Triangle Solstice

The new series consists of three models - the floorstanding Solstice 8, the standmount Solstice 3 and the centre-channel Solstice C3. That means it can be used either as a classic stereo system or as the basis for a home cinema set-up with a consistent sonic character across the front channels. Triangle says Solstice is aimed not only at experienced audiophiles, but also at listeners putting together their first serious hi-fi system. That may be the most interesting part of the launch. The company is not pretending to have created high-end speakers for a chosen few, but rather a range that is meant to look modern, sound lively and natural, and avoid frightening people away with price or installation demands.

The largest model is the Solstice 8, a three-way bass-reflex floorstanding loudspeaker. It uses the new TZ2540MG horn-loaded tweeter with a 25-mm aluminium-magnesium dome, an optimised waveguide and a redesigned phase plug. This is partnered with a 16.5-cm cellulose-fibre midrange driver and two 16.5-cm woofers with concave-profile diaphragms and no dust cap. Triangle quotes sensitivity of 91 dB, continuous power handling of 130 W and frequency response of 38 Hz - 22 kHz. Each speaker is 107.5 cm tall, 30.8 cm wide and 39.4 cm deep, while the pair weighs 60 kg. According to the manufacturer, the Solstice 8 is suited to rooms from 15 to 50 m², which means anything from a normal living room to a fairly generous listening space.

The Solstice 3 is a standmount speaker, but its size and specification make it clear that it should not be treated as a small add-on to the larger model. It is a two-way bass-reflex design using the same TZ2540MG horn-loaded tweeter and a 16.5-cm mid-bass driver with a cellulose-fibre diaphragm. Sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and frequency response extends from 48 Hz to 22 kHz. The cabinet is 41.8 cm high, 22.1 cm wide and 37 cm deep, and the pair weighs 26 kg. These are fairly serious figures for a standmount, especially as Triangle recommends it for rooms between 10 and 35 m². In practice, it may be the most interesting option for listeners who want the energy and openness associated with the brand, but do not have the space for floorstanders or simply prefer speakers on stands.

Completing the line-up is the Solstice C3, a centre-channel speaker designed for home cinema systems. It is a two-way sealed-box design using the same TZ2540MG horn-loaded tweeter and two 16-cm mid-bass drivers with cellulose-fibre diaphragms. The C3 has 8-ohm impedance, 120 W continuous power handling and frequency response of 55 Hz - 22 kHz. The cabinet measures 23.5 cm high, 54 cm wide and 31 cm deep, and weighs 11.8 kg. Triangle says the centre speaker is designed to maintain tonal consistency with the rest of the Solstice range, which matters more in home cinema than it often seems. Dialogue, effects and movement between channels only really work when the centre speaker does not sound like an unrelated box placed between a pair of stereo speakers.

The most characteristic element of the range is the new high-frequency driver. Triangle has long been associated with horn-loaded tweeters, but Solstice is not simply a return to an old company recipe. The TZ2540MG combines an aluminium-magnesium dome, a waveguide and a phase plug developed specifically for this series. The manufacturer explains that the new phase plug is moulded as a single element and uses a specially designed geometry to provide a more consistent response over a wide listening area. The horn structure, meanwhile, is intended to create an acoustic compression effect at the point where the tweeter integrates with the midrange driver. Translated into less catalogue-like language, the treble is meant to be fast, clear and energetic, but without beaming straight into the listener's face like a spotlight.

Triangle also pays a lot of attention to cabinet construction and mechanical control. All Solstice models use high-density MDF panels, while internal DVAS bracing is designed to reduce mechanical resonances generated by the drivers. Rounded cabinet edges help reduce diffraction and promote more even sound dispersion in the room, while profiled silicone rings around the drivers are intended to reduce early reflections from the front baffle. These are not the sort of details that every customer will notice immediately, but they often decide whether a speaker sounds open and coherent or merely impressive during the first few minutes of listening.

The base of the Solstice 8 is particularly interesting. It is not just a visual add-on, but a structural and acoustic part of the speaker. Triangle uses a cast-iron base with a honeycomb structure covered by a thick layer of silicone. This combination is intended to absorb vibrations generated by the speaker and mechanically isolate it from the floor. The cabinet is tilted backwards by 2 degrees, which is meant to optimise driver directivity and widen the ideal listening area, while also giving the speaker a slimmer, more dynamic stance. Hidden inside the base is a laminar bass-reflex port designed specifically for the series. Triangle describes this as a first in its history, with the aim of reducing turbulence noise and delivering more dynamic, better-controlled low frequencies. Adjustable metal spikes and protective pads are also included, so the Solstice 8 has clearly been treated more seriously than its price might suggest.

Sonically, Solstice is meant to develop the familiar Triangle character - speed, energy, directness and good midrange intelligibility - but in a more polished and less nervous form. The company promises deep and well-controlled bass, expressive vocals, a convincing soundstage and treble that reveals detail without becoming tiring during longer sessions. Of course, press materials always sound a little as if every new series has solved all the problems of audio, but in this case at least the promises are tied to specific engineering choices. There is a new tweeter, cellulose-fibre diaphragms, stiffer cabinets, a more developed base and a concealed bass-reflex port. In other words, not only nice lifestyle photos in fashionable interiors, but also a set of concrete acoustic decisions.

The styling of the Solstice range is clearly more contemporary than that of Triangle's older, more classical designs. The forms are simple, but softened by rounded edges, while a subtle champagne-coloured aluminium ring adds a touch of elegance without pushing the speakers into jewellery territory. These look like loudspeakers designed for real interiors, not only for dedicated listening rooms where everything is arranged around a single pair of cabinets. The range is available in four finishes - Black Ash, Light Oak, Walnut and White. It is a safe selection, but a sensible one. The black and white versions should work well in modern rooms, while the two wood-effect finishes add a warmer, more domestic character. The Triangle Solstice range is available now. Pricing is set at €1,999/£1,999/$2,799 per pair for the Solstice 8, €999/£999/$1,349 per pair for the Solstice 3 and €575/£579/$750 each for the Solstice C3. Info and photos by Triangle.