Then I'll give it 2-3 months because I use 'em at least 2 hours daily.
What can I say, these speakers image fantastically. I close my eyes and I'd swear Ella Fitzgerald was in the living room with me. Away from the walls and toed-in just slightly, the Alteas provided a soundstage about 2 feet wider than the actual speaker placements - yep thats how pinpoint the spatial imaging is, you can tell distances easily. The main sound plane is about a foot behind the speakers with decent depth going forward - now I know what laidback is.
Contrary to reports, the highs are sweet and not at all overwhelming or fatiguing. The mids are Triangle's known forte, analytical yet musical. The bass at 20-hours is just beginning to creep out. I bought floorstanders 'cause I like bass and if the reports on the Altea are true, there shall be bass aplenty forthcoming.
In sum these are highly musical speakers - fast paced yet tube friendly. Playing hi resolution jazz, classical, vocals, guitars, piano, etc. the sound is to die for. They accomplish brilliantly what they were designed to do and I can see myself keeping these speakers for a long time.
The bad so far: I listened to my current favorite rock song:
Comfortably Numb by
Pink Floyd - I wasn't moved. Oh well, I've concluded that you cannot have the best of both the rock world and the audiophile CD world. A second system maybe? Naim? Hmm.
