GOLDENEAR BRX stand mount review
Hey friends, Steve Guttenberg here from the AudioPhiliac Daily Show. Today, I’m excited to dive into the GoldenEar BRX stand-mount speaker. It’s a real gem—beautiful and sounds fantastic.
First off, it’s a 2-way speaker featuring a folded ribbon tweeter and a 6-inch mid-woofer. These drivers are derived from GoldenEar’s flagship Trident reference model, making the BRX a mini flagship in its own right. What sets it apart are the unique 6.5-inch passive radiators on the sides of its compact cabinet. These flat passive radiators add substantial low-end heft, enhancing its overall sound quality and extending its bass response impressively.
Despite its modest size—standing at about 12 inches high—the BRX delivers a robust and powerful sound, thanks to these passive radiators and clever design. GoldenEar claims it reaches down to 40 Hz, though in my experience, it’s more around 45 Hz in a larger room. Still, for a speaker of its size, it’s remarkably potent.
Let’s talk a bit about passive radiators because they’re often misunderstood. Sandy Gross, the founder of GoldenEar Technology, has a rich history in speaker design, having co-founded Polk Audio and Definitive Technology—both known for their use of passive radiators. In the BRX, these passive radiators perform exceptionally well, providing superior bass extension without the drawbacks of port noise. Sandy Gross understands the nuances of passive radiator design, and the BRX exemplifies his mastery in this regard.
In terms of specifications, the BRX is an 8-ohm speaker with a claimed sensitivity of 90 dB, although this seems a bit optimistic based on my listening tests. For more detailed specs, you can refer to GoldenEar’s official site.
One standout design detail is the protruding lip at the bottom of the front baffle, visible when the grill is removed. While this design choice may raise concerns about diffraction and reflections, it surprisingly doesn’t impact the speaker’s sound negatively. The BRX excels in imaging, offering a spacious and focused soundstage. Its left-to-right projection is excellent, though depth could be more pronounced.
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GoldenEar recommends using 30-inch stands for optimal performance, but my 28.5-inch stands worked well enough, proving versatile for different setups.
As I experimented with various amplifiers, two stood out: the Mytek Brooklyn amp and the Pass Labs XA 25. Both amps offered distinct sonic characters, with the Pass Labs delivering superior sound quality, albeit at a higher price point. The BRX responded well to both, revealing impressive mid-range clarity and treble extension.
Listening to music, from jazz to rock, revealed the BRX’s strengths and limitations. It excels in reproducing mid-range vocals with accuracy and warmth, showcasing its tonal balance and musicality. The folded ribbon tweeter adds a layer of clarity and detail, making instruments like cymbals shimmer with lifelike precision.
For instance, David Chesky’s “Paintings” album sounded particularly engaging on the BRX, capturing the nuances of a piano trio with remarkable fidelity. The cymbals, in particular, were rendered with delicacy and spatial accuracy, reflecting the natural ambience of the recording venue.
While the BRX performs admirably up to medium-high volumes, its size does impose limitations when pushed to louder levels, especially with rock music. For those scenarios, pairing it with a larger subwoofer or opting for a bigger GoldenEar model might be advisable.
AV info
Premium bookshelf 5.1 system
GoldenEar’s BRX is its top-of-the-range bookshelf model
M&K Sound LCR750; Paradigm Founder 40B
Website: www.goldenear.com
The BRX features front-facing HVFR tweeter and 6in bass/ mid, plus side-facing passive radiators
Verdict
In conclusion, the GoldenEar Technology BRX stands out as a formidable performer among compact speakers. Despite its diminutive size, it delivers a surprisingly robust sound with deep bass extension, stunning mid-range clarity, and sparkling treble. Priced at $1,599 per pair, it offers excellent value for those seeking high-performance audio in a compact form factor.
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