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Ocellia vs Tannoy?

Hi,

After having been in this hobby for a while and having tried and owned different systems with speakers like Dynaudio, Coincident, Brentworth, DIY speakers from Lynn Olson and Troels Gravesen and most recently Vapor Audio Cirrus (an excellent speaker but without the high efficiency I'd like), I had the oportunity to hear a good SET amp in my system and was blown away by the musicality of it, specially the fluidity, platicity, tunefulness of the music. As I'm mainly into opera and classical, this fluidity reminded me of what I love about going to the concert halls. Unluckily, this SET didn't have the power to reproduce big scale symphonic in my 87.5 dB efficient Cirrus.

I haven't been able to erase that experience from my mind, so now I'd like to make myself a system which puts the musical values first and not the usual audiophile values (tone, dynamics, timing and fluidity vs soundstage, extension, ultimate detail, etc.).

So, in the search for a really musical speaker, I've narrowed my search to two options: Ocellia (either the .21 or the .30 Signatures), or Tannoy (either Kensington, Yorkminster or Canterbury), which many people regard as superbly musical speakers. Even of they're not the same technology (wide-bander vs Dual concentric), I think they share many of the same characteristics which I'm after: paper domes with Alnico magnets with point source emittance for vibrant, colorful and solid imaging, excellent micro and macro dynamics, a very fluid sound and good eficiency to be able to use low and mid power amps.

I know it'd be ideal to listen to both of them first, but that's not possible since I live in Mexico and neither of them has distributors here, nor do I know anyone who has either, so I'd appreciate the opinion of those of you who have heard them.

Also, my room is a bit small: 3.3 x 5 m (10' x 15'), so I don't think it could handle big speakers well.

Amplification would be a DHT SET or PP amp.

Hope you can help me
Regards,
jjbraham
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
Since you like Vapor, what about the Cirrus White at 91 db? Maybe not ideal, but perhaps enough in your room with you listening preferences.

From what I understand, the Tannoy’s efficiency rating can be misleading. SET amps are not recommended. But then again, maybe in your space. At any rate, the Canterbury will probably be too big.

Regarding speakers using PHY drivers, the reactions to them can be very polar - some love them and some hate them. I would try to hear them before committing.
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
My only listening experience with the PHY drivers were in a pair of Musical Affairs Grand Crescendos driven by a Leben CS 300 integrated Amplifier. The Leben could offer more than needed in that small Manhattan apt, but the match was more than impressive to me!!!
I alternate from 300B and 45 SET amplifiers through Beauhorn Virtuosos with Lowther DX4 (106 db) in a slightly smaller room. With even 45 amplification I have an abundance of volume.
If I had some more space, PHY based speakers would be a prime consideration for me!! Not to bash Tannoy as I feel Westminster Royals (as example) are some of the most desirable to me , Tannoys in general may need more than SET power to open up. You have good taste!!
jburidan
803 posts
 
Art Audio Jota HC monoblocks will drive with ease any of the Tannoys you mentioned to thunderous volumes. My system has beautiful bass down to 20 Hz. My advice is to buy the Tannoys, and build your system around them. With anything less than Tannoy, you (deservedly) will end up having a bad case of buyer's remorse.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
I've heard the Tannoy Ken units, and if you have the space go for them. My first speaker purchase, sixty years ago was a Tannoy in a custom cabinet which I ran with tube Marantz and McIntosh. Wish I had the space for Ken's. They will be the speaker of choice when I get to heaven.
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