Lewis CaliburnTechnical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc., has announced the TAD-ME1TX bookshelf speaker system as the newest addition to its Evolution Series of hi-fi speakers. The TAD-ME1TX is to replace the TAD-ME1, which was introduced in 2016.
A host of refinements incorporated into the TAD-ME1TX to achieve enhanced audio performance include a tweeter in the Coherent Source Transducer (CST) driver that features a beryllium diaphragm manufactured using the brand’s proprietary vapor-deposition technique, just like those found in TADL’s higher-end speakers. The TAD-ME1TX has inherited the Bidirectional Aero-Dynamic Slot (ADS) port designs from its predecessor.
The TAD-ME1TX boasts TAD’s proprietary CST driver, which controls the directivity of the concentrically mounted midrange and tweeters over an extended frequency range from the point of matching phase.
TAD-ME1TX’s 9 cm CST driver is optimised to achieve clear and solid imaging, as well as natural sound-field reproduction. The midrange cone controls the directional characteristic of the concentrically mounted tweeter to bring the phase and directivity of their output in line in the crossover region. The result is wide-range sound reproduction from 420 Hz to 60kHz by the CST driver alone, while achieving a natural attenuation characteristic and directivity pattern across all bands.
The TAD-ME1TX uses a newly developed, light yet rigid 25 mm beryllium diaphragm for its tweeter, manufactured with the manufacturer’s proprietary vapor deposition technique. TADL has applied our computer-analysed optimisation technique called Harmonized Synthetic Diaphragm Optimum Method (HSDOM) in designing the form of the diaphragm. This technique enables the precise control of the diaphragm’s divided vibrations and piston motions, which makes possible wide-range sound reproduction of up to 60 kHz.
Meanwhile, the midrange’s diaphragm made of magnesium alloy achieves lightweight and high internal loss properties. The combination of anodisation and coating applied to the surface of the diaphragm gives it additional hardness and a yet greater internal loss.
Combined with the suppression of even the smallest resonance arising from where a leading wire is connected to the voice coil, the result is clear, distortion-free reproduction in the midrange. In addition, the arm of the frame basket that houses a magnetic circuit has been redesigned to achieve much greater structural strength and allow smoother propagation of sound waves behind the midrange diaphragm.
The 16 cm woofer employs a Multi-layered Aramid Composite Cone (MACC) diaphragm composed of laminated layers of woven aramid fabric and non-woven fabric of different material to deliver a rich, clear sound in the low-frequency-range, as well as a reportedly colouration-free sound in the mid-to-low-frequency range.
The combination of the refined Linear Drive Magnet Circuit (LDMC) and a corrugated surround made of foamed polycarbonate contributes to linearity and is said to deliver deep and clear bass.
Furthermore, the arm of the woofer basket has been redesigned to achieve greater structural strength to withstand the movement of the woofer and allow smoother propagation of sound waves behind its diaphragm.
The TAD-ME1TX comes in a SILENT (Structurally Inert Laminated Enclosure Technology) enclosure, which combines sturdy birch-plywood braces with medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels having a high internal loss to provide structural strength and an low-resonance characteristic.
The addition of 5mm-thick steel panels to the right and left sides of the enclosure further reduces the vibration of the cabinet down to a minimum. Moreover, acoustic absorbent chosen and placed carefully inside the enclosure, based on analyses of internal standing waves, helps eliminate standing waves that would adversely affect the sound field and imaging performance of the speaker.
As its predecessor, the TAD-ME1TX employs the Bidirectional Aero-Dynamic Slot (ADS) port design, which places slit-shaped ports (ducts) inside the right and left side-panels of the enclosure with flared openings to the front and rear to allow a smoother airflow through them.
This design helps reduce port noise generated at high amplitude levels and keeps internal standing waves from escaping from the ports, which the brand says results in a responsive bass. The symmetrically placed port openings, both laterally and along the front-rear axis, cancel out vibrations from the port movement to deliver a natural-sounding bass response.
The TAD-ME1TX comes in two colour variants. In addition to the black finish, which was available to its predecessor, the TAD-ME1TX is also available in a new silver white finish.
Skilled artisans spend hours finishing each enclosure with meticulous care, beginning with applying high-grade, clear coating to the surface and buffing the base coating and finishing with surface polishing.
The TAD-ME1TX comes as standard with non-slip pads to be placed under the enclosure, a cleaning cloth, and a woofer grille having a minimum adverse effect on the speaker’s performance.
Matching TAD-ST3TX-K and TAD-ST3TX-SW stands employ a slanted design to suppress the reflection and diffraction of the sound from the speaker and achieve greater structural strength and a high vibration-dampening characteristic.