Thanks Deli,

I've been wondering if anyone was actually reading this or if this was just blind omnissions

Things are generally quiet around here on Sunday mornings so I'll open the sub cabinet up. Could you elaborate on the potential improvement of replacing the innards? The cabinet is big but I'm spoiled with the BA unit. I neglected to mention that I also use a Yamaha SW315 at the back of the room to better distribute the low end. The Yammy is strictly for HT but the BA unit is 100%.

If I can improve the "PUNCH" of the TAD I'd be really interested.

Dutch

from the reviews i've read elsewhere, the TAD sub was probably the most celebrated of the line up. perhaps it only needs time to break in?

as for the switch on the back of the monitors, lots of speakers have used switches and potentiometers to adjust the frequency of the mids and tweets. i would guess that this serves the same function.

Hello again,

I've been passing some notes back and forth with Paul from TAD and wanted to include the text here. Paul, thankfully, gave permission for me to quote and I felt that was a fair measure of his confidence in his product.

Funny thing; I've got a nice vehicle that set me back around 45K. Unless my dealer sees me coming for a trade I can't get the time of day . I've spent under $500 with Paul's outfit and he's politely and promptly found time to reply to my questions.

Dutch


Dutch,

Please post at will, hope my context is received correctly etc.

Y-Adapter sonically is the same (volume adjusted), gives the impression having more power with less volume knob rotation, ultimately max power is the same.

The tweeter switch on 805SD's: Towards the Black post is the Flat (high) setting.
Some of my older customers have discovered highs like cymbals etc. sound like an annoying crackly train whistle than music, they like to set the tweeter lower, begin a gradual roll off around 12k to reduce the pain. 99% will run on the high setting.

Paul


On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 12:01 PM, Michael Southworth <mako20ft@msn.com> wrote:

Quick note for you Paul; using a splitter to push signal through both of the RCA inputs markedly increased the volume. I'm fairly certain it's not a question of break-in providing the increase but rather the electronics within. You may want to include this information for future customers.

Is there anything in print that helps me understand the use of those switches on the back of the 805S units? There is an effect on sound however rather than guess; what is their designed function?

Dutch




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:26:16 -0500

From: tubeaudiodesign@gmail.com
To: mako20ft@msn.com
Subject: Re: New Order from CoolCart.NET - bizzybee Order #:11330


Dutch,

Totally 100% different inside. No diamond bearings tweeters here. Never verbally or in print marketed to be a copy of something else. Just has some gingerbread on the outside to catch your eye in a 3" Internet picture. I tried to have them made without the B&W like tweeter tail and golf ball holes around the port. Details that are hyped by the expensive manufacturer to be something special to justify the high price - yet there really is no audible substance, just a marketing ploy.

The Chinese factory white shirts were running an experiment. Show us prototype speaker shoppers the excellent caliber speakers they are capable of building (not your typical pretty cabinet no engineering junk like 99% of the speakers from China) by mimicking an expensive brand's external appearance. My next speaker will have the same excellent tweeter egg in basket design, but will be more like the center channel X 2, a 4 single driver (no crossover) design. Will look less like an 805 etc. A new configuration to help ease any tension concerning how it looks.
I spent about 10-years ordering speaker samples from all over the place. Finally I found one that actually sounds good, with audio engineers that work with me to make to my conceptual design - mainly no crossover using full range drivers with each part reworked till all fits together and play flat without electronic compensation - extremely difficult engineering. Generally they just slap it together, tweak a crossover call it done. I was a pain, demanding they make it play flat without a crossover - to make a speaker that reveals midrange detail and imagery like no other. They liked the concept, I was lucky they are doing this development work considering the relatively low amount of production I buy each year, <2000 pieces.

One last thought: We all know the patents for every conceivable speaker design were drawn up long ago, all have expired their exclusive rights. Now we use a bit of this a bit of that, not a direct copy, just the root technology is a free for all, too old for any company to call its own - they already had their 30-year chance to sweep the market with their exclusive new technology. Public domain after a few decades to promote progress.

Paul


On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 7:48 PM, Michael Southworth <mako20ft@msn.com> wrote:

Well stated. Sounds as though the transition to mail order only was a positive move. I've got a question that is probably close to being out of line. In your opinion, how close of a clone is the TAD 805S speaker to the B&W or more loosely the Wharfedale lines? I'm not looking to indict the speaker as more or less than it is based on heritage. It's my own curious mind that is interested. Borrowed technology is not a bad thing in the right context...just ask the Japanese of the 1980's.

Respectfully,
Dutch

An interesting article and links page about some Chinese hi-fi manufacturers:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...BUGQ8O5EPN1.DTL

I'm not sure of which is the best to "rebuild" the sub- the sub may be fine as-is, but if not, that's a nice looking enclosure for a fair price, and bargain-priced overstock subwoofer drivers from eBay could prove to be the cat's pajamas.

If it's not a good sounding sub, which I can't say since I haven't heard it, but if it's not, indeed if the box proves to be solid and well built, a driver swap could be a nice mod.

Good day folks,

I've been quietly spending time with the TAD's gradually coming to know their character. Although I have no effective means to measure the actual time these units have been played I feel it's reasonable to say 300+ hours.

For anyone still mildly interested I have reached some admittedly unscientific conclusions I'd like to share. In order of my (and only my) humble opinion the units rank as follows...

1) Center Channel
2) 805 Bookshelf Units
3) Subwoofer (Distant 3rd)

The CC is the decided sleeper in this -*test*-('")ed trio. I quickly took a liking to it's performance and never found reason to change the observation. Absolutely wonderful with imaging and just plain natural voice reproduction. I also found it exceedingly easy to place the unit regardless of nearby things competing for space. During the review process I traded in the families 53" Projection TV for a 50" Plasma. The old unit occupied a built in space that natually provided for a good 24" deep shelf area above. My love of Boston Acoustics was well served as the VR-14 CC uses a very large cabinet. With the transition to a wall mounted plasma I wanted something a little more svelt--in came the TAD unit. Simply using a securely anchored Mahogany shelf (finished 6/4 stock) allowed the new CC to rest very close to the wall. Those front ports were free to do their business unmolested by the proximity of the back. I'm not competent to explain the physics but another nice thing became quickly evident...the smaller 5" woofers suffered little of the painstaking break-in period. While the bookshelves were painfully dull out of the box the CC was light on it's feet and...well...just plain good! If asked to pay less than $400 this CC is a stand out performer. Will I trade it for my beloved BA equipment because of my penchant for "Bang for the Buck" aaahh; let's not get silly here!

I hope to find time for seperate thoughts on the remaining components. Just for some fun (man I could never be a reviewer...my fingers hurt from typing) I want to admit up front the bookshelves are an outstanding buy but it needs to be qualified. Unfortunately, the subwoofer isn't such a happy tale. But again, that is hopefully for this weekend.

Regards,
Dutch

Thank you! Great review!

Jim

am i correct in reading that the qualification regarding the bookshelf speakers is the amount time required for them to break in?

Dingus,

The break in time is long but kinda fun as you listen to the sonics change. You are correct that is the mitigating factor but perhaps not for the obvious reason. Based on there price point it's fair to assume the typical buyer might be making there first foray into "upper" high fi. They've saved some coin and it appears they've stumbled onto a fantastic manufacturer direct deal. Well they did...sorta. The speakers come with nothing to indicate the Kevlar woofers take an extensive time to soften up. The rewards are truely great (seriously) for the patient but if the poor chap isn't forewarned he/she will suspect they've been "white van'd" and unnecessarliy screwed. In short, the allowed home exchange of 30 days isn't reasonable from the buyer's view but probably a must have from the sellers.

Does that make a bit of sense? Apologies in taking so long to get this review back on track. Unfortunately, economics have taken a toll and I've been laid off. Darn job search keeps taking up to much of my time

Absolutely no worries as the garden needs much attention also

I am determined to get the bookshelf thoughts on paper this weekend.

Regards,
Dutch

ouch! sorry to hear about the layoff.

as to the bookshelves it sounds like you've found a winner.

Job, no worries--all things for a reason. The bookshelves will get done this weekend unless my children drive me bonkers first

Dutch

Ok, on we go. I've just learned that the bookshelf design has been scrapped by Paul in favor of the CC design. The intent is marry (2) centers as a connected pair per side and then continue using a single unit as a center. Frankly I think the move is brilliant as I continue to love the CC's characteristics. This will amount to 5 identical speakers across the front delivering identical sound and I'm confident that array will be a winner.

Regardless, the move makes any observations on the 805 bookshelves a somewhat moot point. Once some pics are up and I can see the measurements I may be tempted to investigate further if funds allow...I really like them that much.

Regarding the subwoofer...tis a sad story that I must forward. Didn't seem to matter where I put the cabinet it was dissapointing. A short version would be to describe the unit as one dimensional. I don't indict the sub based on that one symptom alone however. For example, for music I use a Yamaha SW315 that is very tight and punchy. Switch to HT and I'll add a Boston Acoustics PV1000 (leaving the Yamaha still on) that delivers rock solid performance in the lowest areas of a soundtrack. The combination of both has been played with for years regarding location and each units respective volume i.e. each does it's intended purpose admirably. I've never found (1) subwoofer that performs adequately at both skills to rid myself of the 2 mentioned.

Back to the TAD unit. I was unable to get the unit to blend with it's accompanying stablemates no matter what I tried and believe me...try I did. Hours of switching positions (normally a fun thing) turned into a frustrating experience. The damn thing just booms out at a certain frequency while seemingly ignoring the remainder. I have no means to measure but experience tells me the 30-40Hz is accented unmercifully...nothing above and nothing below.

Ok, so maybe HT isn't this things forte and a switch to 2-channel would merit kind words. Runnning at alternate times a set of VRB bookshelf pieces, the TAD 805's and floorstanding VR-3's just made me throw up my hands. Not to be discouraged (if that is possible) the next obvious challenge had to be room acoustics. I painstakingly reassembled the system on our main floor which uses hardwoods, throw rugs and overstuffed furniture allowing me to move things around a bit and capture what surely must be lurking there.

Source used is a Yamaha pre with M-45 amp and a mid priced Yamaha CD unit (did I mention I'm a sucker for older Yammies?). If anything, the problem was accentuated to the point of just turning the buger' off.

Please understand, I really wanted this think to work, to pound out deep lows as I suspected it's metal was in the HT arena. Friends with better ears than I alternately cringed or rolled their eyes. Such an impressive performance from the CC and (at it's price point) several excellent sessions with the 805's left me wanting the package to be complete but alas; twas' not to be.

In conclusion, taken in context the Center Channel is an unheralded success and should serve as an excellent platform going forward. Voice reproduction and those beautiful mid's are there at both the correct volume, clarity and soundstage width. That tweeter is just plain a winner and blends seemlessly with the dual woofers. If Paul can get the units to integrate with each other he'll have something of great promise indeed

The 805's really do need a great deal of break in as I'm told most Kevlar woofers do. Sorry that my ears don't lean to jazz or classical but there in lies their passion. Delicate instrumentation can be picked cleanly out of the air...say I can hear that string, just where did that come from! Switch to room filling music requirements and your likely to be dissapointed. There were many examples but perhaps one can relate to this. The digitally remastered Led Zeppelin DVD 2-disc collection with all live performances just wasn't going to be satisfying. What they were able to do with the antique soundtrack is nothing short of amazing. Do yourself a favor and stay within the somewhat narrow narrow frame of the speakers ability to reproduce sound and you'll be rewarded.

I won't cover the subwoofer again but rather some general notes. Each speakers finish is flawless in the Piano Black finish. Binding posts are secure despite numerous moves and the resulting plug/unplug. Particularly happy with the grille covers as they did not noticeably affect the sound and (very important) use a sturdy peg assembly that never broke and securely held the covers tight. Also mentioned earlier was the excellent double boxed packaging.

Well that's all she wrote folks. IMHO, China is just not content to take a back seat to their American, European or Japanese competitors any longer. In this one sample of their wares we have on a scale of 1 to 10...

805 Bookshelf pair...6.5
Center Channel...7.5
Subwoofer...4
Finish...8
Construction...8
General bang for the buck...8.5 (AT THEIR PRICE POINT)

Dutch