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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
deep_333
1,257 posts
 

It is a good idea to have some different pairs of very different types of speaker designs. Hence, don’t sell the JBL.

As far as concentric driver designs go, Tannoy’s kinda meh, boring,...they have not improved the legacy drivers much, etc. I would suggest something like the Mofi Sourcepoint 888 floorstander, a concentric design that means business....designed by a proper Brit......quite proper, I say.

Nobody Does It Better

james633
1,000 posts
 

I have a little experience with the smaller Tannoys and also own the 4367. I feel tannoy would be a backwards move for me. I think point sources are a bit over rated (having owned a few) if you sit in a tweaked out sweet spot. The advantage is the vertical dispersion is even and if you just sit down that is often accounted for with good speakers designs. Keep in mind the JBL is a “point source” from 700hz up where it matters.

There are two places I feel the JBL 4367s could be improved. The deep bass and soundstage width/depth. The bass is easily fixable and improved with subs. I have a few threads on using sub with my 4367s if you are interested you could look them up under my profile.

If I were looking for something different I would target a wide dispersion speaker for more of a room sound and less controlled directivity you get from JBL. This would focus on the short coming of the JBLs with a wider and deeper soundstage.

 

cantorgale's avatar
cantorgale
144 posts
 

Another Tannoy-boy here.  I have both Mini Autographs and Kensingtons. I sold my Rockport Attia ii’s after auditioning the Kensingtons at Upscale.   Switched from D’Agostino Progressive to Pathos Heritage hybrid to complement the Kensingtons.  My room is 15’x21’ and they do not overwhelm with one REL S/812 sub.  For your room the Turnberry might be an option.  It’s a great value.  I can’t compare with the JBL sound.   

doyle3433's avatar
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doyle3433
304 posts
 

@deep_333  Good suggestion the 888's ! Seems like they are being very well received. 

I did have a listen with "my kinda music" of the sourcepoint 10's at the FLA expo and they were pretty awesome. 

immatthewj
1,815 posts
 

I saw an advertisement for the Tannoy Sterlings, and even though I just bought a pair of Revels and am now out of the market I still cannot help myself from wondering about speakers "that I should have bought," so I read a review on the Sterlings and got the impression that they might be finicky about setting up as far as placement goes?  

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