About The GoldenEar BRX Bookshelf Speakers
The BRX bookshelf speakers are exceptionally compact, ultra-high-performance speakers that were originally developed for use as nearfield monitors in professional mixing applications. The design goal was to produce modestly-sized shelf or stand-mountable bookshelf speakers that would achieve accurate high-definition sonic reproduction, with superb three-dimensional imaging, comparable to that achieved by GoldenEar's award-winning Triton Towers. The BRX was specifically developed incorporating technology developed for the Triton Reference in order to achieve reference level performance. Although they don't have quite the awe-inspiring bass of the floor-standing Tritons, great care has been taken, and extensive technology has been incorporated, to ensure that the BRX can deliver a remarkably satisfying full range listening experience without the need for a separate subwoofer.
The BRX incorporates GoldenEar-designed cast-basket bass/midrange drivers with technology derived from the midrange units developed for the Tritons. The BRX driver is actually almost exactly the same as the 6" driver used in the Triton Reference. In addition, they use extraordinary and costly High Velocity Folded Ribbon (HVFR™) high frequency radiators. And the BRX uses the same tweeter developed for the Triton Reference. Furthermore, the BRX utilizes two side-mounted planar low-frequency radiators in an inertially balanced configuration in order to properly load the bass/midrange drivers for an open, box-less midrange, while also contributing to their' remarkably extended bass for such small enclosures.
A Closer Look
The BRX incorporates a 6" cast-basket bass/midrange driver, basically the same driver used in the Triton Reference. The tweeter is the Reference High-Gauss High-Velocity Folded Ribbon. The two drivers are perfectly blended with a unique "balanced crossover". A pair of inertially balanced 6.5" planar infrasonic radiators are located on either side of the cabinet for tight, quick, powerful bass response. The beautifully styled cabinet is luxuriously finished in hand-rubbed piano black lacquer. The BRX delivers superior reference level performance for both two channel as well as home theatre systems of the highest quality, with extraordinary three-dimensional imaging and high-resolution clarity.
GoldenEar's BRX (Bookshelf Reference X) speakers have turned heads in the audio world for delivering fidelity, bass response, and a huge soundstage that smaller speakers usually just can't give you. They're a testament to GoldenEar's effective research and development and their incredible effort to create an affordable speaker (all things considered) that rivals others costing thousands more.
A pair of these stand-mount speakers can deliver three-dimensional, audiophile-grade sound for your two-channel music system, and they don't take up a lot of space - perfect for small-to-medium-sized rooms, or even near-field desktop listening. Or, if you're rocking a set of Triton towers, you can use them as your side or rear surround speakers and have a world-class home theatre system.
GoldenEar's proprietary HVFRT tweeter is one of the company's favourite achievements. It uses neodymium magnets to squeeze and pressurize the air between its high-density Kapton film diaphragm's folds. The no-resonance and low-distortion design helps the tweeter reach an astonishingly high 35,000 Hz while keeping a smooth, detailed response at all volumes. There's almost no moving mass and, as a result, the tweeter isn't subject to the piston-like issues (namely, "wobble" or distortion) of traditional dome-style tweeters. Since it has a much larger surface area, the tweeter dispersion is much wider and the sound staging is excellent.
The 6" (152mm) midrange/woofer is made of a special polypropylene blend specifically developed by GoldenEar for their high-end Triton towers. It also features a proprietary cone curvature. Both of those help to keep the cone light, quick, and excitingly clear. On the back of the driver, you'll find a powerful, high-gauss magnet that keeps the in-and-out movement of the speaker strong and stable.
Twin rounded rectangular bass radiators mounted on the left and right sides of the cabinet help the BRX achieve its surprisingly strong bass output, and they give the speaker what GoldenEar calls an "inertially balanced configuration." By that, they mean that cabinet vibrations are minimized since the two bass radiators' frequencies cancel each other out inside the box, keeping internal resonances very low.
GoldenEar BRX Reviews
"GoldenEar's little BRX is perfect for the apartment dweller who wants a large, high-quality sound but cannot accommodate bigger loudspeakers. I imagine it would also be good for smaller home theatre applications, making it easy to mount and blend into the decor. Indeed, in typical Sandy Gross fashion, it delivers great quality for the price. You get high-end performance in a compact package, all for a wallet-friendly price tag – useful in these times of inflation and high energy prices. I especially appreciated how it loved all genres of music, sounding good with mediocre recordings and fantastic with well-recorded tracks." Stereonet
"Its styling might not suit all listening rooms, but the final GoldenEar loudspeaker design from Sandy Gross is a triumph. Low-end power and poise, courtesy of its ABRs, is a standout trait, and the BRX doesn't overdo it at the expense of instrumental and vocal presence, nor fall short when the volume is set high. When compact speakers can be this good, you might wonder why slender floorstanders even exist!" Hi-Fi News
"The BRX sits at the top rung on the ladder of GoldenEar's Bookshelf Series. This two way features a silky ribbon tweeter, plus a responsive mid/bass driver that's augmented by a pair of passive planar radiators. Sonically, the BRX seemed nature born to play the classics, with chamber music and jazz possessing the timbral and harmonic complexities and spatial qualities heard in real acoustic settings. Tonally, the BRX communicates a neutral-to-warmish signature with midrange octaves well balanced and rich in texture—a more romantic character that illuminates music and reproduces it with a softer rose complexion. The treble range is effortless—agile and airily transparent in the way ribbon tweeters tend to be. You won't need a golden ear to enjoy this class-leading blend of musicality and refinement." The Absolute Sound Editors' Choice Awards 2023
Our Take
The BRX is GoldenEar's is ultra-high-performance compact bookshelf/stand-mount loudspeaker. The goal of the BRX development project was to create a gorgeous, luxuriously finished, ultra-compact loudspeaker which would incorporate the latest advanced technology developed for GoldenEar's top of the range speakers, in order to achieve truly superb sonic performance typical of larger, much more expensive units. So, basically the BRX was engineered to be one of the best sounding true bookshelf or stand-mount loudspeakers on the planet. We'll leave it to you to decide if they have succeeded in their goal but our experience shows that this speaker punches well above its weight and is one of the best performing speakers anywhere near its price.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Compact Bookshelf/Stand Mount Speaker
- 1 x One High-Gauss Neodymium High-Velocity Folded Ribbon (HVFR) Reference Tweeter
- Tweeter Diaphragm is a High Temperature Film
- High-Power Neodymium Magnets
- Squeezes/Pressurizes Air Instead of Pushing It
- Greater Control, Smoother More Extended Response
- Vanishingly Low Distortion
- Dramatically Improved Dynamic Range and Detail
- Superb Dispersion Characteristics
- Superior Impedance Match to Air
- 1 x 6˝ (152mm) High-Definition Cast-Basket Mid/Bass Reference Driver
- Rigid Free-Flow Cast-Basket Chassis
- Proprietary Computer Optimized Cone Topology
- High-Gauss Magnet Assembly
- 1" High-Temperature Kapton Former Voice Coil
- Extremely Extended Resonant-Free Linear Frequency Response Characteristics
- 2 x 6.5" (165mm) Side-Mounted Planar Low-Frequency Passive Radiators
- Pressure-Coupled Loading Extends Usable Bass Performance to the Infrasonic Region
- Performs Like a Well-Tuned Transmission Line but with Superior Transient Performance and Control
- Frequency Response: 40 Hz - 35 kHz
- Efficiency: 90 dB
- Impedance: Nominal 4Ω (Compatible with 8Ω)
- Recommended Amplifier Power: 20 – 250 Watts per channel
- Grilles: Fixed Black Perforated Metal Side Grilles & Removable Magnetically Attached Black Perforated Metal Front Grille
- Finish: Hand Rubbed High-Polish Black Gloss Cabinet
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 205 x 308 x 311mm
- Weight: 5.44kg each
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years
Note: Main Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE