Pioneer TAD-R1 CST Mounting Construction, Crossover Networks, Bass Enclosure Construction

CST Mounting Construction

The CST driver is mounted into an extremely firm enclosure that features a headboard specially formed to optimize the sound emitted from the driver. To further enhance the performance, ISO-Drive technology is used to mechanically isolate the CST driver from its mounting. This greatly reduces the mechanical energy that is the source for enclosure vibration, resulting in reduced delayed resonances and improved resolution of fine detail.

Crossover Networks

The crossover networks use only the finest components. Air cored coils, noninductive resistors, and film capacitors in the signal path are all carefully chosen and optimized for the CST driver to provide the greatest transparency to the signal. The bass drivers use laminated steel-core inductors for highpower handling and low saturation. All components are built on high-grade, glass-epoxy, printed circuit boards with thick copper traces to ensure stability and repeatability of performance.

Bass Enclosure Construction

The enclosure of the TAD Reference One's bass drivers features a frame of 21 mm (0.9 in.) thick laminated birch plywood supported by a CNC processed plywood back board “spine” up to 137 mm (5.7 in.) thick, clad with 50 mm (2 in.) curved side panels created by high-frequency heating. The bass reflex port was modeled after the design concept of the TAD compression driver and horn, resulting in the reduction of wind noise for clear, deep bass. In order to fully realize the drive unit's potential, the drivers are securely mounted to the enclosure and the enclosure is slanted at a four-degree tilt back, optimizing the unit's center of balance. The 150 kg (330 lb) mass of this system produces a correspondingly powerful bass sound that is both clean and subtle. The teardrop- shape both reduces sound diffraction, allowing for excellent acoustics, and also serves to eliminate unnecessary resonance and internal standing waves.

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Enclosure Finish

The enclosure features rare, elegant natural wood that is treated with a transparent finish. Its surface has a beautifully polished mirrored finish, the result of the meticulous, painstaking work of skilled craftsmen.

This product is designed to elicit the full potential of the natural wood used in its enclosure. Note that the color and pattern of the wood is slightly different for each unit.

TAD Reference One Owner’s Manual 7