The Sound
Contents
Of course, we’ve already given away quite a bit about the sound. That’s just what makes this speaker tick. Somehow your author even catches himself talking to himself over and over again during a listening session. “Wow… what a speaker… incredible” and things like that. Kind of crazy and let’s hope the fellow tenants don’t think it’s a permanent ailment…. But yes: everything just fell into place with this TAD Evolution 2. Is that a random, magical match? Hmmm… we estimate that it’s a combination of factors:
- TAD just makes very good speakers
- Pass Labs just makes very good amplifiers
- These two also show the best of each other….
But the basis – in our opinion – is that the electronics are correct. The measurements of the TAD also betray that this speaker is not only tuned very neutrally, but also that the distortion is very low. Both at 1 meter and at 3 meters (listening position) and on- and off-axis. But you can see these screen shots in the next chapter.
Big, generous and smooooth
Now, the Focal Sopra No1 already puts down a very decent stereo image. In fact: the Sopra can project beautifully with real depth and width and height. That is also one of its strengths. And the power of a good monitor speaker in general. This TAD, however, makes the entire room disappear and fills it with music. Partly due to the round and beautifully detailed and layered bass. It all flows wonderfully into the room. And it does so with the greatest of ease.
In short: the TAD Evolution 2 is a generous Japanese. A wonderful floorstander that offers the musician a complete stage to perform at their absolute best.
What your author really enjoys is that this speaker does not throw gravy all over the music. The bass is indeed round and generous, but not colored or woolly. In fact, it lets your hear exactly what is happening. It can put layer upon layer upon layer without getting tiresome or messy. That’s a strength that can really only be heard in very well-tuned, active, closed systems.
Speaking of layering, we have rarely heard a speaker play so easily and with so much insight. Sure, we could cite a Raidho D5 or a Wilson Alexx V. But those are systems of 100’s of 1000’s of Euros. (literally). And while 14,250 Euros per pair is a lot of money, the level at which this Evolution 2 plays is secretly higher although that’s always hard to quantify we think. Because yes…well… how do you scale a level? Because level depends on an unprecedented number of factors, including acoustics, control, source…. It’s an interplay.
Killer
However, if you have a good collection of electronics, you will notice very quickly that this TAD Evolution 2 is a fairly easy speaker to drive. And that it is a speaker with a remarkably good balance. And a speaker with no glaring weaknesses. Something that still happens even in this class. It is… how can we put this kindly… a competition killer. We estimate that the ‘big boys’ will have a hard time with this newcomer. Although they do have much more marketing power and points of sale. As the Dutch say (literal translation): “Unknown makes unloved…”. The correct translation would be: “what we don’t know, we fear”. And that is unfortunate.
Attraction
Your author writes out the articles in ‘the typing office’, as we have christened the space. Just a study with three workstations. The workroom usually has a smaller system running or the streaming system with the in-ceiling speakers. Great for some music while writing. That way we don’t get distracted while working. Now concentrating is not such a big problem for your author. And usually he can control himself when there is something nice in the listening room. A matter of “Duty calls” shall we say.
However with the TAD it is different…. “Can’t I just work on the laptop?”… “Ah…. one more track…”… “Until the break should be possible…”. And so the excuses come…. It’s a funny effect what this speaker has. And it doesn’t just apply to your author. Most visitors stick around. “Can you play this track? … And then maybe this to hear some voices…” And so hours go by. Wonderful. A nicely balanced system has that effect on enthusiasts, as you can see.
I’m looking for speakers and have more or less decided on Wilson Sasha 2, but before I commit I’m I the process of having my last look around and TAD speakers keep coming up hence Alpha audio. Question is the only time I’ve heard TAD was about 5 years ago and i found the tweeter a wee bit to bright for my taste. Any idea how modern TAD tweeters sound compared to Wilson’s latest silk dome tweeter??
We haven’t compared those, so it is impossible to tell.
I do not think the TAD tweeters are bright… But hey: my ears, room and system…
How about the difference between the Focal and TAD tweeter? All speakers that i’ve experienced with beryllium have a more upper brightness to there character?
TAD is way more soft than Focal.
I second that. The TAD Evolution 2 is far from what I would describe as sharp. A good way to hear for yourself, just watch this livestream featuring a live band with Middle Eastern music that hit the upper registers. Since the TAD Evolution 2 is against non-beryllium tweeter competitors, the differences in that spectrum are quite easy to hear: https://www.youtube.com/live/HWAKn9BJ_NA
I’m going to travel half way across Sweden to a shop that has the Evolution 2’s for demo, I found that latest live stream with your Tad evo 2’s sounding amazing here in my listening room. I’m looking for my last speaker, 35 years of hifi is coming to an end for me. My system and room is all in order, just need speakers. Top of my list is the Raidho D2.1, but first i want to here the Tad evo 2’s before i commit to the Raidho D2.1. And it ‘s typical that the only pair of Raidho D2.1 for sale is in Holland.
Two very different speakers I suppose. Have fun listening!