This reminded me of when this channel first started! Just a guy telling us about music we probably didn’t know about and the history of it. Also showing us great gear and demonstrating it to prove the point. Nostalgia for me and want more please.
I really appreciate your eclectic choice of music Mikey. You are a breath of fresh air in this regard. I have always despised other stupid audiophools with high end gear just to have 2 audiophool records on repeat.
Mikey. Finally TAD has the right representation presence online. The previous distro and dealers didn’t know how to sell these bad ass mf’ers!! Keep pushin’!
I love it Mikey! Back to your old self- playing music on a rig with commentary! Keep it going Mikey! BTW- The Shaman- awesome guitar with a groovy riff! Thanks!
Sounded like Keith Jarrett in there. Love that piano. If you haven't heard that concert on vinyl, you're missing out. Speakers sound decent through headphones. I'm sure a good amount is getting lost by not being in the room.
Hey Mikey, this sounds so nice, even got goose bumps while listening with my headphones... LOL Thanks for making me discover SKÁLD, I will by some CD of them, no steaming here... LOL But discover new bands from UA-cam (Shows like yours) and attending local shows... Like to buy albums from bands that I see and get them autograph too. I have a pair of Duevel Sirius which I'm pretty sure you never heard, the company is own by husband and wife and have being around for about 30 years. These TAD speakers with the rest of the set-up sounds so good... must be crazy to hear it live. By the way SKÁLD will be in Chicago on the 8 of September...
So i just finished looking at the TAD website and they have new finishes on the TAD CE1-TX speakers. I like the Neal Frey design in black just WoW! So, for any of you who don't know who Mr. Frey is he is the Global leader in creative aluminum for more than 60 years in cutting edge manufacturing tech and design. So the aluminum panels are like works of art now must see . When i get my new pair and will purchase though you Mickey for sure. The all black Neal Frey design
Neal Feay is the company, and Alex Rasmussen is the artist. I met him 15 years ago. It's a California mainstay for Aluminum work. He's very expensive, but the best !!
Beautiful TAD reproduced sound. The man that designed these concentric drivers for TAD is Andrew Jones. He went on to do the REF 1 Meta for KEF. I can confidently recommend the KEF as a very similar alternative at $9000. Then to ultimately ending with very nice speakers at MoFi at $4000. The design of the concentric is great if space is a consideration in one’s room size. Oh and OCD, try Dead Can Dance to really move your soul. 🗿
Thanks. This is the newest generation and NOT designed by AJ. It's been IMPROVED based on some of his old design elements. I do not share your liking for KEF. They are EASY to beat, just like the Mofi, Chinese made MDF boxes.. my speaker is coming up soon and will toast Mofi, with a floorstander made in USA using solid Baltic Birch plywood. no MDF. I highly recommend people find an alternative for KEF and MoFi and I've got solutions coming. I appreciate your feedback and involvement, however. T.A.D. is on a far different level than KEF... the Blade can't even compare...and DCD is cool, but overplayed IMHO... spiritchaser ??
@@OCDHIFiGuy You are welcome. Just giving readers other lower cost option from the creator at different price points. Along with yours, should be something there for all taste buds. As a side note, I’ll add The Audiophillac Steve Guttenberg reviewed the KEF Reference 3 Meta, the bigger brother to the Reference 1 Meta and in his words, “blown away”. The Ref Meta 3 (15k) and Ref Meta 1 (10k with stand) are the same speaker other than an extra woofer per side to go deeper. Stand mount vs floor stander. And of course, these are handmade in England and computer matched to .5 a decibel, as I’m sure TAD is too.
@@wa2368 with Steve you have to hear between the lines of praise. He gets it right if you know what to listen for. Like many UA-cam reviewers, to much rides on a positive review. We all know that! Very few do outright negative reviews.
Little speakers?! Lol you rock! Never seen someone with such an amazing collection of kick ass gear, and the knowledge of the technology…I’ve been into the hobby and music for a few years as well. I agree there’s a lot of mainstream junk out there, thumbs up for the jack ass who says what they really think. I have sum very sharp audio buddies who build their own gear and kits…agree that AR tube amp looks like $15000.00 mono block and it’s turned on its side. I had an old used AR sp9 and a GAS ampzilla with home made speakers with pro audio drivers. I too have lusted after and like Jeff rowlands designs, manley circuits are less stressed, marschand tube cross over
Read and learn : " TAD is the only company in the world making vapor-deposited beryllium driver diaphragms. Vapor deposition also allows TAD to make the large midrange cone, which would be impossible with stamping techniques. The entire concentric driver is made by TAD in Japan, including casting the baskets, building the magnet assemblies, and creating the spider and suspension. " ........ years ago I hung out with the legendary Dr Edgar of Edgarhorn fame .... he used T.A.D. compression drivers in his horns ,,,,,,, the sound was stunning and jaw dropping ..... Mikey any comment ?
I don't get bogged down in the materials or processes of manufacture. None of it matters. Only the result does. I'm a results oriented buyer and seller. I've heard brands with the coolest pitch in the world sound poorly...
I agree ..... sound is the most important thing - but there are Engineering reasons why one speaker will sound better than another ..... in addition there are justified high costs with one design and unjustified costs with another - as PT BARNUM said " there is a sucker born every minute "
Do you listen to THE HU from Mongolia? Interesting traditional throat singing that would likely sound amazing on your system. Changing gears, I was at AXPONA 2023 and requested ‘My Goodness’ by Cross Country Driver. Excellent example of breathy vocals delivered by Rob Lamothe. Unfortunately it was cut a bit short both times but I was happy to suggest it when asked for personal recommendations. Consider trying it out.
The first orchestral sounded cool but the "night on the bald mountain", I think brought out the limitations of small box coloration and separation of instruments, tonalities and textures at high volumes. In order to be fair, would you mind posting the exact performances/recordings, so I could check with my own system?
They sound great! I assume they work nicely with metal based on how they handle orchestra but how are they with eg an old Deep Purple or Rolling Stones?
@@OCDHIFiGuy Thanks, much appreciated. I have actually heard these speakers live but predominantly with acoustic guitar/piano (not my own choice) with one exception, Eva Cassidy’s live version of Stormy Monday which was sublime. I listened to the floorstanding E1TX also, they were excellent but maybe a little warmer and transients not quite as fast. Trying to make my mind up between the two.
Mike, -- The Human Beinz song "The Shaman" wasn't 1964. It was from 1968, on their first album "Nobody but Me", which was also their hit song that year.
TAD make great stuff (I own one so I know that for a fact :) ), but I've always found their Evolution line of speakers a bit confusing. Like how does it fit on that their cheapest speaker is a floor stander (E2), while the most current expensive is the stand mount CE1-TX and all the models in between? Or I own the E1-TX, but would the CE1-TX be an upgrade, or would it be better to just save for a CR1-TX? I know there are differences of course, but how does it relate to a more practical view of the evolution lineup? I think it would be good for people to have a more complete understanding as in what might fit their needs if you have the energy to make a video about it, I know I'd apricate that. Cheers! :)
I’m only midway thru this vid, Mikey, and it’s incredible! Testimonial to what this minimalist system can retrieve from the original recordings in your space. Q: Are all of your selections, particularly the 1939 recordings, recorded as 4xDSD recordings via your Playback Designs gear?
Mickey like the way your movz lol Gsary numan Cars song sounds like that song. I must say everything you throw at this tad it just plays the music and alot of speaker just can't do period! I am a wilson speaker lover but i want these speakers
These loudspeakers are obviously really impressive, rightly feeded, no doubt. But I solved all my problems with a pair of Genelec " The ones" 8341 , powered studio monitors. Sorry, but the sound is pratically the same , at a much lesser cost. Try to trust.
Mikey, these are "smallish speakers that blow away many floor-standers! They got some Go---rilla Balls. Are they available in different finishes?? Also, can you tell me any info on the AGD line you mentioned the other day?? Thanks, Ed.
@@OCDHIFiGuy There's just something about the soundfield planers/ Maggies produce that I can't break myself of. All through Axpona, yep another box.... Just seems like the 3/4", 1", ... silk, titanium, ... driver produces a 1" high sound field. Maybe omni's?
There’s an overflow of B.S. in the audiophile world Tad makes great speakers but they’re 34X the price of my Hayden’s that I think sound better and yes, I’ve heard them in person.
O.C.D. Mikey needs to realize that no one, including the TAD company, Stereophile, etc, refers to the company as T.A.D. But the point is these speakers are L.G.K.s or LGKs or Little Giant Killers (LGK for short), crushing all competition, including Jay's Wilsons! Rock on you Rock Lobsters!
LOL, but I dont care what anyone calls it. I call it Tad.. like Tadpole. "T.A.D." is the correct punctuation when it's being written, as it's an abbreviation for three very distinct words.
This reminded me of when this channel first started! Just a guy telling us about music we probably didn’t know about and the history of it. Also showing us great gear and demonstrating it to prove the point. Nostalgia for me and want more please.
I agree 100 percent!
I really appreciate your eclectic choice of music Mikey. You are a breath of fresh air in this regard. I have always despised other stupid audiophools with high end gear just to have 2 audiophool records on repeat.
Lol. Sick of that too. Those are guys that listen to the gear not the music..
Yes i agree, boring music like Diana Krall.
Mikey. Finally TAD has the right representation presence online. The previous distro and dealers didn’t know how to sell these bad ass mf’ers!! Keep pushin’!
I love it Mikey! Back to your old self- playing music on a rig with commentary! Keep it going Mikey! BTW- The Shaman- awesome guitar with a groovy riff! Thanks!
Those speaker cables are the coolest ones I've ever seen. Great video brother!
Super nice dude. Great information and honesty. Gonna check out a lot more of his stuff. Thanks for the hard work man! Consumer first!
Appreciate it!
Love the tribal Viking chants. Makes you want to go out and conquer something.
Hi mike.
These tad speakers sound amazing.
Holy shit they are incredible.
Gr André de vries.
Sounded like Keith Jarrett in there. Love that piano.
If you haven't heard that concert on vinyl, you're missing out.
Speakers sound decent through headphones. I'm sure a good amount is getting lost by not being in the room.
Sounds better than any speaker you have? They sound incredible. Thank you for the sound demo. Audiophiliac spoke of them with high Mark's but ko demo.
I recognised Freya's voice straight away...very unique an beautiful.Thanks Mikey 👍
The way to describe how its sounds is (it sounds right ) if that mskes sense its fantastic
Hey Mikey, this sounds so nice, even got goose bumps while listening with my headphones... LOL Thanks for making me discover SKÁLD, I will by some CD of them, no steaming here... LOL But discover new bands from UA-cam (Shows like yours) and attending local shows... Like to buy albums from bands that I see and get them autograph too. I have a pair of Duevel Sirius which I'm pretty sure you never heard, the company is own by husband and wife and have being around for about 30 years. These TAD speakers with the rest of the set-up sounds so good... must be crazy to hear it live. By the way SKÁLD will be in Chicago on the 8 of September...
So i just finished looking at the TAD website and they have new finishes on the TAD CE1-TX speakers. I like the Neal Frey design in black just WoW! So, for any of you who don't know who Mr. Frey is he is the Global leader in creative aluminum for more than 60 years in cutting edge manufacturing tech and design. So the aluminum panels are like works of art now must see . When i get my new pair and will purchase though you Mickey for sure. The all black Neal Frey design
Neal Feay is the company, and Alex Rasmussen is the artist. I met him 15 years ago. It's a California mainstay for Aluminum work. He's very expensive, but the best !!
Beautiful TAD reproduced sound. The man that designed these concentric drivers for TAD is Andrew Jones. He went on to do the REF 1 Meta for KEF. I can confidently recommend the KEF as a very similar alternative at $9000. Then to ultimately ending with very nice speakers at MoFi at $4000. The design of the concentric is great if space is a consideration in one’s room size. Oh and OCD, try Dead Can Dance to really move your soul. 🗿
Thanks. This is the newest generation and NOT designed by AJ. It's been IMPROVED based on some of his old design elements. I do not share your liking for KEF. They are EASY to beat, just like the Mofi, Chinese made MDF boxes.. my speaker is coming up soon and will toast Mofi, with a floorstander made in USA using solid Baltic Birch plywood. no MDF. I highly recommend people find an alternative for KEF and MoFi and I've got solutions coming. I appreciate your feedback and involvement, however. T.A.D. is on a far different level than KEF... the Blade can't even compare...and DCD is cool, but overplayed IMHO... spiritchaser ??
@@OCDHIFiGuy You are welcome. Just giving readers other lower cost option from the creator at different price points. Along with yours, should be something there for all taste buds.
As a side note, I’ll add The Audiophillac Steve Guttenberg reviewed the KEF Reference 3 Meta, the bigger brother to the Reference 1 Meta and in his words, “blown away”. The Ref Meta 3 (15k) and Ref Meta 1 (10k with stand) are the same speaker other than an extra woofer per side to go deeper. Stand mount vs floor stander. And of course, these are handmade in England and computer matched to .5 a decibel, as I’m sure TAD is too.
@@De132an There isn't anything Guttenberg isn't "blown away" by.
@@wa2368 with Steve you have to hear between the lines of praise. He gets it right if you know what to listen for. Like many UA-cam reviewers, to much rides on a positive review. We all know that! Very few do outright negative reviews.
@De132an Steve's a sales man like many on you tube that's why all the reviews are the same thing at the same time.
If you like that music I can recommend Hedningarna. More swedish viking music!
So coherent. Thank you, bishop of sound reproduction.
i grew up with Classical music and fine Art
And where does the person live? …. Who is interested in that.
Little speakers?! Lol you rock! Never seen someone with such an amazing collection of kick ass gear, and the knowledge of the technology…I’ve been into the hobby and music for a few years as well. I agree there’s a lot of mainstream junk out there, thumbs up for the jack ass who says what they really think. I have sum very sharp audio buddies who build their own gear and kits…agree that AR tube amp looks like $15000.00 mono block and it’s turned on its side. I had an old used AR sp9 and a GAS ampzilla with home made speakers with pro audio drivers. I too have lusted after and like Jeff rowlands designs, manley circuits are less stressed, marschand tube cross over
where did you sleep last night and viking music hell yes.. love from Norway ;)
Guttenberg loved these speakers
What's not to love ?? Lol. If you don't like these, you don't know how to assess loudspeakers.
Yeah. Problem is Gutenberg loves everything. Lol.
Read and learn : " TAD is the only company in the world making vapor-deposited beryllium driver diaphragms. Vapor deposition also allows TAD to make the large midrange cone, which would be impossible with stamping techniques. The entire concentric driver is made by TAD in Japan, including casting the baskets, building the magnet assemblies, and creating the spider and suspension. " ........ years ago I hung out with the legendary Dr Edgar of Edgarhorn fame .... he used T.A.D. compression drivers in his horns ,,,,,,, the sound was stunning and jaw dropping ..... Mikey any comment ?
I don't get bogged down in the materials or processes of manufacture. None of it matters. Only the result does. I'm a results oriented buyer and seller. I've heard brands with the coolest pitch in the world sound poorly...
I agree ..... sound is the most important thing - but there are Engineering reasons why one speaker will sound better than another ..... in addition there are justified high costs with one design and unjustified costs with another - as PT BARNUM said " there is a sucker born every minute "
Do you listen to THE HU from Mongolia? Interesting traditional throat singing that would likely sound amazing on your system. Changing gears, I was at AXPONA 2023 and requested ‘My Goodness’ by Cross Country Driver. Excellent example of breathy vocals delivered by Rob Lamothe. Unfortunately it was cut a bit short both times but I was happy to suggest it when asked for personal recommendations. Consider trying it out.
Enjoyed the selected music.
Thanks Fred..
The first orchestral sounded cool but the "night on the bald mountain", I think brought out the limitations of small box coloration and separation of instruments, tonalities and textures at high volumes. In order to be fair, would you mind posting the exact performances/recordings, so I could check with my own system?
Yeah TAD (Pioneer) is Serous bizz !
I bet they are wonderful ! TAD Is Badazz ! (Pioneer) Thanks for the video 🎉
The first track sounds like the performance art scene in The Big Lebowski.
Excellent video. Which Power Amp do you suggest to drive the TAD CE1tx now that Viola is not in business anymore?
Jeff Rowland 555
@@OCDHIFiGuy Thanks Mike - I will try to audition it
They sound great! I assume they work nicely with metal based on how they handle orchestra but how are they with eg an old Deep Purple or Rolling Stones?
Killer. Of course your DAC sets the stage, but the speakers are smooth and extended.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Thanks, much appreciated.
I have actually heard these speakers live but predominantly with acoustic guitar/piano (not my own choice) with one exception, Eva Cassidy’s live version of Stormy Monday which was sublime. I listened to the floorstanding E1TX also, they were excellent but maybe a little warmer and transients not quite as fast. Trying to make my mind up between the two.
I use streaming a lot of the time to find new artists/albums/songs and if I like them good enough I buy them on vinyl , it’s a win win.
But what if it's a bad pressing ? Cheap vinyl ? Out of round ? Not flat ? Lol. Just playing with u...
@@OCDHIFiGuy 🤣
For amazing female vocals you can try "When my guitar gently weeps"by Carmen Cuesta-Loeb.Just beautiful...especially when the accent comes through.
Mike, -- The Human Beinz song "The Shaman" wasn't 1964. It was from 1968, on their first album "Nobody but Me", which was also their hit song that year.
The Leadbelly sounded so haunting
Immersive experience 🎶
Playlist?
TAD make great stuff (I own one so I know that for a fact :) ), but I've always found their Evolution line of speakers a bit confusing. Like how does it fit on that their cheapest speaker is a floor stander (E2), while the most current expensive is the stand mount CE1-TX and all the models in between? Or I own the E1-TX, but would the CE1-TX be an upgrade, or would it be better to just save for a CR1-TX? I know there are differences of course, but how does it relate to a more practical view of the evolution lineup? I think it would be good for people to have a more complete understanding as in what might fit their needs if you have the energy to make a video about it, I know I'd apricate that. Cheers! :)
I’m only midway thru this vid, Mikey, and it’s incredible! Testimonial to what this minimalist system can retrieve from the original recordings in your space. Q: Are all of your selections, particularly the 1939 recordings, recorded as 4xDSD recordings via your Playback Designs gear?
No Dan, not at all. I'm STREAMING. From Tidal using ROON.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Then it’s even more impressive.
I would be interested to see how they sound with a TAD amplifier.
I know. Playing these with m700s, D700 and soon C700.
Mickey like the way your movz lol Gsary numan Cars song sounds like that song. I must say everything you throw at this tad it just plays the music and alot of speaker just can't do period! I am a wilson speaker lover but i want these speakers
Hi mike.
Can you play some soundtrack,s on these speakers.
Hans zimmer James horner , John willams.
Gr André de vries.
sounds great. maybe you can try to apply some of their ideas in the nemesis speakers.
Lol. NOT. Dual concentric coax point source is the only similarity. 😊
Mikey, How does this TAD compare to some of the Mon Accoustics?
It's a more refined sound
Mikey what are the differences over the older CE1?
Dream system!
Very good speakers! 👍
I want, i want , I WANT so bad... but never will have 😢
This has to be the best standmouny system , i can even make out stereo effect even in this recording
For sure...that's great !
@@OCDHIFiGuyyes specially the last song where the vocals were from left little up and the cymbals from right and from a distance
These loudspeakers are obviously really impressive, rightly feeded, no doubt. But I solved all my problems with a pair of Genelec " The ones" 8341 , powered studio monitors. Sorry, but the sound is pratically the same , at a much lesser cost. Try to trust.
Mikey, these are "smallish speakers that blow away many floor-standers! They got some Go---rilla Balls. Are they available in different finishes?? Also, can you tell me any info on the AGD line you mentioned the other day?? Thanks, Ed.
One finish for now. Had to get used to them, but very nice.
Do you prefer these over the larger maggies?
I'm leaning yes on that... Maggie's need subs and active crossover IMHO.
@@OCDHIFiGuy There's just something about the soundfield planers/ Maggies produce that I can't break myself of. All through Axpona, yep another box.... Just seems like the 3/4", 1", ... silk, titanium, ... driver produces a 1" high sound field. Maybe omni's?
Tads got the nads!!!
Word
wow those cables!
hey chorizito those TAD speakers are great could you do a test with TOOL ?
Lol. It's Chorizote, hermano. ;-) Fear Innoculum ;-) for sure..
Two card boxes will sound good connected to these amps using those cables
That's correct. That's why these sound GREAT !
If you want to challenge a system play the song - Meddler by August Burns Red and learn stress and dynamics
Wilson Benesch Discovery Zero 3💯🎼🎵🎶👌🙂
I had a hard time turning this off.....
The Best of Paganini, the Devils Violinist
Gary Newman baby!
Rock on Brother 🤘!
Gary Newman, long time not heard!
Right? Me neither
These speakers WILL be mine - I have no clue how, but they will be mine. Btw, Mikey - what do you think of the electronics from TAD? :)
Speakers are thier strong suit IMHO
16::00 Metal!!!
What was the piano song at 9:05? Thanks Mikey!!!
Keith Jarrett. Kulm and Paris concert
Haha Some Numan Metal Lol 👍🏻
There it is !
What was the name of the first mussorgsky piece? Thankyou
Pictures at an exhibition, Mousorski.
Thankyou so much X@@newhealthleap9713
Which are those cables?
VERASTARR
These sound amazing even through my iPhone speaker ! 35K is not cheap, does it mean I’d need to spend close to that on an amp to do them justice ?
Steverino suggest the Gato mono blocks, so maybe $60k for the combo.
There’s an overflow of B.S. in the audiophile world Tad makes great speakers but they’re 34X the price of my Hayden’s that I think sound better and yes, I’ve heard them in person.
Challenge: pair of smaller bookshelves and pair of subs. Similar performance?
It's not the bass that makes these sick. It's the tweeter/mid combo that makes them image as big as panels. The bass is bonus...
Emotions aside, the midrange sounds a tad thick.
that was fowl but I got the yolk
What's the first 2 songs?
How much are the TAD’s?
30K
@@OCDHIFiGuy you appear to be very smitten with the TAD! The Viola amp appears to synergize well with them.
O.C.D. Mikey needs to realize that no one, including the TAD company, Stereophile, etc, refers to the company as T.A.D.
But the point is these speakers are L.G.K.s or LGKs or Little Giant Killers (LGK for short), crushing all competition, including Jay's Wilsons!
Rock on you Rock Lobsters!
LOL, but I dont care what anyone calls it. I call it Tad.. like Tadpole. "T.A.D." is the correct punctuation when it's being written, as it's an abbreviation for three very distinct words.
🥵
Right ?
Mikey get some A/B's going with your other speakers.
No. Lol. It's good to be my own boss.... lol.
this rig is ridiculous
You'll hear it soon me boy...
Woden!