The Audiophile's Dream? TAD Compact Reference One TAD-CR1TX Review.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Support the cause: Patreon: www.patreon.com/erinsaudiocorner Contribute via PayPal: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=CLHSW4L9SBSLY A simple request: If any of you find yourselves shopping for anything sold by the retailers below please consider using my generic affiliate link. These can earn me a small commission which goes a long way toward helping me review items and make content. It is a great way you can help me continue doing what I enjoy doing without costing you anything extra. It is truly appreciated! Amazon: amzn.to/3v6i6ov Audio Advice: www.audioadvice.com/?referral=erins-audio-corner Best Buy: howl.me/ck2IPpcOp1h Crutchfield: shop-links.co/cgZmmT81jmh Parts-Express: parts-express.sjv.io/Y9zoEB Newegg: howl.me/ck2IQg52L5b Samsung: howl.me/ck2IQ5qe16w Target: howl.me/ck2IRDNsIqn Thomann: www.thomann.de/de/index.html?offid=1&affid=2577 Emotiva: shorturl.at/pBEU9 Monoprice: bit.ly/3yAY6NH Arendal Sound: arendalsound.com/store/?refer=hardisj Purchases through these links can earn me a small commission - at no additional cost to you - and help me continue to provide the community with free content and reviews. Doesn't matter if it's a TV from Crutchfield, budget speakers from Audio Advice or a pair of socks from Amazon, just use the link above before you make your purchase. Thank you!

[@kirillgulyaev1770]

Sadly they're tad expensive for me

[@navidmahmood876]

This is it, this is the top comment folks.

[@peteleoni9665]

Yeah. I'm a horn guy. I have never been able to afford TAD compression drivers. That really is the top of all speaker piles.

[@seaninobertz]

lol

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

@@peteleoni9665 Horn guy too. Implementation is still king. Im very happy with B&C drivers at 1/4th the price

[@-GBD-]

Just tell your kids that they can’t go to university because dad found an amazing bookshelf speaker set

[@QuintEssential-sz2wn]

Erin: It's so great, and fun, that you are including a wide range of speakers in your reviews. Sure nobody watching is likely to buy these speakers, but it's entertaining and informative to see "what you get for the asking price" in some of these high end designs. I enjoy watching content of gear I'll never own, as do many others, and you clearly balance that out with a preponderance of more affordable gear. So I hope you don't take the "why review ridiculously expensive speakers" folks to heart. Keep 'em coming. There's virtually nobody else out there who can put such expensive gear to the level of testing you supply.

[@johnwright8814]

Here I am, listening attentively to your recommendations, as though I will be buying them.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

😂

[@mizake01]

Nah. I can build ya a better pair with best crossover parts for 1000€ OMG the DIY delusion 😭

[@ron5493]

​@@mizake01 maybe I can make a point about kits. Notice how heavy the Tads were? Notice how Erin said that certainly helped keep the resonance down? These cabinets are probably half the cost of the speaker. Maybe more when you consider packaging and shipping. And if a kit builder wanted to match the performance of this box for $1000 he most likely could do it - if he does his research first. Would not look as nice, but would do the job.

[@ClassifiedBrief]

You can smoke these in the diy world. They have maybe at best $180 if we are talking retail cost of crossover parts. The crossovers is absolutely everything, the cabinet is definitely important but they really blew their budget ass backwards here. Quality crossover and drivers in a well braced 3/4" MDF box with bracing and insulation would kill these.

[@practicalguy973]

Any cabinet/mechanical distortion being lessened is amazing like in the TAD design. I think the box always has some ringing/woofer backwaves that escape through the box material and adds to the sound signature of the speaker in a bad way. You want to hear what the signal of the audio is not added ringing produced by the cabinet. I do a lot of DIY speaker design and odd real testing/tinkering. One of those tests was putting a small full range 4" driver right inside a common bookshelf speaker box for a 6.5" woofer and had some sound absorbing material typical for common cheaper speakers found under $1000, blocking the woofer hole and port hole with some thick wood covers and letting the driver play inside the cabinet to hear what would leak out. I could hear nasty sound across many frequencies escaping though the cabinet walls, you could hear enough to make out the full song so all frequencies from the midrange and down were coming though to some degree. My current DIY bookshelf speakers use 1.25" (32mm) wall thickness made from laminating 3/4" birch plywood and 1/2" MDF with contact cement. I chose two different types of wood thinking that both will have slightly different composition and might block a wider range of cabinet distortion. That does not eliminate all cabinet distortion but lessens it quite a lot and improves the overall sound a lot compared to my previous designs in thin cabinets. This is for a 5.25" 2 way. If I were doing a larger speaker I would consider the same wall design but also adding internal bracing in many places.

[@jimx1169]

What separates this channel from others is the time Erin takes to put the measurements into context which makes them actually useful. Well done!

[@TheOneInYellow]

I think these and Børresen M1 are the current kings of endgame, ultra-fi standmount designs! Thankfully, both brands have released more affordable options too, but objectively these are excellent speakers. Your measurements of the TAD CR1TX are incredible, and it's worth remembering that these are hand finished and in-house designed Japanese speakers!

[@word2RG]

i bet they appreciate the technical recognition for their efforts 👍

[@insurrectionindustries1706]

Having heard these compared to other very well designed speakers I can say that they are amazing. They are a great example of how there is so much more to speaker design than frequency response(which you highlight very well) I still can’t afford them but they are the best speakers I have ever heard by a reasonable margin and I feel fortunate that friend allowed me time with them in a familiar space. I’m still happy with my speakers that were 7% of that cost though and wouldn’t likely invest that much in speakers even if I had it. I still admire what a cost no object approach can achieve. Thanks for review.

[@zzt231gr]

Great review!Like the listening room snipets!Would love LP measurement in every review,Erin!

[@DeepHorizon3773]

Finally a Major-Breakthrough for Loudspeakers ! New Treble Clef Audio TCA-M Active Loudspeakers !

[@dl6519]

Great review, thank you! I admire your courage in even attempting to hoist an 87.5 grand/pair speaker up onto your Klippel stand, and then back down again!

[@SpacedOutDoonie]

I enjoyed this video. Those speakers are insane and they look really nice too. I also like to put my speakers not aimed directly center at my ears but actually straight and a lil bit upwards on the iso pads behind my laptop.

[@alfovebraseth]

Excellent review as always

[@dennisliavas4463]

This review is greatly appreciated. Enjoyed it very much. Keep up the good work

[@kyleo2113]

I didn’t realize that it doesn’t matter what I buy using affiliate links! Thanks for explaining this. Nice review!

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

No problem!

[@Albert-ed3hg]

Good summary, thx. Question re; your room which looks nice! Plans for acoustic room treatments? I encourage it:)

[@MRPC5]

Great to see some data on a TAD speaker. If I ever win the lottery maybe I'll pick them up!

[@ErikWP]

It seems that the audio industry is trying to find how much they can charge before "audiophiles" will say "enough". There is no connection between value and price anymore. Headphones that cost $8000, speakers that cost an annual salary. It's like the supercar industry or the sneaker or watch industry now.

[@therealboofighter]

Total Audio Domination.

[@MikeJames-h2o]

Thanks for you videos Erin. When you said by moving them back to the wall increased the bottom end, I thought I should try this with my speakers as my Mirage sounded thin. Well B I N G O the difference was unbelievable. Fuller sound witl such better imaging. Thank you SO much. I wish I were not a pensioner as I cant afford a tip to you. Sincerely...Mike (Regina Saskatchewan Canada).

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Hey, I’m super happy to hear the advice helped you!

[@isobutylquinoline]

Dude, haven't even watched but thank you for reviewing. Rare as hens teeth to get videos on these.

[@RahzAlGhul]

I had the pleasure to hear these they’re great

[@riccitone]

Man, so glad you consider, practice and test the subjective factors that play into the way speakers are designed to be used, and not simply measure and cast aspersions. Great review that gets into what we might experience if we were to actually pay for speakers like these! 🙏🏼

[@antoniomarsicola8608]

Kudos to Erin! Nice to see you are reviewing luxury stuff! (Even though i'd buy 9 pairs of Kef reference 1 or 6 pairs of Kii 3...)

[@ChuckCelticCarNut]

I love this review. Although, I am not buying a pair of speakers that cost more than the value of all 4 cars I own, but that you for reviewing these speakers. Take care.

[@harisjaved1379]

Holy crap, they are a TAD expensive for my wallet! Wow 101 lbs per speaker? That’s more than my floor standers lol

[@wswsn7396]

I can make a custom made concrete block weight on top of my current bookshelf speaker.

[@hom2fu]

can cause hernia. need a fork lift

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

​@@wswsn7396make it then, then send it to Erin.

[@wadimek116]

My budget "small" surrounds weight 35kg per unit, they got 10" midrange and horn, 4cm front, 2cm sides, heavy magnets and bracing etc.

[@stevengagnon4777]

Excellent review....definitely can't aford them.., already know i would like to here them....sure they would meet my expectations based on both the measurements and your in room experience. They are also a nice looking moderatly sized package ...gets a big appeal factor. If I had these for just a few hours I know I would listen to one of my favorite Opera from start to finish...they are going to sound fantastic with Opera....very few speakers do. The Opera is a good test....if it csn do the Opera everything else will also be good. This brings me around to the glaring contrast with the T shirt and hat....these speakers were kindly sent to you from TAD. It doesn't look like you took this seriously enough.. could have gotten a nice looking suit coat, dress shirt (with possibly a nice sweater between) and ditched the hat achieving the perfect balance with out being over dressed. When living in a car even then my wife and I managed to do some thrift shopping and used a storage locker to get dressed in we were able to attend an Opera and looking good for the event. The setting in the room behind you really didn't highlight the extra levels of craftsmanship that went into these either. It's an opportunity to get new viewers and quickly based on appearance it didn't look like the review was taken seriously. You are the source for speaker reviews that I take the most seriously. Really would you be dressed like this for a serious presentation to the board. If you can afford these you probably can afford an experienced insured piano mover.

[@jerroldsimbulan728]

Erin - how would these compare to the KEF Ref 1 Metas and Blade 2 Metas

[@gordthor5351]

Erin, I am very curious as to why you plug in the positive speaker wire to the bottom terminal and the negative to the top? Both sets of terminals are connected, so what is your reasoning?

[@ron5493]

Awesome. Would you still choose Blade2's if money was not a factor?

[@keytrackmusicreviews]

Maybe you could review acoustic treatments in your new main listening space. That would be cool to see you break down the data and effectiveness of designs, size, and materials.

[@stephanem.2268]

Interesting approach and review. You could maybe have addressed the power needed to drive those speakers... easy to drive or not?

[@alexeichikish2221]

Only thing for me in speakers is natural sound and best stage, so long no other speakers are as electrostatic or electromagnetic( Quad and Magnepan ) , the high line of them c. 12k. you can use sub for better low and you have quality no dynamic speakers can give you.

[@aaronmatuszny8856]

I never thought I'd say that the KEF blades are a bargain....BUT HERE GOES!

[@christianrogers2355]

you have to pay to play, to get 5-10-15% better it typically cost alot to do so

[@aaronmatuszny8856]

@christianrogers2355 I would normally say this is fair, but what do the TADs have that the blades don't? And would my deaf @$$ actually notice? In this case I feel this is just sixty plus thousand dollars just flushed down the drain. Your mileage may vary.

[@NirreFirre]

Good on TAD for supplying them, even they know it probably won't make them sell a single additional pair. Near or at benchmark level items are needed for us to see how the "price/performance S curve" ends (or at least seems to plan out 😅)

[@kjellhedberg1199]

Hope you can have them for a while 😊 And thanks for your great work....❤

[@simianinc]

Thanks for reviewing these. Many audiophile reviewers ignore expensive items because they're out of range of their audience. But that's never been a problem with car reviews, and without good people such as yourself, I never get to even live vicariously through an audio reviewer. But there's something missing - did you actually enjoy listening to the TADs? That's the subjectivity that I really care about!

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I did. Big, open and well controlled soundstage. Great tonality. Excellent midrange quality.

[@w3rdnama1]

For $87.5k… I think not. This is an excellent review nonetheless, and I’m glad they actually measure well. I think we could expect this performance given the background of those at TAD, being able to access all of the data for yourself is lovely. The price:performance ratio says so much and enthusiasts/audiophiles should take note of this. At the end of the day, to each their own. Preference is inviolate. If one possesses such disposable income, it’s 100% a “flex.” Thanks Erin.

[@Mrhifitunes]

Great review once again. Love how you add both, measurement and listening experience. 👍👍 Top. Now can I borrow 87500$ 😅

[@Audfile]

There's something for everyone. But for 87 grand I want an exotic transmission line designed by NASA. Not a vent...

[@peteleoni9665]

For 87 grand you could buy a lot of great JBL reference monitors all of which would blow the pants off of these speakers in a blind ab test. I promise. I have spent my entire life in the studio biz. You can't beat JBL they know too much about every side of this.

[@MrSatyre1]

​@peteleoni9665 These are used in many of the world's Grammy and Oscar winning recording studios, so...

[@ClassifiedBrief]

​@@peteleoni9665while I agree these speakers are a joke, jbl has gone down the tubes over the last 20 years. Just look at the crossover parts it doesn't get more obvious

[@user-xg6zz8qs3q]

A transmission line is a folded Voigt pipe. You may as well get a Voigt pipe. And it's the farthest thing from complex and exotic. It's just really tall and ugly

[@a0r0a7]

@@peteleoni9665 absolutely right, JBLs were gorgeous. I can't even understand the component value and materials used that would make them anywhere near this cost unless every part is totally handmade.

[@malcolmmcgregor5058]

I was wondering what you do if you drop them. Thanks for addressing that at the end.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

No problem 👍 ☠️

[@DrNoahBoddy004]

I simply Adore TAD’s incredible designs. They’re like, light years beyond a lot of competitors. And you can rest assured, that system would NEVER be switched off! First in all things at TH$T echelon is to wring every thin dime of performance out of them. They’d play at near whisper volume at bed time, and at room filling peaks the rest of the time, but NEVER OFF!

[@summerforever6736]

You fool

[@DrNoahBoddy004]

⁠@@summerforever6736 come out of kindergarten. then mind your own business, operating YOUR system the way you see fit. I meant exactly what I wrote: every GD ounce of performance out of that $87k means NEVER switched-off P E R I O D.

[@mikegoddard7354]

I've heard these and the compact evolution one's, personally I cant say for certain as I have not heard both back to back or DBT'd. The evolution ones are crazy speakers, they are really really good and I came to this realization during AXPONA when finally somone young was behind the source choosing the songs. That speakers is killer with all genres and not just audiophile recordings, this guy played nothing that was beyond cd quality or "audiophile" recordings. This greatly won me over and even all the people in the room were rocking out it was so killer. It was literally a vibe

[@klaushaunstrupchristensen7252]

For once a high end design which actually delivers something for the money. I had the pleasure of listening to it some years ago (maybe an earlier incarnation) it was a pure joy and delight. I believe it is tailor made for smaller rooms than typical American rooms. Something like concrete/brick apartments seen in Europe, Japan and the metropolis cities of USA. Greetings from Denmark

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

Diminishing returns for sure but that distortion is impressive. If you have the money they look sweet.

[@Nugglashine]

dude i was about to submit an amazon order and then remembered your links. got your amazon link bookmarked now

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Oh, sweet! Thank you!

[@lukeselker5175]

Erin, it's good to see you reviewing some small, budget oriented computer speakers again 😂

[@tkl0111]

Thank you for this review! Do you think you can add in room at listening position FR sweep in the future? that would be very helpful data in addition to the Klippel measurements.

[@d.nakamura9579]

Nice review. It appears these were designed to be positioned close to the rear wall for bass reinforcement like the Wilson Duettes. Still, those are really close to your back wall. Surprising.

[@hificave]

Damn you’re good at all this analysis man.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Eh, I mostly make it up and hope nobody catches on. 🤪

[@hificave]

@@ErinsAudioCorner hhahahahahhahaha

[@hoopdyhop76]

It’s nice to see speakers designed to be used in real world environments(against the wall) rather than the theoretical ideal of a few feet out. This should be the norm instead of the exception, yet these and the Larsen, are the only ones that come to mind that do that.

[@jerrypowers7671]

Cornwalls go against the wall too.

[@jeffreybritton3338]

Some of the Kefs Erin reviewed had a bass shelf for closer wall placement.

[@Artcore103]

any speaker can be placed anywhere thanks to this handy invention audiophiles seem unaware of... EQ.

[@hoopdyhop76]

@@Mishael_Agyei-Boamah Not that are high end speakers, say $20k and up.. I'm referencing the industry as a whole and not just what Erin has reviewed, which that covers the vast majority of speakers.

[@hoopdyhop76]

@@Artcore103 The point I was making is that most high end manufacturers do not design their speakers for this use case so you dont have to correct with eq or adding subs, etc.

[@vladimirrusev468]

always interesting to see how far engineers go with no cost constrains ... does it make sense in terms of value per $ ... perhaps not, but i am happy there are people with money for such craftsmanship. This just pushes the industry forward and sets standards.

[@christianrogers2355]

one of the few that gets it

[@Solus793]

I get what you are saying but despite the price they are beaten by the best models from Genelec and Neumann which are a small fraction of the price.

[@christianrogers2355]

@@Solus793 ive heard alot of the genelecs and I have never heard one I would own, so I respect your opinion but I totally disagree, neumann, heard one pair, same thought but to each there own

[@mizake01]

Imagine: Little Timmy thinks this stuff is cool, hates goin to college. Fine, go to Mr.Woodshop and Ms.Physics and Them.ArtTeacher and they show u how to build similar speaker at your high school vocational program. The other kids in the Voc. can share their amplifier and etc projects so yall can host the " watever " event(s) this year. Then, adults secretly funnel math, reading, research, OJT, all kinds of [college] learnin into these vocational programs. Over time local businesses will develop to resource and fund these. Then they will need voc and college kids to fulfill work. Many of the voc students eventually DO go to college snd or send their kids to college. Imagine it happening globally. With 3d printing. Quantum computing. End of war and strife. All thnks to a review at Erin's Corner.

[@Solus793]

@@christianrogers2355 objectively they measure as good as anything, they are state of the art - people like a coloured sound though, so just use EQ if you want to alter the frequency response.

[@middleearthltd]

I wonder how these compare to the $100k Borresen M1 bookshelves ? It is great that expensive things exist Glad to see you back and in your new home

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

I really want to see a borresen measurement. They are the latest golden child on audiogon forums and I wonder how true it is.

[@middleearthltd]

@@misterzero8667 then why do you watch Erin’s videos ? If I cannot listen to a speaker before buying it, I will absolutely only buy speakers with an exceptional ruler flat response. I am not willing to find out if I enjoy a wonky response.

[@dacatman2518]

This speaker seems to measure very well. So does the KEF reference one. What is the acoustic difference? Is it reflected in the measurements?

[@mikeeygauthier2959]

JUST CURIOUS: the binding post video close-up showed you plugged the positive (red) connector in the lower positive post, and the negative (black) connector in the upper binding post… should that not be the REVERSE?? (Red upper & black lower). Let me know. Thank you.

[@naomispirit-evokingemotion2267]

Hi Erin, will you be uploading the TAD-CR1TX review onto your website?

[@siyangpan9791]

Any recommention between CR1TX and GE1?

[@TheProspectVideo]

Wow, I would be looking at JBL Everest or K2’s for that price!

[@weeooh1]

Thanks Erin. I know you are a realist and this is probably where some audiophiles might go batshit crazy. But can you you justify the TADs at their price vs the $27k KEF Blade 2 Meta?

[@mizake01]

I love reading Consumer Reports and support Ralph Nader. I nearly joined the PeaceCorp and dream of sailing with GreenPeace. This is a KZbin _MUSIC GEAR 'N STUFF_ channel for a relatively small yet GLOBAL community of people who enjoy music for what it is, a speaker for how it speaks. Pricing strategies questions belong on those youtube channels. I send you peace and Love.

[@Artcore103]

can't justify either, 27k is already ridiculous.

[@ChadAV69]

I like the subjective then objective review style

[@youtube改名也太難了吧]

Love TADs. The distortion level is really low.

[@summerforever6736]

Give us a. Brake!!!

[@christianrogers2355]

a month ago most of you where knocking manufactures because some of them said this YT channel wasn't worthy, Erin gets a high end expensive speaker and the majority rips it to hell because of price, I would bet money 99% of you have never heard them, your gripes are based on price, this is EXACTLY why some manufactures do. not take YT reviews serious, sorry Erin but you know im right, good luck in future with higher end product reviews

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I don't even know who is ripping this speaker. It's about the same ratio of people as usual.

[@Gunmastercomua]

Thank you Erin!

[@michaelalfredson4246]

I am running the Focal Utopia Viva as my LCR also another great speaker with mid range similar to your review

[@trulsdirio]

If I ever spent that amount of money I expect perfect performance, from 20 Hz to 20 KHz.

[@peter3728]

i believe Andrew Jones had a hand in designing them as well as the KEF Blade Meta

[@MrSatyre1]

AJ designed these. He did not design the Meta.

[@ManFromLaBamba]

Andrew Jones sure gets around. He is to speaker manufacturers like Phil Collins was to pop music in the 80s…everywhere: singing solo, singing/playing with his band (genesis), playing on his band mates solo albums, playing and/or producing for another band or singer previously in a famous band (Frida from ABBA), writing or producing another band, singing with a dude from a key band in a different genre on that dudes solo pop album (Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire), acting in a tv show that famously employed many of his songs (Miami vice), playing at live aid in London in the morning and taking the concord to play live aid Philadelphia later that day…for a few bands.

[@soundhead18]

I would highly recommend room treatment to make them sound their best also

[@damonmaddox1313]

Erin as you age and your high frequency starts to dip you will like hotter speakers. I can't stand compression tweeters, but I love Focals and b&Ws all day long.

[@aaronschen9896]

Not a gripe, but a wish. Would be awesome to have a close look at the drivers and cabinet. Or go full evblog and take them apart!

[@mizake01]

MORE close ups!! Slow pans. Lets see the guts!

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I’d have been happy to but these are their demo pair for shows and I didn’t want to risk damaging them somehow before they went out to THE Show this weekend.

[@labalo5]

@@ErinsAudioCornerare you making it out to THE show?

[@sigriston]

Now to test the BIG TADs (R1TX?) 😹

[@Frankie_G_]

Thanks. Do you get into studio monitor analysis?

[@H1kari_1]

Very good, but the price is just not competitive thinking about KEF or Genelecs. But if you're going for build quality, why not.

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

Honestly that is not the same market. This is for very well off Japanese/Asian business types honestly.

[@H1kari_1]

@@JamesWilliams-gf8gm I get what you mean. But the aren't those "in between" those markets and super niche? Too expensive for scientific hifi fans but too small/unimpressive for big spenders. For this price you could get Dali Epikore or Focal Meastros if you want to flex. Also aren't 110 pounds a "little" heavy for standmount speakers? You'd need a VERY heavy standmount for this thing not to topple easily.

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

@@H1kari_1 the Asian market has lots of money but tiny houses. Lots of people there are very poor there but the rich are very rich. The rich are a very small percentage but it is a small percent of a very large population. It is still a lot of people with stupid money.

[@saucebosspl]

Heard them a couple of times. They are INSANE. If I could ever afford them, I would!

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

I can afford them, but I still won't. No speaker on the planet is worth that sort of money, I don't care how good it sounds.

[@ClassifiedBrief]

Just build a pair of gr research and your mind will be blown and you can still afford two new cars with ur savings (and they will beat these much better crossover)

[@limp6986]

Same here, heard them a couple times and they are simply incredible. Best bookshelf I've ever heard

[@a.s.2426]

What’s your distance from the speakers at the listening position? The distance between the speakers seems to be 6-8ft. and the distance to the listening seat perhaps 15ft. This would be rather unusual.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

It varies but about 8-10 feet. Speakers were moved around. The image behind me is a green screen.

[@Bradimus1]

Good advice on picking a speaker moving assistant.

[@Evolved_ue7]

I wonder how much the materials and construction actually cost .. I guess elite market elite price .

[@ManFromLaBamba]

Great review as always. Did you measure them with the feet screwed in? As a comparison that was interesting to me: I Have a pair of Mirage MRM-1, and while they were about 5% the price of these, and are at least 50% smaller in volume, they are also very heavy for their size. Only 35lbs-40lbs or something like that each. Lightweights. They are also completely inert, even though their frequency response is shocking deep for a tiny monitor (-3db is around 70hz, with a bump up from 90-150 due to the port tuning). You can put your hand on them with them blasting deep bass trip hop so loudly that the little 5.5” woofer is pumping with the maximum excursion that won’t damage them, and you feel nothing. The drivers are mounted in a thick slab of corian and the cabinet is layers of mdf and steel. As small two ways with low sensitivity they have inherent limits but after a decade of owning them in still surprised how much sound they produce for their size with pretty low distortion numbers. I used them with a subwoofer crossed at 80hz to take pressure off the little woofer. they work like point sources at 10-20ft away, very consistent at every listening position. Super wide and deep soundstage (they are not bipolar/omni mirages, but conventional 2-way reflex) They disappear in the sound field. I say all this because these much more expensive and much more impressively measuring speakers seem to have a similar design intent: a small monitor that will effectively be a point source (especially with the coax mid-tweeter). I’m surprised at the low frequency rolll off considering the 8” driver, but I guess they did so intentionally for lowest distortion possible, and rely on the port / wall reflections for anything below 80hz - or a subwoofer especially in ht applications/use. Hey, my mrm-1 even has a very similar dip in the presence region-very typical of older British tuning, properly done it apparently helps the speaker “disappear,” aka great directionality. My experience is that this wide as all get out sweet spot tends to come at the expense of center imaging precision unless you really dial in the toe-in (or eq the dip out). Anyway, it’s nice to see a design that maximizes stand mounts Though you better have some stout stands. Though At these prices, or rather less, the KEF blades seem a bit more, well, reasonable.

[@ryj5284]

Can I ask? what makes them cost 87K. can anyone explain that to me? I have a technical background. over 30yrs of it. I have an idea what electronic components can cost. But I can't wrap my head around 87K. god bless the folks that can afford them.

[@erik-alexanderrichter1591]

I actually own these speakers. I have also been in the factory. There you can first find out about their research center. It can only exist because of Pioneer backing them up. It is huge. those sound chambers were amazing to see. Than, you check out the beryllium production process, nobody else is using. Than the assembly of the units. to keep the speakers in balance, EVERY drop of glue is going to a check, in micrograms, to be exact. The amount of detail in this is absolute incredible. Once the speaker is ready, there is a visual check up. Once this is ready speaker for speaker go into a sound chamber and will be checked again, if the sound curves are 100% matching the design of these. Once this is done, the speakers are extremely well packaged. And shipped to the dealer, to the customer. TAD is so good, like for Lexus cars, Lexus brings the new model doors to them and allow TAD to design the speaker into the door. Including the whole labyrint of housing behind the cover. Honestly, I have never seen anything like this. Combine it with other gear of TAD and you have a winner. Obviously, the R&D needs to be paid for, but the line of distribution too. TAD is going to many audio shows around the world, that's an expensive hobby too.

[@ryj5284]

@@erik-alexanderrichter1591 I get it, I understand. a lot of audio companies go to shows. And they don't charge or have speakers that are 78K. I also know, that R&D is expensive. but for me, with all due respect. It doesn't answer why, the speakers are so expensive.

[@RDAudioReviews]

@@erik-alexanderrichter1591 I own CR1's as well, but bought them back in 2011 when they were much more reasonably priced. I use mine in a large room with 15' ceilings and have them 5' from the rear wall, to great effect. I've also augmented the very lows and very highs with Velodyne DD10+ subs and 'stat supertweeters. I used to hear a lot of live acoustic unamplified music here in NYC, and coming home to listed to the TAD were a revelation at how close recordings could get. The think I like is that even ordinary recordings portray tons of inner detail and can often sound like audiophile recordings. I have had great luck using Iconoclast speaker cables with TAD, actually biwiring, which made a nice difference.

[@Novilicious]

Speakers are the most distorting object in the sound path…as in your amplifier distorts an order of magnitude less than the speakers. So now I get why the Kef, the Perlisten and the tad, are so dang expensive 😮

[@marchuvfulz]

Nice review. Given that you can get some outstanding speakers for $2-5K, I guess the question with speakers like this is always going to be, is the average audiophile really going to hear $80k worth of extra goodness? A proposition for the "money-no-object" crowd.

[@Artcore103]

nope, not worth it.

[@ManFromLaBamba]

I think it’s crazy money too, but these are probably built so well they will work for generations. Just rotate the drivers 180 degrees every 20 years to compensate for gravity. lol. Obviously these are not mass market or even upper market but rather an engineering exercise to create an ultimate stand mount with not only low distortion but also almost shockingly good directionality.

[@hifiman4562]

I can't afford $87k. But I can afford (tmm configuration) Purifi 6.5 with Bliesma t34b beryllium tweeters. I'm about halfway done. Total invested should be around 3500-3700. Might be a good way to go for some of you.

[@MrBonger88]

I was just about to buy 7 of these for my Atmos bed layer. Now that I know that they work best close to the wall I guess I’ll have to pass 😉.

[@Gamez4eveR]

A prettier, not-quite-as-good 8361a for 8x the price Pretty good job for an audiophile brand from Japan

[@Artcore103]

it probably has a couple areas of advantage, but overall I'd take the genelec. the TAD can't compete in SPL I suspect. but that's not even close to the best genelec speaker anyways, still for way under 87k.

[@Gamez4eveR]

@@Artcore103 the TAD? It definitely can compete in SPL with the 8361, but the 8361 overal has: almost perfect on axis, almost perfect directivity (better than on the TAD), superior vertical dispersion, comparable distortion and output, and is priced at ~10k a pair. The TAD can only compete in SPL against them

[@MW-ii5nb]

With these being beryllium how did the treble compare with the blade 2 meta? After all this is what the buyers of these get them for over the blades, where the other metals have a natural breakup at around 10.5khz these should go over 15khz before breakup.

[@Uzrnaim1]

That directivity is incredible! TAD has insane R&D for their drivers and cabinet design, which is what you're paying for. You didn't even mention the beryllium diaphragm on the entire midrange which isn't cheap! I'm not going to say $87k makes sense for most people, but they do make one crazy product.

[@abboberg]

Yet they cut corners in the crossover.

[@Uzrnaim1]

@@abboberg How do you quantify that? There's nothing here that leads me to believe that's the case.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

​@@abbobergwhat are they cutting that you see in the measurements? Explain.

[@Artcore103]

That actually helps explain the price a LOT. Still doesn't justify 87k, but a Be driver that large does go a long way to explaining the cost.

[@Uzrnaim1]

@@Artcore103 Yeah, think about development of that driver, shaping it to allow for that great directivity, not having any weird resonances, etc. It's an incredible piece of engineering. BE tweeter too of course.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

In the new space, did you have to spend a lot of time tuning and getting adjusted to how that new room sounds or reveals the sound of your reference speakers?

[@carlitomelon4610]

Is the room shot green screened in? No room treatment, so i assume this was recorded in a booth? I was listening for room reverb clues So, is your smp s Bryston? I use the channel trim pots as a balance control for my asymmetric room layout. Slso been thrown a curveball by the dual sensitivity switching - tho not for 20 hours 🎵🎶🤫🎶

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

If you hear reverb clues then your mind is playing tricks on you. I use a compressor and limiter. And that’s green screen. 😉

[@carlitomelon4610]

@@ErinsAudioCorner aHa! Did you have the stands too? Do they round the price to 100k?

[@nikola3466]

So what exactly here cost 87 grand?

[@ClassifiedBrief]

The crossovers combined cost $150-180 in parts if we are being nice. I've never seen such crap parts on something this expensive.

[@summerforever6736]

The driver basket is MADE OF 24 K GOLD.

[@thomassannito3528]

You could buy a pair of KEF reference ones and a new C8 Corvette for the price of those

[@RDAudioReviews]

I'd rather have these and a C7 Z51 with manual trans. (I have both - lol) But I got them a long time ago when they were half the price.

[@kellmanmartinstainbank4920]

Hi Erin, I noticed you have a different kind of diamond wiring on the speakers. You connected to lf red and hf black, instead of hf red and lf black. Please explain if your way is better? Thanks Kellman 👍

[@ACM1000000PT]

the tweeter start to beam at 7khz and midrange appears tobe 10° wider directivity

[@wadimek116]

Isnt the JBL 4367 quite close in distortion? Also do all horns have high second order distortion but low other orders?

[@ManFromLaBamba]

@@Mishael_Agyei-Boamahhow are the blades and the jbl in terms of directivity? It would be a bit easier to place seven of these in a living room for surround rather than 6 KEF Blades plus whatever the center for a blade is. Lol. As if anyone who can drop that kind of cash would not have a devoted home theater room.

[@Saturn2888]

If I buy a pair of speakers and send them to you, do I pay you to ship them back to me?

[@jmdlt0822]

Thank you Erin for another insightful review. A couple of questions came up as I listened to your review and my apologies if you have covered them in the past. What electronics do you use as reference for speaker evaluations? How much do electronics play in speaker measurement results, anechoic and in-room? Subjectively and objectively? Thanks in advance.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Depends. Right now I'm using the top of the line Purifi amplifier module in a March Audio box. P501. Do amplifiers matter? Depends. Some amplifiers' output impedance is subject to the load. The amplifiers I use are not. If you have an amplifier which alters the FR based on the load then it is possible you'll hear a difference. In some cases I've seen and heard the difference is substantial because of the function of the speaker load.

[@LexiconLogan]

@@ErinsAudioCorner Do you think a Dan D’Agostino Progression Integrated Amplifier can drive these TAD's?

[@FactualRemarks]

Is their a possibility to unscrew the woofer and measure the driver alone with Klippel, LSI module especially ?

[@ManFromLaBamba]

lol. Yeah…that’s going to happen on such an expensive speaker. And I think you underestimate how much work the cabinet and port is doing. But Close mike to the driver will do the same. Or if the woofer has its own binding post plug just that in.

[@Yakena1]

Are they worth 20x times more than the Wharfedale Aura 2.0?

[@timharbert7145]

A pair of speakers or about 30 Marshall stacks?

[@djBroRay]

Now im confused... I though placing speaker away from the wall is recommened.. because of reflection ... Now you need to place speakers near the wall... which i understand that the bass is getting reinforced I need some education to be away from the wall or near a wall

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

It depends. Always a tradeoff.

[@Hitsujiomeguruboken]

Thumbnail must be: Eighty. Seven. Thousand. Dollars. And not Eighty-Seven. Thousand. Dollars. Wow! I am so glad that you guys wit a scientific approach test now not only small Desctop Speakers. Other Company’s will follow….. Hopefully!!!

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Well, I've been testing speakers other than desktop ones since day one. In fact, my second speaker review was the Dutch & Dutch 8c. ;)

[@TheOriginalPaulGilpin]

Hi Erin! Based on your subjective listening experiences with sub $10K/pair speakers, are there any you would choose over these, even if money was no object?