Final Speaker Decision: TAD R1 vs SF Strad

Sorry guys, didn't respond for a while. The TAD Ref 1 were powered by some top shelf pass lab amps... the XS 300. The preamp, I forgot. The source, I also forgot, but I can assume that they were all top shelf.

I passed on the Ref1. They sold for around 29K if I recall from the last listing, but they just didn't do it for me. I tried to convince myself that this was the speaker for me, but it just wasn't in the cards.

Today, I am looking at the SF Strads or the BW 800 Diamonds. Both are good, Strads have an ear popping image effect.

joey v, I wold go for the SF strads!, very nice indeed, though spec's do not mean all the sound, however, the better the Tad refence 1 speaker's!, with the exception of the khz, which by the way, you would never hear!

Just to complete my thread.

I ended up with the Strads during this debacle.

there is no comparison, tad r1 wins big time. if you do not believe me, hear this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KkD6kEm-vw

now, hic rhodos hic salta, show me your shyte pardon what's the name?

Just to complete my thread.

I ended up with the Strads during this debacle.

Awesome !!!  Congratulations. I had TAD CR-1's and while they were impressive in some areas, they were ultimately too forward for me. I have Strads now as well, and boy do they have soul. Amazing speakers that draw you into the music.