Soundstage, build quality & great customer service.

None at the price points the products are offered at.

This review is for the Tyler Acoustics Mini Monitor. Ty upgraded the midrange driver to the Seas Magnesium 5.25" midrange and a 1" Scanspeak tweeter. The finish is a very nice black oak veneer that helps them disappear physically like they do sonically into my living room. I like the understated look. Other finishes would have my speakers looking like the nicest furniture in my living room. It’s the “how can that beautiful lush music be coming out of those black boxes effect?” They weigh 22lbs each. For the size of the cabinet this is an amazingly heavy speaker. Built with 1"”MDF, they are basically a solid brick hollowed out to house the drivers! The bass is very tight and controlled, while the highs are distinctive and lush, without being bright and fatiguing. I can listen at fairly high levels for hours and hours without any fatigue whatsoever. Vocals are what these speakers do best. If you’re into acoustic/vocal music, you will be in heaven with these speakers. On a nightly basis Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, John Hiatt and a host of others visit me in my living room. Placement of my old speakers was always very sensitive. Adjusting the soundstage dramatically with every little movement of toe in. These speakers provide a much larger sweet spot, with so much more 3D stereo soundstage effect. I can place different instruments within the soundstage and exactly place the movement of a single vocal. Someone else here had mentioned as I have observed how these speakers handle increased power. It seems as if at a certain point they cease to get louder (pretty dam loud), and just open up the soundstage and details, without ever distorting. After owning these speakers for a month it was clear that my old center channel did not blend well with my new fronts. Ty built me a single speaker for my center and WOW! Now I know what a matched front soundstage sounds like for music DVD’s and movies! The synergy across the front three speakers is very involving during a movie with pinpoint accuracy. The speakers are an absolute steal for the money Ty gets for them. If your looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers in the a little over 1K price range these can’t be beat! Two months having past it was time to upgrade my sub as well. My Boston Acoustics PV1000 was a very nice sub but could not seem to keep up with the new fronts. The PV1000 was great for HT use but was a little slow and bloated for 2 channel listening. Now if it weren’t for the physical size of the Taylo sub you would never know it was there. It blends SO WELL with the mini monitors! My Taylo sub was built in a down firing configuration, as I was worried about (child & small dog) the standard front facing speaker sub design offering. Again Ty is a pleasure to deal with and will take, as much time as needed with you to insure you are happy with your purchase. I probably took a little too much of his time (I’m a pain in the ass), and he never once flinched. In closing I just want to say thanks to all that took the time to write a review here! I stumbled here one day, read the reviews and ordered a set of speakers. This is what the internet is all about. I never would have heard of Tyler Acoustics in Owensboro, KY otherwise!

The smoothest upper mids and highs you will hear at twice the price. Surprising bass response, it's there with great recordings and placement is an absolute breeze. Did me or anyone else mention soundtage? WOW!

DEEP bass, but I'm not a DEEP bass fan. These speakers would fight with 804 bass response.

I'll try to keep this short, but anyone who starts a sentence like that is going to be long winded. I'll do my best to break that rule. Ty is everything everyone has already stated: a gentleman, very knowledgable, and self effacing. He is so humble that it makes want to drive to Kentucky and buy his family dinner to just observe what must be a content family! The speakers are incredible! I'm not sure what I was expecting, having never auditioned them. I was actually perusing this sight looking at reviews for Totem and Triangle. All of the forward and back clicking on the computer, I accidentally clicked Tyler Acoustics and just went in to browse. After reading the 31 previous reviews I just had to see what all of the fuss was about. So I called him. 20 minute conversation about life, including music, his philosophy on speakers, yadayadayada. I got off the phone after placing an order and making a new friend. I hope to meet him someday, I assure you if I am anywhere near Owensboro, KY I will plan a visit to his facility. My wife will have to be patient. The sound of this speaker is so moving that it is hard to describe in writing, just read all of the other reviews and believe them without reservation. I have had my B&W Nautilus 805's for a little over a year and I wanted to love them, honest. They are a VERY good speaker (the 804's were not impressive when I was buying) but something was missing in the delivery of the high end. I listen to music for the relaxation and enjoyment and I could never "fully" relax while listening to the B&W's at any volume level. Very frustrating, so much so that I believed the acoustics for my listening room were to blame (11' x 13' with 2 windows, a door and a high ceiling). Well...after a solid 4 hours of listening to these wonderful speakers in the same room, with the same stands, speaker placement, equipment and acoustics, it is really shocking the difference! I am currently boxing my 805's and have listed them on EBAY with no reserve. The B&W's aren't a bad speaker, they are just VERY good speakers while I would rate these Reference Monitors as THE SINGLE BEST AUDIO DOLLARS I HAVE EVER SPENT. Ty has a customer for life with me and after one demo for yourself, you will be too! Best regards to all.

Similar Products Used:

B&W Nautilus 805, Paradigm Reference 60v2 This system: Tyler Acoustics Taylo Reference Monitors Cary Audio CD-308 Unison Research UNICO integrated (Highly recommended) w/Cifte tubes vintage 1959

Crystal, bright in the best sense of the word, crip clear treble.

Maybe a little weak on the bass if you like music that really thumps, but I use a powered sub that makes up for that.

I sold my Sonus Faber Concerto Homes for more than I paid at auction for these TERRIFIC monitors. SF are great, but superior treble of the Tylers is what I love. I might give the SF the edge on warmth of the mids, but that is only a might. I like the midrange on the Tylers, as it is more aggressive and lively and less "dark" than the Concertos. Whenever you see these babies on auction at Audiogon.com, GRAB THEM!!! They are great and Ty is an awesome guy to deal with, the best there is.

Similar Products Used:

Sonus Faber Concerto Home Thiel CS 1.5

I will keep this short and sweet. After owning many fine monitors over the years I have found some keepers with my Tyler Monitors. The sound stage is incredible, the cabinetry is exquisite, and the placement is easy. I am running a modest system now and couldn't be happier with the music. As everyone seems to mention...Ty is one of the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure to do business with. System: Sim Moon i5 integrated Sim Moon Nova CD Tyler Reference Monitors (Tiger Maple) Kimber Silver Streak Kimber 8TC Put this together and I am a happy listener...who needs more? Thanks Ty

Has all the usual "audiophile" traits in abundance; limited, but very useful low frequency response. Very high quality parts, well built. The very best customer service, period.

Ty does not live in Phoenix

These are just great speakers. I don't find myself analyzing/describing the sound with words, but just enjoy listening to my music.

Similar Products Used:

ProAc Super Tablette, Spendor LS3/5a, JM Labs Daline 3.1, auditioned most good speakers out there over the past 20 years.

Tyler speakers provide an articulate, detailed, dynamic sound with outstanding midrange, smooth extended treble, tight bass, and excellent soundstaging; beautiful cabinet construction with very high quality drivers and other internal parts; they work equally well with tube and solid- state amps; excellent customer service and upgrade program.

None.

I've owned a pair of Tyler Reference Monitors for almost one year. I just bought a second pair for my turntable system last week. I've used them with several amps, pre-amps, cd-players, wires, and other speakers, in two very different rooms. I've been hooked on audio since my freshman year in college way back in 1966. The Tyler "Tylo Reference Monitor" speakers have made a greater positive impact on my stereo system than anything in my almost 40 years of listening. The construction quality of these speakers match their almost $3000 price tag. The veneers on the cabinets have a deep and very beautiful appearance. The drivers used are of very high quality, as are the crossovers and internal wiring. They weigh-in at well over 30 pounds each (that's more than some floor standing speakers). Put some sand in the Tyler Model One Speaker Stands and the total weight is around 100 pounds on each side. The sound can only be described as articulate, detailed and very dynamic. The midrange is outstanding, vocals are to-die-for. The bass is tight and tuneful to around 40 hz (I personally thought it superior in quality and quanity to the well reviewed Reference 3a DeCapo). The treble is smooth and well extended. Soundstaging is very wide with good depth. It is simply very hard to stop listening to music while using these speakers. If you are familar with Linda Thompson's new Cd, "Fashionably Late," I can tell you that the double bass played by Danny Thompson on 'Nine Stone Rig' has a texture and force not heard on other speakers. The lead and harmony vocals on 'Evona Darling' are illuminating (best adjective I can think of) in their live you-are-there sound. Richard Thompson's voice and guitar stand out on the opening song, 'Dear Mary,' much better on the Tyler's than with a pair of large floorstanding speakers from Near. The last thing to mention about Tyler speakers is their excellent customer service and upgrade program. If you ever go to Owensboro, Kentucky, a beautiful little city on the Ohio River, visit the Tyler Acoustics factory. My wife and I were very warmly welcomed to a tour of the factory, and we even saw two new speakers that they are just starting to produce.

Similar Products Used:

Reference 3a DeCapo; Near 50me; Mourdant-Short 30i; Fried A3a.

World Class Monitor at a real world price. Cabinets are a work of art.

None!

YEAHHH BABY... I like many of you have been an a long and expensive journey to find a pair of monitors that have it all. I've finally arrived. The Tyler Acoustics Reference Monitors are probably the best kept secret in audioland. When they arrived I was taken back by the weight and finish of the little gems. The tiger maple finish is stunning and when placed on the tyler stands the become a focal point of a room. I find the sound to be world class. I have always been a fan of small monitors. The performance is tight and rich. The base is deep(enough for my taste) and controlled. My first impression of these monitors, as another reviewer stated is the sound is delicate. I won't go on to repeat what other reviewers have already said except to say that Ty Lashbrook is one of the nicest guys you will ever have the good fortune to deal with. I am driving these with a Sim Moon i5, Cal Audio CD, Kimber silver streaks and Kimber 8tc Put all of this together and I believe "who needs more"... I'm just enjoying the music. Thanks Ty

Accurate and Full Bodied Sound. Easy to listen to for hours on end.

NONE (In my system)

I purchased these speakers after a good friend purchased them and I auditioned them at his house. WOW! Is all I can say. I upgraded to these from a pair of Sonus Fabers and I have not looked back. The driver compliment alone is reason to purchase these speakers. Balance and tonal richness are so easily acheived with delicacy that should cost so much more. These speakers are truly a bargain at what Ty sells them for. I kind of feel like I got the better end of the deal in this purchase. The soundstage is large yet focused with a liquidity that rivals speakers in the 15k and up category. In my dedicated listening room, the bass extension is deep and tight. I am completely happy and no longer and travleing the upgrade path. I am just buying more music. BTW: Ty is a gentleman and a great speaker builder. Dealing with him is a pleasure. Associated Equipment: Electrocompaniet ECI-3 Int. Amp Sony XA7ES CDP Tyler Reference Monitors & Stands AudioQuest Anaconda XLR Interconnect XLO Type 5 Speaker Wire Shunyata Power Cords

Similar Products Used:

DynAudio, Sonus Faber, JM Lab, and Revel

Ty Lashbrook-If you are considering any model in his speaker line, please call him. You're sure to find out what many of us owners have...that a craftsman and gentleman from the old school both builds and stands behind his products. While the performance and cabinetry of his speakers make them THE BEST bargains in audiophile gear, you really can't put a number on the value-added that Ty brings to your purchase.

None. But if you want to get more from your speakers down the road, Ty will be happy to talk trade/upgrade-it's win-win!

The Taylo Reference Monitors have far exceeded my expectations! They present recorded music with almost perfect realism. Voices come alive, and instruments ALL can be heard with clarity and no coloration. The build quality is incredible. For many, including me, the cabinets will be the best pieces of furniture in the room!

Similar Products Used:

Advent,Pinnacle,Infinity

I hear less from these speakers than from other speakers I am familiar with. I believe what I'm NOT hearing is what other speakers I am familiar with have ADDED to their inputs. To my ears, this is reduced low-level noise (driver movement after the signal stops? Crossover component distortions? Phase anomalies?). The sound of these speakers strike me as more harmonious than anything I've had before. If I had to interpret that into something objective, I would guess it to be vastly reduced non-harmonic content (IM distortion?). I'm beyond satisfied; I'm in heaven. As such, I'm an avid Tyler Acoustics and Ty Lashbrook fan. He’s an honest-to-goodness, fair-dealing, customer-oriented, master speaker builder.

All components have weaknesses, but in the case of the Taylo Reference Monitors, they are not important enough to mention. I can ignore them completely.

This review is for a pair of Taylo Reference Monitors with an upgrade to Cardas connectors and Cardas wiring. The finish is Rosewood veneer and is magnificent. The Reference 1 stands are a class act as well. Being used (bought from Ty Lashbrook in an Audiogon auction), these speakers are well broken-in so my listening comments relate to a stable Taylo Reference Monitor. Over several weeks I’ve very carefully pondered everything I’ve mentioned here. These speakers disappear into the soundstage and images within the soundstage are rock solid. They are smooth as silk with the perfect amount of warmth. There is excellent bite from brass without harshness and they are fast and agile. There is excellent punch (from 40Hz up; my subwoofer accounts for the lowest octave). The sound is slightly forgiving when less than excellent recordings are played. There is also a complete lack of boominess. The soundstage has exceptional height that on rare recordings seems to emanate from above the ceiling. Width can be startling; sound is sometimes anchored to objects in the room that are well outside of the speakers. Depth is exceptional. There is high frequency extension without brightness. I am unable to hear any artifacts from the crossover between midrange and tweeter. Most surprisingly, they will play at live concert levels without any sign of strain (the main reason I originally went in search of new speakers). As a whole, these speakers have a better balance of attributes than anything I've ever had and there is absolutely no listener fatigue. I can listen to them for hours on end. I specifically wanted a small monitor with only two, very high quality drivers that are positioned closely together. Such a speaker approximates a point source and small monitors have a lot fewer cabinet resonances. A small cabinet gets out of the way and has very little in the way of reflective surfaces. For my money, this is THE small monitor. It will play at live concert levels and therefore has it all. I believe the Taylo Reference Monitor is my last speaker. The rest of my system consists of a Sony SCD C-333ES SACD player modified by Dan Wright (www.modwright.com), Marsh P2000 preamp, Odyssey Stratos amp with the 120,000uf power supply and a Bag End Infrasub-18 subwoofer. I use separate 85hz passive, first-order, high-pass crossovers between the subwoofer and Tayl

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Electrostatics, Magneplanars and other dynamic speakers