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, they introduced to the consumer market the critically acclaimed TAD Reference One flagship speaker system, the culmination of the 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 TAD 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 the 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.
The CST (Coherent Source Transducer) Driver is a major step forward in coaxial speaker design that achieves the optimum balance between creating an ideal sound image and creating an ideal sound field by controlling the driver unit’s phase and directivity over a wide frequency range. The design of the midrange cone is based on detailed calculations resulting in the unique shape that produces superior acoustic characteristics and precise control of the directivity of the concentrically mounted tweeter.
In order to maximize the capability of the CST Driver, we developed the new ISO (isolation) drive technology that involves including a mechanism that blocks vibration produced by the driver unit from entering the enclosure, thus structurally separating the CST Driver from the cabinet. The CST Driver, with its powerful drive capability, is prevented from exciting the enclosure, which reduces the radiation of secondary sound. It also limits the influence of the energy from the powerful bass drivers. Delivering only sound radiated from the CST Driver diaphragm, which is the source of single-point sound, improves resolution to convey accurate detail, allowing, for example, the differences in tone color that vary subtly according to how the performers play or sing to be heard with unmatched clarity.
The TAD Compact Reference One is housed in the 60 cm (23.6 in.) tall SILENT (Structurally Inert Laminated Enclosure Technology) enclosure, the technology inherited from the TAD Reference One. This cabinet is constructed of parts of different materials to achieve exceptional strength and better resonance-dispersion and vibration-damping performance; its rigid internal frame is made of 21 mm (0.4 in.) thick birch plywood and clad with CNC-processes veneer panels glued to laminated MDF panels bended using high-frequency hot pressing. The flowing teardrop shape of the enclosure makes the entire cabinet sturdier, reduces sound diffraction anomalies, and eliminates unwanted resonance and the formation of standing waves inside the enclosure. With a beautiful piano-like finish of natural Pommele Sapele wood, the cabinet imparts an air of elegant craftsmanship.
*SILENT: Structurally Inert Laminated Enclosure Technology
In order to take full advantage of the linear performance of the 20 cm (8.0 in.) bass driver and its suspension, the flare-shaped bass-reflex port is aerodynamically optimized by using the fluid design technology originally developed for professional TAD systems. This port effectively eliminates air noise and helps the bass driver unit perform smoothly and deliver a clean, crisp bass sound—even at the limit of its excursion range. In addition, the heavy 27.5 mm (1.1 in.) thick aluminum base at the bottom lowers the center of gravity of the entire speaker system and minimizes changes in tonal quality regardless of how the speaker is positioned, contributing to incredibly tight bass.
Drive Units
• Woofer: 20cm cone
• Midrange/tweeter: 16cm/3.5cm dome
Performance Data
• Frequency response: 32Hz to 100kHz
• Crossover frequencies: 250Hz, 2kHz
• Maximum input: 200W
• Sensitivity: 86dB (2.83V, 1m)
• Nominal impedance: 4Ω
Others
• Weight: 46kg (Each, excl. Stand)
• Dimensions: 341mm (W) × 628mm (H) × 446mm (D)
There is one aspect of the performance that is worthy of note though; the bass. Your spatial cues are reinforced by that sub-30Hz region and this helps tell you the difference between recordings made in their own acoustic space and the use of echo and pan on the mixing desk. The speaker rolls off perfectly, never once upsetting the status quo as it fades away in the bass… but somehow it preserves that sense of ‘in the room’ that normally only comes with full-range loudspeakers. more...
