Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Tyler Acoustics Taylo Ref Monitors Speakers by drseid

Model:	Taylo Ref Monitors
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2450
Description:	2 way reference monitor
Manufacturer URL:	Tyler Acoustics
Manufacturer URL:	Tyler Acoustics

Review by drseid ( A ) on July 21, 2004 at 09:29:41
IP Address: 63.78.31.23

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for the Taylo Ref Monitors

I purchased a pair of the Taylo Reference Monitors in Rosewood (along with the Model 1 Tyler stands) slightly used on Audiogon, and I can safely say that I got a tremendous deal.
Fit and finish of the Taylos in Rosewood is first rate, and even surpasses the excellent finish on my previous mains from Legacy Audio (Studios). That is a difficult feat, as the Studios have a great fit and finish.
The drivers used in the Reference Monitors are first-rate. The mid-bass is the very expensive, and very fast 7 inch Seas Excel series W18E magnesium cone woofer, and the tweeter is the even more expensive Scanspeak Revelator 9900 textile dome tweeter.
With these two drivers in the speakers, I expected great things, and the Taylos delivered in spades (and more)...
The Revelator handles the highs with ease, but it never calls attention to itself. The highs are just "there." That said, they are very detailed and high-end extension is fabulous.
Midrange is also a major strength, as the Taylos seemed to capture the tone and detail of any instrument thrown at them (within their frequency response).
Soundstage width was the best I have heard in my listening room... period. I am still in awe at how the Taylos can extend the stage so far wide of where the monitors are located. Stage height is also superb.
The only areas that I feel are a *bit* lacking are dynamics and lower octave bass extension. The latter is pretty much expected of all mini-monitors, so that can easily be forgiven. The former I believe is a design decision.
What I mean is that the Taylos are a very refined and neutral sounding speaker. In order to achieve the fine qualities the speaker offers, I think that while many other speakers I have heard emphasize certain frequencies to achieve a certain "slam" on Rock music, the Taylos avoid this in an effort to remain truly faithful to the music as it was played/recorded (accuracy). Not a bad call in my opinion, and you learn to really appreciate it the more you listen to them.
So in summary, the 3 Taylos are a big step up in sound quality from my Legacy Studios that they replace (now ocupying the rear 3 channels in my 6.1 channel music/HT setup), and they also are a tremendous value.
I should also mention that Ty Lashbrook is a true gentleman, and a pleasure to deal with (I bought a new Taylo center channel speaker in Rosewood from Ty to match the two Taylo mains I bought used on Audiogon). He was very honest in answering my many questions, and gave me a lot of money saving and sound improving ideas. Also, it is nice to still find a guy who will only close the deal over the phone, because he wants to get to know his customers.
Oh yes, I highly recommend the Model 1 stands. While I had mine included with the used Taylos at no extra cost, I think the $250 that Ty charges for them is quite reasonable, and they look great while providing excellent support for the Taylos.

Product Weakness: Dynamics not as good as some monitors I have heard, just about no bass extension below 45HZ, mail order only.
Product Strengths: Soundstage width, midrange detail, high end extension and clarity, value.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rotel RB-985
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Marantz SR-7400 (used as preamp)
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon (can't remember model # off hand)
Speakers:	Taylo Reference Monitors (front 3 channels)
Cables/Interconnects:	Tara Labs Prism Omni
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Sade, Tori Amos, Wynton Marsallis
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 20 x 20
Room Comments/Treatments:	n/a
Time Period/Length of Audition:	about a month
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	An ACI Titan II subwoofer was/is used to handle the lowest octave.

Product Weakness:	Dynamics not as good as some monitors I have heard, just about no bass extension below 45HZ, mail order only.
Product Strengths:	Soundstage width, midrange detail, high end extension and clarity, value.