These old Tannoys are NOT all that they are cracked up to be

“These old Tannoys are NOT all that they are cracked up...”

Written on: 19/04/2012 by tmz (1 review written)

These Tannoy ‘Little Red Monitor” speakers are designated as type NFM or 'Near Field Monitors" and as such I don’t think there is anything in this genre which could beat them on a price/performance basis. They are truly astounding with pinpoint accuracy and depth.
However!!! They are lacking in some important area vis;
a) Low frequency response rolls off to -4db at a high 55Hz. so deep bass is totally missing. This is due to the relative stiff double roll cone surround and low cabinet capacity.
b) They have a very poor design of enclosure and sound proofing. The resonances from the enclosure become unbearable if you wind up the volume past the 5-10 watt level. At this level my Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's perform much more tightly!
c) The tone control knobs wear out and become very 'crackly' (they are about 30 years old afterall).
At the moment, April 2012, these Tannoys are going for up to £900 on ebay. If you have a recording studio and the speakers are sighted in the 'near field' (1-3 meters away), at relatively low volume levels, then they ARE worth it. Their performance in a larger living/listening environment will very probably cause you to be most disappointed with a distincly 'coloured' and 'boxey' sound at higher volume settings.