Feedback on Classic Audio Reproductions T-5

Tvad, that's an interesting point about the Horning's bass, and I am going to RMAF. I'll ask Jeff with High Water if he plans to bring them.

Duke's Planetarium model w/built-in subs looks intriguing, and he could use that price point. Not sure if he'll have them at RMAF since it's a prototype that he may not add to his line.

The CAR speakers also use the TAD drivers. Is the problem with the 1101 driver or with the TAD line?

Tvad, I was mistakenly thinking of the other speakers in the Planetarium series that required the Swarm sub system. Now that I have referenced the link I see the speakers you referenced were originally a one off made as a special order for a customer, but are now part of the product line.

Since I've never heard them I can't comment. The down firing subs seem like an interesting idea overall and a more than suitable alternative to the Swarm. Personally, I have an aversion to subs, not just due to space constraints but I don't place a heavy emphasis on deep bass. Having originally been a long time Spendor user the mid-range is what attracts me to a speaker. In the Jazz Module case the 32hz rating and adjustable bass port provides enough bass for me.

So if he can't get the TAD-1101 drivers does that mean the Jazz and Dreammaker will be discontinued?

Good question and I really don't know the answer. At one time I believe Duke told me he had enough of the drivers left to make a few pair of the Dream Makers. It's not so much that the drivers are not available, its more a matter of the high minimum order one has to place to acquire them from TAD (Pioneer).

The last time I heard the T5 was quite a while ago at a show. They are easy to drive, in a lot of cases 60 watts may be all you need. They are 16 ohms so making power with a tube amp is easy with them.

The thing is, John has been updating the T-3 and T-1s with field coil drivers and new crossovers, but I have not seen that happening in the T-5. Prior to that though, the big differences between the T-1/T-3 and the T-5 were these: the bass was smoother response in the T-5 owing to the dual woofer, but did not go as low (31 Hz) and it is slightly less efficient.

The T-1 and T-3 both got dual woofers at a later time.

Now as to Duke: in hearing his speakers recently, I am not sure that there is any particular advantage to the T-5, as Duke's speakers are similar drive-ability and bandwidth. His designs perform well out of their price points as far as bandwidth and resolution, so I think it is sound advice that Tvad has been offering. OTOH you might contact John and see if he has any field coil offerings for the T-5, if so I would keep them under consideration as the field coil drivers are something special in the resolution department.

Beautiful...Thanks, Ralph!

I am working out a possible plan to hear the T-5s but they won't be at the show. I will contact John about which version of T-5.

Thank you for your input about Duke's speakers.