Bookshelf Speakers — Gold Note A3 EVO II

Gold Note of Italy builds the A3 EVO II as a compact two-way design with a reflex port, officially presented in August 2021 alongside the A6 EVO II floorstander as a new evolution of the A series. The maker describes it as designed and assembled in-house and made entirely in Italy, with a diamond-shaped cabinet that is handmade and built as an ultra-rigid structure. The UK launch price of a pair was GBP 3,500, and choosing high-gloss walnut instead of black gloss or matt walnut raised that by GBP 300.

Key specs that matter

Published data gives a response of 45 Hz to 20 kHz within 3 dB, a sensitivity of 87 dB SPL at 2.83 V and 1 m and a nominal impedance of 6 ohm. The suggested amplifier power starts at 10 W, and the maximum power handling is 100 W RMS. A silk dome tweeter works with one 6 inch mid-woofer, and the reflex port vents at the rear of the cabinet. Each speaker measures 240 mm wide, 350 mm tall and 295 mm deep, and a pair weighs 20 kg net or 25 kg in its boxes.

Engineering and use context

The model replaces the earlier A3 EVO, which Gold Note now lists as discontinued. Its Audax tweeter also appears in the A6 EVO II, and the mid-woofer is supplied by SEAS. The cabinet itself is black, while the side panels are offered in matt or glossy walnut. The speakers are wired through Gold Note gold-plated, nickel-free connectors. Gold Note states that the silk dome tweeter and the other components were chosen to give an extended frequency response, and it positions the model for listeners who need high performance in a compact size. A dedicated A3 EVO II stand is sold as an option, designed in the same minimalist style as the speaker and made to a standard height. It is built from painted MDF and aluminium, with a black lacquered HDF foot and an 8 mm thick profiled aluminium plate, and it measures 290 mm wide, 760 mm tall and 440 mm deep. A pair of stands weighs the same as a pair of the speakers.

Pairing

Gold Note itself suggests building a compact system around the speaker with its DS-10 Plus streaming DAC and the PA-10 power amplifier, both from the same Italian range, so that source, amplification and speakers come from one maker.

Alternatives

Gold Note also makes the Diana I, a bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a 6.5 inch fiberglass mid-woofer and a rear bass-reflex system.