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

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Tannoy Little Red Monitor SRM12B
★★★★☆
4.0
From 3 reviews
67.0% of users recommend this
  • Sound Quality

  • Value For Money

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tmz's review of Tannoy Little Red Monitor SRM12B

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

★★★☆☆

written by tmz on 19/04/2012

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.

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Guest's Response to tmz's Review

Written on: 06/06/2012

I have recently bought a pair. I largely concur with the above comments, but it you do have a small - medium sized room and listen near field then these are excellent value. Superb mid-range and tonality. Although bass isn't the deepest it is taut and tuneful.
Recommended.

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Davidcolton's Response to tmz's Review

Written on: 19/12/2020

I've owned a pair since 1980 and they were fantastic in my commercial studio but having brought them home in 1984 when we closed I have to say that I agree with these comments. As I've changed amps over the 25 years since, the Arcam Alpha 8 the only amp that had enough warmth to lift the bass at low volume. I still love the stereo image which hold its integrity across the now smaller room that they are in but I think its time to move on, probably to some Fyne audio 501's?

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