High End Audio To Mass, CSS Audio 2TD-X Tower Review with Measurements

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Күн бұрын

CSS 2TD-X Tower Speaker Kit
Price: US$1874 (Nov,2021) bit.ly/2Yd5DDg
Overall Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ¾
Pros: Great DIY Kit, Quality Components.
Cons: Subpar Terminal Cup.
Impressively designed two ways 2TD-X Towers can handle two channel or HT with dynamic engaging sound at any level of loudness, low level listening sound quality is very impressive and deep, one of the best among industry leaders in $3-4K price range.
I just want slightly more Instrument separation to make them five stars but still these are one of my favorite, If you can DIY, 2TD-X will bring countless hours of high quality music to your discerning ears, Highly Recommended!
Music by Grace Mahya: ebay.us/5WV1Ny
Associated Equipments,
Aperion Super Tweeters, bit.ly/3geRoVb
(Get 10% Off with TBR10 Coupon Code)
SMSL DO200: amzn.to/3mqsAw1
Musician Draco R2R DAC: ebay.us/bc7EwU
ELAC UBR62 Speaker: amzn.to/3l5Upc7
Wharfedale Evo 4.2: amzn.to/32A27lc
KEF R11 Speaker: amzn.to/3acMlB8, ebay.us/nXCI8d
Denon PMA-SX11 Integrated Amplifier: ebay.us/NllM5G
PS Audio AC-12 Power Cable: amzn.to/2YQo2Tx
Sony HAP-Z1ES: amzn.to/3ckCZ5w
Monoprice Premiere XLR: amzn.to/3iAaUeS
Mogami Gold XLR Cables: amzn.to/3mlTGTB
Oyaide Neo D+ Class A USB Cable: amzn.to/3uGFAi4
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Oyaide Black Mamba Alpha AC Power Cord: ebay.us/5T2uZP
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Hey!
Only Option To Listen KZfaq Sound Demo is with good headphones, not your favorite sound system because listening to two rooms at once is not a good thing, no matter how good your sound system is.,
Closest Possible You Can Hear My KZfaq Sound Demo is with Sony MDR-7506 amzn.to/2wAkk54
Audio-Technica ATH-M50: amzn.to/3yomyPs
If you use these links above to purchase any items from Amazon or eBay(No Extra Cost To You), I get a small percentage which help support my work and helps me keep going.
0:00 Building
2:08 Placement
3:35 Paring
5:58 Measurements
6:57 Bass Test
8:30 Sound Quality
9:52 1 or 2 TDX
14:13 Summery
18:21 Sound Sample

Пікірлер: 124

@mojoneko8303 2 жыл бұрын

The third video of yours on these speakers I've watched today. Thanks for the review!

@2madamimadam290 2 жыл бұрын

I just brought a set of these flat packs partly based on this excellent review. I'll invest in the kit soon. Everyone seems to think these are great. I can't wait.

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, please look out for my next video, I will have comparison with KEF R11 speakers, thank you

@ufarkingicehole 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice my man!!! They look great. I'm going in circles with these, Parts express Solstice, and philharmonic bmr diy. Awesome video!

@francisdelacruz6439 2 жыл бұрын

Nice review. Cool you have a sound test demo in the end.

@daikuone 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this video. I am considering building these, but I have to clear out my shop first! 😃

@JadeTheWolf1982 2 жыл бұрын

I love your audio room its beautifully done. That is my dream room : )

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Oh thank you!

@Old_Sailor85 Жыл бұрын

I built a pair of the 1TD-X with the upgraded crossovers and I'm pretty impressed. For $1300 or so I don't know what is available that is "better".

@gertjanvanderkooij9242 2 жыл бұрын

they are perfect sounding speakers

@gastonguev 2 жыл бұрын

Beautliful sound! Thanks! Whats your choice between this speakers and the Sonuns Faber Máxima Amator?(talking about sound only)

@gertjanvanderkooij9242 2 жыл бұрын

great speaker,sounds very musical

@ah.l 2 жыл бұрын

Instrument separation is very important for me, i would like to see you build a kit which can excel in this region. Very clear review though.

@sean_heisler 2 жыл бұрын

Great review, again! Good to hear more about CSS. I am definitely going to build the 1TD-X one day. Question for you. How wide is your room? How much distance is there between your side walls to the center of the speaker drivers? My room looks to be about the same width. It's 13.5' wide. My speakers are pulled six feet out into the room and about three feet from the side walls (to the center of the drivers). Thanks!

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

My room is 14ft where the system is, over 15ft opening to the right into bigger room, 20ft to where is faced with a little over 9ft ceiling, 40 inches away from the side to center of the drivers, Thanks

@amellauren 2 жыл бұрын

great looking, great sounding

@eyeshezzy 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds better than anything you have had so far, even the Kefs

@LeoShoSilva 2 жыл бұрын

Great review and it would be a better resource if the sound samples used were the same track..eg Heart of Gold , then we can make like-for-like comparisons and so making it very easy to differentiate the musicality in speakers reviewed.

@PCM-mc5xy 2 жыл бұрын

Great video!!

@jannafrost6426 2 жыл бұрын

Enjoy all of your videos. Building a pair of the 2TDX towers as we speak! Just wondering if you could tell me what spikes those are on the outriggers please.

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

They come in set with sound city outriggers, thanks

@scottwien139 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great review - did you use the upgraded crossover from CSS or just the standard?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Building Crossover and Cabinets of CSS Audio 2TD-X Tower Speaker Kit kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rL9xfNVemd28pqM.html

@davidarney3405 2 жыл бұрын

I love your reviews, thank you for doing the DIY products! If the tower were front ported, would that allow placement closer to the wall?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

If you do one big port on front might work, thanks

@davidarney3405 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tharbamar Thank you for your fast reply, your channel is excellent!

@jamesbrotherton5487 2 жыл бұрын

It should reduce the distance by about the depth of the cabinet but no more. Don't change the port height since the designer says that there is some transmission line behavior which would be affected.

@fletchermunson6225 2 жыл бұрын

I've built three sets of CSS speakers. I believe your review is very accurate based on my experience although I dont have the towers. I do have the Criton TD1 X with the enhanced crossover components (wroth it IMO) and as you mentioned the sound is similar. I am a big fan of their speaker products and I enjoyed the process of making all of them. I drive mine with a full complement of Schiit gear and it's the best song I've had in my room after two years of COVID audio auditioning and playing with getting a sound that I can live with in the long run. If someone is unhappy with the level of treble, (I'm not unhappy) you can lower the value of the tweeter resistor to increase output per Kerry at CS audio.

@danjo9520 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, would u consider assembling a set of the CSS bookshelf for a fee for like four, five hundred?

@fletchermunson6225 2 жыл бұрын

@@danjo9520 Sorry, Im not up to that, however I have a pair of finished CSS P215 speakers built that I'm selling

@danjo9520 2 жыл бұрын

How much are you selling those for?

@fletchermunson6225 2 жыл бұрын

@@danjo9520 $425 shipped to the states. No foreign shipping.

@paulgyro Жыл бұрын

Which do you like better these or the either of the Verus IIIs? Why do you like one over the other?

@anhdangduc1061 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your review. I have viewed all of your css series and decided that I want the 2tdx. Before pulling the trigger, could you please let me know if the 2 tdx towers can be used in a 170 sqr feet room? I wonder if the bass's quality will be affected too much if I block the bass ports?

@Tharbamar Жыл бұрын

It should be fine, even if too much bass you can use foam to reduce the bass by placing inside the tuning ports.

@WILLIAMMORALES-gw1zz 7 ай бұрын

Wish you would review the sb sasandu kit . Hard to find reviews on it anywhere.

@Dasinpa 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info. You know your stuff. :-)

@buriburizaem0n 2 жыл бұрын

after seeing this i think i would decide on 1 tdx with superior crossover because of my room size. would you consider topping d50s a good dac to pair with CSS speakers?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Yes D50 will match them nicely, thanks

@tweakradje 2 жыл бұрын

This is a 2-way speaker I guess? Why isn't the tweeter in the middle like D’Appolito. Would improve imaging/soundstage a lot. Btw your build is very well done! Enjoy.

@mazag13ggd 2 жыл бұрын

How are they compared to the rp 8000f’s? Please anyone auditioned both of them help me decide which is better? Bass, mids, treble.

@vicg5323 2 жыл бұрын

How does it compare to the KEF R11. ?

@kurthill7030 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice 👍

@venkatramangopalakrishnan6695 2 жыл бұрын

Great review! Can these speakers be a good match with the Hegel h390 integrated amplifier?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

It should sound nice together, thanks

@gastonguev 2 жыл бұрын

So? Isn't it worth buying the sonus faber for $15,000 if I can have the same sound for $1,500? Thanks for your answer!

@myanmaraudiolover3097 2 жыл бұрын

Hello bro သီချင်းတွေမှာ Dolby atmos နဲ့ Hi-res ရဲ့အသံအရည်သွေးနဲ့ကွာခြားမှုအကြောင်းပြောပြပေးပါပါအုံး

@lukes_stuff1 4 ай бұрын

How do you feel css audio compares to ascend acoustics sierra with raal tweeters? I'm looking to buy but I'm afraid css don't compare? I could be wrong. I own ascend so I'm. Very familiar with there sound. This will be used for movies more than music. UT do play music still.

@FirstLast-gs8tt Ай бұрын

I’m building the new 3TD-X’s now. What speaker Spikes / Rigging did you use on these?? Thanks

@johan5660 2 жыл бұрын

Great review. Everything was great about this speakers, even your R3 faded incomparison to beauty, until you said the speakers must be pulled out 6ft away from the walls. There's where excitement stopped for me..

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

It's not a big problem, you can plug them to place closer to the wall, thanks

@johan5660 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tharbamar Tq for your reply. Are the port plugs supplied together with the kits? Can you test first with ports plugs and give your comments regarding the sound quality. I would like to have a firm recommendation from you Tharbamar b4 I jump into placing order for the kits..tq

@eeyorebill04 2 жыл бұрын

You might be able to request that CSS put the port holes in front when they CNC cut the flat pack, which could help with this

@tudorg41 Жыл бұрын

listening on my 20$ 2.1...I give them 5stars !

@linandy1 2 жыл бұрын

Are they best sounding that far away from the wall? That's so far. I wonder if front ports would be better?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

It will be depends on the room, my room is almost perfectly treated for my system.

@fjchiu7489 Жыл бұрын

Dear sir, I am highly interested to the 7 in. mid =bass from CSS, may I ask for some questions, 1. It seems CSS uses this 7 in. unit on all its kids. For the tower model of 2TD-Xˉ, the two mid-bass are connected in series or parallel? You have tried the kits, knowing the configuration, I just can not find out from the film. I like to try the parrel method, du to I will see the effect of the active crossover effect. It should raise the efficiency to about 90 dB, put the burden on the power amp for the bass part. I read about the MTM box review, it was connected in a series arrangement. You could.

@fonkenful 7 ай бұрын

If you’ve not already stumbled across the answer, I think can drill down into the specs on CSS’ website to find the general topography of the crossovers. From what I can tell two LDW7 are in parallel on both the MTM “ bookshelf/ monitors” and the towers, although there may be some minor differences in component values between the two - as well as with the variants of the two tweeter options.

@ah.l 2 жыл бұрын

Is there natural light in your room? Looks fresh. Always seen dark listening rooms of audiophiles.

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I have a few windows.

@JamesBrown-jy5sy 2 жыл бұрын

I like those tight 1970's bell bottom jeans! Nothing wrong with trying to look like someone from 1976 with those bell bottom jeans and the ponytail...LOL. On a serious note, you did a really GREAT job assembling all of your CSS Audio speakers.

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@pavlo687 Жыл бұрын

What terminal setup did you use on the back? I'm about to buy a pair of these DIY.

@Tharbamar Жыл бұрын

CSS Audio 2TD-X Speaker Teak Veneer, Full Assembly & Upgrades kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rMhilsZq1569qXU.html

@ctr289 2 жыл бұрын

I read everywhere on the net that you have to place speakers 0-1m distance (front baffle to the wall) or 2.2m+ from the wall because of SBIR effect. You put your speakers exactly in the 1-2.2m range, isn't there a gap in the higher-bass because of this? That's assuming the wall behind the speaker is solid and able to reflect bass.

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Formulas are great starting point but no room is the same, best to do with ears for me.

@michaelmityok1001 2 жыл бұрын

Seems good value!

@michaelluera6926 Жыл бұрын

The 2TDX are rater at 90 db. The frequency graft measurements in your video are below 80 db. Is this from listening seating. or 1-watt 1meater.

@Tharbamar Жыл бұрын

90db rating is for sensitivity of the speakers, my measurements is just loudness level and in room response.

@ah.l 2 жыл бұрын

Would it be appropriate to ask from you. Elac dbr62 or 2tdx? Is elac better in mid range?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

I would choose 2TDX personally if I have to, thanks

@ah.l 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tharbamar thanks for the reply. Any plan to make video on your preferred speakers list for the year?

@eeyorebill04 2 жыл бұрын

Any plans to compare this to the GR Research X-MTM Encore?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

No plan to compare with GR kit, thanks

@bradloseke9725 2 жыл бұрын

Where did you get the speaker bases you put on them?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

I’m using sound city outriggers.

@teknolojigundemi 17 күн бұрын

Hi Tharbamar, they have new 3td-x, hope you review it.

@Tharbamar 17 күн бұрын

They haven't contact me yet, thanks

@joeygonzo 2 жыл бұрын

You need to build a great 3-way system by Groeven . SEAS or SBA drivers

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Will do when I have more time, thanks

@joeygonzo 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tharbamar those might blow away $10K speakers

@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549 2 жыл бұрын

Will these speakers sound good with Ned's Atomic Dustbin music?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely.

@johnsweda2999 2 жыл бұрын

Didn't try reversing the non dipole super tweeters I think that's really benefit from a voigt pipe ported out the front A little bit of a Phaser misalignment going on in the higher ranges I think you need to bring those drivers out a bit half an inch you can get bamboo circles use for stitching broidery, could be placed using blu tack on both ends don't need to glue them probably best not to actually. You say it's a three-way not two and a half? Then I would flip the upper woofer out-of-phase

@andrefortune8278 2 жыл бұрын

Thats not far off your R11 from my listen 👂😂 great speaker great review R11 just edge it

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

2TDX is a great deal for sure.

@mikejohnston7696 22 күн бұрын

Any plans to build the new 3tdx?

@Tharbamar 22 күн бұрын

Not Sure yet.

@VinnieMoore1986 2 жыл бұрын

Please VS B&W 🙏🙋‍♂️🎼

@vtkz 2 жыл бұрын

@9:23 when a loudspeaker dont get a razor sharp phantom center / mono middle + detailed stereo imaging its simply not a good one

@ChrisJohnson-kh4gw 2 жыл бұрын

where did you get those speaker stands?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Sound City.

@ChrisJohnson-kh4gw 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tharbamar thank you I haven't been able to find anything like this

@skyengeh 2 жыл бұрын

I dont think they are available in the UK.

@kerryarmes2786 2 жыл бұрын

We can ship to the UK. If you aren’t getting rates for some reason, send us an email.

@AllboroLCD 2 жыл бұрын

How much would these bad boys cost fully assembled?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Please see detail in video description.

@lextr3110 2 жыл бұрын

2way or 2.5way? 2.5 way would be better in this config

@kerryarmes2786 2 жыл бұрын

It is a 2-way. Because of the low crossover point, a 2.5-way doesn’t really work.

@lextr3110 2 жыл бұрын

@@kerryarmes2786 what is the crossover point.. It would work the bottom woofer would just do less midrange.. this would mean 2.5 way with lower c2c between mid and tweet,.. might need a small redesign of the crossover but nothing complex.. would it change the sound for the better i think it would need to be tested but i think mid should be covered by one driver.. to match the one tweeter.. bass from many drivers is no issues tho

@kerryarmes2786 2 жыл бұрын

@@lextr3110 maybe you should hear them before redesigning them 😉. There is a reason we didn’t go with a 2.5-way.

@lextr3110 2 жыл бұрын

@@kerryarmes2786 i'm sure they sound awesome like the are :) i've been looking at your high quality drivers and might pull the trigger eventually.. :) You say it wouldnt work and i wonder the reason why tho? would result in lower sensitivity?

@kerryarmes2786 2 жыл бұрын

@@lextr3110 It's a lot easier to explain with some pictures than just with words but in essence, 2.5 ways can work well if you cross IN or ABOVE the baffle step range but not very well if you cross BELOW the baffle step. Below the baffle step, you will likely get a dip on axis and definitely off-axis in the range around 800-2000 Hz which will make the bass sound exaggerated and the mids recessed and screws up the overall power response. Like I said, I've built other designs as 2.5 ways but it's not always the best option.

@Audfile 2 жыл бұрын

Are these good, near field?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

I did not tried that.

@Audfile 2 жыл бұрын

I'll ask them. Either this or the 1tdx. 1tdx is tighter huh? Midrange and bass?

@kerryarmes2786 2 жыл бұрын

No, I would not recommend using these near filed.

@user-ix6uk1rf6z 7 ай бұрын

Hi, how about

@mohans2k 2 жыл бұрын

Asusual great review but don't know why you are not changing the song for demo. Please put a different song for demo please. We are hearing the same again and again.

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Same song is for to compare with other speakers but if you check on my website you will hear a few different sound samples, thanks

@mohans2k 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tharbamar Thank you sir for your reply. Your explanation gives a logical reason. I am a fan of your channel and please continue providing us the valuable informations about various speakers. Thanks again for your kind response.

@PP-nh1lv 2 жыл бұрын

They must be good, your R11's are gone?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Yes there are very good but I still love R11, thanks

@PP-nh1lv 2 жыл бұрын

I have recently ordered a pair of R11s based on your love of them, thanks for that. As you are such a handy guy, have you given any consideration to upgrading the R 11 components such as the conductors, capacitors, wiring, etc?

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

I might do that in the future, thanks

@PP-nh1lv 2 жыл бұрын

That would be great! Hopefully you'll make a video so we can all follow along and do the upgrades ourselves. I think there are a lot of R11 owners out there that would be interested. Thank you!

@michelmayrand9557 2 жыл бұрын

One needs to mention that speaker reviews are quite flawed and for many reasons. First and foremost, many will receive equipment at no cost to be reviewed and maybe even be sponsored. The reviewer will never go against the grain no matter what he really thinks. It's the hypocritical thing about reviews. By the way, no one will ever do a double blind test comparing two different speakers even at a significant price difference as they will often look quite silly. Honest reviews are based on your own taste as long as there is nothing to compare them with. They are also subjective as many will base their reviews on the price of the equipment. If it's more expensive, then it must be better...well so some think. For 99% of those reading this, it's really up to you and your budget...that's all! You can go to a store and try a $5000 pair of speakers and 10 minutes later a $10,000 set. Oh sure, you will think that the $10,000 ones are far better but it's nearly impossible to judge after a small delay between the two pairs. That's why you never see double blind tests. If you do have such a budget, bring in your own equipment. Store will always connect a good pair of speakers on high quality equipment. Personally, I like the way the speakers look and it's quite gratifying to say that you kinda sorta built them. Sonically, it's impossible to pass judgment while listening to them online. Congrats on a job that seems well done.

@Tharbamar 2 жыл бұрын

Well there are some negative points in my reviews, not only in this video manny of them are, sometimes I received cease and desist order letters to remove certain area of my reviews, my advice is if you have doubts on reviews I would suggest to start your own to share your honest review with double blind test etc., that would be great help. Not all reviewers are the same, many times I sent equipment back to manufacturer because, i.e $2k DAC is not as good as $500 one even if I get free products I cannot tell or use the made up words, not only to viewers what most important for me is myself, IMHO your judgement on reviewers don’t applied to all, thanks for the comment.

@michelmayrand9557 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tharbamar, first, I wrote "many will receive equipment at no cost to be reviewed and maybe even be sponsored". Many means not everyone. Second, I would never make a video doing a double blind test as I have not seen one who ever succeeded in getting right. Finally, third, if you sent back some equipment (2k) that was not as good as a $500.00 for a review, good for you.

@Simplyveej 2 жыл бұрын

@@michelmayrand9557 So you are complaining that he did not perform a test that you yourself wouldn’t do? That doesn’t make much sense.

@michelmayrand9557 2 жыл бұрын

@@Simplyveej, clearly, you are not worth my time as my post was quite simple to understand.