In this review, we will be comparing T66 and Golden Ear T44, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by GoldenEar.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar T66 and GoldenEar T44 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar T66 | GoldenEar T44 |
|---|
| Brand | GoldenEar
United States · founded 2010 | GoldenEar
United States · founded 2010 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | Folded Ribbon | Folded Ribbon |
|---|
| Midrange | 2 x 4.5" | 4.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5 x 9" | 5 x 9" Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 29-25k Hz | 32-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 20-400 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 27.22kg / 59.9lbs | 27.27kg / 60lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 49-7/16" x 11-13/16" x 17"
1255.7 x 300.0 x 431.8mm | 41-11/16" x 11-7/8" x 17-1/16"
1059.0 x 302.0 x 434.0mm |
|---|
T66 and Golden Ear T44 are members of GoldenEar's Triton series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
GoldenEar Triton Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both T66 and Golden Ear T44 are 3-way speakers.
GoldenEar T66GoldenEar T44
Midrange
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
GoldenEar T66 |
GoldenEar T44 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
2 x 4.5-inch |
1 x 4.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5 x 9-inch
|
1 x 5 x 9-inch
|
T66 features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter, a 4.5" Midrange and 2 x 5 x 9" Woofer. On the other hand, the Golden Ear T44 features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter, a 4.5" Midrange and 1 x 5 x 9" Polymer Woofer.
Frequency Response
T66 has a frequency range of 29-25k Hz whereas Golden Ear T44 has a frequency range of 32-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 29Hz, the T66 can go slightly deeper then the Golden Ear T44's min frequency of 32Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
T66 and Golden Ear T44 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. T66 sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Golden Ear T44's is at 92 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the GoldenEar T44 a more sensitive speaker compared to GoldenEar T66, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the T66 and the T66 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
T66 features Binding post type posts and Golden Ear T44 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare GoldenEar T66's and GoldenEar T44's external dimensions. GoldenEar T66 has external dimensions of 1255.7 x 300.0 x 431.8mm () whereas GoldenEar T44 has external dimensions of 1059.0 x 302.0 x 434.0mm (41-11/16inch x 11-7/8inch x 17-1/16inch).
GoldenEar T66 is 2mm narrower and 2.2mm less deeper than GoldenEar T44 but it is also 196.7mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints. GoldenEar T66 is 197mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the GoldenEar T66 is approximately 1295.4cm2 / 200.8inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar T44 is approximately 1310.7cm2 / 203.2inch2. The T66 requires 1% less surface area than the Golden Ear T44 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The GoldenEar T66 weighs 27.22kg / 59.9lbs and the GoldenEar T44 weighs 27.27kg / 60lbs. This makes the Golden Ear T44 0% heavier than the T66.
Here is a comparison of how T66 and Golden Ear T44's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar T44?
Here are the items that come with the Golden Ear T44:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 10' AC power cord
- 2 Jumper straps (pre-installed)
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- Hex-key
- Hook spanner tool
- Owner's manual
- Quick Start Guide
- Accessory Kit Note
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
29 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1295cm2
vs
1310cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
1059mm
vs
1255mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
GoldenEar T66 |
GoldenEar T44 |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
29-25k Hz |
32-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5 x 9" |
5 x 9" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polymer |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Ribbon |
Folded Ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4.5" |
4.5" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1255.7mm (49.4") |
1059.0mm (41.7") |
| Width |
300.0mm (11.8") |
302.0mm (11.9") |
| Depth |
431.8mm (17") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
27.22kg (59.9lbs) |
27.27kg (60lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Gloss Black |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Bi-wire only |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in GoldenEar's Triton series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | GoldenEar T66 digs deeper - 29Hz against 32Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 92dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | GoldenEar T44: bi-amping. |
A GoldenEar T66 B GoldenEar T44
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.