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Informed/Insightful information requested on Tannoy GRF loudspeakers

I respect this forum and that's why I opened this discussion.  I live nowhere close to any Tannoy sales/distribution point and have never listened to any of their speakers.  Those of you who have, may be able to provide me invaluable insights.  I am very interested in purchasing a pair of new GRF speakers, as UpScale Audio is having a sale to finally clear out all remaining Tannoy stock, as they are no longer the North American distributor.  I WANT, but don't really NEED this pair of speakers; but I am so into the history of the Tannoy brand, up to the point it turned into a Chinese asset/moreless....build quality is way down; production turns out more blems than A Stock....so I am just asking anyone who's listened, heard, or own a dual concentric speaker, especially the limited production GRF90 or it's follow on GRF speaker, to provide me their insights.  I've purchased speakers before without listening to them, such as Klipsch Hersey3 and Klipschorn AK6s; which i enjoy; but not sold on them for reference.  I recently listened to Wilson Audio SashaV's for about 4 visits to the stereo store....and i bought them....and I love them............BUT....the Tannoys still interst me; maybe for a 2nd audio room for different or refined listening; or just a new experience.  Thinking about dropping about $13500 on a new pair, without hearing them, concerns me; most people tell me "it's a different sound; more detailed and warm" and such things....this forum always seems real....and i can take the good, bad and the ugly of what comments may come forward, but I will appreciate ALL of them as they will guide my decision....i've learned; the two pair of Klipsch speakers are in storage; the pair of Bose 901s as well........I would hate to purchase Tannoys and they be dust collectors somewhere.  Thanks in advance to everyone who provides guidance...i have maybe 25 years left in this life and retirement approaches, and I get so much pleasure out of my stereo system....and music will help, if the speakers are great...which i hope them to be.........I do love my Wilson Audio speakers for sure....Thanks all....

curthuff
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,190 posts
 

Nice, you've already got lots of tubes; Tannoys will like that :)
Lots and lots of KT120 is a particular favorite of mine; yep 16 will do it! 

For what it's worth the Prestige cabinets have been built in a Polish factory for many years, not Scotland - I didn't know that either until recently. Fyne cabinets are built in the same factory! And the Poles do a great job IMO; I Iove my Tannoy cabinets.

The Drivers were built in Scotland / UK until ~ 2018 ish? But don't fret; I actually have a set of Kensington GR drivers made in China and they sound great and are built to the exact same spec as before. All my other drivers were made in UK. I don't consider the Chinese drivers any less.

The history of Tannoy is long and admirable; the legacy lives on with the wonderful sound these speakers - new and old - still produce today!

curthuff's avatar
curthuff OP
13 posts
 

thanks so much for all the information thus far......it's memorial day weekend here in the USA and it gives me time to reflect back on what has been stated thus far..and maybe new info as it seeps in.....reading what owners have to say is so much more important than listening to salesmen or reading reviews from magazines which are supported by Tannoy advertising......this section and it's comments has as much value as any review from even highly respected sound people...i'll keep reading as long as you all keep sharing.....

 

wfowenmd
99 posts
 

Based on my experience, I too endorse Tannoy. I’ve also had Klipsch. Tannoy prestige are more detailed in my 4000 cubic foot, sound treated, dedicated 2-channel listening room. Since purchasing my Kensingtons, I’ve added Tannoy super tweeters and a pair of HSU subs. It’s all powered by Allnic push pull amp with KT170 tubes. I’m old and now disabled, so cannot still go to music venues to listen to jazz and R&B. I aim to reproduce the small club venues like Blues Alley in my home. Analog is my old guy choice, especially open RTR. Mulveling does a great job keeping the word: fact ratio appropriate. He offers sound advice. I grew up in Memphis TN hanging out at Stax and Sun Records, and Beale Street. So my music ear and life experiences align with many of the ole skool greats who’d treat us poor black kids to music in their homes. Issac Hayes, Booker T & MGs, Al Green, Aretha, Elvis. As I rapidly approach my expiration date, I hopefully will rejoin them in Rock and Roll Heaven — which will not be like the one described in a Stephen King short story 😉 All the best with your selection.

dickieboy's avatar
dickieboy
71 posts
 

I haven't heard the Tannoys I took long but I have listened to Fyne SP series and you'd be nuts to dismiss them. I greatly prefer their design/build (actually made in Scotland) and building on the Tannoy evolution. Their engineers didn't jump ship for nothing and are doing a great job. Your ears should make the decision. 

deep_333
1,873 posts
 

You could reduce the risk and get a pair of mofi 888 for 5000 dollars perhaps, (concentric driver n all..less than half the risk price wise)

Who knows? You might even sell the Wilson if the lowly 5000 dollar speaker grew on ya somehow and beat it out..

i know a guy who recently sold his Rockport after he bought the mofi for his secondary room. The lowly 5000 dollar speaker became his primary somehow..So, who knows? Who knows? Who knows? these days...

Thinking about dropping about $13500 on a new pair, without hearing them, concerns me; 

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