Audiobugg

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $289.00 from Direct

Summary:
I wrote the previous review in Dec. 2007, and at the time of writing came to an unsatisfactory conclusion due to what I heard as a certain harshness to this speakers presentation. Yes, I had broken it in for at least 300 hours, and had tried several different cables, all to no avail. I had long passed the allowable return time, so I moved these speakers to a much used office system. After an additional 300 hours of play time, I could not believe what I was hearing. The harshness I had heard before was gone. Instead I was hearing what I had hoped for when I first decided to buy them; an open, clean, musical sound. It is evident to me that Paul needs to tell all potential buyers to be patient, and not to expect any great shakes out of the box, or even at a few hundred hours. Like a fine wine or cigar these speakers do become much better with age.
These are indeed worth their asking price, and in my opinion now, worth much more. In my experience you would have to spend 3 to 4 times the price to equal them. Their bass response in my system clearly calls for a sub-woofer, but that combo. really allows these speakers to shine.
I still think Paul's return policy is a joke, but I don't believe it will matter if one takes the time to let these speakers "Age." I would not hesitate to buy them again.

Strengths:
The lack of a crossover makes these speakers sound clear, and pristine.

Weaknesses:
Long, long, long ,break in period. Lack of deep bass, easily corrected by adding a quality sub-woofer. Unrealistic return policy for speakers.

Similar Products Used:
In the under $4,000.00 range if I have not owned it, I've probably heard it.

Audiobugg

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $289.00 from Dealer Direct

Summary:
I purchased these speakers based on their very attractive pricing, and the fact that in the past I purchased a pre-amp, and integrated tube amp from Paul, and have been satisfied with each purchase. I'm sorry to say that these speakers did not work for me. I ran the heck out of them to break them in so I could give them a fair chance, but I could never get comfortable with their sound. I listen at somewhat loud levels and there was a strident quality to their presentation that I could not eliminate. I tried a tube integrated amp, as well as a very smooth sounding solid state amp, but no cigar. I tried several types of speaker wires, still not happy. Now please note that the performance of any component is very system, as well as room dependent, and my not liking their sound could be a problem exclusive to my set up, YMMV. I do have to warn potential buyers to beware because while Paul does give a 21 day home trial, it's going to cost you a bunch of bucks if it does not work out for you. The price is $289.99 + 45.00 shipping + another $45.00 to ship them back, and yet another $45.00 "Re-Stocking fee" so you do the math. One last problem; while they are packed very well, mine still had a blem.

Strengths:
Price.

Weaknesses:
Sounded strident at loud levels in my system.

Similar Products Used:
B&W, Monitor Audio,PSB, Von Schreikert, to name a few, and many others over the years

whiskeytango6

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.60 of 5, 10.00 votes

Price Paid:  $289.00 from dealer direct

Summary:
There are things in life that can't be explained, and things that shouldn't be explained......the TAD 805 is just that.......an enigma. This speaker resembles another well know $2500.00 loudspeaker of British make.......sans around $2100.00 of the cost. I ordered direct from the maker, the speaker of course is made in China, which helps to keep costs down........I had 1 or 2 minor flaws in the finish..........BUT! for a $300.00 speaker in high gloss piano black........you can't be picky about finishes.....overall.....a beautifully well done speaker. I ran them in at around 300 hrs. listened during that time with the grill off........yes, it is better........and, looks cool as hell!
The 2 way system is actually crossoverless.........so that the two drivers act as one.......almost in line with a lowther.
The sound produced is captivating........you must run these with an adequate time to break in, until loosened up the sound can be dull, tight, congested.......and then......you can tell!............the sound just opens up like the heavens during a thunderstorm.........so very dramatic.......once again, I believe due to the lack of crossover. Excellent pitch and timbre with a tight and forceful bass........down to a respectable 42hz.
The mids, which is the beating heart of any loudspeaker was indeed beating with grace..........clear, concise; voicing is phenominal.......this is a speaker that should cost $2500.00 but doesn't ! IT SOUNDS LIKE IT, PRODUCES MUSIC LIKE IT, LOOKS LIKE IT......AND BRINGS JOY LIKE IT! For $300.00...............You cannot go wrong!
There is one caveat. During my listening, I picked up on quite a bit of cabinet resonance.........enough to cause a potential problem with coloration to the sound produced. I firmly believe that cabinet resonance is a desired benefit if it is produced in proportion to the sound heard. The louder the speakers played the more resonance was heard and felt! I applied several sheets of lo res to the internals of the cabinets and turned this giant killer in a lo-resonance giant killer. It definately helped in the mids! Resonance can make a speaker sing and adds life; prevents the speaker from turning into a sterile, antiseptic, dull $120,000.00 transducer............you know who.......Don't hesitate to aquire the TAD's.....they are very, very good!

Strengths:
price>value
sound produced compared to price.
Quality of drivers.
tight controlled bass
non-fatiguing!!!!!!!
an overall excellent speaker

Weaknesses:
Cabinet resonance with increasing spl's

Similar Products Used:
Tetra 305 manhattan
Paradigm studio 20
NHT 3.0

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I admit, I was paid to say the review

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Randall Johnson

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.34 of 5, 71.00 votes

Price Paid:  $349.00 from TubeAudioDesign.com

Summary:
The new TAD-805SD replaces last years 803SD vinyl clad speakers. Much has changed! Heavier walls with improved high tech engineering. Has no crossover, offering imagery and clarity that rivals speakers costing five times more. Perhaps the best sounding large bookshelf speaker out there. Hi-Tech and well made. Only sold mail order, so the price is very low. Custom stands, matching subs and center channel speakers too. Another Tube Audio Design winner.

Strengths:
The new 2007 Aural Ecstasy bookshelf speakers will blow you away! Been around for 3 years under the Aural Ersatz label (Ersatz vinyl wood finish). Now much improved. Heavier side wall construction, made with real wood veneer or a clear coat gloss black under the new Aural Ecstasy brand (no more vinyl). New AE badge, same place sells them. The 2007 Aural Ecstasy 805SD replaced the 2006 803SD. Engineering tweaked to the max – manufacturer says the overseas factory has updated their R&D lab – it really shows! This speaker pair plays wide and detailed, perhaps holographic, better than speakers priced 5X more. The main design feature is the way the enclosure size and curved shape is the crossover – no electronic parts added to blur the sound like most speakers out there. Instead the wide band woven Kevlar cone main driver is directly wired to your amplifier, no parts between. They play flat natural seamless frequency response that is solid down to 45Hz without the slight bass hump the 803 had (sold my 803s – nice, this new 805 is in another league). Highs easily extend up to 25kHz as the spec reads. Rated 87db, probably more like 88-89, my tube amps have no trouble driving them very loud. I really can’t tell you how much I love this pair! Just Buy them!

Weaknesses:
Two small bumps – First I had a hard time deciding what finish I liked best. The clear coat piano black is deep like it is dipped in glass (I have the heavy iron and wood shelf stands with this flawless black finish). The real cherry wood veneer is warm and inviting – like furniture, not a paper thin veneer so many speakers try and push as wood. Aural Ecstasy veneer has occasional random small knots and dimples, very natural looking, more like furniture than speakers. Second bump, they take a very long time to fully break-in. 3-weeks is just the beginning. 2 months is more like it – totally different sounding compared to first out of the box. Brand new they sound stiff, lack imagery - this changes drastically in a matter of weeks. One day the imagery switch is turned on. Give them some time you will not be disappointed. I expect to keep this beautiful pair for a very long time.
The purchase price is too low - hard to compare. Keep in mind the suggested list price of $1899 when shopping.

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch RF-75
Sonus Faber Concertino's
Numerous 70's 80's JBL's etc.

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