Still just really digging these things. I think that low crossover point to the tweeter really works for them. Everything is so coherent. Vocals -- especially female and most especially choral -- really sing through them. The detail is excellent without being at all harsh, and they have real, effortless thump. That 12" driver in the Kensington, along with the larger cabinet, must really be something.
And they just look the absolute business.
I've had zero buyer's remorse. |
Thanks, @lalitk ! I'll look into that. |
@trentmemphis,
Please reach out to Arnold at Core Audio Designs. He will make you stands that you will cherish for remainder of your lifetime. My room showcase several pieces of his master craftsmanship. |
I think it's safe to say they're fully broken in, at this point. I still have the tweeter set to flat, and I've decided I like them best with the grills on.
I've been experimenting with toe-in. Those of you who said to pay attention to what's in the manual -- i.e., cross them just in front of the listening position -- were 100% correct. Holy cats! They don't disappear (except with the Perahia recording I mentioned before). Sounds near them tend to stick to them, and I get the sense of things coming from outside them every now and then, but not often. But, man, the stage between them is incredible. In particular, I notice *depth* that I've never really heard before. On something like the Buena Vista Social Club record, I can hear things coming from way back behind the main performers, 3 or 4 layers deep.
I have the fronts propped up on books to give them some rake, which helped a lot getting rid of the feeling I was peering down into the soundstage. They could still stand to come up some, but I'm not really comfortable raking them back any further. I'd like to find some stands -- more like cradles -- to lift them about 4-6 inches and keep the rake angle I currently have. I know this place at least *used* to have several people offering custom woodwork for racks, platforms, turntable plinths, speaker stands, etc. Is there anybody still around who might make the kind of thing I'm talking about?
|
Nice. I ordered some of the Impressions panels. |
^^^Glad to hear you you were able to sort out the REL connectivity.
+1, GIK Acoustics. There is about 2 months wait but they will be well worth the wait. I am expecting my Tape Op Collaboration Art Panels by end of this months. |
I found something that fixes my subs, but I'm not sure why. Still puzzling over that one, but, in any case, the bass is back to more of what I'm used to. Need to do some tuning for the Stirlings' greater output in those frequencies. I may push the couch (my listening seat) back some and see what that does.
I ordered up some room treatments from GIK. Found out today those won't be here till late October, though. |
Happy and excited for you. New gear setup can be an awesome experience.
Thanks, @ovinewar ! Yes, it can be. Rediscovering music you've heard many times is a big part of the fun.
Wish I could figure out the REL issue, though. Their customer support is stumped, as well. |
Happy and excited for you. New gear setup can be an awesome experience.
|
Still getting acquainted. I've moved them a couple of feet farther apart than I had my Lintons. It's less convenient from a living space perspective, but I wanted to see how big a soundstage I could get in my room. Still fiddling with it, but the signs are promising. |
After letting them play in the next room all day and evening, I sat down late last night to do a little listening. The sharpness in the treble is gone, hallelujah. Still puzzling over why the subs stopped working. I've reached out to REL, and turned them off in the meantime.
I sampled several things in my listening session. The one I ended with, though. That was magic. It was Murray Perahia's recording of the Goldberg Variations. When I put that on, the Stirlings dis. uh. peered. Like vanished. There was just the piano, hovering directly in front of me, well back of where the speakers were, and about 2 feet above them.
I've never had the disappearing speakers experience before, and I've had (and still have) some darn fine speakers. This was the only recording the Stirlings did it on (or have done, so far), but still. Holy cats! I sat up till 3 in the morning listening to it.
|
Not particularly, but I don't really know what they're *supposed* to look like. Thanks for the link!
I figured out why the low end seemed overly tight. Nothing to do with break-in. My REL subs aren't firing anymore. Have to figure out what's up with that. Maybe something came loose when I was switching the cables from the 4-ohm taps to the 8-ohm. |
|
So, fellow Prestige line owners, did you polish yours right out of the box? I noticed the manual said the packing material can dry the wood, but it doesn't express an opinion on whether you should go ahead and give them a polish.
I know it's not going to hurt them, but what did you guys do? |
follow the unboxing instructions closely...I watched a video or 2 on youtube which helped beforehand and enjoy!
Thanks for the tip, @pehare . I did. Unboxing and basic setup went like a breeze. These are lovely objects, indeed. Very 1940s. I can't decide if they look nicer with the grills on, or off. I really like the grills (they're one of the reasons I went with these instead of something from the Legacy line), but they're dead sexy without them, too. The engraved logo, the treble plate, the drivers, of course. I've been listening for the past 3 hours or so. I hear the potential in there, but they definitely need some breaking in. The highs are a mite sharpish in my room, and the low end is a bit . . . hmm . . . I think "oversprung" is the word I'm looking for. The suspensions needs to loosen up. I played with toe-in a little, but it's WAY too early to draw any conclusions about that. I think break-in will change the soundstaging, as well. I don't remember what the efficiency on the Lintons is. I thought it was reasonably high (87? 89?), but the difference is VERY noticeable. With those, 35% on my C49 was a typical listening level for me. 35% with these babies is on the loud side. I expect I'll be living closer to 30. |
follow the unboxing instructions closely...I watched a video or 2 on youtube which helped beforehand and enjoy! |
“The eagle has landed!“
Awesome, take your sweet time to set them up. If you’re placing them away from wall, be sure to experiment with VDPS 😊 |
Thanks, @daniel_rusk !
lack of initiative on distributor part
That would be my guess, as well. They just haven't been made available to the traditional outlets for review. |
The eagle has landed!
I haven't had time to unbox them. Just get them off the pallet and rolled into my apartment. But I can hear them in their boxes, already, asking about tea time.
|
“It baffles me why Tannoys are not reviewed by the high-end mags.”
I am only guessing here...maybe due to lack of initiative on distributor part to have Tannoy reviewed by TAS/Stereophile or end users prefers modern finishes instead of traditional wood cabinetry / appearance. I know they are extremely popular in South Asian markets.
You were also spot on feeding the Tannoy with atleast 30 plus watts of class A power. That’s what I am using with my Canterbury’s. |
Congratulations on your new Tannoy speakers. I own a pair of the legacy Arden speakers I purchased new just last year from Upscale Audio. Being an audiophile for 30 years and owning dozens of very expensive speakers, I can say the Tannoys are by far the finest speaker I have owned. Just wanted to add that even though they are efficient, they respond best with some power. Driving the Ardens with the Pass Labs XA30.8, I was able to do away completely with my two REL subs, greatly simplifying my system. With 30+ watts of pure class A high current, the Tannoys will project a wall of sound and bring a rock concert or symphony into your room. A sound of live music I never experienced with any other speakers. It baffles me why Tannoys are not reviewed by the high-end mags. Probably because none of the other manufacturers can come close to the sound of real music like a Tannoy. Again, congratulations. |
“that response was not directed at you, should have been more clear. The quote was from someone further back in this series of posts that said to stay away from class A of 30 watts or more....which to me has no validity...”
@audioguy85,
I think you have mis-read my post. I have suggested OP as below,
I would not recommend any amp with <30watts in pure class A
|
I am looking forward to you thoughts on your Sterlings once you’ve had time to get acquainted with them. Was thinking of pairing with a Pass XA25.
Yeah, I considered something from Pass, as well, but I'm not ready to move on from the Mac just yet. It seems like it would be a good combination, though. My estimate on my delivery date was off by a bit, @lalitk . They're arriving tomorrow afternoon! |
Trentmemphis, that response was not directed at you, should have been more clear.
Or I could read more carefully. My mistake. |
@audioguy85,
No worries.
I think most of us here would understand that Sugden have been making pretty solid amps for a very, very long time.
|
Trentmemphis, that response was not directed at you, should have been more clear. The quote was from someone further back in this series of posts that said to stay away from class A of 30 watts or more....which to me has no validity... |
I am looking forward to you thoughts on your Sterlings once you’ve had time to get acquainted with them. Was thinking of pairing with a Pass XA25.
|
Any update on your delivery date?
No date, yet. Looks like the truck left the dock this morning. So, depending on how many stops he has and so forth, early next week, maybe? |
Sugden has been building the A21 for like 40 something years! If you have doubts about the quality, then I’d advise you to read all the positive reviews on the A21 SE signature pure class A integrated. Better yet, seek one out to listen to. To me, it is a fantastic match for the Tannoys. Guess you would also frown upon some of the class A products from Pass? I'm not frowning on things. I just feel like I have a great all-round amp, already, in the 152, which has plenty of power. If I were going to spend more money on amplification right now, it would be to get something that's more of a "specialist." Something that really does one thing -- like soundstaging, for example -- spectacularly well. |
Congrats... Like @yakbob I have arden legacy in my main lounge 7m x 5.5m and its dreamy. I don't cross over in front but toe in so it crosses just behind me.... But depends on room (I used cardas method for perfect placement) also depending on floor I would suggest isoacoustics gaia under feet.... Elevated speakers to a whole new level. Enjoy
Thanks! I'll keep the Gaia pods in mind. I don't imagine I'll be doing a lot of tweaking till they've settled in and I've gotten accustomed to them, but it's good information to have, especially from somebody with similar speakers. Somebody will have to tell me how to get the @ thing to work. I've tried it a couple of times, but no luck. |
“I was sitting here thinking, "I wish my thread was getting as much discussion as that Tekton Design Moab thread."
Then I read a few pages of it. I prefer silence.”
That would be my advise as well 😊
Any update on your delivery date?
|
"I would not recommend any amp with <30watts in pure class A.".....why?? Sugden has been building the A21 for like 40 something years! If you have doubts about the quality, then I’d advise you to read all the positive reviews on the A21 SE signature pure class A integrated. Better yet, seek one out to listen to. To me, it is a fantastic match for the Tannoys. Guess you would also frown upon some of the class A products from Pass? None of them have tubes, all SS, and have also received rave reviews. This is not to say in any way that a good single ended tube amp would not sound wonderful as well. I am saying that at 89 to 91 sensitivity, a 2 watt amp may not cut it in the loudness dept. Yes, it may very well be a nice low level listening experience with a great soundstage, but for higher volumes I'd seek out a higher watt alternative. |
Congrats... Like @yakbob I have arden legacy in my main lounge 7m x 5.5m and its dreamy. I don't cross over in front but toe in so it crosses just behind me.... But depends on room (I used cardas method for perfect placement) also depending on floor I would suggest isoacoustics gaia under feet.... Elevated speakers to a whole new level. Enjoy
|
I was sitting here thinking, "I wish my thread was getting as much discussion as that Tekton Design Moab thread."
Then I read a few pages of it. I prefer silence. |
I've been watching the meters on the 152. I rarely get above 1.5 watts. The 152 is a high-current amp, but I'm not sure how that would factor into the comparison. |
Good to hear, @foschino.
Bring in the Zen, you’ve got MC152 on hand for comparison Exactly. It's not like the 152 is going anywhere. I've also got an old (vintage?) Acurus A150 that's not doing anything at the moment. I might try that with them at some point, too. The thing that interests me about the Zen is the soundstage depth, which everybody seems to rave about.
I have never heard any Tannoy’s but am truly excited for you. New speakers are always a blast. Like you, I cannot part with most of my older friends- Bose 901 series 1, Klipsch Heresy and Chorus, Infinity Preludes, Ohm’s and Thiel, NHT’s.......let us know how the Tannoys sound. My wife might require a thinning of the herd but a new speaker sounds pretty exciting. Good for you and enjoy.
Thanks! That's a nice collection. I kinda wish I'd snagged a pair of NHT monitors, back in the day. Just didn't have any money at the time. |
I have never heard any Tannoy’s but am truly excited for you. New speakers are always a blast. Like you, I cannot part with most of my older friends- Bose 901 series 1, Klipsch Heresy and Chorus, Infinity Preludes, Ohm’s and Thiel, NHT’s.......let us know how the Tannoys sound. My wife might require a thinning of the herd but a new speaker sounds pretty exciting. Good for you and enjoy.
|
“The Stirlings are rated 91, which in my room should make the Zen sufficient on the wattage front.”
I would not recommend any amp with <30watts in pure class A. Bring in the Zen, you’ve got MC152 on hand for comparison. No doubt you would appreciate tube’s rich harmonics and intoxicating mid-range through Stirling’s but you may crave for more power in the low end region.
It’s a journey you will figure it out :-)
|
I think you'll love them. I've owned a pair of Integra 40 (12" dual concentric cones) since the 70's and although I now have several other speakers nothing sounds as smooth as the Tannoy's. Good listening. |
The Stirlings are rated 91, which in my room should make the Zen sufficient on the wattage front. |
Tannoys and tubes are a great match. However, you may be limited in how loud they will play based upon the tube amps output. The Tannoys are pretty sensitive, say 89 to 91....but no where as sensitive as say a klipsch. I went with a single ended 30 watt class A (40 w into 4 ohm) by sugden which to me sounds awesome. It goes plenty loud, although most of my listening is not loud. The Tannoys, at least the eatons, sound great even at a low volume. |
The ones I linked to. :) The
SE84UFO2. |
@trentmemphis,
Which Zen Triode you’re considering? |
I've had a bit of a wild hare thought. What do you guys think of the DecWare Zen Triode as a match to these guys? Or perhaps a pair of them? |
Westminster are beasts! I can only imagine the incredible soundstage. For my room, Canterbury’s are perfect. If this is going to be your first experience with a single driver, make sure you play with front feet adjustments to give you that required ‘tilt’. Depending on the height of your listening chair, the height of the mid-section of the Dual Concentric driver should be at your ear level. I was able to obtain better treble tonality and imaging with a slight upward tilt. If you want dead center pin-point imaging, toe-in your Stirlings. I do indeed want pinpoint imaging, but I don't want EVERYTHING shoved to the middle, like a mono recording. I've found a bit too much toe-in can cause that, so I generally apply toe-in in very small increments over the course of weeks. My current Lintons are ever so slightly toed in, and I find they can do rather better than advertised (or reviewed) at imaging and soundstage, with the right recording. Where is your electronics rack? It was my observation that placing equipment rack beyond 22” height in the middle of speakers ‘interfered’ with imaging and messed with my illusion of DK playing in my room with her piano :-)
I'm set up in my living room, so the 2-channel has to share space with the tv, etc. The rack for my 2-channel equipment is more or less behind the left speaker, then there's a credenza next to it that stretches across to the right speaker. All of this is about 2 feet from the backs of the speakers. |
FSM model from the mid 80's
Ah, the '80s. That's just about when the audiophile bug bit teenage me. I'd been reading Stereo Review for a while, then I discovered there was another magazine called Stereophile and laid my hands on an issue. (I don't remember how. Did they advertise in the back of SR?) There was this whole world of gear I'd never even heard of, much less heard! Heady times. |
Yeah, The walk around lead singer comment was from the favorable review of the tannoy eatons by the audiophile man, Paul Rigby.... |
“Why stop there? Westminsters for everybody!”
@trentmemphis,
Westminster are beasts! I can only imagine the incredible soundstage. For my room, Canterbury’s are perfect. If this is going to be your first experience with a single driver, make sure you play with front feet adjustments to give you that required ‘tilt’. Depending on the height of your listening chair, the height of the mid-section of the Dual Concentric driver should be at your ear level. I was able to obtain better treble tonality and imaging with a slight upward tilt. If you want dead center pin-point imaging, toe-in your Stirlings.
Where is your electronics rack? It was my observation that placing equipment rack beyond 22” height in the middle of speakers ‘interfered’ with imaging and messed with my illusion of DK playing in my room with her piano :-) |
FSM model from the mid 80's |
As a Tannoy owner, as you see from my avatar, I can state without
reservation that you will love them!!
Those look like some doozies! |
