TAD 3415 Horn System

RogerD

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RogerD

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I took the plunge as I found two TAD 3415 low frequency assemblies with amplifiers. The LF units have 4 15 inch TAD drivers 8 ohms,each channel weighs 400Lbs. The Amps are SS 400W 8 ohms and with (2) 2 channel I can drive the 4 pairs of TAD drivers. My lower room is about 1400 sq ft. I intend to mount a TAD midrange and HF horn to each unit and drive those with my VAC Renaissance 140 and 70/70 amps. I have my engineering friend who will build the crossovers. I haven't decided on the drivers for the horns but there are several Japanese drivers that should work well. I'm not getting any younger and I've always wanted a big horn system.
 

RogerD

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I was talking to the seller and the amps are class A for the first 80 or so watts. My Agtron mono blocks are like that...very clean.
 

DaveC

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I bet they'll be amazing, congrats! $9k seems like a great deal too. At 105 dB sensitivity I don't think you'll ever get those amps out of class A... I'd also try out a nice SET amp for the mids/tweets.

Sometimes Pioneer offers really high end stuff at great prices. I paid under $4k for my Pioneer S-1EX speakers that are darn close to the TAD Evolution Towers.
 

RogerD

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I bet they'll be amazing, congrats! $9k seems like a great deal too. At 105 dB sensitivity I don't think you'll ever get those amps out of class A... I'd also try out a nice SET amp for the mids/tweets.

Sometimes Pioneer offers really high end stuff at great prices. I paid under $4k for my Pioneer S-1EX speakers that are darn close to the TAD Evolution Towers.
Hi Dave,
Seems like I always need a challenge. Those TAD sub arrays should fill the need for my bass cravings. The horns though is where I will focus...lot's of fun.
 

RogerD

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I came across this review of TAD woofers...sounds like they are very good.

"The 1603, I use them, and know others who use this model as well. Deep, heavy, big thump, smooth low mid, very clean, purrs on low notes, handles a great deal of power, very durable, and produces a large amount of low end. I have them horn loaded in my Altec cabinets, and they produce, definitely deeper and smoother sounding to my ears than the JBL 2226. Real drums sound phenomenal through these, as well as bass guitar and keyboard notes and vocals.

I tried EVERYTHING, JBL 2226, TAD, 18Sound, B & C, EV, TAD was the best sounding to me. Low end is HUGE and clean, with a touch of warmth. Price just under $500.00ea. Works very well powered by BGW, Bryston, Crown, QSC, Crest, Lab or any other suitable high quality amplifier with proper power. TAD 1603,s THUMP, and have great low end definition, and are really reliable, they dont break. "
 

bonzo75

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Wow congrats, that looks quite something
 

LL21

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Congrats and look forward to following this thread as the speakers emerge! How long do you think it will take?
 

RogerD

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Wow congrats, that looks quite something

Congrats and look forward to following this thread as the speakers emerge! How long do you think it will take?
Thank you... Hi Lloyd...I never seem to do anything easy. I did pick up the 4 amplifiers that power the LF arrays,so that's good. The VAC's need to be recapped. I have to have a passive crossover made for the mid and HF horns. I'm hoping for 12 to 16 months from now. I'll post some photos and thoughts as this project progresses. I really like the naked look of the horns...I can"t wait to see them setup in my room.

JSX Model TWO
400W @8 ohms 1200W bridged
 

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LL21

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Fantastic! Another great thread to follow!
 

JackD201

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TAD's compression drivers are underrated in the west. If I'm not mistaken they are staples for Kinoshita Rey and are also used by Living Voice (not sure). JBL seems to get most of the attention for in production drivers for the everyman and ALE for in production exotica. You should be in for a great time Roger.
 

RogerD

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TAD's compression drivers are underrated in the west. If I'm not mistaken they are staples for Kinoshita Rey and are also used by Living Voice (not sure). JBL seems to get most of the attention for in production drivers for the everyman and ALE for in production exotica. You should be in for a great time Roger.
Hi Jack,
To be sure...I am excited. I think it will give the sound I want. Thanks!
 

RogerD

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My engineering friend has told me the 3415 uses a passive network w/EQ that enables directionality with the TAD opaxial design. He told me this technology can really sound neat when set up correctly. Some use as a two way design,but mine will be the original 3 way configuration. This THX tech is really interesting as this system was originally designed for Skywalker Ranch/Lucas film in Marin.
 

LL21

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My engineering friend has told me the 3415 uses a passive network w/EQ that enables directionality with the TAD opaxial design. He told me this technology can really sound neat when set up correctly. Some use as a two way design,but mine will be the original 3 way configuration. This THX tech is really interesting as this system was originally designed for Skywalker Ranch/Lucas film in Marin.

Wow...very cool! I am told they use Transparent Audio cables...or used to...so i suppose that is one connection some of us have got with Skywalker Ranch.
 

RogerD

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TAD bass arrays have landed.
 

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DaveC

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IDK if they're really big enough... ;)
 

RogerD

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2017-08-07_145830.jpg Dave...lol, that's what I said,below 20 hz
 
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RogerD

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So this is the plan as of now short term. The horns that I will use with the 3415's will be the Klipsch K402 and the K510 HF with the Klipsch drivers,Unless I can find those horns separate. My long term is to use TAD drivers. The amplifiers will be SS, with 4 JSX model 2's driving the 3415 bass arrays and one JSX 6 channel amp driving the the 4 horns and the center channel. This will give me about 5000 watts.

2 TAD TSC 3415 w/ Klipsch K402,K510 horns + TAD TD4002,TAD4002Z
4 JSX Model 2 Amplifiers, 1 JSX Model 6 Amplifier 400W @ 8 ohms
 

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RogerD

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If anybody has any recommendation on a certain type brand of 2 inch drivers, I'm all ears.
 

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