Review: Triangle Comète 40th Anniversary Edition Speakers

In 2020, Triangle HiFi marked its 40th year in business. To celebrate the occasion, the company introduced two limited-edition speaker lines. The Magellan 40th, and the Esprit 40th. The focus of this review are the smaller bookshelf speakers from the Esprit 40th line, the Comete 40th Anniversary Edition ($2,500).

Compared to the original Comete EZ speakers ($1,600) that I reviewed, the Comete 40th has several key features that establish it as a limited edition. Starting with three exotic finish choices: Golden Oak, Blond Sycamore, and Santos Rosewood. These may be the most luxurious veneers the Comete have worn since the speaker’s 1994 introduction. My review pair arrived in a visually stunning high-gloss finish called Golden Oak.

Comète 40th Anniversary Design and Details

Rose gold is featured extensively in the design elements of the Comete 40th. The decoupling spikes and feet, trim rings around the woofers, magnesium tweeter, and even the cursive script on the protective black cloth shipping bags are all adorned in rose gold. Rounding out the aesthetic touches are the anodized aluminum terminal plate and custom-made speaker terminals.

Limited to 2,000 pairs for each model, this special edition features notable performance enhancements, meant to bolster the sound quality. The high-density MDF cabinet has been redesigned with additional bracing and internal reinforcements. Triangle’s DVAS (Driver Vibration Absorption System) is also used, with the goal of attenuating standing waves and freeing up more cabinet volume for the woofer. Magnetically attached grilles with rose gold Triangle logos complete the anniversary package.

Comète 40th Anniversary Drivers and Crossover

Both the 1″ rose gold anodized magnesium tweeter, and the 6.5″ natural cellulose mid-bass driver were newly developed and manufactured by Triangle in France specifically for the Esprit 40th line.

This is Triangle’s first time offering a magnesium dome, a material selected for its lightness and rigidity. The seldom-seen spiked phase plug is designed to regulate the tweeter’s behavior and dispersion pattern, to obtain a smoother frequency response regardless of where the listener sits.

The white paper membrane of the woofer’s cone looks the same as the one in the standard Comete EZ, but beneath the surface is a new woofer design. They feature a new cone profile – containing more wood fibers and a larger magnet and motor structure. Their OFC internal wiring and carefully selected crossover components help to minimize electromagnetic disturbance and distortion.

Initial Impressions and Sound Signature

Because these were new, I was in for a 120-hour break-in period, according to Frank Gazzo, sales manager for Antal Audio Group – the sole US distributor & importer for Triangle HiFi. I started listening with my Benchmark LA4 preamp connected to the Boxem Audio Arthur 4215/E2 amplifier which uses Purifi Eigentakt Class D modules. The source was Tidal from the Auralic Vega G1 streaming DAC.

Like the original Comete EZ speakers, the presentation was somewhat forward, with a slight emphasis in the upper midrange and lower treble regions. This emphasis added air, decay, long reverb trails, and a delicate subtlety to the treble performance. However, the bass sounded lean, tame, and dry. This gave me the sensation there wasn’t enough bass and too much treble. Clearly, they needed to log some more play time.

Around 30-40 hours, I started noticing some changes as the crossovers got more time on them, and the woofers started to loosen up. I was worried that the tweeter wasn’t going to mellow out, but eventually the driver integration started to improve. I stopped hearing just the tweeter itself, and the sounds exited the speaker more uniformly and balanced.

Also apparent was how the untreated paper woofer accurately reproduced vocals. I heard this with the original Comete EZ, but it was even more striking and impactful with the 40th Anniversary Edition. The complete lack of midrange coloration meant the tonality of the singer’s voice was preserved and replicated flawlessly. I had a few experiences where I cocked my head to the side and listened closer, as if in disbelief at what I was hearing. This was truly outstanding vocal performance.

Deeper Listening and Amplifier Pairings

At the 100-hour mark, I hooked up the Benchmark AHB2 amplifier. It resulted in a more introspective midrange performance, with additional spaciousness and layering. There was more motion, depth, and color. It felt like a more scientific examination of the music versus the Boxem amplifier’s emotional connection. I suspect this has to do with the timing and rhythmic flow of the two different amplifier designs.

When I played “Audiosketch – Stereotypes” I heard slightly less treble energy compared to the Boxem Class D amplifier. As the Comete 40th speakers navigated this rhythmically buoyant and bubbling song, they demonstrated their agility and poise. The synthesized chopped-up double-bass licks were perfectly balanced against the staccato high-hat and snappy snare-drum patterns. It was a wild ride, and the well-recorded “This isn’t perfect anymore” vocal sample as the song ended was haunting.

My next pairing was the Michi X3 integrated amplifier. This 63lb 200wpc powerhouse turned out to be the most synergistic pairing out of the three amps I tried. The sound quality notably shifted to a smoother, more refined presentation. Timing and rhythmic flow changed, as well as the separation among midrange elements. I streamed “Para – Lethe” from Tidal, and I was awash in abundant 3D stereo imaging effects. The sound quality was spellbinding and put me into a musical trance.

This amplifier pairing demonstrated the transparency of the Comete 40th speakers, and their ability to scale up as you connect them to more costly components. The Michi X3 dramatically changed the performance and character of the speakers. It was easily my favorite pairing. Most importantly, the smooth and luxurious character of the sound didn’t come at the expense of detail retrieval. The level of musical enjoyment genuinely surprised me at times, even at lower volumes. This listening experience is the pinnacle of HiFi sound reproduction.

Conclusion and Value

The recurring theme of the Comete 40th Anniversary Edition was speed, agility, and musicality. They paired up well with different types of amplifiers, presenting a clear window into my musical collection. Careful system matching may be required due to how unforgiving and honest the tweeter sounds. Room size, acoustics, and sound preferences will come into play here. These speakers do have a forward and engaging presentation, so detail lovers take note.

After spending more than a month listening to the Comete 40th speakers as often as possible, I reflected on my experience with the original Comete EZ speakers three years ago. Although my system configuration has changed, these speakers were placed in the identical location. They reminded me of what I loved about the original but elevated the overall listening experience to new heights.

The 40th Anniversary treatment resulted in markedly improved sonic performance for the Comete model. I had a unique and deeply gratifying musical experience I’ve not encountered with any other speaker.

Website: https://www.trianglehifi.com
MSRP: $2,500