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The Dynamic Pulse System (DPS) of symmetrical bipolar HF diffusion is available from the Quatuor SE with the double tweeter and the Concerto and Grand Concert models which add a rear midrange driver. The chief purpose of the DPS system is to facilitate speaker positioning. Conventional direct radiators suffer from a compromised tonal quality when not correctly positioned and obviously will reinforce low frequencies if located too close to the walls. With the DPS radiation pattern, the speaker becomes less directional and thus less inclined to create warm or cold spots in the listening environment. The speaker can be positioned more easily and produces a deeper and more stable soundstage with better balanced tonality. [It does however rely on a rear wall within reasonable proximity, the absence of which compelled Triangle in my case to offer the Cello for review and not one of the bipolar models – Ed.]
Directivity response at 30° (black) vs on axis (pink)
According to anechoic measurements made by Triangle on speakers directly taken from the production line after two break-in hours (B&K 4190 microphone with 2669 preamp at 1m distance), the loss at 30° of nearly 4dB even above 10kHz is a great achievement compared to older Triangle models. Another difference of the SE vs the previous iteration is the internal wiring. The historical Silver Ghost wire harness has been abandoned in favor of new customized wiring. Many considerations about capacitance and inductance were reviewed and a very restricted selection of hookup wiring options retained for listening critical tests. Each driver now benefits from specific wiring. Triangle used silver and copper conductors to take advantage of either contribution. Low inductance wire on the crossover creates a more detailed sound and less distortion on complex signals. Low capacitance driver leads have a smoothening effect on the high frequencies but retain a high level of transparency and midrange fluidity.
The Magellan Quatuor SE specs its bandwidth from 33Hz to 20kHz at +/- 3dB with a nominal impedance of 8 ohms (3-ohm min.) and a sensitivity of 90dB (2.83 V/1m). Having a quick look at the drivers, The Quatuor SE is equipped with 2 x TZ2900 GC (horn-loaded 1’’ titanium compressiontweeters with 3.9” ferrite motor); 1 x T16PG110OC (6.3” midrange with copper coil and bushed 3.9” diameter ferrite magnet; and 3 x T16GM205C (6.3” diameter woofers with 4.7” diameter magnet. All are proprietary and the engineering work behind them is really impressive. For example, the T16PG110OC midrange driver is the culmination of many years of in-house research in wide bandwidth transducers. The Quatuor’s current midrange driver is the result of many efforts focused on the suspension design as well as the profile and component parts of its diaphragm. But it remains a traditional Triangle driver made of cellulose fiber. This particular example clearly illustrates Triangle’s philosophy of improvements within continuity. The goals remain fast response, transparency at higher power levels and reduced overall distortion.
A final but important feature considered insignificant only by lucky audiophiles with perfectly level flooring is the 5-point plinth/spike system. The Triangle solution—not exclusive to the Magellan line—values very fine adjustments to guarantee physical stability. The SPEC single point energy conductor was inspired by a cello’s spike to dissipate the majority of vibrations to ground and give more precision and speed to the sound. Often audiophiles do not hesitate to spend much on high-end wiring but pay little attention to speaker stability. Stability and wave-launch inertia are key even for expensive speakers and should be one of the first concerns to solve before any critical listening commences. Triangle presents its customers with an excellent mechanical setup and I would like it to be the case for all loudspeakers manufacturers.
