Informed/Insightful information requested on Tannoy GRF loudspeakers

I owned the Fyne 501SP and found them to be a little dull. I powered them with four amp over time (I like amps) amps- Leben 600, Luxman 550AII and Audionote Cobra and a Coda CSIB. There was something I just couldn't get into with the mids. They just lacked expression in my opinion but wouldn't say the speakers were bad, more my tastes didn't alight. The build quality was OK, lots of plastic that I thought was metal.

I'd love to hear the larger Tannoys anf Fynes, and I'm sure they get more captivating as the range goes up $. 

I own Kensington GR and Mini Autographs.  Moved from Harbeth to Focal to Rockport and am a total Tannoy fanboy.  I’ve also auditioned Canterburys and GRFs.  The Canterburys are an experience in a medium sized room - but too much for my space I thought (the dealer agreed).   To me, the GRFs simply don’t have the same Tannoy “magic” as the Kensingtons, Canterburys, or even the Mini Autographs.  I A/B’s them against Wilson Sasha’s, and they sounded more on the clinical side - more like a Wilson, Magico or Rockport.  Not there is anything wrong with those brands, obviously.  But if you are looking for the “Tannoy sound”, I don’t think GRF is entirely representative.  

Another A’gon member who is much more technically experienced and familiar with Tannoy (can’t find the post, sorry) agrees with me and offered several technical/design reasons that may explain what I am trying to describe.  OTOH, it’s a great sound - just perhaps a bit less warm than I was looking for.  
 

If you plan on living with your investment decision for a long time, I’d definitely find a dealer who can audition them for you.  Best of luck!

I wouldn buy any speaker without listening. I would not buy Tannoys without listening to them several times. I have never lived with a Tannoy, but every time I have heard the larger models at shows I havent been even remotely impressed. I simply do not like speakers which share the design characteristics of many of the classic British speakers. 

From what I hear, Fyne are doing things correctly by comparison. 

thanks all for your comments and insights....it is all worth while when considering what I was going to do....spend over $13K/US on a pair of Tannoy speakers that I have never heard....not knowing what they sound like or anything about them other than history, build quality and sales persons "nuggets" to motivate the sell.....the price point was the main consideration; fully 50% off what UpScale was charging for the same speakers 18 months ago......I have decided to reluctantly forgo the Tannoys for now; and maybe listen to a few models on up the scale at a future date...and the money saved now will go into my next speaker which, after I trade in my six month old Wilson Audio SashaV's, will go a long ways toward purchase of the AlexiaV......so, thanks again....your information provided clues to insight for my consideration....