Speakerbox
Super Member
I got a chance to grab a pair of Tannoy Revolution R1 bookshelf 2way speakers. I dont NEED them. But I do love collecting nice speakers.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
School me on Tannoy, please
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Ottawa_Audio
New Member
Tannoy has been around since the dawn of audio. In the UK, people refer to speakers in general as tannoys. Tannoy is popular in Europe, Japan and Canada amongst audiophiles. The older dual concentrics are very desirable and command a price of many thousands of dollars. The newer high end ones are just too expensive for most budgets.
The good news is that there are Tannoy speakers to fit just about every budget.
Their flagship driver is the dual concentric (excellent soundstage, pinpoint imaging), wherein all frequencies are driven by a single driver (composed of a tweet/woofer combination). Kef is another UK manufacturer that uses a similar approach (the Uni-Q). The sound from UK speakers is much more relaxed than US speakers (which tend to "thump", can be shrilly and sound forward IMHO). Maybe the difference in these two types of speakers is a reflection of each nations temperament? This might explain why Tannoy is less well know in the US as it is elsewhere? I wonder.
If speakers were a family, Tannoy would be the cuban cigar smoking, sophisticated gentleman: a calm, wise and responsible patriarch. JBL would be the bratty young adult: loud, assertive and excitable. I know that I'm describing these two speakers with broad strokes but I'm doing it only for demonstration. Depending on your taste, you might choose one or the other.
I have owned many brands/types of speakers and have settled with Tannoy Dual Concentrics. They provide all I want from a speaker and are not fatigue inducing. Yes, they can rock and roll but they can also play Bach and John Coltrane with accuracy second to none. The most realistic piano sounds I've ever heard from a speaker came from Tannoy Dual Concentrics.
The speakers you are looking at purchasing are 2 way, separate tweeter and woofer, bi-amp able, rear ported, mass market speakers. I'm not familiar with this particular speaker but judging from the look of its construction/design they should perform well in a small room (near field monitoring).
If you are unfamiliar with the UK "sound", these might be a relatively inexpensive way to get an introduction. Then again, I am only speculating on the sound of this speaker as I myself have never heard this design.
The good news is that there are Tannoy speakers to fit just about every budget.
Their flagship driver is the dual concentric (excellent soundstage, pinpoint imaging), wherein all frequencies are driven by a single driver (composed of a tweet/woofer combination). Kef is another UK manufacturer that uses a similar approach (the Uni-Q). The sound from UK speakers is much more relaxed than US speakers (which tend to "thump", can be shrilly and sound forward IMHO). Maybe the difference in these two types of speakers is a reflection of each nations temperament? This might explain why Tannoy is less well know in the US as it is elsewhere? I wonder.
If speakers were a family, Tannoy would be the cuban cigar smoking, sophisticated gentleman: a calm, wise and responsible patriarch. JBL would be the bratty young adult: loud, assertive and excitable. I know that I'm describing these two speakers with broad strokes but I'm doing it only for demonstration. Depending on your taste, you might choose one or the other.
I have owned many brands/types of speakers and have settled with Tannoy Dual Concentrics. They provide all I want from a speaker and are not fatigue inducing. Yes, they can rock and roll but they can also play Bach and John Coltrane with accuracy second to none. The most realistic piano sounds I've ever heard from a speaker came from Tannoy Dual Concentrics.
The speakers you are looking at purchasing are 2 way, separate tweeter and woofer, bi-amp able, rear ported, mass market speakers. I'm not familiar with this particular speaker but judging from the look of its construction/design they should perform well in a small room (near field monitoring).
If you are unfamiliar with the UK "sound", these might be a relatively inexpensive way to get an introduction. Then again, I am only speculating on the sound of this speaker as I myself have never heard this design.
1tumbleweed
Kozmik Kowboy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannoy
Very nice speakers, from the low end to sky high. I used to sell them at retail, and they were our second most popular brand after PSB.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
Very nice speakers, from the low end to sky high. I used to sell them at retail, and they were our second most popular brand after PSB.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
Gang-Twanger
Resident Wharfedaliophool
Those R1's look REALLY-nice. The drivers have a Dynaudio-look to them. If I had to guess, I'd think I was looking at a speaker costing a grand a pair or more. My guess would be more.
I just bought some small British speakers about that same size about three and a half weeks ago.
I just bought some small British speakers about that same size about three and a half weeks ago.
Zonker92
All shiny and chrome
Interesting post, Ottawa.
I learned this recently, reading a British sci-fi novel; the PA systems in spacecraft were being called tannoys and I had to look it up to figure out that usage of the term.
Just to quibble, they are actually two drivers sharing a single axis / frame, right?
Quibbling again, but that stereotype is sooooo 1974.
Although I do think there is something (sort of, vaguely) of a "national sound" to many older UK and US speakers.
Aren't some of the more recent, budget Tannoys made in Canada or somewhere other than the UK? I know my friend has a black vinyl pair, maybe ten years old, that certainly don't look the part of a quality Tannoy product.
I learned this recently, reading a British sci-fi novel; the PA systems in spacecraft were being called tannoys and I had to look it up to figure out that usage of the term.
Just to quibble, they are actually two drivers sharing a single axis / frame, right?
Quibbling again, but that stereotype is sooooo 1974.
Although I do think there is something (sort of, vaguely) of a "national sound" to many older UK and US speakers.Aren't some of the more recent, budget Tannoys made in Canada or somewhere other than the UK? I know my friend has a black vinyl pair, maybe ten years old, that certainly don't look the part of a quality Tannoy product.
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Gang-Twanger
Resident Wharfedaliophool
One speaker I would love to hear (besides tbe big Westminster) is the Kingdom 15... That thing looks it can move zip codes.
I have quite a few British speakers, including small, medium, and very-large ones, but they aren't Tannoys.
I have quite a few British speakers, including small, medium, and very-large ones, but they aren't Tannoys.
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Ottawa_Audio
New Member
Just to quibble, they are actually two drivers sharing a single axis / frame, right?
Quibbling again, but that stereotype is sooooo 1974. Although I do think there is something (sort of, vaguely) of a "national sound" to many older UK and US speakers.
Aren't some of the more recent, budget Tannoys made in Canada or somewhere other than the UK? I know my friend has a black vinyl pair, maybe ten years old, that certainly don't look the part of a quality Tannoy product.[/QUOTE]
_________________________________________
Yes, there are two drivers (as I indicated) but you just said it better:tresbon:
Yes, many Tannoys and other speakers were assembled in Canada.
The City of Ottawa is blessed with a wealth of Tannoys due to the large number of British ex-pats who settled here to work in research in the years following WWII. This city is the place to find high end Tannoy (and Kef/B&W) in North America (IMHO). The audio stores serviced this niche market and I benefit
Quibbling again, but that stereotype is sooooo 1974.
Although I do think there is something (sort of, vaguely) of a "national sound" to many older UK and US speakers.Aren't some of the more recent, budget Tannoys made in Canada or somewhere other than the UK? I know my friend has a black vinyl pair, maybe ten years old, that certainly don't look the part of a quality Tannoy product.[/QUOTE]
_________________________________________
Yes, there are two drivers (as I indicated) but you just said it better:tresbon:
Yes, many Tannoys and other speakers were assembled in Canada.
The City of Ottawa is blessed with a wealth of Tannoys due to the large number of British ex-pats who settled here to work in research in the years following WWII. This city is the place to find high end Tannoy (and Kef/B&W) in North America (IMHO). The audio stores serviced this niche market and I benefit
Yes, but the magnetic structures are somewhat more integrated than the other well-known dual-concentric driver, the Altec 604. There were some others from companies like Stephens and Stromberg-Carlson, but those are long-dead companies.
The EV coaxials, Goodmans Triaxioms (I think) and the Altec 601s and 602s are a bit different - they have a smaller tweeter bolted to the front of the magnetic pole piece, rather than a hollow pole that serves as the horn throat.
Speakerbox
Super Member
If they are there next friday, i will grab them. Thanks!
Caution suggested.
A Tannoy ..at least one which would be a Buy once in a lifetime/never ever needs upgrade from is a Tannoy Dual concentric.
Either of 12" or 15 " diameter (each size has it adherents as Bigger is not necessarily 'better')
More often than not/ideally with a massive Alnico Motor.
Mass market versions of late carry some of the Tannoy sounds.
But Sadly not all or even that many of them.
A Quality Driver is an EXPENSIVE thing to build... period.
To paraphrase: "Ain't no Coupe De Ville in the bottom of a Crackerjack box".
The Models above mentioned are likely decent speakers but IMO a Pale imitation of a Genuine Tannoy.
I mean C'mon those are Bookshelf contraptions.
A Tannoy ..at least one which would be a Buy once in a lifetime/never ever needs upgrade from is a Tannoy Dual concentric.
Either of 12" or 15 " diameter (each size has it adherents as Bigger is not necessarily 'better')
More often than not/ideally with a massive Alnico Motor.
Mass market versions of late carry some of the Tannoy sounds.
But Sadly not all or even that many of them.
A Quality Driver is an EXPENSIVE thing to build... period.
To paraphrase: "Ain't no Coupe De Ville in the bottom of a Crackerjack box".
The Models above mentioned are likely decent speakers but IMO a Pale imitation of a Genuine Tannoy.
I mean C'mon those are Bookshelf contraptions.
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