Nice Tannoy story! We used to do things like that back in the ol’den days in our "lab" at Lafayette Radio and Radio Shack. Customers walking in, lots of tubes tested for free, fuses and styluses replaced, free battery cards, etc. Also checked out a few problem speaker drivers in my day at Tech Hifi. Glory days!
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Can some one from Scotland, verify this claim please regarding Tannoy Industrial state being turned into a housing sub division Palacecraig Street Residential Development - Public Consulation (palacecraigplanning.com) |
This has been confirmed by ex employees that hosted Kevin (from Upscale) John Norton and Graham Hendry, and this is a quote from Graham to me "nothing is now made or designed in the UK." Even Canadian retailers were unaware, See the following link - https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/housing-proposal-coatbridge-factory-site-22883220 |
The Tannoy factory at Coatbridge, Scotland closed last year in September I believe. There was a closing down auction in December, 2020 when everything was sold off. The building was leased to Tannoy. The owners are trying to lease it out but there are plans for housing but the future is still undecided. Im not in Scotland but England. Tannoy are not forth coming about where these speakers are made now. |
UpscaleAudio does not seem to know what is going on. The 2016 article was not erroneous, that was the plan to close the factory down but then it got postponed and happened in 2020. There is no design or manufacturing in the UK of Tannoys. There maybe some marketing/sales based in Manchester. There in no new factory in England. Saying that they are made at the same factory as for decades is incorrect. Music Tribe won't say where they are now made but keep advertising they are made in Scotland. Their HQ is in Manila, Philippines.
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Anyone considering Tannoy should audition Fyne as well. I have a pair of Fyne Audio F703 speakers, made in Scotland. Incredible to listen to and beautiful to look at. Jim Smith of Get Better Sound and RoomPlay Reference uses Fyne F703 speakers in his SOTA listening studio. Anyone signing up for a RoomPlay Reference session will hear the F703 speakers at their very best. |
Thank you. BTW, my direct experience tells me that most of what Kevin Deal says should be taken with a grain of salt. He is first and foremost a marketing genius (I'm your super hip, foul mouthed buddy Uncle Kevin) along with Jason Stoddard (I created the first audio cult and everyone is welcome to join) and Paul McGowan (you're part of my family and new personal best friend). Sheesh, give me a break. |
What some people seem to be missing here, is the Tannoy Scottish factory closed down last year, this is not a recent event, it's possible you may get some new, Scottish made speakers, but I think it's unlikely now. Are not most of these are built to order? Maybe search the dealers for some ex demo ones? Plenty of used ones, come up for sale in the UK, not sure about in the US market.
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The fact that a new UK / Euro factory has not yet been identified is very concerning, for the Legacy and Prestige lines. But I can report I received excellent support/service from MusicTribe this past month, regarding the order of spare tweeter diaphragms and wood wax for my Canterbury GR. The tweeter boxes had the "designed and manufactured in the UK" stickers on them, for what it’s worth. They look legit. I like having the Fyne option, but short of an act of God to my Canterburys, I’m not yet tempted to move on. Fyne’s cabinets and dedicated woofer designs remind me of the Tannoy Definition 10T and 10A, both of which I do not like, sonically. Aesthetically - I don't mind the contemporary cabinet designs, but the oiled walnut Prestige cabinets look more beautiful as each year passes. Shiny, glossy things - not so much. |
Thanks for your post. Some folks just can’t see beyond price and specs which is quite fine, to each his/her own :-) The music and the associated components in your system is an emotional experience for many enthusiasts in this hobby. As a fellow Canterbury’s owner, I totally agree; the oiled walnut cabinets becoming more beautiful after each wax treatment, like a fine vintage piece of art. Not to mention how incredibly musical, dynamic and real-life like they sound in my room. I have not come across another speaker (except the mighty Westminster) that can produce realistic bass like the 15" dual-concentric driver in Canterbury’s. |
Not to reignite an older thread, but out of curiosity, I contacted Audio Emotion in UK Scotland to inquire about the coatbridge factory. They claim that it is not entirely closed yet, in fact they said they are expecting a new shipment of tannoy speakers from Glasgow today. So I have no idea what the deal is with the rumors . |
The rumors happen because Tannoy has never been transparent and forthright about their operations. Even as a customer (and based on what I’ve seen my dealer go through, them too), communication has ALWAY been a struggle. This is not limited to current ownership, either - it goes far back. Operating this way feeds the rumor mills. If Tannoy ownership want to cut down rumors, they’re the ONLY ones who can stop it, by providing the information we all seek. I like Upscale Audio a lot, and I feel their distributorship is a big step in the right direction. But I have a feeling they're not entirely in the loop, either. |
Hi Bros, I have been waiting Tannoy Kensinton Gr for almost 2 years but it seems that the model is no longer available (at least in my country), all I can do now is to wait or buy secondhand ones. The biggest Tannoy retailer said he has no idea whether Tannoy keeps producing this model. Except for Turnberry Gr and Kensington Gr, other models such as Canterberry Gr are still in stock. So I believe that Tannoy may stop producing these two models as they cant compete with Fyne Audio at this segment. |
@stevevn must be a problem with your dealer because I almost bought a pair from Audio Emotion a few weeks ago but instead went with the Arden. not sure what the comment about them not competing against Fyne, that makes zero sense. One is a very modern generic looking speaker and the other is a much more classic look and they sound quite different. |
Agreed - Tannoy models Kensington and up have features not found in Fyne: twin roll textile surround (vs rubber), alnico magnets (vs ferrous), pepperpot tweeter (vs waveguide). Also I vastly prefer the look of Tannoy Prestige cabinets over Fyne Vintage. The Fyne prices get high up there pretty quickly. A Tannoy Prestige GR, if in "proper" production (a big IF) absolutely competes. The alnico/pepperpot models have a passion and vivacity not quite found in the other Tannoy models. But alnico is very expensive to use. |
I emailed to Tannoy but they havent replied yet. Ilove the sound of Kensington Gr but it seems that Tannoy Kensington Gr and Turnberry Gr are out of stock all over the world due to lack of materials. Canterberry model is available but too big to my space. I’m thinking about B&W speakers, plz advice. (pair with MCintosh 8900) |
@Latitk I live in Vietnam. In fact, many customers face the same issues as me. You can visit Tannoy | Facebook for information. Some people commented and questioned whether Tannoy moves their factory to China or somewhere else to produce Turnberry Gr and Kensington Gr but Tannoy keeps silent and has not replied officially yet. |