If you’ve been eyeing a serious set of loudspeakers but don’t quite have the space for a full-size tower setup, GoldenEar might have something worth checking out. The company has just announced the T44, a compact floorstanding speaker designed to bring much of the performance of its larger sibling—the T66—into smaller rooms, and at a lower price point.

This is GoldenEar’s first new product under its new ownership by Premium Audio Company (PML), the same group behind Paradigm, Anthem, and MartinLogan. And while it’s technically a scaled-down version of the T66, the T44 isn’t short on features. It keeps the same general design and many of the same components, just in a shorter, more space-friendly cabinet.

“With the T44, we set out to reimagine what’s possible in a smaller form factor,” said Zoltan Balla, VP of Marketing at PML Sound International. “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.”

At first glance, the T44 doesn’t look drastically different from the T66—they actually share the same footprint. But it’s about eight inches shorter and drops from six drivers to five. That reduction comes from removing one of the midrange drivers, which helps slim things down while keeping most of the performance intact.

The T44 also continues GoldenEar’s use of a hybrid design. That means the tweeter and midrange driver are passive and need to be powered by an external amp or receiver. But the woofer section? That’s active—each speaker includes its own built-in amplifier with DSP control. This setup powers a single woofer and two passive radiators, allowing the T44 to deliver surprisingly deep bass (down to about 32 Hz) without needing a separate subwoofer.

If you’re working with limited space—or just don’t want a bunch of gear cluttering your setup—that’s a pretty appealing option.

GoldenEar’s Regional Sales Manager, Chris Volk, said: “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.” 

GoldenEar clearly had tighter spaces in mind when designing the T44. Think apartments, media rooms, or even secondary listening setups. The smaller height makes it easier to fit into rooms where tall towers would look out of place, and the cast aluminum base adds some much-needed stability whether you're setting them up on hardwood or carpet.

The cabinet design also helps keep things sounding clean. Its curved shape isn’t just for looks—it reduces unwanted cabinet resonance, which can muddy up the sound in lesser designs. It’s the kind of subtle engineering choice that helps the speaker blend into a room while still holding its own sonically.

A lot of what made the T66 popular carries over here. The T44 uses GoldenEar’s High-Velocity Folded Ribbon (HVFR) tweeter, which works a bit differently from the usual dome designs. Instead of pushing air outward, it squeezes it—kind of like an accordion—which helps keep distortion low and detail high. That means clearer highs and a more open soundstage.

The midrange is handled by a single 4.5-inch cast-basket driver, tuned to deliver clear vocals and natural-sounding instruments. And thanks to the powered bass section, you’re still getting full-range performance out of a relatively compact speaker. It’s not often you see that kind of deep bass built into something this size.

For those who like to tweak their setup, the T44 also supports bi-wiring, allowing separate signal paths for highs and lows. It’s not a requirement, but it’s nice to have if you want to squeeze out every bit of clarity your system can offer.

The GoldenEar T44 is set to start shipping mid-July 2025 and will be available through the company’s authorized dealers. It comes in two finishes: Piano Black for $4,899.99 per pair, or a bolder Santa Barbara Red version for $5,299.99. The GoldenEar T66 is available now at Crutchfield.

So, is this a budget speaker? Not exactly. But if you’re looking for serious performance in a package that won’t dominate your room—or require a separate subwoofer—the T44 makes a strong case for itself.

It’s designed for people who care about sound but don’t necessarily want giant speakers taking over the space. And if you’ve been holding out for something that balances size, simplicity, and performance, the T44 might be a good fit for your setup.