Re: Vintage speaker imaging/performance PART 2...Tannoy Ardens? Your thoughts, Steve?

I was talking to a tube/vintage guy today on the phone when I was trying to track down some parts that I need and he was telling me about his favorite vintage speaker, the Tannoy Arden. He said that the Ardens and the Berkleys "image like crazy", "are easy as hell to drive", "love tubes", and "are the closest thing you will hear to live music". Steve, I know you have experience with these speakers. Would you agree with these statements? Perhaps a pair of vintage Tannoys would be the answer I am searching for. However, for some reason I recall you saying that the old Tannoys love/need a lot of power, but I'm not sure. This guy was also raving about old Spendors, but I was under the impression those were hard to drive also. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks, Steve! Well, okay. They are definitely efficient enough. What about the poor imaging/soundstaging issues we've discussed with other vintage speakers? Do the Tannoys you've had experience with do better in that department? Also, do you have any comment about the old Spendor speakers?

 

Okay, cool. You saved me from a possible nightmare. Yeah, I was talking about the Spendor BC 1 or BC 3. So one more thing, Steve. As far as the pre-1973 Tannoys, how are they in terms of imaging/soundstage?? You've not yet commented on that aspect of the units. Thanks for your help!!

 

That's wonderful to hear!!! Well, the reason I thought they wouldn't is because of all this talk about "vintage speakers sound great and they are efficient as hell but they don't sound very three dimensional or airy, they don't image well, and they don't have a soundstage that's worth a darn." I'm not quoting anyone literally, of course, because I can't remember exactly what was said(I can check the archives), but that is the general impression I got and I was initially wondering if Tannoys fall into this category. A Vintage pair of Tannoys sounds like it might be the speaker for me, Steve. They play rock well, they image, they do bass, they are detailed, they are non-fatiguing, what more could I ask for? In fact, why buy a modern pair of speakers, I wonder?? Can you recommend any particular vintage models that you think are top notch? I know you like the Berkleys, right?

 

I know, I know. I saw that post. The reason I am interested in a vintage pair is because 1) I am a sucker for aesthetics 2) I have an amazing talent for finding deals ($50 at the Goodwill???!!!!) and I know I'll be able to pick up some inexpensive units. Thus said, I'd be more interested in the late '60s/early '70s models anyway and those aren't nearly as expensive as the earlier ones, are they?

 

I own a pair of Spendor BC1 circa 1974 and in my experience they are very easily driven by low powered tube amps and are tube friendly.

I have successfully driven them using a Sun Audio 2A3 SETA (3.5 watts/channel) and I know someone who has successfully driven them with a 1.5 watt amp, although IMHO the bass improves when you use amps with more power.

 

I'm on it dude. I've been watching these since the beginning of the auction. I've already asked for a shipping quote, which is probably going to kill the whole deal since I couldn't be further from Toronto.

 

Who knows. There are a lot of Tannoys in Canada on the cheap, so I've heard. I can't remember who told me that, but I remember someone saying something along those lines. If you had to guess, what do you think these are going to go for, Steve?

Also, I wanted to ask you...which years did they fix that crappy foam surround issue? Is it pretty much everything post '73 that is bad or is this an issue that was fixed into the '80s? What do you think of these, by the way?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2546606684&category=23794

 

Thanks a bunch, Steve. I appreciate your advice. I can't wait until this is all over and I can post some photos of my new(old) system.

 

Reminds me of a similar scenario with regard to old Fender guitars and Vox amps.

 

Hi Prix & Steve,

Prix - have you considered a Lowther-based type of horn? These don't have to be massive - I am currently using cabinets that are only 1m or so high and 30cm deep (but of very rigid ply).

Once run in properly these horns - where placed correctly will even produce "real world" bass - not earth shattering but suprising.

I use these with both a Leak Stereo 20 (push pull EL84's) based system and a Cary CAD 300B SEI single-ended amp - to excellent effect.

Best regards,

MarkM
Windsor / UK

 

It's not that I am in need of MASSIVE bass because to tell you the truth, I'm not really that much of a bass freak. I would rather hear tight, focused, defined notes than window shattering boom any day. I only want to hear what is actually there and since I listen to primarily classic rock and soul, I figure I better go with a speaker that is capable of delivering the goods. That's why I'm looking to vintage.

 

Hi Steve,

At the moment, typical British summer, cool and wet - but we had ca. 30c week before last - from one exteme to the other (again, typical!). Was in Portugal the other day (love the place), 35c +. I stayed in the shade......

OK - if Prix want's to listen to Rock/Pop music that demands more "serious" bass, Lowthers are not the route. For my classical/jazz/acoustic music c/w tubes and the horns set-up close to the wall they are great though.

OT - got a copy of "Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall" yet Steve? ;-) ;-)

Cheers!
MarkM.