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Final Speaker Decision: TAD R1 vs SF Strad

Final decision coming up.... I have listened and auditioned and hemmed and hawed long enough.

Narrowed down from Wilsons Alexia/Sasha 2, Vandersteen 5A Carbon, Martin Logan Summit X, Magnepans, and BW 800 Diamond to these final two.

Both sound good to me, but I am unable to audition both back to back, nor in the same room.

Would like to get some opinions on the two from the group. I am looking for a speaker with longevity. Really hate to change up speakers prematurely from here.
joey_v
bugman03
44 posts
 
I have the TAD Ref 1 for 4 years now and I am very happy with them. I have a large room with a high ceiling and get a huge soundstage. The speakers are 14' apart measuring from the drivers and they are 6' from the side walls. The concentric drivers seem to give one a predicable sound as you move from side to side.
bugman03
44 posts
 
I have the TAD Ref 1 for 4 years now and I am very happy with them. I have a large room with a high ceiling and get a huge soundstage. The speakers are 14' apart measuring from the drivers and they are 6' from the side walls. The concentric drivers seem to give one a predicable sound as you move from side to side.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
That's easy, TAD R1. I have TAD E1 and working on a RATIONAL reason upgrading to R1. LOL! I know R1 is final speaker for many. Andrew Jones is a character and GENIUS!!!
joey_v OP
663 posts
 
Yep, heard the Ref1 twice in very good conditions. I even had teh dealer move them to sort of mimic my room - moved to 8.5 feet tweeter/tweeter and 11 feet tweeter/ear. Sounded lovely and recreated stage well.

My only problem is that I had no goosebumps. But I could sense that it was a great speaker.
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
What amps did the dealer use with the TADs? I ask because I heard them with a solid state class D amp (admittedly an early one) and was impressed but not moved, but when the dealer put a tubed (I think; might hsve been a hybrid) amp on them they gave me the goosebumps you're looking for.
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