Tannoy - A Short History
In the early days of broadcasting radio sets needed both low and high
voltage DC power and this had to be supplied by batteries. The lead
acid batteries commonly used in the radio equipment of the time
therefore needed regular recharging.
In London, in 1926, Guy R. Fountain perfected a new type of electrical
rectifier with the aim of designing a charger more suitable for use in
the home. His rectifier consisted of two dissimilar metals held in a
special electrolyte solution; one was Tantalum and the other an alloy of Lead. So successful was this invention that Guy
Fountain founded a British company by the name of Tannoy, a contraction of the words ’Tantalum’ and ’Alloy’, and this
brand name soon became internationally renowned and highly regarded in all aspects of sound reproduction.
Early experiments with moving coil loudspeakers with DC energised magnets proved to be the company s first foray into
the field of loudspeaker technology. A discrete two-way loudspeaker system followed in 1933 and shortly after a range
of microphones and loudspeakers capable of high power handling. These developments led the company to become world
famous in the field of public address and sound distribution, with countless prestigious installations completed in subsequent
decades. So much so that the Oxford English Dictionary adopted the word Tannoy as the generic term for a PA system.
Tannoy has always been at the forefront of the communications revolution, developing its own equipment and production
technology. The company has built up a fund of knowledge and experience, which has proved invaluable in the development
of loudspeakers for an exceptionally wide range of applications. The famous Tannoy Dual Concentric“ loudspeaker driver
principle was created and developed under Guy Fountain’s direction in the late 1940 s. It is still highly regarded by music
enthusiasts, recording facilities and broadcast studios, worldwide due to its unique point source dispersion properties. Due
to the complex design, where the high frequency unit is mounted behind, and concentrically with, the low frequency unit,
the low and high frequencies are fully integrated at source. It is this feature that gives the Dual Concentric“ driver such
unique sound reproduction qualities.
Guy Fountain retired in 1974 but the Tannoy Company maintains his philosophy and, as such, remains dedicated to the
accurate and realistic reproduction of music for those enthusiasts and audio professionals around the world.
The Tannoy Research and Development team has continued to refine the innovative Dual Concentric“ principle. Using
the latest design and material technologies, with sophisticated circuit techniques in crossover design; Tannoy has produced
a loudspeaker system with superb reproductive capabilities and exceptionally wide dynamic range.
Tannoy is now part of the TC Group, whose goal is to design, produce and distribute the best engineered, most recognised
and respected brands of audio products in the world.
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Initial Positioning
Locate the loudspeakers so that the favourite listening position is approximately 15¡ from the axes of the cabinets. The
axes of both cabinets should intersect at a point slightly in front of the listening position. Remember that the proximity
of the loudspeakers to walls and corners will affect the sound. Some experimentation will probably be needed to fine-tune
the stereo image depth and low frequency sound quality. Close-to-wall positions - and room corners more so - have the
effect of increasing very low frequency sound energy. Reflective adjacent walls may upset the stereo image by causing
unwanted reflections.
The loudspeakers are designed to be used at least 1m from any sidewall or reflective surface and at least 0.5m away from
a rear wall. Only in this position will their exceptional stereo image depth capabilities be realised.
Holes are provided in the base of the speakers for down-spikes that give maximum stability, these special floor coupling
spikes are provided in the accessory pack and these should be screwed into the base of the loudspeakers, taking care not
to over-tighten them. When the loudspeaker is installed in its upright position, the spikes should pass between the weave
of your carpet to contact the floor beneath. Adjust the spikes for maximum stability.
For polished wooden floors, hard nylon self-levelling ’ball-and-cup’ feet are provided.
Unpacking Instructions
Unfasten the bottom of the carton. Fold the end leaves out of the way and remove the packing tray to reveal the
plinth and bottom of the loudspeaker cabinet. Locate and remove from the carton the accessories pack. Turn the carton
and loudspeaker over so that the cabinet now stands on the floor inside the carton. Lift the carton upwards to reveal
the loudspeaker.
Examine all packing material and inspect the carton for signs of external damage. If there is evidence of excessive mishandling
in transit, resulting in damage to the loudspeaker, inform the carrier and supplier immediately. Always keep the packing
in such circumstances for subsequent examination.
Tannoy strongly suggests that you store the complete packaging set for possible future use.
Kensington
SE
In combining the best of traditional crafts with the latest production and design skills Tannoy presents the Kensington SE
loudspeaker. The Kensington SE embodies the Tannoy philosophy. Cabinets in selected hardwoods are hand finished and
polished to a standard that is unsurpassed.
The Kensington SE is a truly special loudspeaker. The speaker uses the classic Alcomax 3 version of the famous Tannoy
Dual Concentric driver. This magnet system endows the Dual Concentric with an exceptional transient response and
increased sensitivity. This high performance driver is installed in braced birch-ply and particleboard cabinet with hardwood
veneers and solid wooden mouldings. Acrolink 99.9999% (6N) high purity copper wiring is used throughout, together
with specially selected crossover components, inlcuding Hovland capacitors. High frequency energy can be tailored
through a high current gold-plated switch block with controls for both treble energy and roll off. Low frequency alignment
is through the Tannoy Distributed Port System (DPS). The specially designed twin-roll impregnated fabric surround used
on the drive unit’s cone ensures midrange purity combined with tight, controlled bass.
Kensington
