODE device's optical output to the BRO3 system's input. Wow, I was knocked out by how rich and full the recordings sounded! You could hear the breathiness of vocalists with their lips smacking. I could hear the reed of the saxophone and the saliva dripping off, no drool bucket was provided for review. I must mention the excellent DAC, the ESS 9018K2M.

High-Level Conversion
The latest-generation ESS DAC ensures digital/analog conversion with maximum PCM sampling of 384KHZ/32BIT and native DSD256 Digital Audio Converter (DAC). I'm asking myself, only $699.00 for this system. Maybe a little on the warm side of being a tad euphonic? Hey, I'm always on the side of sweet vs. savory. I detected some of that warm NAD house sound. My guess is Triangle is possibly utilizing the Hypex Class D amplifier module. 60 watts of power with an efficient speaker design with the BOREA speakers, a good match.

There is good imaging and good depth with good recordings. The way it should be. I turned out the lights and had a glass of wine in hand just listening and listening. No, there is no pinpoint laser-type focus or ultimate transparency, but there is a toe-tap involuntary response to the music. Instruments sounded authentic and tonality was spot on. Ok, let's use the term MUSICAL to describe the overall sound.

Triangle has put effort into the phono playback of the BR03 CONNECT. This is in the wheelhouse of this system. I used an inexpensive Audio Technica 240 BX turntable with their AT 95 cartridge. At times, I had to remind myself that this is an insanely inexpensive system that is producing this kind of sound on the cheap!

Ok, that's not all. I felt the bass produced by the system was more than ample and satisfying. Well extended without bloat. The BR03 CONNECT has dual bass ports in the rear of the speaker. I thought, well let's try using a REL Acoustic small T-Zero MKIII subwoofer to see what benefits it would add to the system's performance.

The world just bigger with the addition of the subwoofer. Imaging improved and the spatial aspects of the stage increased sizably. I did not try hooking up an HDMI cable to the TV. It requires a PCM-based output signal from the TV. I would suspect admirable sonic results with this application. The remote control can be tied to the TV remote. Nice convenient feature.

The Speaker Itself
The speakers feature a 6.5" cellulose white cone mid/woofer with a 1" silk dome tweeter with a waveguide. There are two 1.5" bass ports on top on the rear of each speaker. Bass reflex design. I found the bass was well extended and tight, down to 45 Hz. The cabinets are roughly 12" deep, 8" inches wide, and 14" tall. Cabinet finishes are vinyl wrap for a very clean look. There are six attractive cabinet finishes available including the speaker baffles and cabinets. The review samples in for review are in black cabinets with gray baffles. I love looking at the white cones without the grills on. In a way, they kind of smile at you.

Epilogue
Being the Bargain Audiophile, it's refreshing to come across a really good-sounding system for under $1,000. If you like the convenience and the ease of using a system without the Muss & Fuss of hooking up cables and separate components, this system will free you from high-anxiety audiophile nervosa. It's all about Enjoying the Music! A Fantastic Holiday Gift Bargain.

About The Bargain Audiophile
My audio sensibilities tilt to the good to great value for the money audio components, even vintage gear. I love really good cheap eats and also appreciate the exceptional palate bomb $$$$ meal! Oh, and let's follow it up with worthy wine pairings from $-$$$$. People always ask me, "Are you a good cook?" I say," I just cook with good ingredients." This is similar the way I review good audio systems. Within hi-fi audio, there are amazing great values, even in today's market compared to far more expensive modern units. It's like a Julia Child's recipe for a French omelet. Can't be beat and simply done.

Today's landscape of media entertainment listening options ranges from the smartphone on the go, tablets, laptops, or personal gadgets that are Free Range and of course, the dedicated home audio rig. All can be a source of enjoying the music depending on one's lifestyle and expectations at the moment. Technology has showered us with great opportunities and choices with exceptional values. The Bargain Audiophile's mission is to establish a bridge and a path to enjoy the music.

Specifications
Type: Powered monitor loudspeaker with analog and digital inputs
Frequency Response: 47 Hz to 22 kHz (+/-3dB)
Tweeter: 25mm EFS silk dome 
Midrange / Woofer: 16cm cellulose pulp
Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0, aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL, SBC, AAC
Amplifier Power: 60 Watts per channel
Inputs: TV ARC, USB-B, APTX-HD, Phono, optical TosLink, and 3.5mm stereo jack
Dimensions: 206 x 360 x 314 mm (WxHxD)
Weight: Master speaker 7.3 and slave speaker 6.6 kg
Price: $699 per pair

Company Information
Triange HiFi
475 Avenue Flandres Dunkerque
ZI Les Etomelles
02200 Villeneuve-Saint-Germain
France 

Voice: +33 3 65 87 03 59 
Website: TriangleHiFi.eu

USA Distributor

Voice: (971) 266-4889
Website: TriangleHiFi.us