Tannoy, opinions please.

[Floyddroid]

In my quest for what be become an acquisition of new speakers i am considering more sensitive transducers from Triangle and Tannoy to use with my Prima Luna Prologue 2 amp. Are there any Tannoy users out there could inform me of their sonic signature? I listen to a very broad spectrum of music though i am passionate about Prog. Please advise.

[southall-1998]

Calling walpurgis!!!!

[jandl100]

There are lots of Tannoy DC fanboys here .... but they are a bit of a Marmite speaker.
They move a lot of air and do BIG impressively and are quite easy to drive.
But that horn-loaded tweeter kills 'em for me and/or going straight from a big woofer to a small tweeter is simply asking too much - I just hear unacceptable hashy colourations in the upper mids / lower treble.

Some folks don't hear that.
Some folks hear it and aren't bothered.
Some folks hear it and run screaming from the room.

Have you had a listen?

But yep, I am sure your PL amp will be fine. I've driven 10 inch DC Tannoys from a 8wpc Mini-T t-amp and it sounded as good as I've ever heard Tannoys sound. They were OK for a few hours (at Scalford) then they started to drive me crazy!

But then, I wouldn't recommend Triangles either!

It takes all sorts to make a world, don't it.

[hoopsontoast]

Depends which ones, the Prestige line are quite different from the cheaper models, and quite a lot of variety in the S/H ones too.

I have owned Cheviots (12" HPD), DC1000, Sensys DC1 and the little MX1 as well as growing up with the older Jupiter S.

The T-Series are probably the best value for a 10" DC (Plastic cone and Pepper-pot waveguide) before they went to the smaller 8" DC's with stamped frames and the tulip waveguide.

HPD's have gone up a lot in price, used to (~5 years ago) be able to get a 12" HPD (Cheviot, Devon) or 10" HPD for £500 or under, seem to be double, or even triple. that now.

Never heard any of the Dimension (D700 models etc) which also seem well regarded.

Heard some of the prestige line (Turnberry and Sandringham IIRC) as well as DIY 12" and 15" HPD's and Golds in GRF enclosures etc which all sounded brilliant but at a price.

[petrat]

But that horn-loaded tweeter kills 'em for me and/or going straight from a big woofer to a small tweeter is simply asking too much - I just hear unacceptable hashy colourations in the upper mids / lower treble.

Are you talking about 'vintage' Tannoys, Jerry?
Because my new Tannoy Canterburys don't have that characteristic at all. Wouldn't have them if they did.

[jandl100]

Hmm, well -- I think it's just something that hits a resonance with my neural connections.

Many's the time I've heard - "No, Jerry, you must hear mine, they don't do that at all" ... and when I get to hear them, errr ... how can I put this? ....

But lots of folk love their tannoys - good luck to 'em, I say.

[Marco]

Lol... ALL speakers are coloured to some degree (including your MBLs). In the end, as with all audio equipment, all you can do is choose your favoured kind of coloration!

I'll get to this thread properly later

Marco.

[jandl100]

Absolutely correct, Marco - we all just choose the balance of virtues and vices that suit us personally.
Speakers suffer from this more than any other component, imo.

[lewis]

There are lots of Tannoy DC fanboys here .... but they are a bit of a Marmite speaker.
They move a lot of air and do BIG impressively and are quite easy to drive.
But that horn-loaded tweeter kills 'em for me and/or going straight from a big woofer to a small tweeter is simply asking too much - I just hear unacceptable hashy colourations in the upper mids / lower treble.

Some folks don't hear that.
Some folks hear it and aren't bothered.
Some folks hear it and run screaming from the room.

Have you had a listen?

But yep, I am sure your PL amp will be fine. I've driven 10 inch DC Tannoys from a 8wpc Mini-T t-amp and it sounded as good as I've ever heard Tannoys sound. They were OK for a few hours (at Scalford) then they started to drive me crazy!

But then, I wouldn't recommend Triangles either!

It takes all sorts to make a world, don't it.

I've got Turnberry se's, and would generally agree with what Jerry has said, but the colouration can be tuned out with quality amplification (valve), and by pointing the speakers down the room, not toed in as Tannoy suggest. On the plus side, they have superb imaging, and a beautiful bass quality that does not boom, even when placed close to room boundaries. You really need to listen to some, preferably in your own room/system. Some have said that they could not hear the colouration on the Turnberry's, but after having Kef ref 2.2's, which are silky smooth, i could hear it, but it can be sorted. I can now listen to mine all day, and i love em!

[Mr. C]

For me Tannoy's leave a lasting impression and not a good one.

Can generate a sound akin to a posh PA system, they go loud and will generally not hurt you ears and have a warm inviting sound (if you have the right ones Ex DC12 owner here!).

I have the same issue with LV speakers (shields up defensive posture taken to repel the Kondo lovers guild incoming fire)

However my personal feeling really only count for me, other have far more positive feelings and love about Tannoys

My description would be cheap speed, a lot of bang for your buck so to speak, but in real musically engaging terms they fall a long way short of the mark.

A lot of people confusion big , massive and impressive sounds are Wow, which I would not deny.

Long term listen ability is critical for musical enjoyment, with full bandwidth, articulation, tonal quality, depth of sound field and realistic dynamics.
Conversely have the full on 'jazz cats' approach will induce a mid numbing state of Horlicks laced mogadon trace fueled by lashings and lashings of temazepam.

Fluid, engaging sounds with a natural texture that ebbs and flows with the music.

To Tannoy or not to Tannoy this is the question?


A bard's musings of that 'Scottish speaker'

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the screeches and wailings of outrageous wardrobes.

Or to take arms against a sea of cabinet coloration, and by opposing end them? To die of perforated eardrums by dual concentric death or to sleep via spendor's beautiful tonal soporific sounds.

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks of first reflections bombarding my skull, That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation of sound to a battered sense listener crawling to exit for forgiveness in doubting their ability to truly replicate sound.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of time scarred by thine wardrobe of lust, The oppressor's wrong one note converted bass line, the proud man's contumely divine sonic intervention, The pangs of despised dual concentric love, the law's delay. The insolence of high office (AOS) and the spurns of recordings to great it would make thy cones crumble at the merest whisper of thy name.

Enough frivolity love long and prosper all ye Tannoy owners.