Gold Note A3 EVO II Bookshelf Speaker, Walnut High Gloss (Pair)

The Gold Note A3 EVO II is a compact 2-way bookshelf speaker made in Italy that plays noticeably more grown-up in small and medium-sized rooms than its size suggests.

In this version, the faceted side panels are finished in high-gloss walnut. The mirror-like lacquer catches the light and turns a 35-centimetre-tall cabinet into a piece of furniture you place deliberately rather than hide away. Inside, a 1.1-inch silk dome tweeter and a 6-inch treated-paper mid-woofer work into a bass-reflex volume. Sold and delivered in pairs.

Why the A3 EVO II?

Because you want high-end sound but don't have room for sprawling towers. Gold Note builds the A3 EVO II in Tuscany and gives it the house signature: silky highs, full-bodied mids and a tight bass from very little volume. The diamond-shaped angled cabinet surfaces aren't a design quirk — they avoid parallel inner walls and the standing waves that come with them.

What you hear

Voices and acoustic instruments come across tangible and without harshness, the highs resolve finely without becoming tiring. Despite the small cabinet, the A3 EVO II projects a convincing, deeply layered stage into the room. The bass reaches down to 45 Hz — not subwoofer-deep, but dry, fast and musical. With 87 dB efficiency at 6 ohms it's easy to drive; Gold Note states 10 watts as the lower limit.

Who is the A3 EVO II suited for – and who isn't it for?

Ideal for anyone who wants to listen with nuance in 10 to 25 square metres: jazz, classical, singer-songwriter, good recordings of any kind. Plain talk: if you want to fill an open kitchen-living space at volume or want deep bass that flaps your trouser legs, you're better served by the A6 EVO II or a subwoofer. And an honest note on the high-gloss finish: piano lacquer looks fantastic but shows every fingerprint and reflects windows and lamps. In a bright room with a lot of glass that can look restless — the matte finish is the calmer choice there.

Our verdict

A small speaker with the sound and build quality of a much larger one. If you value fine resolution over sheer sound pressure, you get a lot of Italian musicality on very little floor space here. Honestly: most living rooms don't need a bigger speaker — they need a better-placed one.

Technical data

• Type: 2-way bass-reflex bookshelf speaker
• Frequency response: 45–20,000 Hz (±3 dB)
• Efficiency: 87 dB SPL (2.83 V / 1 m)
• Nominal impedance: 6 Ω
• Crossover frequency: 2,000 Hz (12 dB/octave)
• Recommended amplifier power: from 10 W
• Maximum power handling: 100 W RMS
• Tweeter: 1.1-inch silk dome
• Mid-woofer: 1 × 6-inch, treated paper cone
• Cabinet: diamond-faceted, black body, walnut high-gloss side panels
• Terminals: gold-plated, nickel-free binding posts
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 24 × 35 × 29.5 cm
• Weight: 20 kg per pair (net), 25 kg packed
• Scope of delivery: pair, fabric covers, quick guide

Frequently asked questions

Is the Gold Note A3 EVO II supplied as a pair?

Yes, the A3 EVO II is sold and delivered in pairs. The manufacturer's figures also refer to a pair each time, such as the 20-kilogram net weight. A single unit, for example as a replacement or for a multichannel setup, can be arranged on request through the distributor.

How large can the room be for the A3 EVO II?

It feels most at home in rooms of roughly 10 to 25 square metres. Beyond that it eventually runs out of breath at high volumes, since a 6-inch driver simply has its limits. For larger rooms it's worth looking at the A6 EVO II or adding a subwoofer.

Do I need the matching stands?

Recommended, yes. Standing free at ear height, the A3 EVO II plays noticeably more openly than wedged between books. Gold Note offers a speaker stand precisely matched to it, made of lacquered MDF and aluminium, which brings the cabinet to 76 centimetres and cleanly decouples it from the floor.

How much amplifier power does the A3 EVO II need?

Gold Note states 10 watts as the minimum and 100 watts RMS as the power-handling limit. With a 6-ohm nominal impedance and 87-decibel efficiency it's good-natured enough for small tube amplifiers, but it also rewards a powerful transistor amp with noticeably more control in the bass.

How easy is the high-gloss finish to look after?

It needs a bit more attention than a matte one. Piano lacquer shows fingerprints and dust more clearly and reflects light sources in the room. A soft microfibre cloth without abrasives is enough for care. If you move the speakers around often or have children in the house, walnut matte is the more relaxed option.

Why buy the Gold Note A3 EVO II from HD Zürisee?

Because we carry Gold Note as a specialist dealer and give you honest advice on amplifier, placement and stands — even when the answer is that another model suits your room better. Get in touch by phone, WhatsApp or email with us in Wädenswil.

Goes well with

The matching speaker stand audibly gets more out of the A3 EVO II than any sideboard, and a suitable integrated amplifier gives it the control it deserves. We'll work out with you in conversation at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil which combination works in your room.