TAD CR1 Compact Reference Monitor Loudspeaker

October 31st, 2012 -- by Alan Sircom
Source: HiFi+

A few years ago, audio freed itself from the shackles of having to work to the limitations of price. The downside to that is those prices shot up across the board, but the upside is we are now getting some of the best products in history. And the TAD CR1 perfectly fits that description. I firmly believe that the best standmount loudspeakers the world has ever seen are gracing the stores right now. But even in such lauded company, the TAD CR1 still has the power to wow. Ultimately, it’s hard to pick a winner in the ‘cost no object’ standmount loudspeaker race, because different loudspeakers will appeal to different listeners. But I can’t help feeling that the CR1 will end up appealing to more of those listeners than its rivals, simply because it sounds so very, very right.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Three-way bass reflex compact speaker
Drive units: Midrange/Tweeter: concentric 160mm cone/35mm dome Bass: 200mm driver
Frequency response: 32Hz to 100kHz
Crossover frequencies: 250Hz and 2kHz
Appropriate amplifier power: 50W to 200W
Sensitivity: 86dB (2.83V @ 1m free space)
Nominal impedance: 4Ω
Dimensions (loudspeaker, WxDxH): 34.1x44.4x62.8cm
Dimensions (stand, WxDxH): 40.7x52.5x53.2cm
Weight (loudspeaker): 46kg
Weight (stand): 16kg
Price (including stands): £36,999 per pair

Manufactured by: TAD
URL: www.tad-labs.com

Distributed by: Nu Nu Distribution
URL: www.nunudistribution.co.uk
Tel: +44(0)2034 442338

Comments

flohmann -- Thu, 11/01/2012 - 12:42

I've got a room on the small side, and speakers therefore must be close to the side walls (~24 inches). Do I take it from your review, Alan, that I should look more closely at the Magico Q1 than the CR1 if I were pondering a big upgrade from my current Dynaco C1 speakers? Any other compact superstars that come to mind for smaller rooms?

Michael G. -- Thu, 11/01/2012 - 19:54

Can Mr. Sircom provide specifics about the speaker's placement when you say that 'it needs to be physically deep into the room to spring to life' and 'needs to be further from the rear and side walls'? Also can you comment on the 'slightly more toe-in', that is, are the speaker's crossing in front of the listener, at the listener, or behind the listener?

Mike Gillespie -- Thu, 11/15/2012 - 22:21

I have the same question. I have only 5 feet from my listening position to the speaker. And only about 1 foot behind the speaker to the front wall. I wonder if I wouldn't be better with the Raidho C1.1's?