TECHNICAL AUDIO DEVICES · AUSTRALIA
A voice held clearly between two speakers, with instruments easy to place around it: that is a useful starting point when exploring TAD loudspeakers. Seven of the eight models here use a CST coaxial driver, designed to coordinate the midrange and treble with the aim of presenting voices and instruments coherently. E2 follows a different approach. At MSN Audio in Australia, compare Evolution and Reference standmount and floorstanding models by their construction, scale and system requirements.
Low frequencies need different driver behaviour from voices and treble. TAD divides those tasks between drivers, then designs how they meet and how they are supported. That is why the driver materials, crossover layout and enclosure are useful to compare together.
CST places the tweeter at the centre of the midrange driver. TAD uses this geometry to align their radiation and control dispersion through the crossover region, with the aim of keeping voices and instruments coherently located. Seven models here use CST. E2 uses a separate waveguide tweeter, so it deserves its own comparison.
The Reference models use beryllium for both the CST midrange and tweeter diaphragms. The Evolution CST models combine a beryllium tweeter with a magnesium midrange. E2 pairs a beryllium tweeter with two woofers. These are useful distinctions when comparing the engineering, rather than assuming every TAD speaker has the same driver arrangement.
Side ports, base-mounted ports, bracing and driver isolation differ across the range. They manage airflow and vibration in different ways. Cabinet size and port construction can help you plan a shortlist, while the room and listening position still shape the bass you hear.
Start with the format and space you can give the speakers, then compare the driver platform. Standmount models also need suitable stands; their total footprint matters just as much as the cabinet dimensions.
Five models offer distinct routes into TAD: two standmounts, the slim E2 floorstander, and two floorstanding CST designs. Moving up in size changes the driver arrangement and enclosure, so compare the model itself alongside your room and amplifier.
Compact three-way standmount
A 254 mm wide cabinet combines a 9 cm CST assembly with a 16 cm woofer. ME1TX is the compact CST option here, with the dedicated ST3TX stand available separately.
Three-way standmount
A larger 14 cm CST and 18 cm woofer distinguish CE1TX from ME1TX. Side ports are built into its substantial enclosure. Allow for its separately sold ST2TX-K stands when comparing its footprint with a floorstanding system.
2.5-way floorstander
A dedicated beryllium waveguide tweeter works with twin 15.5 cm woofers in a slim cabinet. E2 uses a 2.5-way layout without CST, making it a distinct alternative within Evolution.
Three-way CST floorstander
An updated 9 cm CST assembly and twin 16 cm woofers develop the Evolution One design. E1AX combines revised drivers and internal acoustic tuning, with black and glossy white finishes.
Large three-way CST floorstander
Grand Evolution One combines a 14 cm CST with twin 18 cm woofers. An isolated CST mounting system and internal acoustic tuning form part of this larger Evolution design, which weighs 64 kg per speaker.
Beryllium midrange and tweeter diaphragms distinguish the Reference CST platform. CR1TX places it in a substantial standmount enclosure; R1TX adds twin 25 cm woofers in a large floorstander. R1TXLTD develops that floorstanding design with a distinctive finish and additional support structure.
Reference three-way standmount
Beryllium midrange and tweeter diaphragms pair with a 20 cm woofer in a standmount design weighing 46 kg per speaker. CR1TX brings the Reference driver platform to a standmount system; the dedicated ST1 stand is sold separately.
Reference three-way floorstander
A beryllium CST and twin 25 cm woofers define the full-scale Reference design. At 150 kg per speaker, R1TX calls for planning around floor space, amplifier matching and installation access.
Limited-edition Reference floorstander
The R1TX driver platform gains a Santa Maria aquamarine finish, Aurelia gold accents and an additional 12 kg aluminium base. R1TXLTD combines a distinctive appearance with revised support construction.
Compare cabinet dimensions, stands, listening distance and clearance from surrounding surfaces. A standmount is not automatically a small-room solution. Cabinet size alone does not tell you how bass will behave at your listening seat.
These are passive loudspeakers and need an external amplifier. Look at the model's impedance and sensitivity alongside the amplifier's load capability, your listening distance and preferred volume. A single wattage figure is not enough to choose a pairing.
Consider what you want to follow more easily: a voice in a busy mix, the position of acoustic instruments, or the weight and timing of bass. Those priorities make a model discussion more useful than choosing from cabinet size alone. The final balance depends on the complete system and room.
Reference uses beryllium for both the CST midrange and tweeter diaphragms. Evolution's CST models use a magnesium midrange and beryllium tweeter, while E2 uses a separate waveguide tweeter. Cabinet construction, bass-driver size and mounting also vary by model, so the series name is a starting point for comparison rather than a complete description.
ME1TX, CE1TX and CR1TX are standmount designs. E2, E1AX, GE1, R1TX and R1TXLTD are floorstanders. The matching stands are ST3TX for ME1TX, ST2TX-K for CE1TX and TAD-ST1 for CR1TX, all sold separately. Allow for the complete speaker-and-stand footprint; the model pages give the support details.
No. Of the eight models on this page, E2 uses a dedicated beryllium tweeter with a waveguide and two woofers in a 2.5-way design. The other seven use a CST coaxial midrange/tweeter assembly with separate bass drivers.
R1TXLTD retains the Reference One TX driver platform and adds a Santa Maria aquamarine finish, Aurelia gold accents, an additional 15 mm aluminium base weighing 12 kg, and revised supports. The separate model page explains those construction details; the finish alone is not the full difference.
Yes. Tell MSN Audio your amplifier model, room dimensions, listening distance and the TAD models you are considering. Those details give us a useful basis for discussing system fit. Open a model page for its specifications and enquiry form, or use the message options below if you are still choosing.
Tell us about your existing system, the space available and what you enjoy listening to. We can help you compare the models and the details that matter for your setup. You can also ask about current pricing and availability. If you have already chosen a model to investigate, its page includes a dedicated enquiry form.