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Tannoy Monitors--Any info appreciated.

216.103.45.210
Posted on April 11, 2000 at 07:12:15
Allan Songer


 
Does anyone out there know the difference between the various Tannoy dual-concentric speakers? I've seen Montior "Red"/ "Silver"/ "Gold" and "HPD" in both 12" and 15" sizes. When were these produced and how good are they? The only Tannoys I've heard are fairly recent production Studio Monitors, so I really am clueless about the "classics." Then seem to go for a TON of money on ebay and elsewhere and I'm very curious.

Thanks.

 

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Re: Tannoy Monitors--Any info appreciated., posted on April 11, 2000 at 10:08:11
Willie the Squid


 
Check out this site.
There may be some information about vintage Tannoy
http://community-2.webtv.net/KerrB/VINTAGETUBEAMPHORN/index.html
If you learn a bunch, you might share your insights.
Good Luck.
WTS

 

Re: Tannoy Monitors--Any info appreciated., posted on April 11, 2000 at 15:05:08
Don M


 
My understanding of the vintage Tannoy is that they can be rated as follows:

In the same series (ie. silver or gold) the best drivers are always the 15" with the 12" and 10" following.

If we compare the various series they could be ranked in this order:

Red's - the best
Silver's
Gold's (paper surround)
Gold's (butyl rubber surround)
Gold's (foam surround)

They are probably overpriced at the current time because Japanese audiophiles have been buying and when the supply is limited the price goes up.

You can get additional information at the Tannoy web site.

Finally I sold my 12" Gold's about 2 years ago and I regret that decision.

 

Re: Tannoy Monitors--Any info appreciated., posted on April 11, 2000 at 15:17:11
Allan Songer


 
I'm looking (and listening) to a pair of Monitor Gold 12" w/ paper surrounds in original walnut cabinets & crossovers. The cabinets are in very nice shape (some scrathes on top, but really very nice), the grilles are perfect and they sound really nice, especially since the seller had me audition them through a Sony A/V SS amp.

The price is $450 (FIRM) --is this too much?

I plan to use them in my sattelite system hooked up to an old Fisher (7189 output) SA-100 amp (about 18 watts).

I was looking for Klipsh Hereseys since my main system has vintage Cornwalls and I really love them, but these Tannoys sound awfully good.

Should I buy them at $450 or keep looking?

Thanks for any and all help with this!

 

Silvers vs Reds, posted on April 11, 2000 at 16:37:03
MTL


 
The Silvers came before the Reds and sought a higher price and are more valued by collectors.

 

Re: Tannoy Monitors--Any info appreciated., posted on April 11, 2000 at 16:51:18
Don M


 
They are probably valued at close to $1,000 US. If you don't like them you can always resell them on Ebay.

Take a look at some recent sales.

Good luck,

Don

 

Re: Tannoy Monitor Prices--Altec and Radian, posted on April 11, 2000 at 20:14:54
Tom Brennan


 
I wonder if the stratospheric "high end" type prices being asked for new big Tannoys are responsible for some of their high value used. They seem to be going for more than Altec Duplexes and don't look to be as much speaker in strictly physical terms. Does Tannoy use one magnet to energize both voice-coil`s like the Stephens co-axes did? By the way, Radian makes a dual-concentric 15" driver that uses the woofer cone as an extension of the horn, uses a 2" throat driver behind the woofer, only about $450 each. Anybody ever use or hear them?

 

Re: Tannoy Monitor Prices--Altec and Radian, posted on April 11, 2000 at 21:01:55
MTL


 
I believe they are like the Altec 604,s with seperate magnets for the bass and highs.The phase plug is different tho.Reasons they fetch higher prices might be:not as plentiful as the 604s,a lot of the Tannoy concentrics are consumer speakers and the cabs might be more acceptible,they have a more laid-back sound or some prefer to call it more refined sound which appeals to some audiophiles.

 

At $450 ... BUY BUY BUY!!!! If not, i want 'em!!!! (nt), posted on April 12, 2000 at 14:10:21
Steven R. Rochlin


 
nt

 

Re: Tannoy Monitors--Any info appreciated., posted on April 12, 2000 at 14:15:26
Steven R. Rochlin


 
Don,

>>>My understanding of the vintage Tannoy is that they can be rated as follows: In the same series (ie. silver or gold) the best drivers are always the 15" with the 12" and 10" following.<<<

Hmm, i disagree in that i feel the 12" are the best followd by the 10" and THEN the 15". The 15" seem to have a midrange not as "real" and beautiful as the 12" or the 10". i've had the Gold Monitors circa 69-70. Ok, actually my DAD has them and i grew up listening to them. Dad still has 'em and refuses to sell 'em to *anyone* (hey, i tried buying 'em, convincing him newer speakers are better (HA) and stuff like that).

Just my 2 cents.

Enjoy the music,

Steven R. Rochlin


 

Thanks! I bought 'em!, posted on April 12, 2000 at 17:02:08
Allan Songer


 
I went ahead and did the deal. They are from the original owner who is a neighbor of a friend of mine. He told her that he knew a guy who was "nuts" about old hi-fi "junk." FYI the Tannoys will be going in my "satellite" system in my breakfast room"

Fisher SA-100 amp.
Fisher 100-T tuner/preamp gives McIntosh MX-110 a run for the money!)
AH! Tjoeb '98 CD player
Wireworld Oasis interconnects and speaker wire.

The "main" system is:

McIntosh MC-240 (w.KT-66 outputs)
McIntosh C-11 preamp
McIntosh MR-71 tuner
BAT VK-D5 CD player
Klipsh Cornwall (vertical horn, 1964)
Thorens TD-124/SME 3009/Grado Gold
Silver Audio "Hyacinth" interconnects
Wireworld Oasis Speaker Wire

 

My Rating Explained - 15 to 12 to 10, posted on April 12, 2000 at 17:42:52
Don M


 
Yes you are correct when you say that the 12" is better on the basis that you personally use to rate a driver.

However the increased driver sensitivity does allow the use of a much lower wattage amplifier. The 15" also extends to a lower frequency and provides a much larger soundstage.

In 1971 I enjoyed listening to the 15" much more than the 12". It was plain and simple. At the time I was working in an Audio Visual Department where most of the equipment was above average. Furthermore I was not aware of soundstage, imaging, musicality etc. When comparing it with the Altec 604 using solid state the Tannoys were far more refined.

In retrospect the most valuable speakers in cabinets that Tannoy have ever produced have always included a 15" driver in a horn enclosure.

When they designed the Churchill recently they used a 15" driver.

Finally if you look at the resale prices of Tannoy you will notice that the 15" are always significantly higher than the 12" which is then followed by the 10".

For all of the above reasons I rated the drivers in that order with the 15" as the best.

Regards,

Don

 

Re: My Rating Explained - 15 to 12 to 10, posted on April 13, 2000 at 13:45:23
Steven R. Rochlin


 
Don,

>>>Yes you are correct when you say that the 12" is better on the basis that you personally use to rate a driver.
However the increased driver sensitivity does allow the use of a much lower wattage amplifier. The 15" also extends to a lower frequency and provides a much larger soundstage.<<<

i guess we shall agree to disagree here. i have had the old 15" and have heard the new Churchill and other newer 15" Tannoy drivers. Guess my preference is of the 12" has better continuety through the lower mids and upper bass-bass region. The 10" can be AMAZINGLY magical. i heard some fairly new (circa 80's) 10" Tannoys at the Manlay Labs manufacturing facility and was blown away! They offered to sell me a pair with their special cabinet many years ago, but at that time i did not have the oppertunity to heard them before buying. Now after hearing them i am kicking myself in the butt.

Just something definatly lacking in the 15" IMHO no matter how i slice it. NO, they DO NOT S@CK or anything like that, just i find them not as elegant and seamless as the 12" units (no matter how i set the adjustable crossover). Still, i wouldn't kick a 15" Tannoy out of bed :-{) .

Enjoy(ing) the music (Yes "Roundabout" right now),

Steven R. Rochlin

"I'll be the round about
The words will make you out 'n' out
You change the day your way
Call it morning driving thru the sound and
In and out the valley

The music dance and sing
They make the children really ring
I spend the day your way

Call it morning driving thru the sound and
In and out the valley..."



 

CONGRATS!!! i am sooo jelous!!! (nt), posted on April 13, 2000 at 13:46:15
Steven R. Rochlin


 
nt

 

Re: My Experience - 10" Mini Churchill, posted on April 13, 2000 at 15:04:14
Don M.


 
It's interesting that you should mention a 10' Tannoy that was pretty amazing.

For 5 months last year I owned a Tannoy "Mini Churchill" (prototype) that sounded better than the Def 700. It included a single 10" driver (1995) from their professional line along with a custom crossover.

The cabinet was identical to the larger Churchill but just smaller in scale.

I returned the speakers to Tannoy not because of the sound or construction but for other reasons that should not be posted here.

If the opportunity arose I would try to replicate that system again.

Cheers,

Don

 

Re: My Experience - 10" Mini Churchill, posted on April 14, 2000 at 06:56:34
Steven R. Rochlin


 
Don,

>>>For 5 months last year I owned a Tannoy "Mini Churchill" (prototype) that sounded better than the Def 700. It included a single 10" driver (1995) from their professional line along with a custom crossover.<<<

i believe these are the SAME drivers i hard at the Manley Labs manufacturing facility as i described in a previous posting.


>>>If the opportunity arose I would try to replicate that system again.<<<

Amen! Count me in!

Enjoy the music,

Steven R. Rochlin

 

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