The Audiophile's Journey: A Love Affair with Tannoy Speakers
The Audiophile's Journey: A Love Affair with Tannoy Speakers
In the world of high-fidelity audio, few names evoke the reverence that Tannoy does. For me, an ardent audiophile, my journey with Tannoy speakers has been nothing short of a love affair, marked by serendipitous discoveries and passionate craftsmanship.
The Beginning: A Pair of Tannoy Devons My story with Tannoy began with a pair of Tannoy Devon speakers. I found them in a quaint, little-known audio shop nestled in the heart of the city. The moment I heard their warm, rich sound, I was captivated. The Devons, with their classic design and impeccable sound reproduction, were not just speakers; they were storytellers, weaving a tapestry of sound that was as intricate as it was beautiful.
A Treasure from the Past: The 1940s 15" Tannoy Silver The next chapter of my journey was like something out of a movie. In an old, forgotten theatre, hidden under layers of dust and memories, I discovered a 15" Tannoy Silver from the early 1940s. This 16-ohm marvel was a relic of a bygone era, a testament to Tannoy's enduring legacy. Restoring it was a labor of love, each step revealing more of its former glory, until it sang once again with a voice that echoed through the decades.
A Wall of History: The 12" Red and Silver My most unexpected find was a pair of Tannoy speakers – a 12" Red and a 12" Silver – ingeniously mounted in a custom-built speaker system within a wall of an old house. Unearthing them felt like uncovering hidden treasure, a secret kept safe by the walls that had enclosed them. The Reds and Silvers, known for their distinct sound characteristics, were a remarkable find, each bringing its unique history and acoustic charm.
The Masterpiece: Crafting Mahogany Cabinets for the 15" Golds The pinnacle of my journey with Tannoy was the creation of a pair of bespoke mahogany cabinets, housing a pair of majestic 15" Golds and complemented by 2 10" Monitor Golds. This project was more than just a pursuit of audio excellence; it was a tribute to the art of sound. The mahogany, with its natural resonance, enhanced the Golds' already exceptional sound quality. Every note played through them was a celebration of clarity, depth, and emotion.
The Symphony of My Life Each Tannoy speaker I've encountered has added a unique note to the symphony of my life. From the warm embrace of the Devons to the historical whisper of the 1940s Silver, the vibrant energy of the Reds and Silvers, and the majestic harmony of the Golds, my journey has been a testament to the timeless allure of Tannoy's craftsmanship.
As an audiophile, these speakers are not just equipment; they are the heart of my passion for sound. They represent a journey through time, a connection to the past, and a celebration of the future. In the world of Tannoy, each speaker has a soul, and together, they play the soundtrack of my life, a melody that resonates with the depth of my love for the art of sound.
IMAGE Building the entertainment unit out of solid 2" thick Honduran Mahogony 
IMAGE ManCave work shop 
IMAGE 10"
IMAGE Routing out opening for the Tannoy speaker
IMAGE Internal view of Tannoy Arden enclosure 15" Tannoy installed
Among some of my talents, I love woodworking. More on that and my insane collection of esoteric items in future posts. Thank you for following.
Now thats what I call the real deal craftsmanship... absolutely amazing workshop. I design speakers as a part of my product design profession and when I work with audio engineers its almost like we are talking like quantum physicists....lolz. A lot of what they say (Hertz/EQ/Wave dampening/Center of weight/Volume of air....ect) my brain stops.
People say... "you're just designing a box."
Yea..... thats right. Now get the hell out. hahahaha
I definitely have a passion for audio and fine woodworking. And my head also explodes with the audio engineer tech talk, thank you for your input, follow me as I will be introducing some of my more esoteric collectibles soon.