What Tannoy 15" to buy?

[Lynnot]

Hi,

considering new speakers my eyes fell on the Tannoy Legacy series.
Now I'm interested in either a modest pair of Tannoy Legacy Arden or the slightly newer Tannoy SGM15s.
I have not heard them yet, but I did own Tannoy SRM12X in the past.

Any happy users here?
Any opinions?

Rgds, Tony

 

[Synaxis]

They had a terrible showing at the recent show in Bristol with the staff issues in the UK.

Here is a recent post from Graham Hendry - the former head of Tannoy. He has publicly spoken at length about the massive issues at Tannoy.

Not only did he oversee the move of their production to China, he dealt with the years of massive QC issues from that move. Kevin Deal the former distributor has also done videos outlining the lengths he had to go through prior to shipping any speaker to a customer due to the many issues.

The quality issues and lack of factory support is real.

Just know before you buy.

 

[dhansak79]

I was perplexed when I saw an ex-demo pair of Tannoy Canterbury GR for sale from a dealer with the statement:

This set of Canterbury do NOT come with grilles - replacement grilles are NOT available.

If a dealer can't get replacement parts for a current product that is supposedly only a few miles from where the speakers are made then this tells us a lot about the brand, I think.

I was considering a pair of Tannoy but I am very wary now, thanks for sharing.

Tannoy Canterbury Gold Reference Stereo Speakers

The Canterbury Gold Reference is designed for those who demand the power and passion of the 15" Gold Reference Dual Concentric™ driver yet require a more compact loudspeaker than the magnificent Westminster Royal.

www.hificorner.co.uk

 

[bonzo75]

I was perplexed when I saw an ex-demo pair of Tannoy Canterbury GR for sale from a dealer with the statement:

This set of Canterbury do NOT come with grilles - replacement grilles are NOT available.

If a dealer can't get replacement parts for a current product that is supposedly only a few miles from where the speakers are made then this tells us a lot about the brand, I think.

I was considering a pair of Tannoy but I am very wary now, thanks for sharing.

Tannoy Canterbury Gold Reference Stereo Speakers

The Canterbury Gold Reference is designed for those who demand the power and passion of the 15" Gold Reference Dual Concentric™ driver yet require a more compact loudspeaker than the magnificent Westminster Royal.

www.hificorner.co.uk

You should get older tannoy 15 inch gold or 12 inch HPD 315a both are better than newer ones sing much cheaper

 

[dhansak79]

Now looking at the Fyne site.....

 

[Superfi]

Fyne has (sort of?) tulip wave guide. Dual magnet design. Can't be further from Prestige Alnico Tannoys. I expect they will introduce Alnico and Pepperpot waveguide soon..Market demand 'novelties'

I have several pairs of Tannoys (2x15'', 1x12'' and 1x10''). For me the best one is my own DIY, sort of Churchill clone in Canterbury look like cabinets. Drivers are 3833. Absolutely amazing bass, dynamics, very neutral mid and hi range. They are 97db sensitive but huge. I replaced them in my living room with Kensingtons GR mainly due low WAF

Kensington GR is amazing speaker for small to mid size rooms. Much better than previous SE version.

In my city and among my friends Tannoys are by far most common speaker. My close friend had Westminster SE. Another have Arden (original), 3rd have Lookwood monitor 10''...4th are DIY based on 3833 drivers in huge 250 liters BR cabinets...so I may say I'm familiar with Tannoy sound.

I can't say I like any old Arden, Barclay or any DIY effort with HPD drivers. Maybe drivers were not in good shape...but sound was all in mid range, without any deep bass or crispy clear highs. For sure it's also up to the ridiculous cabinets Tannoy build in the past.

Conclusion: if you can get GR at good price, I will give them a chance and listen.

 

[Kofi Baffour]

It's a Tannoy. May have pioneered coaxials but they're terrible at it in 2025. You better off spending your money on a TAD, a KEF, a MoFi or even hell, a Genelec if you want actual coaxial brilliance

 

[shakti]

As Tannoy seem to be in trouble , I decided to go for the Fyne Audio Vintage products, specially the new released gold series is great , as you can have the better chassis of the vintage series in a more simple speaker cabinet for around half the price of the luxury vintage series.