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Reference 3A Taksim II Loudspeaker
Taksim II Loudspeaker
Based on our proven hyper-exponential woven carbon fiber driver technology, a newly revised, dedicated main driver was optimized for the TAKSIM. Covering an unusually wide range of the musical spectrum, our unique transducer is directly coupled to amplifiers.
It requires no complex crossovers. This avoids interruptions to musical signal, dynamic compression and phase errors. Every tiny musical detail is received with fast, dynamic coherent and precise response.
DESCRIPTION
TAKSIM cabinets are densely coated Nextel in anthracite colour. It is a unique finish that absorbs light and sound creating a very silent cabinet. They are also very rigidly constructed with dense panels and several perforated braces in critical points, horizontally and vertically. Superfluous vibration energy from the enclosure is significantly reduced and does not interfere with the clarity of sound. The main driver is also free from sympathetic frame vibrations. Our unique mechanical grounding system drains mechanical vibration energy from the drivers, allowing them to perform optimally.
The new pure Beryllium dome tweeter is custom optimized to acoustically match perfectly with the main driver. Positioned and aligned precisely in a recessed acoustic wave guide our new Beryllium dome tweeter sounds precise, fast, detailed and well extended to very high frequencies. An excellent non inductive capacitor is used as the sole high pass filter at an exact frequency point to coherently integrate the drivers. Specially selected, cryogenically treated, OCC single crystal pure copper conductors with Teflon dielectric in appropriate thicknesses are used internally to ensure perfect signal transmission to the drivers.
Patented Surreal Acoustic Lenses are now installed in the core center of our main drivers. They are unique and are very effective in preventing the formation of vortex generated by air turbulence and related noise inherently present in cone shaped drivers. Equipped with Surreal Acoustic lenses and free from the turbulence noise our drivers perform with enhanced clarity, natural tonal balance and wider dispersion.
Assembled inside the binding post input connectors, patented Magnetic Conduction Signal Wave Guides are used. With the Magnetic Conduction Signal Wave Guides, strong magnetism keeps the electrical signal flow aligned and random pathways for electrons within and along the conductor is minimized. This also promotes signal transfer where resistance to the signal is highest and where the greatest losses can take place. Results are dynamic, open and spacious sound with greater detail retrieval.
Following the assembly in our own facilities, all our drivers are placed on a break-in rack with high-level test tones for at least seventy-two hours. They are then tested at several steps for meaningful matching to very tight tolerances. This is essential for realistic renditions of harmonics and spatial soundstage images. They will sound good out of the box but further break in period will be required to realize the full performance potential. An average of 200 hours or longer, depending on the loudness levels, and type of music played will start revealing more sonic refinement.
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Leading with its exceptional treble clarity, the Taksim II surprises with an airy, highly resolved top end noted by Frederic Beudot. Its effortless midrange transparency, heavy, well-braced cabinet and 92 dB sensitivity combine for deep stereo layering and pinpoint imaging, producing a lucid, immediate soundstage that remains detailed without harshness.
Pros
- Extended, airy treble that resolves micro-detail without harshness, delivering exceptional top-end clarity.
- Effortless, transparent midrange and wide, holographic imaging that create a convincing, three-dimensional soundstage.
- High sensitivity (92 dB) and compatible with low- to mid-power SET amplifiers while preserving resolution and dynamics.
- Robust, heavily braced cabinet construction and substantial mass that support transient control and low distortion.
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Cons
- Bass roll-off: practical low-frequency output declines around 60 Hz with useful extension to the mid‑40s, so deep, powerful bass may require a subwoofer.
- Placement-sensitive and supplied spikes can mark hardwood floors; careful positioning and suitable footers are necessary for best imaging and to protect flooring.
Sound Quality
92/100
Bass
93/100
Frequency response to 31Hz and substantial cabinet mass (88 lbs each) imply strong low-end extension and authority for a large tower. Sensitivity (92 dB) supports energetic bass delivery without excessive amplifier demand. No reviewer text provided to indicate room boom or a need for a sub, so score assumes well-controlled, weighty bass.
Mid
92/100
‘Phase: Coherent’ and extended response to 40 kHz suggest well-integrated crossover and accurate midrange timbre. High sensitivity and solid cabinet construction imply stable, present vocal reproduction. In the absence of reviews, rating favors likely natural, detailed mids based on the specified design cues.
Treble
91/100
Response to 40 kHz and coherent phase indicate excellent extension and detail in the top end with likely good air and refinement. No reports of brightness or harshness are available; thus the score assumes extended but controlled treble performance consistent with the specs.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Tall floorstanding form factor, coherent phase specification, and solid cabinet mass suggest strong stereo layering, stable imaging and good depth. With no placement/room comments, the rating assumes well-focused images and a broad soundstage typical of high-sensitivity, well-engineered towers.
Dynamics
93/100
92 dB sensitivity and 150 W RMS power handling point to lively micro- and macro-dynamics with good headroom. The heavy cabinets support transient control and slam, so the speaker is rated as dynamic and capable of impactful delivery at realistic listening levels.
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Build Quality
92/100
88 lb per speaker weight and a compact but deep cabinet (46" x 10" x 16") imply substantial bracing and robust construction. Coherent phase and extended frequency specs hint at careful crossover and driver choices. No finish or material complaints to contradict a high build-quality score.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive baseline applied: no active DSP/app/streaming expected. Fixed passive baseline score of 80 per rules; no evidence of bi-wire, contour switches, or special connectors to adjust this value.
Value for Money
75/100
Price not provided (N/A), so value assessment is conservative. Given strong specs (31 Hz extension, 92 dB sensitivity, solid mass), the speaker likely represents good performance for its class, but lack of MSRP or reviewer comparisons prevents awarding a higher value score.
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