GoldenEar T66 Review
The GoldenEar T66 combines passive midrange and tweeters with an active subwoofer in one enclosure, aiming to impress with an immersive and natural sound. Let’s find out what these partially active floor-standing speakers can truly deliver.
It may be hard to believe, but the American brand GoldenEar is only 14 years old, and it has already made a significant impact in the speaker market. In prominent U.S. test magazines, GoldenEar speakers, which belong to The Quest Group (including AudioQuest), frequently earn top ratings or create real surprises. We at 7Review were also impressed when we heard the latest GoldenEar speakers, the T66, at the Central German HiFi Days 2023. We immediately arranged a test with the AudioQuest team, and now the stylish floor-standing speakers are in our test room.
GoldenEar
GoldenEar was founded in 2010 by Sandy Gross in the USA, who had previously established the speaker brands Polk Audio and Definitive Technology. In January 2020, Gross sold the company to Bill Low, CEO of The Quest Group, which also includes the cable manufacturer AudioQuest. Thanks to their partnership, GoldenEar has gained international recognition through numerous joint exhibition appearances.
In English-speaking HiFi circles, the term “golden ear” refers to people capable of discerning subtle differences in audio playback that most casual listeners might miss.
Besides floor-standing speakers from the Triton series, GoldenEar offers bookshelf speakers (BRX and Aon3), home cinema speakers, and soundbars. The T66 is the only speaker in the T series, which we will now examine more closely.
Design
The slim, tall silhouette of the T66 strongly resembles the Triton series design. The front cover, made of a curved grille, is an integral part of the speaker and cannot be easily removed. The speaker’s side panels hide the membrane responsible for deep bass reproduction. Its elegant base is supported by adjustable spikes, ensuring good decoupling from the floor. According to GoldenEar, the enclosure’s design significantly contributes to a holographic sound experience, immersing listeners in a 3D audio environment.
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At 124 cm in height and weighing 27.2 kg, the speaker is both noticeable and understated, with our test model coming in a glossy black finish. The more striking red version, called “Santa-Barbara-Red,” is currently sold out.
Configuration
At the top of the T66, there’s an AMT tweeter positioned between two mid-woofers. Supported by a powerful magnet assembly, the tweeter provides clear and precise sound. It’s mounted in wool felt, which minimizes diffraction and reflection distortions.
The mid-woofers feature cast baskets that offer enhanced rigidity and better resonance control, leading to more precise sound reproduction. GoldenEar has also improved the phase plug technology, which ensures even distribution of sound waves to reduce interference and phase issues. The T66 uses a “Multi-Vaned Phase Plug” with multiple segments for a consistent sound wave spread.
Additionally, the T66 includes two rectangular bass drivers, each measuring 12.7 × 23 cm. These drivers are placed strategically to optimize coupling with the passive radiators, allowing approximately 1 dB more performance from the woofer system. Side-mounted passive radiators, almost the size of an A4 paper, further enhance the bass performance.
Technical Specifications
The base of the T66 houses a DSP amplifier that powers its active subwoofer with a peak output of 1,000 watts and 500 watts RMS. GoldenEar recommends amplifier power between 20 and 500 watts for the T66, ensuring compatibility even with lower-powered amplifiers due to its built-in subwoofer support. The speaker’s efficiency is rated at 91 dB, with a frequency range from 29 Hz to 25 kHz, suitable for most modern amplifiers.
Connectivity
The rear of the T66 features bi-wiring terminals and an advanced crossover that provides a smooth frequency response across nine octaves. The use of AudioQuest Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) internal wiring ensures high signal clarity by minimizing interference, leading to a more natural sound.
Additional features include a subwoofer input, which is useful in home theater setups, and a power plug with a standby mode that activates when the speakers detect no signal for an extended period.
Sound Test with Music
We played the iconic song “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone. The T66 delivered her voice with incredible clarity and richness. As the full band joined in, the speakers created a wide, immersive soundstage, surrounding us with deep bass, vibrant brass, and precisely placed strings.
Stravinsky’s “Dance of the Young Maidens” from “The Rite of Spring” revealed the T66’s ability to accurately position each instrument in the orchestra, delivering a precise and engaging listening experience. The internal subwoofer performed flawlessly, handling the powerful timpani strikes with ease.
Sound Test with Film
We also tested the T66 with the movie “Uncharted.” The speakers handled the action-packed scenes beautifully, with deep bass explosions and clear dialogue. The T66 offered a surround-like effect, enhancing the overall cinematic experience even without a full surround sound setup.
The T66 supports bi-wiring, ideal for advanced home theater setups.
The multi-segment phase plug ensures even sound distribution.
The active subwoofer in the T66 delivers up to 1,000 watts of peak power.
Specs
General
- Device Class: Floor-standing speaker
- Price Category: High-end
- Manufacturer: GoldenEar
- Model: T66
- Price (RRP): €6,999 per pair (converted to approximately $7,400)
- Dimensions (W/H/D): 19 × 124 × 38 cm
- Weight: 27.2 kg
- Information: www.goldenear.com
Technical Data (according to manufacturer)
- Design: 3-way + active subwoofer
- Frequency Response: 29 Hz – 25 kHz (–6 dB)
- Power: 20 – 500 W
- Room Recommendation: 15 – 40 m²
- Individual adjustment: Yes (Subwoofer)
- Connections: Banana plug, clamp, Cinch
Evaluation
- Bass Reproduction: 20/20
- Midrange Reproduction: 19.5/20
- Treble Reproduction: 19.5/20
- Spatial Sound: 10/10
- Sound Quality: 69/70
- Equipment/Build Quality: 8/10
- User-friendliness: 8/10
- Upgrades/Drawbacks: None
Intermediate Score: 85 out of 90 points
- Price/Performance: Excellent 10/10
- Result: Reference Class 95%
Conclusion
The GoldenEar T66 offers a truly immersive audio experience with its holographic sound, rich bass, and exceptional clarity. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality sound without the need for a high-powered amplifier, delivering a performance that rivals much more expensive models.
Features
• Internal AudioQuest wiring
• Integrated active subwoofer
• AMT tweeter
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