Tannoy System 15 DMT II Studio Monitors 用户评价:
10-18-2004, 01:50 PM
DingusBoy
Schematically challenged Join Date: May 2003
Location: deTannoland, Ohio
Posts: 1,483
Tannoy System 15 DMT II Studio Monitors
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This is an informal review of the Tannoy System 15 DMT II’s. This is actually an amended email I sent to Tubino a few days ago. Since then, I’ve had more time with them and actually like them more then when I wrote this. I decided to keep the comments as they were but they have really won me over even at lower volume.
For most of my listening I had the following system:
Sources:
Well Tempered Turntable with Shure V15 V-MR cartridge and Botthlead Seduction phonostage
Empire 398 Turntable with Benz Micro Silver Cart.
Akai GX-635D Reel to Reel
Lector 0.5 Tubed CDP (courtesy of Dr. Evil)
Preamps: Dehavilland Ultraverve or Bottlehead Foreplay with anticipation and sweet whispers upgrades
Power Amp: Dehavilland Aries 845-G's
I purchased the DMTs used via Ebay and they arrived just over a week ago. As I mentioned here not long ago I had a pair of Tannoy SGM 15B’s for a short time before buying these. The SGHs are also a 15” dual concentric but are in an undersized cabinet:
Frequency response (1) 38 Hz - 20 kHz
Recommended amplifier power 50 to 400 W rms into 8 W
Power handling(2) Average (2) Programme
200 W rms 400 W rms
Nominal Impedance 8 W
Sensitivity (3) 98 dB SPL / 1 W @ 1 m
Distortion < 0.5 %
Dispersion (@ -6dB) 90° conical
Crossover frequency 1100 Hz
Crossover controls Treble energy range 2kHz – 25kHz
+1.5dB, Level, -1.5dB
Drive unit 15” Tannoy Dual Concentric type 3833GG
They weigh around 100 lbs each.
On to the informal review
I think I have a better handle on them pros and cons. I'll get the cons out of the way first: If there is anything to not like about the source, this system will reveal it. For example, the difference between a good CD and a poor one is painfully obvious. I may need to have to throw out about half of my CD collection. And further along those lines, the sound of digitally mastered vinyl sounds more like a CD then it ever had before. 2nd con: At lower volumes they can sound a little sterile IMHO. Not horribly sterile but somehow with less life then some stuff I've heard. 3rd con: As with the SGMs, I find the highest end of the frequency extreme lacking ever so slightly compared with some other speakers I’ve heard. It's a loss I can live with but I think serious cymbal work for example can sound better on other speakers. Ron said that was a sacrifice with a two driver set-up he was willing to make and thus far so am I. 4th con: As the cones don't move much even with a lot of juice, I don't Feel the music as much as say, the HPMs or those JBL lancers.
Pros:
1st: These things are fast. I mean really fast. Dynamics are superb. Shuffles shuffle. I've never experienced loud music that came in and out of quiet spots like I did today. It makes a huge difference in clarity when the system can get in and out this quick. It more then makes up for not feeling the music as much as a looser driver would allow. If it's one or the other, I'll take this everyday.
2nd. Clarity. I understand now how other speakers must distort after hearing these. To be honest, it's still taking some getting used to. My ears must have adjusted to that to some extent because It's still kinda weird to not have it always filling up the room. That all being said, I love this. I'm flabbergasted at how clean yet rich this system sounded at volume.
3rd: Coherent. This ties the two comments above together, but I really think the dual concentric design helps keep all the info together with stunning realism.
4th: Soundstage, imaging, etc. Vocals (if recorded well) sit near the middle with an almost surreal quality. Lead instruments can do the same or, as is the case with some Deep Purple I listened to, move around with great realism. It took some time to get placement down. I have the speakers about 8½’ apart at the drivers and toed in slightly with space on both sides. There is a depth and width that is really fun.
5th As was mentioned by someone on another forum, they don't SHOUT. I'm not sure how to explain that but it fits. The ELS's I have sound awesome with many acoustic instruments but they do kinda shout the notes at times. This is very different and once again a bit of an adjustment but as volume increases a definite plus. I had some JJ Cale playing and it was so laid back just as it should be. At the same time primary instruments or volcals still have the spotlight.
6th They are the antitheses of fatiguing. Even with CDs that aren't recorded as well as they could be, my ears don't tell me to turn the music off, instead just tell me the source ain't so hot. I have listened to them most of today and never felt my ears needed a break.
7th I have yet to hear an instrument they don't reproduce very well. Once again, I might pick Edgarhorns over these to reproduce ...duh horns, or ELS's to reproduce acoustic guitar but nothing else I've owned (except the Tannoy SGMs) manage every instrument so well. VERY IMPRESSIVE. Equally impressive with voice, both male and female.
For the first time I feel I have a handle on when something isn't quite right what it might be. My phono-stage was stronger in one channel due to the tubes. A weakness in bass on my Empire table, or the slight edge of digital, all seem clearer as to what they are and from whence they come.
I have an even deeper appreciation of the deHav amps as it seems ridiculous how good this gig sounds at volume. My first thought when I first cranked it was "This isn't right, it should be impossible for reproduced music to sound this good."
End of email to Tubino
Needless to say, I’m very happy with these babies. It’s taken some doing but I have a SET system with High Effeciency Speakers that should keep me happy for some time. From source to speaker I have a hard time finding a weak link with the possible exception of what links them.
Thatch_Ear01-11-2005, 09:37 PM
Please give us an update on these after you have had them longer, and congrats on getting such nice speakers.
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DingusBoy02-02-2005, 10:31 AM
Hi all,
As requested, some thoughts after a few good months of ownership.
My love affair with these speakers continues. After dealing with upgradeitis since I found AK, I've been quite content with my system since the DMT's arrived.
They are incredibly pleasant on the ears at any volume. I usually listen in the 80db range but have had them much louder and the sound is still very clean, never distorted. They are smooth but can have punch.
Tubino let me borrow a Tannoy sub and I must reluctantly admit it adds a little something down below. With alot of stuff it's really not noticeable but with well recorded material the bass has more to offer with the sub. I guess that's why Tannoy makes the 215! That being said, the low end is still more than acceptable without the sub.
Maybe I've adjusted but whatever very top end I thought was missing before is no longer an issue to my ears. Cymbals sound very reall and alive.
for the SS crowd, I did hook up my Sansui G-33000 to them and it sounded very good. The deHavilland mono-blocks win a sound quality shootout but the Tannoys still sounded very good with the Sansui.
I would wholeheartedly recommend an audition for anyone considering a high-effeciency speaker. The WAF may be an issue for some as they are good looking in a utilitarian way but clearly not designed as a beautiful piece of furniture.
I have yet to hear vintage alnico Tannoys but would love to as some claim they sound better than these modern counterparts. But until then, I've got speakers that should keep me very happy for a long time.
