Which Tannoys, folks?

[BTH K10A]

Classic Tannoy DC's roll off quite sharply at about 15/16kHz.

Anyone who thinks Tannoy could produce a CD that was intrinsically flat from 1.2kHz to 20Hz is living in cloud cuckoo land.

The ageing Tannoy crossovers can be improved upon but its more about flattening the response than increasing the frequency range.

This link gives some good curves of what is achievable.

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/tannoyMG15.htm

I've had 15" Tannoy DC's in large cabinets, used in both passive and active configuration, and IMHO they are better than most current day designs in many ways. However, I prefer BTH K10A's as they produce more articulate bass than the Tannoy's, are comparable in the mids and articulate HF much better than the Tannoy's, even though they only go about 1kHZ higher. All in all much more enjoyable speaker to listen to but unfortunately not as common as the Tannoy's.

Just my personal experience though.

[walpurgis]

I recollect the BTH drivers. Whiteley Stentorian and Altec also made similar types of designs. There were others I believe but they escape me at the moment (probably the couple of beers I've had). I've heard the Altec units in their 'Stonehenge' speaker many years ago and it was a good sound, but not as good as the then current Monitor Golds.

I'm not sure why you say the Tannoys roll off steeply above 16kHz. The output may get uneven higher up but it extends beyond 20kHz at a reduced level of only a few db.

I've not bothered and it's not really important, but I may have a bash at measuring the treble extension.

[Tarzan]

Hi yes, I have. I listened to DC10s and DC10a's and to my mind the Turnberrys are far better, the Kensingtons better still. The Definition range IMHO are fashion boxes and do not show what the DC drivers are capable of. the Turnberrys and Kensingtons are far in a way better to my ears...more musical, more involving. I found the DC10s lacking in bass and quite strident at higher volumes.

Thanks Paul.

[Marco]

By the way, I believe Celestion used to quote an upper limit of 40kHz for the HF2000.

That would be interesting, as it would explain the extra extension I'm hearing with the 66s, in comparison with my Monitor Golds

I know that Tom's not had much success so far with super-tweeters, and his 15 MGs, but I'm convinced that if the right ones could be found, then genuine improvements would be made.

I've never used super-tweeters with speakers, but one thing that puts me off is something I read about them putting more strain on the partnering amplifier (or adversely affecting it in some way), which if true, would concern me.

How exactly are super-tweeters connected - where do they go at the amp and speaker end? I've never done it before.

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Andy,

However, I prefer BTH K10A's as they produce more articulate bass than the Tannoy's, are comparable in the mids and articulate HF much better than the Tannoy's, even though they only go about 1kHZ higher. All in all much more enjoyable speaker to listen to...

Just my personal experience though.

Fair enough, but it wasn't mine, when I heard those ones that chap was selling one time, a few years ago on AoS, after his father had died and left him the speakers. Remember the ones? I hadn't heard of BTH speakers then and you told me all about them, and also the chap who was selling them when he joined AoS.

I was interested in buying the BTHs, and so drove to see him, taking my Croft and Copper amp with me. They were pretty good, but to my ears, nowhere near as good as my 15 MGs. However, maybe those weren't the best examples?

Marco.

[John]

Probably the best Tannoys I heard are Tannoyman Westminster, then closely followed by Marco's Lockwoods. That might change if Marco decides to go active in the future
A lot of Tannoys unfortunately have left me unimpressed so guess a lot of their sound comes down to implementation I know both Marco and Tannoyman has spent a lot of time and effort getting them right and both have different thoughts about getting the best out of them

[Marco]

I also like Westies, but unlike you dude, I've not yet had the pleasure of listening to them in a home environment, only at shows.

It'll be interesting what you think next time you pop up and have a listen to the Lockwoods, as since the last time you visited, my system has undergone a number of improvements, which of course are revealed in all their glory by the 'wide-open window' nature of the Lockwoods, thus in turn improving the sound they now produce quite drastically.....

It's been a while since you visited!

Marco,

[John]

Yes far to long perhaps sometime in spring
I think people like us the systems we have are constantly developing its just the way we wired up, its a journey without end

[Rare Bird]

And some of us have tiny rooms that won't house a pair of sky scrapers the inability to crank the volume up is a no no anyway

Hence the mission ive always been on is speakers that give everything possible from a decent size cabinet at very low level..However i am more than happy.

[John]

Lol latter I be pumping up the volume