Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Mid-range clarity and neutrality stands out, offering a wide and coherent soundstage
- Coaxial design allows for consistent tonality, even when moving around the room, maintaining sound quality from different listening positions
- Objective data shows excellent frequency response linearity, low distortion levels, and smooth directivity indices, enhancing the overall performance
Product Considerations
- Proper speaker setup, including positioning closer to the wall and off-axis pointing, is needed to significantly improve bass response and overall sound quality
- They need a lot of power to be properly driven, not just RMS power, but the ability to deliver sudden bursts of current
- They are heavy, weighing 101 lbs (46 kg) each
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs YG Acoustics Hailey 1.2, the TAD-CR1TX has similar differentiation between recordings
- Vs Harbeth M40.1, Fink Team Borg, Dynaudio Confidence 50, the TAD-CR1TX sounds less fleshy, with less saturated bass, but also bass that is slightly less differentiated dynamically and in size
Takeaway: The TAD-CR1TX speakers offer exceptional clarity, neutrality, and a wide soundstage, making them a good choice for those who prioritize accurate and immersive sound reproduction. Their high-quality design and consistent tonality ensure an enjoyable listening experience from various positions in the room.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
TAD-CR1TX
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Model: TAD-CR1TX-BR, TAD-CR1TX-EB
- Type: Three-way bass-reflex stand-mounting
- Drive Units: LF: 20cm (8 in.), Midrange/Tweeter: concentric 16 cm (6 1/2 in.) MF / 3.5 cm (1 3/8 in.) HF
- Frequency response: 32 Hz to 100 kHz
- Crossover frequencies: 250 Hz and 2 kHz
- Unit polarity: LF (+), MF (+), HF (+)
- Maximum input power: 200 W
- Sensitivity: 86 dB (2.83 V @ 1 m)
- Rated impedance: 4 Ω
- Weight: 46 kg (101 lb)
- Dimensions: 341 mm (13.4") (W) × 628 mm (24.7") (H) × 446 mm (17.6") (D)
Description
For decades, TAD (Technical Audio Devices) has hard earned the considerable respect and trust of the world's leading artists and studio engineers. In 2019, we introduced to the consumer market the critically acclaimed TAD Reference One flagship speaker system, the culmination of our point-source sound concept achieved by combining TAD engineers' wealth of experience and expertise in speaker design with leading-edge speaker technologies to create the ideal audio experience in a home environment. Now we have reached another milestone with the introduction of the TAD Compact Reference One, which has taken advantage of every element of advanced technologies incorporated into the design of our flagship model. The TAD Compact Reference One delivers the rich point-source sound with the quality that makes the listeners forget they are listening from a speaker system. Its extraordinarily resonant sound will satisfy even the most discerning audiophile.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- TAD utilizes a proprietary Coherent Source Transducer (CST) driver, featuring a concentrically mounted tweeter and midrange, designed for exceptional imaging and phase coherence.
- They blend their professional audio engineering heritage with consumer-focused designs, aiming for a sound that balances studio-level accuracy with an engaging listening experience.
- A key feature is the Bi-Directional Aero-Dynamic Slot (ADS) porting system, which minimizes port noise and allows for flexible speaker placement closer to walls.
- TAD emphasizes the use of premium materials, such as beryllium for tweeters and meticulously crafted cabinets, resulting in products that exhibit exceptional build quality and fit and finish.
Select products
Select product comparisons
TAD Evolution Two
- Positioning: The mid-range floor-standing speaker in TAD's lineup, offering a balance of performance and affordability.
- Description: Features a beryllium tweeter and MACC diaphragm woofers, providing clear high frequencies and powerful bass. Compared to the Reference One TX, offers a more compact design suitable for medium-sized rooms, while still delivering TAD's signature sound quality. Its price point makes it accessible for those seeking high-quality sound without the premium cost of the Reference series.
TAD Evolution One TX
- Positioning: Positioned as a high-end floor-standing speaker within the Evolution series, offering advanced technologies for audiophiles.
- Description: Features TAD's CST Driver and Bi-Directional ADS port, delivering a wide frequency range and natural sound dispersion. Offers a more refined soundstage compared to the Evolution Two.
TAD GE1
- Positioning: Part of the Grand Evolution series, positioned as a premium offering with advanced acoustic technologies.
- Description: Features CST Driver and MACS II diaphragm, providing clear mid-to-high frequencies and rich bass. Offers a more sophisticated sound profile than the Evolution series.
TAD Reference One TX
- Positioning: The flagship model in TAD's lineup, representing the pinnacle of their speaker technology.
- Description: Renowned for its groundbreaking CST Driver and beryllium diaphragms, delivering unmatched clarity and soundstage. It surpasses other models with its expansive frequency range and precise imaging, making it ideal for large rooms and professional settings. Its premium price reflects the exceptional build quality and cutting-edge technology, offering the ultimate audio experience for discerning audiophiles.
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Avg. Product Price
$75,001-$100,000
Used For Sale
10
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
197
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
17
Founding Year
2007
Our take on the brand
Technical Audio Devices is a hifi Japanese spinoff of Pioneer that focuses on highly accurate speakers, which reviewers widely regard as best-in-class. They're known for their unique vapor deposition technique for beryllium diaphragms, which provides superior strength and smooth performance up to 100 kHz. Their proprietary technologies include CST (Coherent Source Transducer) for controlled directivity from a single point.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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What if you spend more?
No items found.
What competes at this price?
Borresen
M1
100000
/
Released
2022
The Børresen M1 is the absolute high-end version of a loudspeaker that incorporates all the premium elements of the most innovative and advanced audio technologies that both Ansuz, Aavik and Børresen stands for. The performance of the M1 loudspeaker makes it necessary to redefine the quality of absolute high-end music reproduction.
Børresen Acoustics stands out for its iron-free magnetic motors and cryogenically treated metal components, which reduce inductance for clearer sound. The brand's speakers feature unique elements like zirconium-based 3D-printed baskets and a patented ribbon tweeter design, combined with series crossover networks for phase-locked electrical current across frequencies.
Expand Details
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Enormously large soundstage and big-bore sound at party SPL without any sensible struggle, as if tailored specifically for large spaces
- Highly articulated pinpoint accurate sound that was as deep as it was spatially grand
- A broad arsenal of tools allows it to switch between these opposite profiles and their derivatives fluently and without fail
- The most refined treble that the reviewer had heard yet—exceptionally informative, remarkably smooth, nuanced, delicate, admirably extended and very sweet
Product Considerations
- A modest dress code doesn't quite communicate how costly it is, as many speaker sets priced lower look just as good
- Vertically aligned speaker posts a bit below this opening are flush with their plate and compliant only with banana/BFA-style terminations, which may be a con to some users
- Recommended amps are at least twice as strong, especially in large spaces
- Really thrives in large spaces
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Martin Logan Summit X: Instrumental and vocal outlines noticeably juicier, more three-dimensional, tangible, natural and further away from the listening seat
Takeaway: The Børresen M1 is a unique speaker that defies expectations, delivering an expansive and detailed soundstage typically associated with much larger speakers. These speakers can provide an exceptional listening experience if space and budget allow.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Børresen Acoustics stands out for its iron-free magnetic motors and cryogenically treated metal components, which reduce inductance for clearer sound. The brand's speakers feature unique elements like zirconium-based 3D-printed baskets and a patented ribbon tweeter design, combined with series crossover networks for phase-locked electrical current across frequencies.
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