High End 2018: Raidho

4 Replies

Raidho TD-4.8 loudspeakers with Chord electronics.

Raidho Acoustics launched their new flagship loudspeaker, the TD-4.8 and High End 2018.

The TD-4.8, the first of the new TD-Series,  introduces a new tantalum-diamond cone, which is stiffer and better damped than the diamond cones used in the acclaimed D-Series.

The TD-4.8 was driven by a Chord Electronics system, comprising the Blu MkII upscaling CD transport, the DAVE DAC, the CPA 5000 preamplifier and the SPM 6000 MkII mono amplifier.

This system sounded magnificent, with the amazing resolution, tonal accuracy fir which Raidho is justly renowned.  The soundstage was vast with precise, stable imaging.  The system played with ease and tremendous authority.

One of the best sounding systems at the show.

© Wayne Butcher

Raidho TD-4.8 loudspeaker.

Raidho TD-4.8 loudspeaker from the rear.

Drivers of the Raidho TD-4.8 loudspeaker.

Ports of the Raidho TD-4.8 loudspeaker.

4 thoughts on “High End 2018: Raidho”

  2. peter jasz

    wcvb: Thanks for the reply. Raidho undoubtedly manfacture premium loudspeakers.

    Yet, without fail, loudspeakers that position the LF drive-unit (or multiples) close to the
    floor (I suspect for added gain/extension and/or “smooth” LF response) ALWAYS have
    demonstrated poor lower-frequency articulation/definition (i.e. 100-300/Hz).

    To my mind, there is only one way to reap-the-benefits (and minimize the ‘negatives’ of
    such a LF driver driver alignment: Cross-over at 40-50 Hz., as (later?) YG Acoustic models
    specify.
    For when/if low-lying woofers are crossed-over (LF/MF-HF) well into the hundreds-of-hertz range (as most 3-way are designed) impaired (100-500 Hz.) performance is clearly revealed.
    It is unlikely a coincidence that many premium loudspeaker designs (LF driver placement) over the past 10(?)-years choose 20″-25″ (45-60 cm.) from the floor/bottom of loudspeaker. (Yes, I’m aware of the long wavelengths involved in this frequency region ).

    I’m clearly NO engineer, but simply making an observation.

    Cheers,

    pj

  3. wcvb@serious-music.com Post author

    I can attest to the fact that the bass response is excellent.

    The large driver surface area provided by 6 bass drivers means that individually they don’t need much excursion for the speaker to produce a substantial bass output. This would have the effect of lowering bass distortion.

    Additionally the bass drivers would function somewhat like a line source, significantly reducing floor and ceiling interaction. The effect would be similar to that of the Kii BXT bass extension modules, as explained by its designer Bruno Putzeys in this interview from Darko.Audio.

  4. pj

    RE: Raidho TD-4.8

    How is the world does Raidho account for the LF response of this loudspeaker?
    Unless there is some type of electro-acoustic compensation/feature, with so many LF drivers, path lengths and floor/ceiling interactions suggests a positioning nightmare.

    peter jasz

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