John Darko
TAD has announced the ME1TX standmount loudspeaker, the successor to 2016’s ME1. According to the press release the new model came about via “countless hours spent in the listening room” and features “hundreds of improvements”.
The ME1TX is a three-way design (85dB, 4 Ohm nominal, 21kg) where the tweeter and midrange driver are coaxially aligned for something the Japanese company calls a “Coherent Source Transducer”. The 2.5cm tweeter sits at the acoustic centre of the 9cm midrange driver for better-controlled directivity and more accurate phase alignment.
From the press release: “The ME1TX’s 9 cm CST driver achieves 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 60 kHz by the CST driver alone, while achieving a natural attenuation characteristic and directivity pattern across all bands.”
That tweeter sports a “light yet rigid” 2.5cm beryllium diaphragm that, according to the press release, is made using TAD’s proprietary ‘vapor deposition technique’.
It also says “TAD has applied its computer-analyzed optimization 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.”
The midrange driver is a newly developed magnesium alloy diaphragm with “a high internal-loss characteristic”.
For details on that we go back to the press release: “the combination of anodization 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.”
What about the bass driver?
“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 coloration-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 outstanding linearity and delivers deep and clear bass. Furthermore, the arm of the woofer basket has been redesigned to achieve greater structural strength to withstand the powerful movement of the woofer and allow smoother propagation of sound waves behind its diaphragm.”
That bass driver’s output is assisted by TAD’s bidirectional ADS port 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”.
The ‘Structurally Inert Laminated Enclosure Technology’ (SILENT) cabinet sees birch-plywood braces strengthen medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The side panels are then made more robust with 5mm-thick internal steel plates.
Price? €17,300 for the black finish or €17,500 for the (new) silver white. The optional ST3TX stands will sell for €2800 in black and €2900 in silver white.
Shipping begins in May 2025.
TAD? Technical Audio Devices.
Further information: TAD
