TAD (Technical Audio Devices) has a rather well-deserved reputation for audio engineering excellence and state-of-the-art sonic performance. The Japanese manufacturer does not cut corners with its loudspeakers or electronics and that level of execution and design comes with a rather hefty price tag. You want the best? Prepare to pay for it. The new TAD ME1TX are “affordable” if you scroll through their extensive catalog and compare them to everything else — but $18,000 is still quite a launching point for entry-level.
Are they worth it? Based on the sales success of the previous iteration, the market seems to think so.
The ME1TX
The ME1TX bookshelf speaker system are part of their Evolution series and there is a lot going on under the hood and in regard to the cabinet and drivers. This speaker system is the successor to the ME1, which was originally introduced in 2016. The ME1TX adds improvements that elevate performance to TAD’s current standards.
CST Driver
The ME1TX incorporates TAD’s proprietary CST (Coherent Source Transducer) driver. With a 9 cm diameter, the driver delivers single-point-source and controls the directivity of the midrange and tweeter, delivering ultra-wide-range reproduction from 420 Hz to 60 kHz with transparent and solid imaging.
The CST Driver incorporates a Tweeter and Midrange in the same assembly.
Tweeter: The tweeter component portion of the CST driver uses a newly developed 25 mm beryllium light rigid diaphragm made with TAD’s vapor deposition technique.
TAD has applied a computer-analyzed optimization technique called the 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.
Midrange: The midrange employs a diaphragm made from magnesium alloy which is lightweight and supports high internal loss properties. In addition, a combination of anodization and coating is applied to the surface of the diaphragm which provides additional hardness.
In addition, the arm of the frame basket that houses a magnetic circuit has been redesigned to support additional structural strength, which provides smoother propagation of sound waves behind the midrange diaphragm.
Woofer
The Woofer has a diameter of 16 cm and employs a Multi-layered Aramid Composite Cone (MACC) diaphragm composed of laminated layers of woven aramid fabric and non-woven fabric of different materials. TAD claims that this supports richer, clearer bass as well as 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. In addition, 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.
Silent Enclosure
The ME1TX is housed in a SILENT (Structurally Inert Laminated Enclosure Technology) enclosure, which combines sturdy birch-plywood braces with medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels for high internal loss, structural strength, and optimized vibration dampening. The addition of 5 mm-thick steel panels to the right and left sides of the enclosure further reduces cabinet vibration.
Bidirectional ADS Port
Just like its predecessor, the ME1TX incorporates TAD”s Bidirectional Aero-Dynamic Slot (ADS) port design. There are slit-shaped ports (ducts) inside the right and left side panels of the enclosure with flared openings to the front and rear that allow a smoother airflow. This helps reduce port noise and keeps internal standing waves from escaping from the ports. This supports fuller and more responsive bass.
Speaker Specifications
| Speaker Type | Bass-reflex bookshelf |
| Driver Configuration | 3-way |
| Woofer | 16 cm cone |
| Midrange and Tweeter | Concentric 9 cm midrange and 2.5 cm dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 36 Hz to 60 kHz |
| Crossover Frequencies | 420 Hz and 2.5 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 85 dB (2.83 V @ 1 m) |
| Maximum Input Power | 150 W |
| Rated Impedance | 4 Ω |
| Unit Polarity | LF (+), MF (+), HF (+) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 254 x 411 x 402 mm (10 x 16.18 x 15.83 inches) |
| Weight | 21 kg (46 lbs 5 oz) |
| Supplied Accessories | Woofer grille Shorting cable x 2 Non-slip pad x 4 Cleaning cloth Owner’s manual |
Matching Speaker Stands
The optional matching TAD-ST3TX-K and TAD-ST3TX-SW stands 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.
Stand Specifications
Dimensions (WxHxD – without spikes) | 376 x 642 x 437 mm (14.8 x 25.28 x 17.2 inches) |
| Weight | 16 kg (35 lbs 4 oz) |
| Supplied Accessories for pair | Cone-shaped spike x 6 Tip-resistant spike x 4 Spike holder x 6 Cork sheet x 6 Assembly screw x 16 Screw for mounting speaker firmly on top plate x 4 Owner’s manual |
The Bottom Line
TAD continues to live up to its reputation of incorporating innovative technologies into its products, and the ME1TX speakers are no exception.
However, when you compare the actual specifications between the original ME1 released in 2016 and the new ME1TX, they are identical in terms of driver sizes and complements, frequency response, crossover points, sensitivity, and power handling.
According to TAD, improvements have been made to the CST and MACC technologies used and other refinements have been added to the mix, but just how much daylight there is between the outgoing model and the ME1TX remains to be seen — and heard.
Our listening experience with TAD’s loudspeakers have convinced us that they make some of the best loudspeakers in the world and that comes with an understanding that they require state-of-the-art electronics to make the investment worthwhile.
With that in mind, It might be a good time to pick up a pair of ME1s as long as they are available. They are priced less than the projected $18,200 pair price for the ME1TX (check an authorized dealer to see what their price difference might be).
Price & Availability
The ME1TX comes in two color variants, Black (K) and Satin White (SW). 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
USA EU UK TAD-ME1TX-K (Speaker) $18,200 €17,300 £14,600 TAD-ST3TX-K (Stand) $2,800 €2,800 £2,400 TAD-ME1TX-SW (Speaker) $19,200 €17,500 £14,800 TAD-ST3TX-SW (Stand) $2,900 €2,900 £2,450
The TAD-ME1TX-K/SW speakers and ST3TX-K/SW stands will be available through Authorized TAD Dealers beginning later in Spring 2025.
Related Reading
- TAD CE1TX Loudspeakers: Editor’s Choice
- TAD Labs Introduces the Evolution Series TAD-GE1 Speaker System
- TAD Announces the M1000TX Stereo Power Amplifier
- TAD Labs Releases Reference Series TAD-C700 Preamp
