Tannoy Westminster

SteveRB · « **on:** 12 Mar 2016, 05:02 pm »

Hello,

I have an opportunity to purchase an older pair of Tannoy Westminster speakers. I know little of the history or what to look for as far as age and era. Does anyone have any advice. I believe the pair available are from the early 80s but I cannot confirm.

What are these worth?

I know this topic is broad, so any help is appreciated.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 05:06 pm »

You bought the whole floorstanding enclosure speaker or only the drivers?
Its a great sound FR speaker, complex enclousure and expensive to made:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH5OIEpqrCM

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 05:30 pm »

This is an article on the newest version, but about halfway down the first page is a great history of the 5 different models. http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue49/tannoy.htm

SteveRB · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 05:30 pm »

I stumbled on a beautiful pair in a small town antique store. I may go back for them but I need to know more about the specific era and their value.

SteveRB · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 05:35 pm »

I can assume these are the first generation. Thanks for the link.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 05:48 pm »

What are they asking for them? Anything reasonable and I'd get them before I figure out where that store is. Check the surrounds, I think they were foam and could be rotted.

SteveRB · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 05:56 pm »

they were asking $12,000.

S Clark · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 07:13 pm »

Quote from: SteveRB on 12 Mar 2016, 05:56 pm

they were asking $12,000.

SteveRB · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 07:25 pm »

I have no idea what they should be selling for...

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 08:13 pm »

The retail price was $7900, so $12k seems a bit high. And you'd have to really like the Tannoy sound, did they play them for you?

S Clark · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 08:16 pm »

There is a pair available at USAudioMart for only $19K! You could have a surround system for only $31 thousand + sub!!
I really can't say as I've never heard them. Kornerhorn types can be impressive, but I just think that their day has come and gone... judging by what I've heard of Klipsch. That kind of coin can buy an awful lot of servo controlled bass and a lot better high end.
Now if you are looking to collect, that's a different thing entirely.

SteveRB · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 08:24 pm »

That's what I thought.

I already have the Klipsch sound dialed in...

http://www.klipsch.com/blog/steve-bedard-diy-klipsch-k-402-speaker/

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 09:00 pm »

Quote from: SteveRB on 12 Mar 2016, 05:56 pm

they were asking $12,000.

Ouch! Dont walk, run from this Tannoy.
For about $2800 you can have the same kind of sound
with small footprint, 101dB, 250Wrms, 1000Wpeak and
alot of bass in a two way xover.
http://images.klipsch.com/RF7IIcutsheet_635042119223030000.pdf

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 09:17 pm »

RF-7II crossover is not awfull:

Site AREADVD.DE test results:
PRO:
+ Extremely stable levels
+ Excellent project
+ Excellent broad dynamics
+ Good fine dynamics
+ Excellent spatiality
+ Very high efficiency
CONs:
- Rather simple finish of boxes housing in view of the price range(its real wood vaneer!)
- Expansive Dimensions

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 09:40 pm »

Please Note $2800 is less than the tiny HiFiMan HE1000($3000) headphone.

S Clark · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 11:41 pm »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 12 Mar 2016, 09:17 pm

RF-7II crossover is not awfull:

Site AREADVD.DE test results:
PRO:
+ Extremely stable levels
+ Excellent project
+ Excellent broad dynamics
+ Good fine dynamics
+ Excellent spatiality
+ Very high efficiency
CONs:
- Rather simple finish of boxes housing in view of the price range(its real wood vaneer!)
- Expansive Dimensions

Not awful? They certainly don't have a clue how to align inductors and the caps look like industrial mylars- but they may be cheap poly's. Sand cast resistors... not exactly what any respectable DIY'er would use unless they were on a very cheap budget.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Mar 2016, 12:15 am »

Quote from: S Clark on 12 Mar 2016, 11:41 pm

Not awful? They certainly don't have a clue how to align inductors and the caps look like industrial mylars- but they may be cheap poly's. Sand cast resistors... not exactly what any respectable DIY'er would use unless they were on a very cheap budget.

Fell free to inform us more.

S Clark · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Mar 2016, 03:28 am »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 13 Mar 2016, 12:15 am

Fell free to inform us more.

Well, the top three coils are all in the same plane and spaced close together so that their magnetic fields will overlap, creating an interaction that will distort the mH value of each. It looks like the bottom coil is an iron core. It's orientation would appear to project it's field to the right and directly through the downward field produced by the upper right coil.
As to the caps, I've seen something very similar in 4uF caps used as start caps in electric motors. I used to get them by the dozens from a motor repair guy when begging for parts for my students speaker projects. Those were mylars, and they look identical to the ones in the photo.
I know Danny Richie posted on the topic of coil orientation in crossovers. I'll see if I can find his diagram. He has a sticky on the GR page called "Crossover Assembly 101" . http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=83325.0

The diagram comes from here and bit more depth. http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/coils.htm

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Mar 2016, 03:40 pm »

Thanks Clark its was very instrutive.

amblin · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Jul 2016, 07:40 pm »

If you really like the tannoy sound maybe check out the GRF Memory range. Same 15 inch DC unit but in a smaller and in my opinion better looking package. I own a pair of the newer HE model, really liked it. I paid ~$5500 for mine in near mint condition.

And check out the condition of those foam edge on older models, they deteriorate with age and humidity. And can be quite costly to replace.