Audio T Verdict
The Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary takes one of the French manufacturer's best-known floorstanding loudspeakers and gives it considerably more than a commemorative finish.
The basic Antal concept remains familiar: a three-way, four-driver floorstander with high sensitivity, a horn-loaded tweeter, dedicated midrange and twin bass drivers. For the 40th Anniversary version, however, Triangle revised the tweeter, bass drivers, crossover, internal wiring, cabinet construction, terminals and floor-coupling system.
The rose-gold 25mm magnesium-dome tweeter is unique to the anniversary range and uses Triangle's horn-loading approach to combine high efficiency with controlled directivity. Beneath it sits a dedicated 165mm midrange driver made from untreated natural cellulose paper, while twin 165mm bass units use a composite diaphragm combining wood pulp, flax and carbon fibre.
The result is a large but relatively amplifier-friendly speaker. Sensitivity is quoted at 92dB/W/m, with an 8-ohm nominal impedance and 3-ohm minimum. Triangle recommends amplifiers from 60 to 300 watts into 8 ohms, although sensible system matching and clean power remain more important than simply buying the largest amplifier available.
A front-facing bass-reflex port also makes the Antal 40th somewhat easier to accommodate than a similarly sized rear-ported design, although a speaker standing more than 1.1 metres tall with its pedestal and weighing almost 30kg still deserves thoughtful positioning.
Compared with the standard Antal Ez, the 40th Anniversary goes deeper, handles more power and receives substantial upgrades to the drive units, crossover, cabinet, internal wiring, terminals and finish. It is therefore much more than a cosmetic special edition.
For medium to larger rooms where you want scale, dynamics and proper low-frequency extension without moving into Triangle's considerably more expensive Signature or Magellan ranges, the Antal 40th Anniversary occupies a very interesting position.
Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary Floorstanding Speakers
The Antal 40th Anniversary is a three-way passive floorstanding speaker designed and manufactured at Triangle's facility in Soissons, France.
Key features include:
- Three-way floorstanding design
- Four drive units per speaker
- 25mm rose-gold magnesium-dome horn tweeter
- 165mm untreated natural-cellulose midrange driver
- 2 x 165mm new-generation composite bass drivers
- Front-facing bass-reflex port
- 37Hz–22kHz ±3dB frequency response
- 92dB/W/m sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 3-ohm minimum impedance
- 140W power handling
- Recommended amplifier power from 60–300W into 8 ohms
- 180Hz and 3.8kHz published crossover frequencies
- Double terminal block
- Bi-wiring capability
- Rose-gold anodised terminals
- High-density internally braced MDF cabinet
- OFC internal wiring inspired by Triangle's Signature range
- Adjustable carpet spikes
- Rubber feet for hard floors
- Magnetic grille
- Numbered certificate of authenticity
- Made in France
Celebrating 40 Years of Triangle
The Esprit 40th Anniversary range was created to celebrate four decades of Triangle loudspeaker design.
Rather than producing a cosmetic reissue, Triangle revisited two long-running models:
The company revised the cabinets, drive units, crossover components, internal wiring, terminals and mechanical decoupling while retaining the basic design principles associated with those models.
A Genuine Limited Edition
The 40th Anniversary range was developed as a limited-edition series and receives finishing and construction details that distinguish it from the regular Esprit Ez range.
Each loudspeaker is individually tested during manufacture and supplied with a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Three-Way, Four-Driver Design
Each Antal 40th uses:
- 1 x 25mm tweeter
- 1 x 165mm dedicated midrange driver
- 2 x 165mm dedicated bass drivers
Separating the main frequency regions allows each drive unit to be optimised for a more limited operating range.
25mm TZ2520MG Magnesium Horn Tweeter
The Antal 40th uses Triangle's TZ2520MG tweeter, developed specifically for the anniversary range.
Its 25mm dome is made from magnesium and finished in the distinctive rose-gold anodised treatment used throughout the speaker's detailing.
Why Magnesium?
Magnesium combines two useful properties for a tweeter diaphragm:
The dome is designed to support the voice coil consistently around its circumference, helping Triangle maintain controlled mechanical behaviour and manufacturing consistency.
Horn Loading
Triangle has long used horn loading around its tweeters.
The horn controls acoustic loading and dispersion while contributing to the high sensitivity for which many Triangle speakers are known.
That does not make the Antal 40th a conventional large horn speaker. The horn is specifically part of the high-frequency assembly.
Natural-Cellulose Midrange Driver
A dedicated 165mm driver covers the midrange.
Triangle uses untreated 100% natural cellulose paper rather than coating the diaphragm with a heavy surface treatment.
The driver also uses a small-pleat, short-travel surround intended to maintain control through the vocal range.
Why a Dedicated Midrange?
Human hearing is particularly sensitive through the frequencies occupied by voices and many acoustic instruments.
Using a dedicated midrange means the same driver does not have to simultaneously reproduce the deepest bass.
This region includes much of the energy produced by:
- Voices
- Guitar
- Piano
- Strings
- Brass
- Woodwind
Twin 165mm Bass Drivers
Two dedicated 165mm woofers handle the low frequencies.
For the 40th Anniversary Antal, Triangle developed a new diaphragm combining:
- Two types of wood pulp
- Flax
- Carbon fibre
The intention is to create a diaphragm with sufficient rigidity for long excursion while keeping distortion under control.
37Hz to 22kHz Frequency Response
Triangle specifies the Antal 40th at:
37Hz – 22kHz ±3dB.
The ±3dB qualification makes this substantially more useful than an unqualified extreme-frequency claim.
Do You Need a Subwoofer?
For most dedicated stereo music systems, probably not.
A 37Hz ±3dB lower-frequency limit gives the Antal 40th useful extension for most conventional music.
A subwoofer may still be worthwhile for:
- Home cinema
- Pipe organ
- Very deep electronic bass
- Listeners wanting substantial output below 30Hz
- Advanced room-mode management
Front-Facing Bass Reflex Port
The Antal 40th uses a front-facing reflex vent.
This gives it slightly more freedom around the rear wall than an equivalent loudspeaker whose reflex port fires directly backwards.
Front Port Does Not Mean Wall Position Is Irrelevant
Low-frequency output from the complete loudspeaker still interacts with the room.
Moving the Antal 40th towards a wall or corner will normally increase bass reinforcement regardless of where the reflex opening itself is positioned.
Recommended for Rooms From 15 to 50m²
Triangle currently recommends the Antal 40th for listening spaces between approximately 15 and 50 square metres.
That is a broad operating range made possible partly by its high sensitivity and substantial bass-driver area.
The final result still depends on:
- Listening distance
- Room dimensions
- Room construction
- Speaker position
- Preferred playback level
- Amplifier capability
92dB Sensitivity
The Antal 40th is specified at:
92dB/W/m.
That is relatively high sensitivity for a conventional domestic floorstander.
In practical terms, the speaker requires less amplifier power to achieve a given sound-pressure level than a substantially less efficient design.
8-Ohm Nominal Impedance
Triangle specifies:
- Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
- Minimum impedance: 3 ohms
The 8-ohm headline figure should therefore not be interpreted as meaning the amplifier will always see an 8-ohm electrical load.
Minimum Impedance Matters
At some frequencies the Antal 40th falls to around 3 ohms, which means the amplifier must be capable of supplying increased current.
A well-designed modern integrated amplifier or pre/power system should be chosen with this in mind.
Recommended Amplifier Power: 60–300W
Triangle's current recommendation is:
60 to 300 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
This is unusually broad because the speaker combines high sensitivity with substantial dynamic capability.
140W Power Handling
Triangle publishes 140W power handling for the loudspeaker.
That does not mean you must use a 140W amplifier, nor does it mean an amplifier rated above 140W is automatically unsuitable.
Music is dynamic and amplifier clipping can be just as damaging as excessive clean power.
Do Not Choose an Amplifier by Wattage Alone
Triangle itself permits amplifiers rated above the speaker's nominal power handling when used responsibly.
The important considerations are clean power, current capability, system matching and sensible volume levels.
What Happens When an Amplifier Clips?
An amplifier pushed beyond its clean output can distort the waveform severely.
If the system begins to sound:
- Hard
- Compressed
- Harsh
- Obviously distorted
reduce the volume.
Crossover at 180Hz and 3.8kHz
Triangle's current technical specification gives crossover frequencies of:
- 180Hz between bass and midrange
- 3.8kHz between midrange and tweeter
The dedicated engineering material gives very similar design values of approximately 185Hz and 3.9kHz.
Carefully Selected Crossover Components
Triangle specifies components including:
- Air-core inductors
- MET capacitors
- Ceramic resistors
The bass uses a second-order low-pass network, while the tweeter uses fourth-order high-pass filtering as part of the horn-loaded design.
Signature-Inspired Internal Wiring
The internal speaker cable is derived from ideas used in Triangle's higher-end Signature range.
It uses insulated oxygen-free copper conductors within a protective outer jacket.
High-Density MDF Cabinet
The Antal 40th cabinet uses high-density MDF specified by Triangle at approximately 800kg/m³.
Once veneered and finished, wall thickness is approximately 20–23mm.
Internal Bracing
Triangle reinforces the cabinet with several perforated internal partitions.
The Antal 40th also uses an angled internal bulkhead around the midrange section.
This has two purposes:
- Reducing standing-wave behaviour behind the midrange
- Releasing more internal volume for the bass drivers
Almost 30kg Per Speaker
Each Antal 40th weighs approximately:
29.8kg.
These are substantial loudspeakers, so two-person handling is sensible when unpacking, attaching the pedestal or making large positioning changes.
Cabinet Dimensions
Without the full pedestal footprint, each cabinet measures approximately:
- Width: 200mm
- Height: 1090mm
- Depth: 345mm
Dimensions With Pedestal
Once the base is fitted, allow approximately:
- Width: 300mm
- Height: 1128mm
- Depth: 424mm
Use the pedestal dimensions when checking whether the speakers physically fit around furniture.
Two Floor-Coupling Options
Triangle supplies two different interfaces:
- Adjustable metal spikes for carpet
- Rubber feet for rigid flooring
Rose-Gold Adjustable Spikes
The metal spikes can be adjusted in height and locked in place.
Adjustment is useful where a floor is not perfectly level.
Rubber Feet for Hard Floors
Use the supplied rubber interfaces where metal spikes could damage:
- Wood
- Laminate
- Tile
- Vinyl flooring
- Other delicate surfaces
Protect Hard Flooring
Do not place exposed metal spikes directly onto a delicate floor unless an appropriate protective cup or interface is being used.
Double Speaker Terminals
The Antal 40th has a double terminal block finished in rose-gold anodised brushed aluminium.
The terminals accept:
- Bare speaker cable
- Banana plugs
- Suitable terminated speaker cable
Bi-Wiring
The double terminals allow the Antal 40th to be bi-wired.
That does not mean bi-wiring is compulsory.
A conventional single speaker-cable run can be used with the terminal links correctly fitted.
Bi-Amping
The dual terminal arrangement can also allow suitable passive bi-amplification configurations.
Speak to Audio T before attempting this so the amplifier architecture and connection arrangement are appropriate.
Banana-Plug Locking System
Triangle's dedicated terminals are designed to accept banana plugs and incorporate a locking arrangement for a secure connection.
Magnetic Grilles
A magnetic protective grille is supplied for each speaker.
Because no permanent grille pegs are required on the front baffle, the speakers retain a cleaner appearance when used with the grilles removed.
Made in France
The Antal 40th is designed and manufactured by Triangle in France.
Production takes place at the company's Soissons facility, where finished speakers undergo acoustic measurement and quality-control testing.
Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
Triangle individually checks the Anniversary models and supplies a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Current Finish Options
The Antal 40th Anniversary is available in:
- Santos Rosewood
- Golden Oak
Santos Rosewood
The Santos Rosewood finish uses the more dramatic grain pattern of the two current options and is finished to highlight variations within the timber.
Golden Oak
Golden Oak offers a lighter, warmer appearance with a more traditional natural-wood character.
Rose-Gold Detailing
The 40th Anniversary identity is carried through several components, including:
- Tweeter dome
- Driver trim
- Speaker terminals
- Adjustable floor spikes
Antal 40th Versus Antal Ez
Antal Ez
- Standard Esprit Ez model
- 25mm titanium horn tweeter
- 165mm cellulose midrange
- 2 x 165mm bass drivers
- 40Hz–22kHz ±3dB
- 92dB sensitivity
- 120W power handling
- 60–200W amplifier recommendation
- 27.1kg each
Antal 40th
- Limited 40th Anniversary model
- 25mm magnesium horn tweeter
- Revised 165mm cellulose midrange
- 2 x new-generation 165mm bass drivers
- 37Hz–22kHz ±3dB
- 92dB sensitivity
- 140W power handling
- 60–300W amplifier recommendation
- 29.8kg each
More Than a Different Tweeter
The Anniversary changes extend beyond the magnesium dome.
Triangle also revised:
- Bass-driver construction
- Midrange cone profile
- Crossover components
- Internal wiring
- Cabinet construction
- Internal bracing
- Terminal design
- Pedestal and floor coupling
- External finishes
Antal 40th or Comète 40th?
Antal 40th
- Floorstanding
- Three-way
- Four drivers
- Twin dedicated woofers
- 37Hz lower limit
- 92dB sensitivity
- 140W power handling
- Rooms roughly 15–50m²
Comète 40th
- Standmount
- Two-way
- Two drivers
- Single mid/bass driver
- Smaller cabinet
- Lower power requirement
- 90W power handling
- Rooms roughly 15–35m²
The Antal is the obvious choice where greater bass extension, scale and maximum output are required. The Comète offers the Anniversary technology in a substantially smaller cabinet.
Speaker Positioning
There is no single universal position because every listening room behaves differently.
As a starting point:
- Keep the left and right speakers reasonably symmetrical
- Avoid pushing them tightly into room corners
- Give them some breathing space from the rear wall
- Keep the front reflex openings unobstructed
- Experiment with toe-in
- Make small changes rather than moving them dramatically
Toe-In
Triangle's horn tweeter has controlled directivity, so speaker angle can make a meaningful difference to the perceived treble balance and stereo focus.
Try gradually adjusting toe-in while listening for:
- Central vocal focus
- Soundstage width
- Image depth
- Treble balance
Start With the Speakers Level
Use the adjustable feet to make sure both cabinets are:
- Stable
- Level
- At matching height
- Not rocking on the floor
Who Is the Antal 40th Anniversary For?
Well Suited To
- Medium and larger listening rooms
- Rooms from roughly 15–50m²
- Dedicated stereo systems
- Vinyl systems
- Streaming systems
- CD-based systems
- Rock and pop
- Jazz
- Classical music
- Large orchestral recordings
- Electronic music
- Listeners who value high sensitivity
- Systems needing strong bass without a subwoofer
Check Before Buying
- Large floorstanding cabinet
- 29.8kg per speaker
- 424mm pedestal depth
- Minimum impedance reaches 3 ohms
- Needs a suitably capable amplifier
- Room positioning remains important despite front port
- Metal spikes require floor protection where necessary
- Natural wood finish varies between cabinets
Key Features
- Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary
- Esprit 40th Anniversary range
- Limited-edition design
- Passive floorstanding loudspeaker
- Three-way crossover
- Four drivers per speaker
- TZ2520MG tweeter
- 25mm magnesium dome
- Horn-loaded tweeter
- Rose-gold anodised dome
- 165mm dedicated midrange
- Natural cellulose midrange cone
- Small-pleat midrange surround
- 2 x 165mm bass drivers
- Wood-pulp composite bass diaphragms
- Flax reinforcement
- Carbon-fibre reinforcement
- Front bass-reflex port
- 37Hz–22kHz ±3dB
- 92dB/W/m sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 3-ohm minimum impedance
- 140W power handling
- 60–300W recommended amplification
- 180Hz crossover
- 3.8kHz crossover
- Air-core crossover coils
- MET capacitors
- Ceramic resistors
- OFC internal wiring
- Double terminal block
- Bi-wire compatible
- Banana-plug compatible
- High-density MDF cabinet
- 20–23mm cabinet walls
- Internal perforated bracing
- Angled midrange bulkhead
- Magnetic grille
- Adjustable carpet spikes
- Rubber hard-floor feet
- 200mm cabinet width
- 1090mm cabinet height
- 345mm cabinet depth
- 300mm pedestal width
- 1128mm overall height
- 424mm pedestal depth
- 29.8kg per speaker
- Santos Rosewood
- Golden Oak
- Numbered certificate of authenticity
- Made in France
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary still a current product?
Yes. Triangle continues to list the Antal 40th within its current Esprit 40th Anniversary range.
Is it a limited edition?
Yes. Triangle developed the Esprit 40th models as a limited Anniversary series.
Is the Antal 40th a three-way speaker?
Yes.
How many drivers does each speaker use?
Four: one tweeter, one dedicated midrange and two dedicated bass drivers.
What tweeter does it use?
A 25mm TZ2520MG horn-loaded magnesium-dome tweeter.
Is the tweeter titanium like the standard Antal Ez?
No. The Antal 40th uses a magnesium dome, whereas the regular Antal Ez uses a titanium-dome tweeter.
Why is the tweeter rose gold?
The magnesium dome and surrounding Anniversary detailing use Triangle's rose-gold anodised finish.
What is the midrange made from?
Untreated 100% natural cellulose paper.
How large is the midrange driver?
Approximately 165mm.
How many bass drivers are fitted?
Two per speaker.
How large are the bass drivers?
Approximately 165mm each.
What are the bass cones made from?
Triangle's dedicated Anniversary engineering material describes a composite diaphragm combining two types of wood pulp, flax and carbon fibre.
What is the frequency response?
37Hz to 22kHz ±3dB.
Does it need a subwoofer?
Not necessarily for music. The quoted 37Hz lower limit already provides substantial bass extension. A subwoofer can still be worthwhile for home cinema or significantly deeper low-frequency reproduction.
Is the bass port on the front or rear?
Front.
Can I put the speakers close to the wall?
The front port gives useful placement flexibility, but the whole loudspeaker still interacts with nearby walls. Some experimentation remains important.
What room size does Triangle recommend?
Approximately 15–50m².
What is the sensitivity?
92dB/W/m.
Is that high sensitivity?
Yes, relative to many contemporary passive Hi-Fi loudspeakers.
What is the nominal impedance?
8 ohms.
What is the minimum impedance?
3 ohms.
Why does the 3-ohm minimum matter?
The amplifier must supply more current when the loudspeaker impedance falls, so a properly designed amplifier with good current capability is desirable.
What amplifier power does Triangle recommend?
Approximately 60–300W per channel into 8 ohms.
Can I use a 60W amplifier?
Potentially, yes. The Antal 40th's 92dB sensitivity makes efficient use of amplifier power, although room size and required volume still matter.
Can I use a 200W amplifier?
Yes. It falls within Triangle's current recommended amplifier range.
Can I use a 300W amplifier when the speaker is rated at 140W?
Triangle itself recommends amplification up to 300W into 8 ohms. Speaker power handling and amplifier output are not directly interchangeable figures; sensible volume and clean operation are essential.
What is the power handling?
140W.
What are the crossover frequencies?
Triangle's current product specification gives approximately 180Hz and 3.8kHz.
Can the Antal 40th be bi-wired?
Yes.
Do I have to bi-wire it?
No. Conventional single wiring is perfectly possible with the terminal links correctly fitted.
Can I use banana plugs?
Yes. Triangle's Anniversary terminals accept banana plugs and include a locking arrangement.
What is the cabinet made from?
High-density MDF specified by Triangle at approximately 800kg/m³.
How thick are the cabinet walls?
Approximately 20–23mm once veneered and finished.
Is the cabinet internally braced?
Yes. Triangle uses several internal perforated partitions plus an angled bulkhead around the midrange section.
What are the correct dimensions?
The cabinet is approximately 200 x 1090 x 345mm W x H x D.
How big is it with the pedestal?
Approximately 300 x 1128 x 424mm W x H x D.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Approximately 29.8kg.
Is 29.8kg the pair weight?
No. Triangle specifies 29.8kg net per speaker.
Are carpet spikes included?
Yes.
Are hard-floor feet included?
Yes. Triangle supplies rubber interfaces for rigid surfaces.
Are grilles supplied?
Yes. A magnetic grille is supplied for each speaker.
What finishes are currently available?
Triangle's current Antal 40th selector lists Santos Rosewood and Golden Oak.
Is it made in France?
Yes. Triangle describes the Antal 40th as designed and manufactured in France at its Soissons facility.
Does it come with a certificate?
Yes. Triangle supplies a numbered certificate of authenticity following factory acoustic inspection.
How is it different from the normal Antal Ez?
The 40th Anniversary version changes the tweeter, bass drivers, midrange profile, crossover, internal wiring, cabinet construction, terminals, base system and finishes. It also extends the quoted bass response from 40Hz to 37Hz and raises power handling from 120W to 140W.
What warranty does Triangle provide?
Triangle provides two years as standard. Eligible passive loudspeakers can receive an additional three years after registration, giving up to five years of cover under Triangle's current conditions.
Related Triangle Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Triangle loudspeaker demonstrations
- Antal 40th system matching
- Amplifier matching
- Speaker-cable advice
- Room-positioning guidance
- Toe-in setup
- Floor-coupling advice
- Bi-wire and single-wire setup
- Subwoofer integration where required
- In-store demonstrations
- Home demonstrations where available
- Part-exchange options
- Setup and ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary demonstration or discuss amplifier matching, room positioning and system setup.