Tannoy - RFC Crossovers - User reviews / feedback sought

[beadlesabout]

Has anyone made the move from original crossovers to RFC external crossovers for their Tannoys and noticed an improvement in the upper mid / treble?

Like many, I ADORE the sound from my Monitor Gold 12" RS for the most part, but the upper mids and treble could be described as strident at times. Perhaps dry, fizzy are other words you could use.

I've tried all of the obvious things after much careful reading on the forums:

- Original crossovers serviced (by RFC)
- Loosening of bolts
- Toe in - every which way
- Room treatments
- Drivers checked (by RFC)
- Smooth/warm amps tried - Quad 303, Sugden A21 Signature
- Warmer sounding source (Sugden DAC or Croft RIAA with Nagaoka MP-500)
- Treble roll-off & energy controls - This just loses detail but doesn't change the fatigue from the low treble / upper mid region.
- Theoretically "warm" interconnects and speaker cables

I am attached to these speakers as they were my dads. They're in Cheviot cabinets and sound similar in infinite baffle or ported mode.

Paul at RFC has mentioned a smoothening of the treble is likely with his crossovers and I've seen some mention of that here - https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?52059-RFC-Monitor-Gold-Custom-Crossovers&p=926080#post926080

Please can any other happy customers come forward and confirm the RFC crossovers had a positive effect on the sound I am a bit sensitive to?

[Kember]

They most certainly did on my 15” MGs.

I ultimately had to get rid of them because my wife objected to the chimps’ coffins the speakers were housed in, and the fact that the crossovers were also in substantial boxes outside those enclosures didn’t help.

Peter

[Lawrence001]

They most certainly did on my 15” MGs.

I ultimately had to get rid of them because my wife objected to the chimps’ coffins the speakers were housed in, and the fact that the crossovers were also in substantial boxes outside those enclosures didn’t help.

PeterChimp's coffins? Sound more like Chatsworths to me than 15" MGs. Unless the chimp's next of kin upgraded to a roomier casket.

[Kember]

You’re probably right, Lawrence. They were about 20” wide and five feet high on their castors.

[petrat]

A good friend of mine (and inveterate box-swapper) eventually settled on vintage Tannoys. The biggest (and best!) upgrade I ever heard on his system was when Paul at RFC designed/made new external cross-overs ... transformed them from something good to something really quite exceptional. Highly recommended if my (singular) experience is anything to go by.

[The Black Adder]

These days the crossovers made by Mainly Tannoy (found on eBay) will be fine for someone who wants to upgrade from the old crossovers and hear them at their best.

They use really good components and the prices are very reasonable. Could you get better? Well yes but you need to be passionate enough. I've tried them out and although they don't quite hit the quality of my own custom made crossovers, they're well made with expert knowledge and you'd save lots of money to boot.

Regarding the old original crossovers, you need them upgrading before any kind of A-B comparison and the old switching gear needs either fully cleaning or removing all together (recommend the latter).

Some people like the originals and I can totally see that. But I'd say the Mainly Tannoy ones certainly give a boost which most would be very happy with. Easy to fit, nice and compact too. You can also externalise them if you wish.

Note, I'm not affiliated with them, just giving my VFM/Performance opinion.

Sent from my BBC Microcomputer 32K

[Wakefield Turntables]

I would strongly recommend against buying from anyone on eBay, lots of people who claim to be guru's but just copying other peoples hard work, too many people like that kicking around. It's very easy to build a speaker XO but it's not so easy to see how it would work with your speaker cabinet. Stick with Paul @ RFC, he has a very well known track record with Tannoys. He has very intimate knowledge of the various tannoy cabs and their "habits" . I've got Paul's top spec for my 15" MG's and I would not use anyone else. You might be paying more, but consider the old saying, buy cheap buy twice. ;)

[The Black Adder]

Not in this case. They are legitimate manufacturers and supply lots of Tannoy related stuff. They have a shop but also use eBay as a selling platform.

Yes, you can get your crossovers made but for many it can be a big expense. I'd put these crossovers down as intermediary units. If you like the sound from your Tannoys, that's when it's time to get passionate.

As I said,... I've tried the crossovers from Mainly Tannoy and they're fine. Not as good as my Tannoyista ones but still good enough.

And if you're upgrading from the originals, they're a sensible buy. It's better than hearing something that's totally out of kilter to base things on.

I've been round and round the block with crossovers for many years and they're fine. Better than some builds I can tell you. They're a safe bet for most.



Sent from my BBC Microcomputer 32K

[Wakefield Turntables]

Not in this case. They are legitimate manufacturers and supply lots of Tannoy related stuff. They have a shop but also use eBay as a selling platform.

Yes, you can get your crossovers made but for many it can be a big expense. I'd put these crossovers down as intermediary units. If you like the sound from your Tannoys, that's when it's time to get passionate.

As I said,... I've tried the crossovers from Mainly Tannoy and they're fine. Not as good as my Tannoyista ones but still good enough.

And if you're upgrading from the originals, they're a sensible buy. It's better than hearing something that's totally out of kilter to base things on.

I've been round and round the block with crossovers for many years and they're fine. Better than some builds I can tell you. They're a safe bet for most.



Sent from my BBC Microcomputer 32K

YMMV, I'll stick with RFC.

[The Black Adder]

YMMV, I'll stick with RFC.

Well, of course. They're excellent.. :) I'm sticking with my Tannoyista Spec 3.

[Barry]

Are these third party crossovers new circuits, or the same circuit as provided by Tannoy but using components of superior quality, or even different values?

Just asking, I have no skin in the game, but am curious over the perceived partisanship being displayed here.

[The Black Adder]

The Mainly Tannoy ones are generally the same circuit/original circuit but with decent quality components. I did notice some circuit differences but they're good value for those who want to either do a simple upgrade from the old units or take it further by doing A/B comparison with a more professionally custom made unit. They are upgradable too which is good for some. The sound from the mid-range version I tried a few years ago were surprising and would be fine for most. But the problem that can happen with listening to these old Tannoys (like anything Hi-Fi) is that once you've heard them, curiosity to want more can get the better of you. lol