CES 2015

This experimental iteration of the TAD-CE1 from Technical Audio Devices—a.k.a. celebrity loudspeaker designer Andrew Jones—has a machined aluminum side panel that is patterned to resemble sound waves. The beryllium vapor-deposited tweeter is placed concentrically within the magnesium midrange above the multi-layered aramid composite woofer. The enclosure is a combination of birch plywood and fiberboard with side slot ports. The Compact Evolution 1, to give the full name, retails for $2650/pair with stands, placing it among TAD's more affordable products. The demo was quite convincing, with superb imaging, strong dynamics, and TAD's characteristic deliciously warm tone.