Tannoy D900

Tannoy Definition D900



Where do you begin with a D900 ?
Visual…. Because its an imposing speaker. Comfortably imposing, the sort you want to walk to, touch, hug, feel under your hands. Its substantial, REAL wood look to it. Yes this pair is Cherry vineer, but exudes quality. The trapezoid shape makes it look smaller than it really is. Any speaker housing 2 x 12” drivers is NOT small in any way. This is a high class speaker. Slightly conservative, blending in with the Persian rug, fireplace and dimmed ligting. Standing back like the ultimate butler, ready to serve.

And then you press: Play…. Oh goodness, this is good.

A touch of wood, Big sound, enveloping you with music. It’s a mighty sound, slightly bigger than one would expect. No this is bigger than the sum of those 4 12” drivers. They somehow blend perfectly. I cannot hear the crossing from 12” woofer to 12” midrange. Maybe it’s because of the sizes ? And the transition to the dual concentric tweeter is flawless, but then Tannoy has been doing this for over 50 years.

Let’s start with the treble. Firsts remark is that it doesn’t draw attention to itself, it’s there, its detailed. Every sound comes out and hangs in the air. Does it lack anything ? No and Yes. For me, No,, it’s more than enough. It has the speed and clarity one expects from a horn loaded tweeter. But, Yes it isn’t the ultimate in tweeters. I have heard ribbons with quite more airiness. I have heard the speed of Diamond and Beryllium, and their bite more often than not. Eva Cassidy, although masterful can on some songs make you cringe…. Fortunately with the D900’s not. A big brass section doesn’t have you reaching for the volume control. You experience the full onslaught and feel the tension release afterwards. It’s a good experience.

Midrange. Well here you just cannot fault the Tannoy. Bring it on! Male voices are stunning. The growl of guitars menacing. Synthesizers alive and one can certainly even identify the signature sounds of Korg, Roland etc. The Blues makes these speakers live! Those growly voices, again bigger than normal, all around.

And then you pull out Yello – Race & Flag and a bit of OMD – English Electric

Pack away your B&W802’s. Big papa 800D has a worried look and even the mighty Kappa 9.2’s frown. What is this. The D900’s slam as if the drums are right here , 2ft from your ears. It’s shocking fast deep and powerful. Of course we are not driving with 50W here anymore, electrical power must now be converted into couch shifting sound waves.

So what is the D900? It’s a not a Grizzly Bear, no it’s more a Lion. Grace and power. For its price I don’t think anything could touch it. Certainly nothing short of $10 000 was so much fun! There are more accurate. There are more articulate. Even a few more good looking. But this is my pick for anything in the $10k class.



In nature, all sounds
start from a single
point, with waves
radiating out evenly
in every direction.
Tannoy’s Dual Concentric™ technology
emulates this by placing the tweeter directly
behind the bass cone, so again the sound
comes from a single point and all frequencies
reach your ear simultaneously.



If one thing defines music, it’s the power it has to move people.
The best audio equipment brings that emotion to life in all its
shades and subtleties. Using technology direct from the world of
professional sound recording and reproduction, Definition speakers
deliver the ultimate in dynamic range, stereo precision and detail
resolution. Each model has been designed to compliment the very
best audiophile electronics.
Definition speakers are uniquely equipped to succeed, featuring
as they do Tannoy’s patented Dual Concentric™drive unit
technology. The rigidity of the die-cast chassis combined with the
oversized magnet assembly ensures this drive unit provides reliable,
effortless performance.
Not only do the real wood veneer cabinets look great, but the
multi-faceted design play their part in enhancing the acoustic
performance. Non-parallel side panels help break up standing
waves within the cabinet, minimising colouration and
interference from panel resonance.
Even at high volumes, the result of all this is superb musical
dynamics with low distortion and crisp, pinpoint stereo imaging.
The musical truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.





  • Source

    EMM Labs CDSA driven via USB from PC via JRiver. SACD and CD also used as source

  • Pre-Amplifier

    Audio Research Reference 5

  • Cabling

    Van den Hul Mountain, Transparent Reference XL

  • Amplification

    Perreaux Prism 350p

  • 9/10
    Style and Looks - 9/10
  • 8.1/10
    Soundstage - 8.1/10
  • 7.9/10
    Detail - 7.9/10
  • 8.7/10
    Midrange - 8.7/10
  • 9.1/10
    Bass - 9.1/10
  • 8.2/10
    Price - 8.2/10
8.5/10

Summary

Possible the most fun…actually IS the most fun speaker I have ever owned. It plays…with the empasis on “PLAYS”. Rock, pop, even classics…Blues

WHY of why did Tannoy stop producing these….I think a massive blunder…

Sending
User Review
3.5 (14 votes)