We have always been a big fan of the TAD house sound, ever since our review of the TAD Micro Evolution One. Today the company announced the arrival of a new floorstander called the TAD GE1 to the Evolution Series of hi-fi audio components, based around some of the same inspiration as the reference TAD CE1TX standmount.
The new TAD GE1 hits the market this November via the dealer network and will retail for $65,000. More in the PR release below:
“Hanover, MA – Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. (TAD Labs, TADL) today announced the TAD-GE1 (Grand Evolution One) floorstanding speaker system as the newest addition to its Evolution Series of hi-fi audio components. Borrowing internal technology and design language from TAD’s top-of-the-line Reference TX Series as well as the distinguished wood-grain finish of the critically acclaimed CE1TX standmount speaker, the GE1 epitomizes the very best of TAD.
“When we set out to design the GE1, we were aiming for a model that could sit between CE1TX and the Reference One TX in both performance and price,” said Shinji Tarutani, CEO of TAD Labs. “We combined key concepts from each speaker to bring this new vision to life, and we are very pleased with the outcome.”
Main Features
1） CST Driver delivers ideal single-point-source sound
The TAD-GE1 boasts TAD’s proprietary CST Driver, which controls the directivity of the concentrically mounted midrange and tweeter over an extended frequency range from the point of matching phase. This culminates in clear and solid imaging, as well as natural sound field reproduction. The midrange cone controls the directional characteristic of the concentrically mounted tweeter to bring the phase and directivity of their output in line in the crossover region. The result is ultra-wide-range reproduction from 250 Hz up to 100 kHz by the CST Driver alone, while achieving a natural attenuation characteristic and directivity pattern across all bands.
2） Tweeter features a beryllium diaphragm
The TAD-GE1 uses a light yet rigid beryllium diaphragm for its tweeter, manufactured with TAD’s proprietary vapor deposition technique. TAD’s computer-analyzed optimization technique called Harmonized Synthetic Diaphragm Optimum Method (HSDOM) has been applied in designing the form of the diaphragm. This technique enables precise control of the diaphragm’s divided vibrations and piston motions, which makes the ultra-wide-range reproduction of up to 100 kHz possible.
3） Midrange features a magnesium diaphragm having a high internal loss
The midrange’s diaphragm is made of magnesium, which is one of the lightest metals and has a high internal loss—ideal characteristics for materials to be used for diaphragms. The application of hybrid chemical conversion coating and painting to the surface gives it additional hardness and a yet greater internal loss. The result is clearer, distortion-free midrange reproduction unaffected by unwanted resonance. In addition, resonance in the mid-to-high frequencies generated by interactions between the suspension and diaphragm is effectively controlled to achieve an even lower distortion and a greater transient response.
4） Woofer employs a MACS II* diaphragm
A refined woofer diaphragm made of five layers of woven and non-woven aramid fabric optimizes the physical property of the shell-shaped diaphragm that integrates the center cap and cone into a single piece. The result is a richer and clearer bass and the smooth, coloration-free reproduction in the mid-to-low frequency range.
Multi-layered Aramid Composite Shell Second Generation 5） SILENT enclosures combines strength with an outstanding vibration-dampening characteristic
The TAD-GE1 comes in a SILENT enclosure, which combines sturdy birch-plywood braces with medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels having a high internal loss to provide superb strength and an outstanding vibration-dampening characteristic. Moreover, the combination of acoustic tubes placed inside the enclosure as part of TAD’s ingenuous Acoustic-Filter-Assisted System Tuning (AFAST), which reduces the low-order standing-wave mode, and acoustic absorbent carefully chosen and placed inside effectively suppresses standing waves that would adversely affect the sound field and imaging performance of the speaker.
*Structurally Inert Laminated Enclosure Technology
6） ISO Drive Technology incorporated into the TAD-R1TX speaker system and tweaked for the TAD-GE1
The ISO (isolation) Drive Technology, originally incorporated into the top-of-the-line TAD-R1TX speaker system and tweaked for the TAD-GE1, was applied to the way the CST Driver was mounted to the enclosure. With this technology, the CST Driver is acoustically and mechanically isolated from the enclosure by a mount base and damper bushes. This is designed to keep vibration generated by the CST Driver from traveling to the enclosure. As a result, the driver performs as it should, reproducing waveforms accurately and delivering crystal-clear sound.
The sturdy base to which the CST Driver is mounted to the enclosure was machined from a 25 mm-thick solid aluminum plate and is shaped in such a way to offset the slant of the baffle and orient the CST Driver directly toward the listener.
7) Bidirectional ADP System for rich, natural bass
The Bidirectional ADP (Aero-Dynamic Port) System positions a port on the bottom of the enclosure with its openings to the front and rear of the enclosure. The port has a horn-shaped interior that reduces port noise and achieves greater efficiency in driving the port to help reproduce clear and responsive sound in the mid-to-low frequency range. The combination of the port flare made of die-cast aluminum and the symmetrical front-back layout of the port effectively offsets the physical force that vibrates the enclosure and, as a result, helps reproduce a powerful bass. Moreover, the 15 mm-thick aluminum base plate attached to the bottom of the enclosure increases the stability of the speaker system when placed on the floor and counterbalances the reaction caused by the powerful driving force of the twin woofers.
8） Stunning grain wood enclosure
The elegant wood enclosure of the TAD-GE1 matches the TAD-CE1TX with a mirrored finish to accentuate the wood’s natural grain. Skilled artisans spend hours finishing each enclosure with meticulous care, first applying high-grade, clear coating to the surface and finishing with a surface polish that is sanded to perfection.”
More info: TAD GE1