Tokyo, JP (January 30, 2025) – Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. (TADL) a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-end audio components and speaker systems, is proud to announce the TAD-ME1TX bookshelf speaker system, the newest addition to its Evolution Series of hi-fi speakers. Replacing the critically acclaimed TAD-ME1, originally introduced in 2016, the refined ME1TX raises the bar with meticulous engineering and superior materials to deliver a truly immersive, soul-stirring music-listening experience, true to TAD’s mission.
The ME1TX embodies TAD’s enduring design philosophy, which is characterized by an uncompromising pursuit of engineering perfection while preserving design elements that stand the test of time. Refinements incorporated into the ME1TX to achieve its next-level audio performance include a newly-developed tweeter in the Coherent Source Transducer (CST) driver that features a beryllium diaphragm manufactured using TAD’s proprietary vapor-deposition technique—just like those found in TAD’s higher-end speakers. Inherited from its predecessor is the already-proven Bidirectional Aero-Dynamic Slot (ADS) port design. The speaker comes in two sleek finishes: classic black and a new radiant “silver white.”
Main Features
1. 9 cm CST driver delivers ideal single-point-source sound
The ME1TX boasts TAD’s proprietary CST driver, which controls the directivity of the concentrically mounted midrange and tweeter over an extended frequency range from the point of matching phase. 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.
2. Tweeter features a beryllium diaphragm
The ME1TX uses a newly developed, light yet rigid 25 mm beryllium diaphragm for its tweeter, manufactured with TAD’s proprietary vapor deposition technique. 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.
3. Midrange features a newly developed magnesium diaphragm with a high internal-loss characteristic
The midrange’s diaphragm made of magnesium alloy achieves lightweight and high internal loss properties. 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.
4. Woofer features an MACC diaphragm
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.
5. SILENT enclosure combines structural strength with an outstanding vibration-dampening characteristic
The ME1TX comes in a SILENT (Structurally Inert Laminated Enclosure Technology) enclosure, which combines sturdy birch-plywood braces with medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels having a high internal loss to provide superb structural strength and an outstanding low-resonance characteristic. The addition of 5 mm-thick steel panels to the right and left sides of the enclosure further reduces the vibration of the cabinet down to a minimum. Moreover, acoustic absorbent chosen and placed carefully inside the enclosure, based on meticulous analyses of internal standing waves, helps eliminate standing waves that would adversely affect the sound field and imaging performance of the speaker.
6. Bidirectional ADS port design contributes to rich and natural-sounding bass
As its predecessor, the ME1TX employs the Bidirectional Aero-Dynamic Slot (ADS) port design, 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 through them. This design helps reduce port noise generated at high amplitude levels and keeps internal standing waves from escaping from the ports, resulting in a rich, responsive bass. The symmetrically placed port openings, both laterally and along the front-rear axis, cancel out vibrations from the port movement to deliver a natural-sounding bass response.
7. Two color variants to choose from to match room decor
The ME1TX comes in two color variants to offer options to choose from to better match the room decor. In addition to the black finish, which was available to its predecessor, the ME1TX is also available in new silver white finish. Skilled artisans spend hours finishing each enclosure with meticulous care, beginning with applying high-grade, clear coating to the surface and buffing the base coating and finishing with surface polishing. The ME1TX comes as standard with non-slip pads to be placed under the enclosure, a cleaning cloth, and a woofer grille having a minimum adverse effect on the speaker’s performance.
8. Matching speaker stand specially designed for TAD-ME1TX (sold only in pairs)
The matching TAD-ST3TX-K and TAD-ST3TX-SWstands are designed to bring out the best of the ME1TX. They employ a slanted design to suppress the reflection and diffraction of the sound from the speaker and achieve greater structural strength and a high vibration-dampening characteristic.
