Ta-da! TAD's luxury standmounters tease magical sound – but all your money might disappear
TAD introduces the three-way ME1TX standmount speakers

Japanese audio brand TAD has announced its latest pair of ultra high-end standmount speakers. Technical Audio Devices' TAD-ME1TX, to give them their full name, replace the established TAD-ME1 from 2016 and promise a "truly immersive, soul-stirring experience" thanks to their "meticulous engineering and superior materials".
The ME1TX employ a three-way, bass-reflect design. The TAD's proprietary 9cm CST midrange driver achieves what its maker claims is "clear and solid imaging" and a more natural sound-field reproduction, while a 25mm beryllium diaphragm tweeter uses the brand's computer-analysed sound optimisation tech for precise control of the diaphragm vibrations and a more wide-ranging sound. Handling the ME1TX's "deep, clear bass" is a 16cm composite cone woofer, composed of laminated layers of fabric and a redesigned woofer basket for greater structural strength.
Further technologies bolster the ME1TX's credentials. The new speakers use TAD's 'Silent' laminated enclosure which blends birch-plywood braces and MDF panels for "outstanding low-resonance" from the cabinet. 5mm steel panels on either side of the cabinet enclosure further aim to reduce cabinet vibrations and preserve the purity of the speakers' sound.
The new standmounts employ a 'Bidirectional Aero-Dynamic Slot' design which uses slit-shaped ports on the enclosures' side panels, incorporating flared openings to allow a smoother airflow and reduce port noise generated at high volumes, further contributing to what TAD describes as a "rich, responsive bass" signature.
These are still TAD’s smallest and least expensive speakers, though as you'll see below, that's still very much the thinner edge of a very fat wedge. These aren't everyday speakers for us mere mortals (unless you clear out your life savings), but multi-thousand-pound speakers are normal territory for TAD. A set of Compact Evolution TAD-CR1TX, for instance, will set you back a mighty £79,500 / $87,500.
The ME1TX come in either a black or a silver-white finish and will be available worldwide from Spring 2025. Speaker stands can be purchased separately, with prices as follows:
- TAD-ME1TX-K (black finish): £17,500 / $18,200 / €17,300
- TAD-ST3TX-K (black stands): £2995 / $2800 / €2800 per pair
- TAD-ME1TX-SW (silver finish): £17,500 / $19,200 / €17,500
- TAD-ST3TX-SW (silver stands): £2,995 / $2900 / €2900 per pair
Get the What Hi-Fi? Newsletter
The latest hi-fi, home cinema and tech news, reviews, buying advice and deals, direct to your inbox.
MORE:
We partnered three What Hi-Fi? Award winners to build a sensational streaming system
These are the best bookshelf speakers you can buy
Best active speakers: the best budget to high-end active models tested by our experts
Harry McKerrell is a senior staff writer at What Hi-Fi?. During his time at the publication, he has written countless news stories alongside features, advice and reviews of products ranging from floorstanding speakers and music streamers to over-ear headphones, wireless earbuds and portable DACs. He has covered launches from hi-fi and consumer tech brands, and major industry events including IFA, High End Munich and, of course, the Bristol Hi-Fi Show. When not at work he can be found playing hockey, practising the piano or trying to pet strangers' dogs.
-
Rui Totally agree ,i´ve looked for new speakers for the last 5 years and i ended up buying them from JBL that since i was young was my choice "when in doubt ,buy JBL" and so i did it and i´m happy with it and the money came from my father´s heritage , he died 4 years ago, this TAD you refer are very good but the price on them will make them rare in some years, around 30.000€ with the stands that for it´s the price alone ,some don´t even can afford a set of speakers by that value meaning ,Reply
not ,that they aren´t audiophiles only not all have the budget to spend that amount , and the Elac was my choice as the pair with a good sound quality cost me almost 900€ at cost price , as i knew this brand for a lot of years and was never bad as some 70´s Elac material is very high quality to today´s standarts. The building quality stays ahead of many brands.
Also heard the floor standing ones ,reference 1 ,i think as their material is also very good as i heard the speakers with their own equipment ,excelent.
The Nagra equipment or the system(aniversary one, i think)showed in hi-fi fairs was incredible and with a open reel deck but when i heard the price , i almost couldn´t believe but if good sound is the matter Nagra ia the brand as TAD and many others, two years ago also heard PrimaLuna equipment and i had to had it was hard but i´m happy with it as Dan D´Agostino also another great brand in a high level of quality, just my opinion