Triangle Borea BR05: large-format bookshelf speaker with vintage charm and a 21 cm driver

Launched in 2019, the Borea speaker family keeps on growing to meet all the needs of music lovers. If you regularly follow our news, you will have seen in our pages the imposing Borea BR10 tower, the BRC2 center, the BRS1 dipolar/bipolar effect models, the connected active versions Borea Active (BR02 BT and BR03 Connect) then Borea Connect (BR02 Connect and BR03 Connect with [abc]HDMI[/abc] [abc]ARC[/abc] port and [abc]USB[/abc] port), not to mention the recent Borea BR04 bookshelf model, which has come to slot into the heart of the range. Today, the Picardy-based manufacturer opens a new stylistic and acoustic chapter with the Borea BR05, a generously sized two-way speaker that openly looks toward the world of great [abc]Hi-Fi[/abc] listening of yesteryear.

 

 

Triangle Borea BR05, beefed-up bookshelf format and neo-retro aesthetic At 49 cm high (55 cm on its base), 30 cm wide, and weighing nearly 15 kg, the Triangle Borea BR05 is far larger than a simple bookshelf speaker and ventures onto the turf of the big monitoring speakers of the 70s/80s. Triangle’s ambition is therefore to offer a true alternative to floorstanding speakers, capable of filling living spaces from 15 m² to 45 m² with sound, while keeping its visual footprint contained.

In terms of looks, this model retains the two-tone DNA of the Borea series by combining wood-toned cabinets with matching solid-colored fronts (with removable magnetic grilles). In addition to the usual Black Ash and Light Oak finishes, the BR05 introduces three superb versions that reinforce its retro-chic positioning: Frosted White, Chestnut, and a very successful Green colorway (paired with warm wood cabinetry).

 

 

Triangle Borea BR05, new 21 cm mid-woofer in cellulose pulp and EFS tweeter At the heart of the two-way [abc]bass-reflex[/abc] architecture of the Borea BR05 is a brand-new 21 cm [abc]midrange[/abc]-[abc]woofer[/abc], custom-developed for the BR05. True to the acoustic tradition implemented in the workshops in Soissons, its cone uses 100% natural cellulose pulp with no surface treatment. This emblematic Triangle material, combined with a cone-shaped profile and a carefully tuned dust cap, makes it possible to combine firm, deep bass extension (down to 42 Hz) with a rich, lively rendering of instruments and a very present reproduction of voices in the midrange.

 

 

To support this new driver in the treble, there is the famous EFS (Efficient Flow System) tweeter specific to the Borea range (see photo below), which combines a 25 mm fabric dome with a phase plug designed to homogenize the dispersion of high frequencies throughout the listening room. Upstream, signal management is entrusted to a rigorously selected audiophile passive crossover (large-gauge wound inductors to limit losses, polyester film capacitors, and cement resistors, see photo below) connected to a double binding post that allows bi-wiring and bi-amplification.

 

 

Triangle Borea BR05, reinforced DVAS cabinet and double front port A 21 cm high-excursion driver necessarily means a hunt for resonances and control of airflow. To channel this mechanical energy, Triangle designed a cabinet made of high-density MDF panels (up to 21 mm thick, see photo below), reinforced by two internal braces (at the top and bottom of the enclosure) and, above all, by the proprietary DVAS system (Driver Vibration Absorption System). This uses a high-density EVA foam gasket that presses the rear of the loudspeaker’s magnetic motor against a central perforated brace, thereby absorbing unwanted vibrations at the source.

 

 

At the front, the Borea BR05 features a double bass-reflex laminar port. This technical choice makes it possible to spread the airflow moved by the 21 cm driver over a larger surface area in order to eliminate any flow noise or turbulence at high volume, while greatly simplifying placement of the speaker near a rear wall.

 

Dual listening position: on the floor on a 10° base or on dedicated S03 stands The last special feature of this “Vintage” Borea is that it lends itself to two types of integration in the living room. It is in fact supplied as standard with a dedicated base that allows it to be placed directly on the floor while giving it a 10° rearward tilt. A well-thought-out geometric trick to naturally aim the transducers toward the listener’s ears and optimize phasing as well as the coherence of the soundstage.

 

 

For those who prefer listening at ear level, Triangle offers the new dedicated S03 stands as an option. Standing 40 cm high (38 cm without spikes), these rigid steel stands rest on four vertical tubes with integrated cable management and a slightly inclined top plate (with a rear retaining fold). They come with a double set of isolation accessories: adjustable steel spikes (with floor protectors) and rubber feet. Note that these S03 stands are also compatible with the smaller Borea BR03 and BR04 siblings. 

 

Immediate availability. Indicative price: €749 per pair for the Triangle Borea BR05 speakers. The optional Triangle S03 stands are available in black or white.

 

Reminder of the key features of the Triangle Borea BR05:

• Type: large-format 2-way bookshelf speaker, [abc]bass-reflex[/abc]

• Drivers: 1 25 mm fabric-dome EFS [abc]tweeter[/abc] with phase plug + 1 21 cm [abc]midrange[/abc]-[abc]woofer[/abc] with 100% natural cellulose pulp cone

• Port: double front bass-reflex port

• Cabinet: high-density MDF (up to 21 mm) with internal bracing and DVAS vibration absorption system (Driver Vibration Absorption System)

• Sensitivity: 90 dB/W/m (89 dB according to press release)

• Frequency response (+/- 3 dB): 42 Hz-22 kHz

• Power handling: 120 W RMS

• Nominal impedance (min/max): 4.7 ohms/8 ohms

• Connections: double binding posts compatible with bi-wiring and bi-amplification

• Recommended listening area: 15 to 45 m²

• Included accessory: 10° tilt base for floor placement (40 cm S03 steel stands optional)

• Finishes: Black Ash, Frosted White, Light Oak, Chestnut, Green (removable magnetic grilles)

• Dimensions without base (W x H x D): 300 x 490 x 345 mm

• Dimensions with base (W x H x D): 300 x 550 x 408 mm

• Net weight per unit: 14.6 kg