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Post by hifinutt on Jul 16, 2022 18:00:42 GMT
Any Tannoy lovers here ? i just adore my tannoy eaton legacy . they just seem to get better and better . they just LOVE class A !!! beautiful bass . deep and powerful , lovely sweet treble and iimaging in spades . what more can you want . best standmount i have had agree with these comments in this review www.avforums.com/reviews/tannoy-legacy-eaton-standmount-speaker-review.13980/the tonality of the Eaton is also absolutely exceptional. The crossover between the mid-range driver and the tweeter is low at 1.2kHz giving it a lot of work to do but it never seems under any strain. Voices and instruments sound natural and are smooth and free of any signs of harshness or aggression. The Naim Supernait2 I use for the bulk of test work is a far cry from Naim amps of old but it can still be provoked with some speakers. This is utterly unlikely to happen with the Eaton which is completely unflappable even when you throw a poor recording at it and dial up the volume. This is an exceptionally composed speaker under pretty much any condition – and even if you did dial up the volume, you have the option of rolling off the HF output slightly. Above all these things is a sense of weight and presence with everything you play. This needs to be qualified as slightly different to outright bass extension. Make no mistake, the Eaton has no shortage of bass under pretty much any condition – that 40Hz figure is effortlessly bettered in this room – but where the Tannoy truly excels is with the point where the lower mid-range becomes bass. Without sacrificing control or integration, the Eaton has a level of grunt here that makes most rivals seem anaemic. The string section in Flynn Lives on the TRON: Legacy soundtrack swells with an energy and sheer heft that really can only be achieved by a large driver in a large cabinet. |
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Post by antonio on Jul 16, 2022 18:50:25 GMT
@hifinut Nice one.
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Post by rexton on Jul 16, 2022 18:52:16 GMT
Yep, I love Tannoys. I have a pait of 15" MG's sitting in 375 litre cabinets. I sit less than 8ft away from them and they can perform like a pair of mini-monitor for close field listening or produce a vast, thunderous, panoramic soundstage. They only need a few watts to go loud. The only downside is the space they take up. I wouldn't be without them.
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edward
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Post by edward on Jul 16, 2022 20:29:08 GMT
Love my Tannoys. Likewise would not be without them. Main Tannoys are Berkeleys (15 inch HPDs) which I got a few years ago now. With the immense kind help from Mickeyb and Paul Coupe (RFC) enhanced the Berkeleys (crossover, internals and much besides). Easy to drive with a wide variety of amps. Currently being driven by a 686.
Also have a lovely (classic, vintage - not Legacy) pair of Eatons (10 inch HPDs).
Like Phil says Tannoys have a great sense of weight and authority. Pretty unflappable with most amps (but I've not tried a SET amp so far). They sound very good just plonked down but dial them into the room and something magical happens.
I've sometimes considered going active with the Berkeleys just for the lolz.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 16, 2022 22:06:40 GMT
I still haven't heard a pair.
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edward
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Post by edward on Jul 16, 2022 22:22:48 GMT
I still haven't heard a pair. A Tannoy virgin. A rare beast.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 16, 2022 22:30:59 GMT
I still haven't heard a pair. A Tannoy virgin. A rare beast. I know. I haven't heard ANY Tannoys at all, and to be fair I quite possibly never will lol |
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Post by electronumpty on Jul 16, 2022 22:39:53 GMT
A Tannoy virgin. A rare beast. I know. I haven't heard ANY Tannoys at all, and to be fair I quite possibly never will lol TBF neither had I till I built some. 🤣 |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 16, 2022 22:43:27 GMT
I know. I haven't heard ANY Tannoys at all, and to be fair I quite possibly never will lol TBF neither had I till I built some. 🤣 Ha! I'm not going down that rabbit hole. |
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Post by electronumpty on Jul 16, 2022 22:45:09 GMT
TBF neither had I till I built some. 🤣 Ha! I'm not going down that rabbit hole. Gwan! Gwan! Gwan! 😉 |
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Post by antonio on Jul 17, 2022 5:49:14 GMT
TBF neither had I till I built some. 🤣 Ha! I'm not going down that rabbit hole. You have already said it had at least crossed your mind. |
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 17, 2022 5:49:31 GMT
Awful things.
Oh they often do a lot of things well (some of the best upper bass I have ever heard has come from Tannoys) but always with a fatal flaw (or three).
There's always, to a greater or lesser extent, an upper mid resonance which overlays a layer of chhh (as in Scottish Loch) grainy sound over everything. And often a dullness or a sting at the top, the treble is never quite right. I've heard some that are mind numbingly dull. Others too bright.
But the bigger drivers can move a lot of air, and appropriately driven, can start and stop impressively quickly across the full frequency spectrum.
Paul at Reference Fidelity Components (RFC) does good work in partially deTannoying Tannoys with new xovers and cabinet builds.
I can understand the attraction if you are immune to the, to me, killer grainy resonance. But they are most definitely not for me.
Tannoise.
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Post by karma67 on Jul 17, 2022 7:38:05 GMT
here you go oli!on sale now at hifihanger  the only time i heard a pair of tannoys and they were paul rfc all singing and dancing big ones i thought they sounded rather flat and un involving. i nearly didnt buy the amp i was there for on the strength of what i heard. |
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Post by mikeyb on Jul 17, 2022 7:51:50 GMT
NSFJerry warning 😁 Here's my Berkeleys after I collected them from the guy who bought them new in 1976, he sold them to give money to his daughter to help get through Uni, boxed with Tannoy brochure. Built in October 1975. As Edward mentioned in his post I upgraded mine as per Paul Coupes instructions and added a pair of his top of the range external crossovers as seen in the second last photo. Last picture shows them with the PMC 21s that they replaced 😂 Driven these days by a Primaluna HP Dialogue Premium Power Amp, I was told these Tannoys work best with push-pull amps, having had the speakers and amp for a few years now I can't argue with the advice I was given when amp hunting.        |
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Post by Pigmy Pony on Jul 17, 2022 12:39:16 GMT
A Tannoy virgin. A rare beast. I know. I haven't heard ANY Tannoys at all, and to be fair I quite possibly never will lol I've never heard Tannoys either. I'm looking forward to hearing Macca's when he gets them done, though I have to be realistic, I'm 64 now. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2022 14:10:32 GMT
I know. I haven't heard ANY Tannoys at all, and to be fair I quite possibly never will lol I've never heard Tannoys either. I'm looking forward to hearing Macca's when he gets them done, though I have to be realistic, I'm 64 now. Hahaha, yeah, I gave up on that idea |
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edward
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Post by edward on Jul 17, 2022 15:19:57 GMT
I've never heard Tannoys either. I'm looking forward to hearing Macca's when he gets them done, though I have to be realistic, I'm 64 now. Hahaha, yeah, I gave up on that idea Oli, did you start on the idea of a Tannoy build and get drivers? I know Paul C is often looking for decent drivers. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2022 15:50:10 GMT
Hahaha, yeah, I gave up on that idea Oli, did you start on the idea of a Tannoy build and get drivers? I know Paul C is often looking for decent drivers. No, I never bought anything. Close a couple of times, but those I know with exemplary knowledge in loudspeaker design talked me out of it. |
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Post by macca on Jul 17, 2022 17:28:36 GMT
Awful things. Oh they often do a lot of things well (some of the best upper bass I have ever heard has come from Tannoys) but always with a fatal flaw (or three). There's always, to a greater or lesser extent, an upper mid resonance which overlays a layer of chhh (as in Scottish Loch) grainy sound over everything. And often a dullness or a sting at the top, the treble is never quite right. I've heard some that are mind numbingly dull. Others too bright. But the bigger drivers can move a lot of air, and appropriately driven, can start and stop impressively quickly across the full frequency spectrum. Paul at Reference Fidelity Components (RFC) does good work in partially deTannoying Tannoys with new xovers and cabinet builds. I can understand the attraction if you are immune to the, to me, killer grainy resonance. But they are most definitely not for me. Tannoise. I know what you mean about the grainy resonance (I think) but I have heard a few different builds (including Paul RFCs) that don't have it. Although Paul at that time was using one of those dreadful Rega CD players that sound like a crap turntable, but ironically SQ from his Garrard 401 was totally clean. There's probably all round better speakers but fact is even a relatively small Tannoy DC makes most speakers sound like toys in terms of sheer weight of the sound. I don't really know what that's all about in technical terms since even the very big ones don't go down that low (maybe flat to 35Hz in room) but it is the impression pretty much everyone gets from them. |
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Post by electronumpty on Jul 17, 2022 17:53:37 GMT
I think a lot depends on the crossovers and components used. I'm not a massive Tannoy expert but speaking from my own experience with my Eaton-a-like build. As I changed crossover components gradually, the sound improved accordingly.
Firstly in the bass response, fuller deeper and more tuneful when I upgraded the caps and resistors.
Secondly in the notch filter where a better quality cap gave the driver a much smoother and linear response, losing the slight edge it had which is the Tannoy honk I guess.
I may change the last tweeter cap but I'm in no rush. My xovers were designed by Paul Coupe and at the time I got ones with basic components except for his bespoke inductors which I have kept.
Upgrading the caps and resistors has made a huge difference though. Not that I can measure any of it mind 🙂
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Post by hifinutt on Jul 17, 2022 18:10:50 GMT
I still haven't heard a pair. you are always welcome  P1060717 by , on Flickr |
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Post by hifinutt on Jul 17, 2022 18:14:36 GMT
paul does make superb exterior crossovers . i have some for my impulse in matching cherry  P1060110 by , on Flickr |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2022 18:16:05 GMT
I still haven't heard a pair. you are always welcome Cheers. I may take you up on that in the Autumn. |
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 17, 2022 20:37:03 GMT
.... There's always, to a greater or lesser extent, an upper mid resonance which overlays a layer of chhh (as in Scottish Loch) grainy sound over everything..... I know what you mean about the grainy resonance (I think) but I have heard a few different builds (including Paul RFCs) that don't have it... I bet I'd hear it.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2022 21:46:33 GMT
I know what you mean about the grainy resonance (I think) but I have heard a few different builds (including Paul RFCs) that don't have it... I bet I'd hear it. Is it a cab issue of the driver itself. Looking at the graphs, it certainly looks "choppy" and doesn't suggest it's the embodiment of refinement? It's not one particular one either, most of the range seem to look similar. I'm not really sure that parallel sides for speakers is the way to go either.....maybe I need to hear some. |
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 18, 2022 5:59:42 GMT
Paul RFC has shown afaiac that it's the driver and the cab and the crossover that goes to make the Tannoy Sound (love it or loath it).
It's one big cock up to my ears, but others really enjoy it, so fair do's. Nothing is perfect, so just choose your own poison.
But the larger drivers sure as hell can move a lot of air in an impressively controlled way, and that's important for a lot of music.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 18, 2022 6:46:14 GMT
here you go oli!on sale now at hifihanger the only time i heard a pair of tannoys and they were paul rfc all singing and dancing big ones i thought they sounded rather flat and un involving. i nearly didnt buy the amp i was there for on the strength of what i heard. Certainly not a description he'd be hoping for! |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 18, 2022 6:49:18 GMT
Paul RFC has shown afaiac that it's the driver and the cab and the crossover that goes to make the Tannoy Sound (love it or loath it). It's one big cock up to my ears, but others really enjoy it, so fair do's. Nothing is perfect, so just choose your own poison. But the larger drivers sure as hell can move a lot of air in an impressively controlled way, and that's important for a lot of music. Last person to describe Tannoys to me said "absolutely no LF whatsoever" Sounds like an amplifier issue? |
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Post by rexton on Jul 18, 2022 6:59:34 GMT
Paul RFC has shown afaiac that it's the driver and the cab and the crossover that goes to make the Tannoy Sound (love it or loath it). It's one big cock up to my ears, but others really enjoy it, so fair do's. Nothing is perfect, so just choose your own poison. But the larger drivers sure as hell can move a lot of air in an impressively controlled way, and that's important for a lot of music. Last person to describe Tannoys to me said "absolutely no LF whatsoever" Sounds like an amplifier issue? Or possibly a hearing issue? Plenty of LF on my Tannoys. |
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Jul 18, 2022 7:07:09 GMT
Where did you find the graphs Oli? I'd be interested to look.
I think we all have a 'flavour' we prefer and speakers (with additional room interactions) normally impart the most colour or flavour to the sound reproduction. I believe we are all (especially after years of critical listening) used to a certain sound profile. It's very unlikely or rare that anyone is hearing a flat/neutral response in their system within their room. I believe that speaker/room interactions are inevitable and virtually impossible to avoid. The 20-300Hz is particularly influenced by room interactions. Room modes and speaker/boundary effects are difficult to avoid.
A completely damped and treated room providing an almost flat response (with an almost perfectly 'flat' response system) would generally sound very strange and (I believe) most people would find it unlistenable and/or alien.
I recently heard two recordings of a cello: one outside and one inside a church. The one outside sounded very strange and lifeless - it was particularly alien to listen to. The recording in the church sounded 'familiar' and the reverberation and reinforcement of certain frequencies sounded more 'right' and normal. We're all used to music and our systems in a room. I believe it is extremely unlikely anyone is listening to a flat response system/room.
I think speakers especially are a very personal thing. There is plenty of evidence to show that we all have completely different 'frequency response' perception profiles. I think these differences between us all is what makes music/hifi such a great hobby/past-time/obsession! We simply don't hear the same thing and those differences of perception and experience is what makes hifi interesting and leads to many good debates.
I'd love to hear some of these Tannoys one day. Many people love them. I'd guess the imaging and more 'realistic' bass weight and body would be very addictive. 😀 I'd imagine there would be some frequency responses variations due to the largish (parallel sided) cabinets, however, these can add a flavour that many like.
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