TAD Reference loudspeakers-How good are they?

@melbguy1 I see 3db compression from the tweeter in Chart B on the measurements link I provided above. I stated that for a low build cost speaker this is not unusual - so no big deal. I was just explaining what this would sound like versus a high quality reference speaker that would not heavily compress the dynamics of the audio signal at 95 db SPL. The reference speaker would sound harsh and "make ears bleed" at loud levels whereas the heavily compressed sounding speaker will be much more congested and polite.

Shadorne, we can argue about 1db till the cows come home. I suggest you stop looking at graphs and go out and listen to a properly setup pair of S5 Mk1’s. Maybe you’ll be so enamored you’ll snap up a pair? They are relative bargains on the used market now. Enjoy them in good health my friend! Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy my S5 Mk2’s ;).

TAD Ref 1 is my favorite speaker by far but since i will never be able to afford them, i own what i consider to be the second best speaker after the big TAG : Thiel CS 3.7
If you are fortunate enought to have the budget for a pair of TAD Ref 1 you will never regret your

@melbguy1  

Agreed, I also apologize to the OP for my part in making this TAD thread about how fantastic Magico is or isn't.

All thanks for your feedback across the entire thread, no need for apologies as we all get passionate about what we like and sometimes go overboard (guilty as charged here LOL). Magico does make some fine speakers, some much better than others (IMHO) but their heart seems to be in the right place when it comes to pushing the performance barrier all the time. The big Thiels 3.7s and in the old days the 6s and 7.x (if memory serves) were great speakers; thought about buying the higher end of the Thiel line more than once over the years.  I never forget the first 2 speakers I heard that imaged in a way that truly shocked me versus the broad stroke/diffuse sound audio speaker approach of the 70s and 80s; one was a pair of mid-line Infinity's that I owned (RS4s), the other was a pair of Thiel 1.1s in an audio shop in Montgomery Ohio (suburb of Cinci). They were playing Thomas Dolby and Patrick O'Hearn's latest highly regarded albums.  Surprising at the time how specific the imaging was and how the music just hung "correctly" in the air.  Have a great weekend guys!