Marco's journey to Tannoy-land

[Marco]

{Moved from the M3D thread in Analogue Art}

Btw, Dave I'm playing with a pair of Tannoy Devons at the moment (with a view to buying some Berkleys) and I love them to bits. They are so addictive sounding, and the level of musical insight into recordings is quite frankly breathtaking!!

Marco.

[Mike]

Btw, I'm playing with a pair of Tannoy Devons at the moment (with a view to buying some Berkleys) and I love them to bits. They are so addictive sounding, and the level of musical insight into recordings is quite frankly breathtaking!!

Marco.

Bloody hell Marco... if you get any more 'retro' you'll be wearing tights and wandering about with your own traveling minstrel!

[Marco]

I do already, dahling... You should see me shtrutting my shtuff on a Saturday night in my sequined blouson, shlinky silk chemise and leather hotpants, sporting more than a cheeky wee grin

Mikey, if 'all-retro' sounds like this then sock it to me baby!

Marco.

[Marco]

Dave,

Marco, I'm glad you love the Devon's. They have a magic all their own and had been all but forgotten in the mele for the big ones.

I love 'em. I'm addicted to their musical insight and level of analysis - you can tell why these were used in studios, and I mean that in a complimentary way!

I'm considering using them for forthcoming garden parties, barbecues, etc, in the summer, as they're small and light enough just to pop on the lawn to provide some tunes. I've bought 30M of good quality pro-audio speaker cable, so it'll just be long enough to get them out there, connected to my main system - should be fun

The Devons were mainly to assess if I liked the sound of classic Tannoys and if they'd work in my system with the view to getting a bigger pair if that was the case. They most certainly do, so that's why I'm trying the Berkleys (going to audition a pair later in the week). If they're not suitable then it'll be Ardens or perhaps 12" Canterburys.

Berkeleys can be frighteningly thuddy and boxy and the surround foam-life on all the HPD's has been done to death already. I really think the DMT's being later and with more solid boxes would be the best choice - far better developed after Tannoy went to town updating the concept in the early eighties.....

Noted. I'll let you know what I think when I've had a listen!

Marco.

[Marco]

Btw, Dave, on the Tannoy front I'm also going to check out a pair of 12" Monitor Golds in vintage Tannoy Chatsworth (rectangular) cabinets, and 15" Monitor Golds in Lancaster cabinets.

What's your view on those?

Marco.

[Mike]

and 15" Monitor Golds in Lancaster cabinets.

What's your view on those?

I hope you've had an extension built!

[Marco]

LOL!

Lancaster cabs aren't that big. Here is an example:

http://www.hilberink.nl/codehans/tannoy123.htm

Tannoy Monitor Gold drivers:

http://www.hilberink.nl/codehans/tannoy4.htm

It's possible that after this the Spendors might be for sale. Are you interested in a 'special deal'?

Marco.

[DSJR]

Btw, on the Tannoy front I'm also going to check out a pair of 12" Monitor Golds in vintage Tannoy Chatsworth (rectangular) cabinets, and 15" Monitor Golds in Lancaster cabinets.

What's your view on those?

Marco.

I think I'd rather have the Chatsworths to be honest, but I remember both having a "sting" in the EHF, which could be tamed by your amps and the crossover settings I reckon. The bass of the HPD models was fuller and a little more extended, but sensitivity suffered a tad I understand, although they're all very efficient. You may have a difficulty choosing between them and the Spendors, as they will both show each others strengths and weaknesses methinks.

I've never heard Canterbury's

[Mike]

It's possible that after this the Spendors might be for sale. Are you interested in a 'special deal'?

Hmmm... maybe, we'll see.

[Marco]

Dave, I've been advised that Monitor Golds, Reds, etc, have a different presentation to the HPD-based units and that these are the 'proper' Tannoys, so will probably give the Berkleys a miss. Therefore, the 12" Monitor Golds in Chatsworth cabinets seem the most appealing so far, particularly after reading this:

http://members.tripod.com/fn8142b/im...tsworthrt1.jpg

and this: http://members.tripod.com/fn8142b/im...atsworthrt.jpg

It seems that these cabinets were specifically designed to accommodate the 12" Monitor Golds (whilst keeping size down) and are high quality, which cabinets such as the Lancasters appear not to be, or at least not to the same degree as others.

Another option I have is a pair of 'Lockwood Major DU 386' with 15" Monitor Reds. Do you (or anyone else) have experience of the Lockwood-designed cabinets? They appear to have an excellent reputation.

Mikey, I'm sure you'll be following developments with interest so you I'll let you know if the Spendors become available. I know you liked 'em when you heard them

Marco.