TAD replacement diaphragms

[Rocky]

I know TADs compression drivers, with their beryllium diaphragms are concidered some of the very best compression drivers available.. But how does they perform with Radians replacement diaphragms in aluminium? Opinions?

[Tim Moorman]

Rocky,
From what I gather, they do a good job, at perhaps 90% of the performance of the beryillium originals.

I have the 2001 1", and when compared to the Radian 1" driver, the response in only slightly more rough, with an additional dip up around 8K as I recall, on the same horn.

Tim

[Rocky]

Great. Thaks Tim.
I will not use them all the way up to 8k. They will be crossed at 5k, although 1st order. Would you say TAD 4001 in good condition but no diaphragms, are worth a price of $150 each?

[Tim Moorman]

Rocky,
Heck of a good deal at $150. They easily have that much machining in them. Built like a cannon ball.

Tim

[Rocky]

Thank you very much Tim.

[roddyama]

Rocky,

I have replaced my failed 4001 diaphragms with Radians. I use them from 1200Hz up to ~12kHz where a pair of 077's takes over. I like them better than the TAD's. I will post more details later as I'm at work now.

[Rocky]

This keeps getting better

I am looking forward to hear your story, Roddyama.

[Tim Moorman]

Rocky,

Get all you can at that price, because you won't find them any cheaper.

Rodd,
What horns are using for the TADs?
What about the midbass?
Where in Michigan? I'm in Fort Wayne.

Tim

[Rocky]

I just posted my order

Radian diaphragms will be somwhere around $250 each from what I saw earlier tonight.. Anyone cheaper?

[roddyama]

Originally posted by Rocky
This keeps getting better

I am looking forward to hear your story, Roddyama.

The TAD diaphragms are detailed and have good extension (depending on the horn you use). They are very musical, but they have 2 major short-comings, one, they are a bit too laid-back for my taste and two, they are too fragile. The surround and dome are all one piece of beryllium so if you over power them or hit them with a little DC, pop, they're gone. The radians are far more robust and will take nearly double the power. Here's an email I sent to a friend.

As you said, the Radians seemed to have broken in and are really sounding good. It took a couple of weeks but I like them better then the TAD diaphragms. They are definitely more “alive” and dynamic. I don’t get any sense of compression and they blend very well with the JBL LE10A’s.

Radian shows a full range peak in the response of about 12db centered at about 1kHz. Since I run them from 1200Hz up, I put a single cap in line that roll off from 5kHz. This seems to work well in flattening out the response. Flutes, horns and violins all seem smooth and balanced without the single note blaring out at you. (find the plot at the end of this pdf http://www.radianaudio.com/products/...h_res/1292.pdf )

Recently I began to use a friends mini-Aleph while I build my own. I never had the chance to hear the Aleph on horns. I have to say that I’m hooked. All the benefits of my old Mac tubes without the neuroses of worrying that my tubes are going bad. I never knew detailed could be so smooth and musical.

Originally posted by Tim Moorman
Rodd,
What horns are using for the TADs?
What about the midbass?
Where in Michigan? I'm in Fort Wayne.

Tim

Here's a link to pic and a description of my system before the TAD's diaphragm replacement.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...209#post305209
I'm just north of Detroit in Warren.

Originally posted by Rocky
I just posted my order

Radian diaphragms will be somwhere around $250 each from what I saw earlier tonight.. Anyone cheaper?

I think my total bill from Radian was $312USD for the 2 - diaphragms + shipping.