TAD CE1-TX Unboxing and First Listen!

[@barrymiller3385]

I have heard the previous model and I would rate them amongst the best speakers I've ever heard. If the new models are an improvement..... damn!!

[@bikemike1118]

They’re predominantly an increase in price. Speakers in general developed to peak since decades… everything else is basically MARKETING. Stupid to believe that every new model is now „the best“. Only the best for the manufacturers and dealers.

[@TheRoccokid]

THESE SPEAKERS SHOULD SOUND GREAT, THEY RUN ABOUT 87,000 BUCKS…

[@bikemike1118]

@@TheRoccokid These price tags nowadays are simply SICK and far beyond any reasonably value.

[@davemalekpour3625]

The updates include all new drivers, updated crossover, and larger cabinet. In shorty it’s totally redesigned. The TAD Ce1TX are not 87k! They’re 32,500 plus 2,500 for stands. Still not cheap but impeccable manufacturing and possibly best sounding stand mount speaker!

[@tictocbang7443]

@@TheRoccokid That is the CR1TX, different model.

[@reallyburble2814]

TAD is very high-tech speakers. Thank you 4 this video.

[@MichaelShawPhoto]

First commercially available in the US? Wow! And they are gorgeous in that finish! Never did get to see the back, though. Anyway, Joe, very nice and good to see a new video

[@houseofstereojax]

Thanks Michael, Will give you a good view of the back in a subsequent video

[@elderinmoi1571]

They need time to burn in (around 100hrs). After that the nights are super transparent but never harsh (which can occur out of the box) and they play lower in the bass, too.

[@j.waldmann7163]

@ Elderin Moi: what do you have for Amplifikation?

[@macmovieman1]

The speaker is on my shortlist after listening to it at an audio file event here in Costa Mesa a few months ago. All of my effort now is going into trying to par it with the right power amp. Hegel or Griffon are on my short list but there are others. We never got to see the back of the speakers. In general, how much more is it going to run for the cables, the power supply, the amp, etc.

[@philipgardiner2003]

Congrats on becoming a distributor. At $34k including stands, it isn’t your grandfather’s stand mount speaker. Beautiful looking speaker.

[@KirkLazurus]

What are the improvements/upgrades vs the outgoing CE1?

[@gastonguev]

Super Nice. These speakers out my wallet for now, but I´m considering the Diablo 300 ¿what is your opinion about this amplifier? Thanks.

[@houseofstereojax]

I think it is fantastic, and we are selling our floor model. If you'd like to discuss it, give us a call or email us at [e-mail]

[@tobiaxelsson]

How does the CE1-TX compare to the E1-TX?

[@flesz_]

I can hear the quality :D

[@Darkmatterme]

How much power is needed to drive these babies?

[@De132an]

Very nice! Similar to the KEF Reference 1 Meta, how would you compare and contrast these two models? Thx Joe.

[@houseofstereojax]

The KEF reference one Metas are a fine speaker, but when it comes to TAD, it’s like Herb Reichert of Stereophile says - “This TAD is the finest example of speaker engineering I’ve ever encountered. Absolutely Class A”. I would liken the KEF to a high end Audi sedan, while the TAD is a purebred Ferrari, in every aspect, but most importantly in the listening. Aside from the concentric driver, there is no comparison.

[@houseofstereojax]

It is also important to note that the CE1’s are nearly 4 times the cost of the Metas

[@johnupton5271]

You think similar to KEF those are $95,000

[@houseofstereojax]

@@johnupton5271 they certainly are another class entirely, more easily compared to the Blades than any other of KEF’s great line. The Compact Reference 1-TX is $85,000 retail (stands included) but these - the Compact Evolution 1-TX are priced at $35,000 with stands.

[@martinLim-oj2tn]

I owned KEF , UK speaker driver not on par with the Japan. I owned a pair of japanese speakers 6" 89 db sounds like heaven

[@goodsound4756]

I hope these speakers or more balanced then the Focals, because they are notorious for having aggressive Highs.

[@houseofstereojax]

On Focal, I think that all depends on what you are driving them with. I characterize them as having more energy than the average bear due to their efficiency, but with all the gear we have hooked them up to in the shop and at home, we've never experienced aggressive highs.

[@elderinmoi1571]

No comparison. They are at another Level.

[@lipscovc]

They sound nice...what was the music?

[@houseofstereojax]

That song is Slow Dance by Ana Popovic. Fantastic artist, and her concerts are great as well.

[@andreaferrario6199]

How do they sound compared to the Scalas?

[@louv4437]

They do make that into a floor stander it’s called the Grand Evolution One it retails for 54k

[@hartgemini007]

Just out of interest I also have the Gryphon Diablo 300 with Avalon PM1 speakers, just wondered how the TAD’s compare as there is a huge amount of amazing reviews on them currently.

[@labalo5]

TAD and gryphon are a lovely pairing. No need to look elsewhere…i used to own it and in many ways wish i still had this combo.

[@TamirKadishi]

@@labalo5how does it sound in low level? I have CE1TX matched to Luxman 700. In low level it sounds bad. Am wondering how the Diablo sounds in low volume.

[@labalo5]

@@TamirKadishi I did not feel more volume was an issue with Diablo and tad. But try to demo.

[@TamirKadishi]

@@labalo5 Thank you for a prompt reply. Let me explain. With the Luxman when the volume is low, the sound is anemic. No bass, not far from my MacBook Pro:). When the volume is higher, in a level not for listening at late evening, sound is much better. Even great. You feel the quality of the TAD. It looks like the Amp is “opened” in high volume only. I solve the issue by putting the Pre on Loudness mode while the volume is low. Now, the question is how is it with the Gryphon. I consider buying the Essence Stereo which is 50Watt class A, and wondering what would be the result.

[@labalo5]

The essence is a substantially better amp than the 700. You won’t have any problem with that low level listening. Also you may want to augment some bass at low level by adding a subwoofer.

[@MrBoomtheroom]

vs the focals???

[@snomofilms]

How about a photo of the backs, eh?

[@houseofstereojax]

We’re working on that video now!

[@rx4unyc]

You remind me of Andy Singer But much better personality This is Mitchell Lamm m2.1 will be a good match

[@stefandenic7144]

Is it a 2400 or 24000 per pair?

[@louishamilton9648]

You’re KIDDING, right ?

[@7higer]

@@louishamilton9648for 2400 you will get the carton box with TAD on it ;)

[@rx4unyc]

Pair them seriously with lamm m2.2 Monoblocks

[@iwng54]

You need to break them in. They sound very "new"

[@EricRhodeslives]

You never showed us the back.

[@ksukhia]

Where is your room treatment? The ringing your room is exhibiting even through the mic audio makes me a sad panda :(

[@houseofstereojax]

This is our living room, up at the front of the shop. A subsequent video is coming with the speakers in the big stereo room.

[@tribalypredisposed]

Very nice sound well out of my price range...and this is how to demo speakers; with a skilled singer. So many demos will play recordings of people you would not stop talking for at a Karaoke Bar who only sound slightly like they can sing because of the huge efforts of sound engineers. You think you are an audiophile who needs a $50,000 plus system, and you cannot tell when the singer should stay in their shower?

[@colombianwinterz]

😂

[@KirkLazurus]

How did these compare to the Scala?

[@ac81017]

How did they compare to the Focal?

[@houseofstereojax]

So, the Focal Utopia line is another of the greats in terms of high end audio engineering. Dollar for dollar, the TAD keeps up with the Scala but the extra cabinet space means lower and larger bass potential with Focal. That being said, the TAD’s bass is incredible. The real Comparison would be a CE1 form factor floorstander vs. the Scala, and I would guess it comes down to personal preference on tweeter and Midrange at that point - vanilla, or chocolate?