TAD sound quality

[Kal]

Hello,

I am planning to build a 2-way-speaker with a TAD mid/bass-woofer.

How is the sound-quality of TAD-drivers compared to others high-quality drivers such as JBL, Accutone, Eton...?

Thanx

[till]

What Nelson says:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...2115#post62115


i´m happy with my TL1601a&TD2001

[Ken L]

I would tend to get more excited about the TAD compression drivers than I would the woofers/cones..

Such a choice would also depend on how it was going to be used and what the full configuration would be.

Regards

Ken L

[RussianBlue]

TAD components are absolutely top notch and found in the most expensive studio monitoring systems all over the world. They are also in a completely different league pricewise than any of the other speakers that you mention - sigh.
Ken is right that the TAD horn/Beryllium Driver combination seems to stand out among their products - in fact, for high SPL/dynamics, low distortion and low crossover point the TAD compression drivers are one of the ONLY few choices.

[slowmotion]

Hi

The TAD products are certainly good,
but can be very ruthless/difficult if the rest of the equipment
isn't good enough. A lot of people thinks that JBL or Altec sounds
"smoother", if you know what I mean.
I use TAD drivers myself and like what I hear,
the horns are very important tho, a never ending story to get right

cheers

[gonefishin]

So far I haven't been impressed with TAD compression drivers (2001 or 4001). I've heard them on SB, edgar and CAR horns so far.

I think it might be best to try to listen to as many Compression driver/horn combinations that you can...to find what you prefer.


take care>>>>>>>>>

[roddyama]

The 1601a is tight and solid in the bass, but it is a pro driver and you have to pull a few tricks to get them down to the low 30's. The 4001's are great sounding drivers once they break in. They are smooth with good high-end extension. Maybe a little on the soft side (for compression drivers). Be careful, the surrounds are fragile and TAD replacements run $800ea. I lost both of mine and am currently running Radian diaphragms. Deffinately a different sound and require equilization (1st order hi-pass @ ~5kHz).

[fdegrove]

Hi,

Just noticed this TAD thread....

Does anyone use the TAD with IWATA horns?

Those combined with an ONKEN bassreflex system are really impressive combos.

Cheers,

[till]

Be careful, the surrounds are fragile and TAD replacements run $800ea. I lost both of mine

How did this happen? How did you recognize?

[roddyama]

Originally posted by till


How did this happen? How did you recognize?

Hi Till,

The main reason for the failure, I think, is that I didn’t have a hi-pass filter ahead of the driver. Since I tri-amp, the driver was direct coupled to the amp. The other possibility is the fact that I just put an older DAC into my system (I’m using the DVD player for CD play back). When I put in a DVD in the player without switching out the DAC I would get some very crude sounds coming through the system (I would guess square waves of various levels). Between these two factors, I’m assuming that one or both did the damage to the 4001 beryllium diaphragms (actually, the beryllium surrounds).

I don’t know how your 2001 diaphragms are made, but the 4001 diaphragms and surrounds are one continuous piece of beryllium. This makes them, IMO, too fragile and very expensive.

I first noticed a loss of focus of the image and level in the midrange. That didn’t last long before the left channel was gone. Once I found the separated surround, I checked the other driver and it too was well on its way to failure.