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Looking for opinions on Tannoy Prestige line.

I have been looking around at the Tannoy Prestige line. I was curious about how these compare to more modern designs. I am a little burnt out on "hi-fi" and I am having an "enjoy the music" moment. I demoed a few pairs of Tannoys when I first got into audio and I remember liking them pretty well but it has been awhile scene I have heard them. I would be looking at the Kensington SE (and down) or either of the Glenair models. I do not have room or budget for anything bigger. I would be looking on the used market and have no dealer in my area. I am currently using Thiel CS2.4s.

Do they have much horn coloration? Does the bass have punch (I like hard rock and typical audiophile stuff too). How detailed are they compared to more modern designs?
james63
dsholl1
99 posts
 
I know it's a gamble but you can buy these speakers unheard and you won't be sorry.
I did!
Just be warned that they take months to run-in. They will sond bright and shrill for the first hundred or so hours. So if demoing keep that in mind.

I am now running mine with the Leben CS300XS. It is only 15watts but has the most incredible synergy. It's as if Leben used the Kensington/Tannoy Prestige range to voice his amps.

I have had a friend bring his PP EL34 amp over 40watt it sounded great but didn't have the magic that the Leben combo did. I have experimented with a few other amps and the Kensington is so easy to drive and accommodating that we are always scratching our heads as to why all speakers aren't designed to be efficient with easy load handling.
cptaz's avatar
cptaz
29 posts
 
Hi all, I have a question for Joc3021 or anybody with experience in the Prestige line, which model do you think would be the best match for my dedicated room, size about 13'x 21'x 8', you can see pics in my system, thank you very much, Marco.
douger
104 posts
 
Hello Cptaz,
In the thread about the Kingdom Royal I see you expressed interest and I am sure they would be great. If the price is too steep I would suggest the Canterbury's. After breakin they are really special.
cptaz's avatar
cptaz
29 posts
 
Hi Douger, thanks for your suggestion, yes these Canterbury's look pretty interesting too, while the Westminster's look definitely oversized for my room.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,896 posts
 
James63,
If you ever swing by Atlanta, you should be able to get a good demo of the Kensington SE, possibly Glenair 15, and maybe even Kingdom Royals too. The Prestige dealer in Marietta (Northwestern suburb of Atl) is located just down the street from me :)

Also, I've discovered something very interesting and unexpected in the past month - the VAC Ren III preamp has MASSIVE musical synergy with the Kensington SE...and it's consistently been in full force EVERY night I've sat down to listen ever since. No more "on" days vs. "slightly off" days. I've switched to using its built-in MC phono stage, too.
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