GoldenEar, now part of PML (Paradigm, Anthem, and MartinLogan) since January 2025, just rolled out its first product under new ownership: the T44 hybrid floorstanding loudspeaker, the newest member of its T Series.
The T44 takes GoldenEar’s established acoustic tech and shrinks it into a more compact, room-friendly design than its bigger brother, the T66, while still incorporating a powered bass section into each speaker. This design allows the T44 to deliver powerful bass down to the 32 Hz, along with a wide soundstage and crystal clear imaging.
Made for modern living spaces like apartments, condos, and smaller rooms, the T44 offers a practical option for high-quality sound where space is limited. Whether it’s in a secondary listening room or a media setup, the T44 fits in without fuss, providing dynamic sound through its smart driver arrangement and self-powered bass section. It’s a straightforward answer for anyone needing serious sound without the bulk.
From Zoltan Balla, VP of Marketing at PML Sound International: “With the T44, we set out to reimagine what’s possible in a smaller form factor,…Don’t let its size fool you—the T44 is a powerhouse in disguise. From richly textured detail to bold, room-filling dynamics, it delivers the kind of sonic performance you’d expect from speakers twice its size and price. Tailored to blend beautifully into any space, the T44 ensures the only thing that stands out is the sound.”
Key Features
What sets the T44 apart is its combination of advanced audio technologies packed into a compact design. It features GoldenEar’s signature folded ribbon tweeter for crisp, detailed highs, a custom-voiced mid-bass driver that delivers balanced and natural midrange, and an integrated powered bass section that provides deep, controlled low-end without taking up extra space. Together, these elements make the T44 a standout choice for powerful, full-range sound in a smaller footprint.
Folded Ribbon Tweeter
For precise high-frequency reproduction, the T44 uses a High-Gauss HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) tweeter. Unlike traditional dome tweeters that push air forward, this folded ribbon diaphragm moves air by rapidly squeezing it—similar to an accordion. This design reduces distortion and delivers a smoother, more extended frequency response for clearer, more detailed highs.
Custom-Voiced Mid-Bass Driver
The T44 features a single 4.5″ cast-basket mid/bass driver engineered for clear, detailed sound reproduction. This driver forms the heart of GoldenEar’s signature sound, delivering realistic midrange performance that captures the nuances of music and dialogue with naturalness and depth.
Integrated Powered Bass Section
As a hybrid design, the T44 combines passive midrange and tweeter drivers with a powered woofer section. The bass is driven by a single quadratic woofer powered by an advanced 56-bit DSP amplifier, supported by two passive radiators. This setup delivers tighter, more controlled bass that extends deeper—eliminating the need for an external subwoofer.
From GoldenEar’s Regional Sales Manager, Chris Volk: “By integrating a powered bass section, the T44 eases the workload on your amplifier, which means greater clarity, control, and headroom for the midrange and highs. It’s an incredibly efficient design that pairs exceptionally well even with lower-powered components like tube amps or compact integrated systems, without sacrificing any of the full-range performance GoldenEar™ is known for.”
Bi-Wiring
The T44 is equipped with Dual binding posts that provide versatile connectivity options, allowing for bi-wiring to enhance audio performance. By separating the high and low-frequency signals, bi-wiring reduces interference and improves clarity, delivering a cleaner, more detailed soundstage for discerning listeners.
Acoustically Optimized Enclosure
The T44’s curved, inert cabinet design reduces unwanted coloration while enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Available in high-gloss Piano Black and Santa Barbara Red finishes, the speaker delivers a sleek look that matches its sound quality.
Compact Footprint
Though a floorstanding speaker, the T44’s compact profile allows for easy placement in apartments, studios, or secondary listening spaces. It fits where larger towers can’t or would overwhelm the room, all without compromising on audio performance.
Cast Aluminium Base
The T44’s full-footprint cast aluminum base provides stability and durability, anchoring the speaker securely in place. Equipped with adjustable outrigger spikes and pads, it can be adapted to both carpeted and hard surface floors, minimizing vibrations.
Comparison
| T44 (2025) | T66 (2023) | |
| Product Type | Floorstanding Tower Speaker | Floorstanding Tower Speaker |
| Price | Piano Black – $4,899/pair (USD) Santa Barbara Red – $5,299/pair (USD) | Gloss Black – $6,900/pair (USD) Santa Barbara Red – $7,200/pair (US) |
| Speaker Design | 5-driver, 3-way hybrid floorstanding speaker with active bass | 6-driver, 3-way hybrid floorstanding speaker with active bass |
| Enclosure Type | Sealed | Sealed |
| Tweeter | 1 x High-Gauss HVFR High-Velocity Reference Folded Ribbon Tweeter | 1 x High-Gauss Reference High-Velocity Folded Ribbon AMT Tweeter |
| Mid-Range/Upper Bass | 1 x 4.5” High-Definition Cast-Basket MVPP™ | 2 x 4.5″ High-Definition Cast-Basket |
| Woofer | 1 x 5” x 9” Long-Throw Quadratic Bass Driver | 1 x 5″ x 9″ Long-Throw Quadratic Bass Driver |
| Passive Radiators | 2 x 8” x 12” Quadratic Planar Back-Wave-Driven | 2 x 8″ x 12″ Quadratic Planar Back-Wave-Driven |
| Passive Radiator Surface Area | 30.45 in² (196.49 cm²) | 53.36 in² (344.3 cm²) |
| Frequency Response | 32 Hz – 25 kHz typical (-6 dB on axis @ 29 Hz, anechoic bass response) | 29 Hz – 25 kHz typical (-6 dB on axis @ 29 Hz, anechoic bass response) |
| Sensitivity – Room/Anechoic | 92 dB / 89 dB 1W/1M @ 4Ω (2.83V/1M | 91dB 1W/1M @ 4Ω (2.83V/1M) |
| Nominal Impedance | Nominal 4Ω (Compatible with 8Ω) | Nominal 4Ω (Compatible with 8Ω) |
| Recommended Ampifier Power | 20-400 watts | 20-500 watts |
| Speaker Dimensions (WDH) | 7.5 x 14.75 x 40.4 inches (with base, no spikes) 19.1 x 37.6 x 102.6 cm (with base, no spikes) | 7.5 x 14.75 x 48.8 inches (with base, no spikes) 19.1 x 37.6 x 124.1cm (with base, no spikes) |
| Base Dimensions (WD) | 11.8 x 17 inches 30 x 43.2 cm | 11.8 x 17 inches 30 x 43.2 cm |
| Net Weight | 60 lbs (27.2 kg) | 60 lbs (27.2kg) |
The Bottom Line
GoldenEar’s T44 builds on the strengths of the T66 with a slightly smaller footprint tailored for tighter spaces like apartments and studios. Its hybrid design pairs passive tweeter and midrange drivers with a powered woofer that eliminates the need for an external subwoofer. While it requires connection to external power and a line-level input from your AVR or receiver, this setup delivers deeper, tighter bass than you’d expect from a compact floorstander. This approach isn’t unique—brands like Definitive Technology use similar designs—but it’s an effective solution for those wanting big bass impact without sacrificing space.
Availability & Pricing
The GoldenEar T44 will begin shipping mid-July 2025 and will be available through Authorized GoldenEar Dealers.
- Piano Black – $4,899.99/pair (USD)
- Santa Barbara Red – $5,299.99/pair (USD)
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