TANNOY will stop Hi-FI ?

@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.

@stevevn 

I do not know where you located but both Kensington and Turnberry are available in USA. Which B&W model you’re considering? Here in US, B&W’s are often paired with McIntosh and Classe gear. 

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)

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.

 

stevevn

2 posts

09-07-2022 at 06:57pm 

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. 

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.

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. 

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 .

Tannoy - Simply Excellent👍

@mulveling

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.

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. 

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.

 

 

 

I respectably disagree. I know at least one person with good ears that went from Tannoy to Fyne after an audition. In most cases the Fyne choice was about half the price of the similar spec Tannoy.

So if you have money to burn, ignore Fyne and buy Tannoy.

Anyone considering Tannoy, should buy Tannoy :-) If there is any sense of urgency, it is now for anyone seriously considering Tannoy. Grab a pair made in Scotland  before you start seeing production runs from Asian continent.  

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.

@vinylvalet 

A good call.

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.

RoomPlay Reference

The Upscale video is of their warehouse, I don't see what that has to do with the Tannoy factory in Scotland. Very misleading. 

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.

 

Some of the top people at Tannoy, left years ago and set up Fyne Audio.

This was after the Music Tribe takeover in 2015.

 

Oh c'mmon tubebuffer, you pooshing our leg!

This whole thing just total blastme. Is there there no chislry anymore? So these guy mooch all ancient institution and take horseman to other company and watch crown fall. That shame for everyone in Queen land.

Music Tribe are still advertising that these speakers are handmade in Scotland.

I won’t be buying any of their products ever.

 

 

 

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. 

u can get the Tonny clone (same speaker) on ebay dirt cheap, thats why, Chinese stole Tannoy's technology, duplicated it and waaa laa, Tannoy on the cheap,, But why get Tannoy when you can get the Zu??
Concetric will not outshoot a  WBer. 

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

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)

Glory days indeed!

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!

I owned a pair of HPD315s which I acquired in 1980. They were my mainstays until I sold them last year. Not a perfect speaker system, but a rather enjoyable one for it's unique sonic qualities. They definitely had that "British sound".

@baggyaudio now that's an awesome story!

I live a couple of miles from the Tannoy factory in Coatbridge.  I have owned a pair of Eatons, Devons, Little reds, Little Golds and for the last 10 years a pair of D700 which I can't let go!  (loved every pair) Thought I'd share a wee Tannoy story from the past.  Walked in to the reception with a Devon driver - back in the day (about 30 years ago) I thought it sounded a bit dull compared to the other one, asked if I could book it in with an engineer to have a look at it.  An old guy appeared - complete with brown coat - and said "come on through son" he led me through the factory to his workshop - explaining the different workstations on the way - popped my speaker on the scope, made a few adjustments "perfect" he says. I asked what the charge was and he said "free, just come back over if you have any problems" - God I miss those days!

@yogiboy  Not so!  As @brianh61 correctly points out, the SP models within the F500 range are hand built in Scotland.

I have the Tannoy Turnberry speakers.  Excellent, full, lush sound.  I hear instruments I never knew existed on LPs I have had for over 30 years.  I've had many speakers over the years, including some that cost twice as much as the Turnberry.  None compare.  Best purchase I have ever made to improve my system.

@yogiboy

The 501SP and 502SPs are both also made in Scotland, not China. The ones made in Scotland are works of art. The veneer used are consecutive slices so both speakers look identical as much as two slices can be. They are built as a matched pair and serial numbered as such with an A and B.

@twoleftears
Not so!
With financing in place, Fyne Audio was officially launched in January 2017. At the end of 2019, Fyne Audio had a manufacturing base near Glasgow in Scotland, where mid-to-high-end products are built. Affordable gear, including the entire F500 range, is manufactured in China to Fyne Audio’s exacting standards.

I can tell you that the new Fynes are awesome. I have had a pair of 502SPs for 3 months now and they are just fabulous. So different than what I was used to but in good ways. Vocals are lifelike, Bass is deep and extended with good resonance of strings. Drums, symbols, rim shots are right there in the room with the rest of the band.

All I'll say is I hope before I die I get to hear a pair of Tannoy GR's!

It’s nice to read all the accolades and love for the brand. I absolutely adore my Canterbury GR’s, there aren’t many speakers that are capable of connecting you to the music so intimately and emotionally like the way Canterbury’s does so effortlessly.

The up line Tannoy are truly special. That is, if you like the BBC/British take on music. Some might say “polite”.
I was the proud owner of the late Doc Gizmo’s (Harvey Rosenberg)
Westminster Royals. Highly modified. They could fill a very large room and voices, especially, were great. They did not have the detail of my current more modern design. 101db but really needed a lot of current to move those 15” woofers.
I am very interested to hear the Fyne F1-12s. Looks like they have done a modern version of the Westies. With a 12” seems like the detail is there. And they look beautiful. Not 300lb large wood boxes!

Thank you Kevin. I’m in love with the brand and can attest to what you say owning a pair of Tannoy Churchill’s with the ST 100 super-tweeters. They are no limitations to these speakers as they continue to get more refined with every little tweak you do to your system. As long as you have good electronics you can get to their potential. 

You have to take everything you read on the internet with several grains of salt. Time always tells.

I did a google search and came up with nothing saying Tannoy will stop hifi. US distributor just said its not true and OP indicates the French importer informed them.

That’s all I’m seeing at this point.

It does ring true to me that the high end home audio Tannoys seem to have limited distributorship in the US and always be in short supply here, at least in the US, as indicated.

Personally, I am hoping it is not true. Tannoy has always been a line that gets my interest in that I am a fan of coherent sound and concentric driver designs. Also the Prestige series have those unique classic British looks, like true pieces of furniture.  Not for everyone but unique and hate to see unique things go.

mapman"Glad to hear it’s a false alarm."


So much hear is rumor, fantasy, and wild speculation

@mapman  : Why do you say that ?

Glad to hear it’s a false alarm. 

From the french importer.

“I heard Tannoy will give up the Hi-Fi part of their iconic brand. They would stop the public part for developping the "Pro" side.”

@senza, 

Where did you hear this? 

At least Fyne is based and manufacturing in Scotland.  They're a little east of Glasgow.  Also, there's a Loch Fyne west of Glasgow.  This may be the source of the name they chose.

Like others here - I bought new tannoy Arden Legacy speakers a couple of years back. Im not bitter about purchase rather really happy that I got a pair (and for £5k)
Sound is mesmerising - I stopped worrying now about what I am missing from my music so that will save even more £ over time