2. speakers
  3. 190968-2603

Is there Tannoy Magic / Should I buy a pair of Tannoys as "accessory" speaker?

I have a decent system, and am running JBL 4367, with either Parasound A21+  (300w solid state) or Canary M600 (50w tubes) and am Tannoy-curious. 

I'm familiar with the current state of the brand, I understand that the "new" speakers aren't made at the old factory, and that much of the "shine" has worn off the brand over the last several years.  I'm also aware of the newer company with much of the former Tannoy brain trust.

I have never heard a Tannoy speaker.

My room is just barely, small, at 16' wide 13' deep and 9' ceilings.  It opens at the rear, almost but not perfectly symmetrically, behind the listening position, via a set of pocket doors that remain open, to a much larger room.  The JBLs, with their 15" driver (thanks to a bunch of acoustic treatments) are not "too much" for the room, so I don't know that the Ardens (for example) would be, either.

I'm not saying I wouldn't get rid of the JBLs, but the plan is to buy a set of Tannoys, hopefully like them enough to keep them, and slip them in the system as desire dictates.

The JBLs do everything that I know of, that I want a speaker to do, I'm just looking to be inspired.

I think I need realistic bass, and so perhaps a 12" or 15" (I don't know, just guessing) model might suit me better.  

Other than figure out how to demo some Tannoy speakers in a store like a normal person would, what do you think I should do?

 

gthirteen
hoosierinohio
160 posts
 

Have listened at Upscale, they are super nice folks.  They will do what they can to create a no surprise situation when you take the product home.  I listened to some Tannoy (Kensington perhaps) hooked to a Marantz source for streaming and amplification.  It curled the toes.  The Tannoy was magical. 

As a owner of JBL's, in various types, I would be sure that you keep your JBL's.  There is a sound that is special to each, the "california sound".  I gave one of my son's a pair of 4312's I had, and found I had to replace because of the specific sound. 

Look at as much as you can with your ears, using amplification that best matches what you have.  Your ears will tell you if you're doing the right thing. 

 

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
3,960 posts
 

I’ve heard them at axpona 2024  they are beautiful speakers. Their set up it sounds too laid back for me.Audition them if you can.You never know.

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
3,960 posts
 

Lalitk has them if Iam correct. He is very familiar with them. He might be able to help you.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,371 posts
 

Thanks @jayctoy 

+1 @veerossi 

@gthirteen 

There aren’t many speakers that are capable of connecting you to the music so intimately and emotionally like the way Tannoy does so effortlessly. It takes little getting used to birch wood cabinetry (some dig it others don’t). I am sure you’ve already read about dual concentric drivers so I won’t take up your time here. Just like anything in audio, I recommend an audition with ‘right’ electronics. Your M600 are very likely a match made in heaven with Tannoy’s. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
treepmeyer
116 posts
 

At Axpona '23 and '24 the larger floor-standing Tannoy's were stand-outs.  I could have listened to them all day.  Best of luck.

More to discover