In May 2014, I took a look at Tannoy’s Precision 6.1 standmount loudspeaker – a beautifully designed, well-engineered, and great-sounding product. Here we have its bigger brother, the floor-standing Precision 6.2.
Aesthetically, the precision 6.2 offers the same beautifully curved cabinet and high gloss finishes as the 6.1 model. It’s tall, slim rear-ported cabinet fits well in many living spaces and compliments any decor – with its sturdy, cloth-covered wooden grilles reaching almost all the way down to the plinth, protecting the front of the cabinet and its array of drivers from harm.
Those drivers include a 150MM (6”) Precision Dual-Concentric driver, situated above a second 6” bass driver. Tannoy’s dual-concentric driver design places the tweeter, a 1” titanium dome unit, in the throat of a 6” woofer. This design is commonly referred to as a ‘Single-Point Source’ design, and, as its name suggests, allows all frequencies to emanate from the same point in space, so they reach the ear concurrently.
These custom-designed drivers feature Tannoy’s latest titanium dome high freuqncy unit, coupled with their signature Tulip Waveguide™. The midd/bass drivers feature a cone made from an ultra-fidget Multi-Fibre Pupl material, with a rubber roll surround and double magnet motor system to enhance focus of the magnetic field in the voice coil gap. The drivers are coupled to the cabinet using Tannoy’s unique DMG (differential materials technology),
The 29.3L cabinet employs a stabilising plinth, similar to that found on the Revolution DC6T SE model. And that curvy cabinet isn’t just designed to look good – the flat front and rear baffles and curved sides are designed to reduce internal standing waves, resulting in a cleaner, clearer sound that more accurately conveys the message in the music.
The precision 6.2, and its bigger brother the 6.4, include a Mass-Loading Cavity (MLC) – unscrewing the plinth reveals a round compartment into which dry sand or other materials can be added to add weight and increase the speaker’s centre of gravity, resulting in greater stability and tighter bass response. I found that adding mass to the cabinets does indeed make a difference, and certainly makes them more stable. The fixings securing the inner compartment cover could be improved – on my speakers, they would often slip out of the wood as I was screwing the cover back into place.
The plinths also feature top-adjustable spikes. These spikes screw in from the bottom, with large locking nuts keeping them tightly locked in place. They can be adjusted via holes in the top of the plinth using the provided key, so there’s no need to tip the speaker over to level things up. Substantial floor cups are also provided to protect wooden flooring.
The precision crossover is a hard-wired design. Hard-wiring, as opposed to using a PCB results in a cleaner, shorter signal path with less signal loss. The crossovers boast high-specification components (including low-loss laminated core inductors). The crossover here is designed for perfect integration between the Dual-Concentric driver and bass driver. Crossover frequencies for the Precision 6.2 are 170HZ/1.6KHZ.
Around back, you’ll find the plastic bass port, as well as Tannoy’s unique 5-point terminal block. This terminal block features terminals for bi-wiring, and an earthing terminal used to earth the speaker to the chassis of the amplifier to further reduce interference. Small wire jumpers are provided should you wish to use the speakers in single-wire mode. The terminals themselves are plastic, but well-engineered and substantial – no quality complaints here.
Indeed, high build quality and attention to detail is consistent across the board. Even the packaging is well designed, each speaker wrapped in cloth to protect the finish and reinforce the luxurious feel. The grilles feature wooden frames unlike the plastic found on many speakers at this price point, and they’re held in place by strong magnets concealed within the front baffle.
As with any speaker equipped with a dual-concentric, or ‘Single-Point Source’ driver, proper positioning is a must to obtain the best results. The speakers should be place between 1.5-4.5M apart, depending not eh size of your room. Ideally, the aim is to form an equilateral triangle between your listening position and the speakers themselves, with the speakers angled inwards by roughly 15 degrees so that the centre of the dual-concentric drivers point towards your ears when seated. Your seating position should also place the centre of the dual-concentric driver approximately at ear height.
Due their their rear-ported design, the Precision 6.2s don’t take kindly to being pushed up against a rear wall. Ideally, placing them 60CM or so from a wall will yield the best results, though you can get by with half of that if necessary.
Before any serious or high volume listening, it’s imperative that you give these speakers some run-in time. I found that over a period of 2 weeks providing background music, the Precision 6.2s opened up considerably. There was far greater extension in the low frequencies as the cone suspension loosened up, and the highest became much sweeter and more detailed. However, even fresh out of the box, the Precision 6.2s offer a up a sweet, warm presentation that is in instant winner.
The 6.2s are just as comfortable with Jack Johnson’s ‘Better Together’ as they are belting out Queen’s ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’. Position them properly, and the stereo image is beautifully defined and 3-dimensional. There’s a definite sense of height to the 6.2s presentation, giving a greater sense of realism especially during live recordings.
In summary – Just like their little brothers, the Precision 6.2s are fantastic sounding speakers. There soul-stirring sound is instantly likeable, and they get better the longer they’re played. Pair them with the right amp and these speakers will take you on some memorable musical journeys. Highly recommended.
I saw a new precision 6.2 for sale. Is this for rock and symfonic metal a better speaker than the Tannoy xt8f? Many people find the xt8f too bright and bussy sounding. I have heard the xt8f and IT has a strange hiss.
The XT8F certainly shouldn’t hiss. It is a high sensitivity speaker, and it’s possible that if you pair it with a noisy amp then any amp noise would be more audible. A properly designed amp shouldn’t produce significant noise. As for the 6.2s, I would recommend asking the seller if they would let you hear first. They are less forward sounding than the XT8s and yes, less bright, though I didn’t find the XT8Fs to be overly bright when paired with decent electronics.
Hi Ashley, thanks for your answer. The XT8F has a big soundstage, very good stereo effect and that fantastic low end. That is what i like about the XT8F with my music. I heard the Kef Q950. Much smoother, but it hasn’t the fantastic low end of the Tannoy. Maybe to neutral for me. I found it a little boring. No fun. Only the top end of the xt8f. If the 6.2 sound the same but a little smoother than it will be perfect. The 6.2 i saw for 1150 Gbp. The XT8f 1300 Gbp.But someone told me that with a good equalizer (Schitt Loki) the XT8F should be no problems.
The 6.2s do go low, but not as low as the XT8s. Using an equaliser can give the impression of greater low end, but ultimately you’re dealing with two small drivers in a slim cabinet. Excessively boosting the low end with an equaliser can drive your system into clipping which will do more harm than good, depending on how loudly you’re playing and how much power your amp can produce. I’d be more inclined to use an EQ to tone down the treble of the XT8s rather than boost the low end of the Precision 6.2, because even with an EQ and enough power you’re still dealing with the limitations of 6″ drivers, as good as they are and a small cabinet.
Oh, i wasn’t clear enough. I like the XT8F the best. With aEQ i will “tame” the topend. I hope this will Work.
That should work just fine. The XT8 top end will relax as the speakers break in with use, you might find you don’t need the EQ once this happens.
Hi Ashley,
I have the Tannoy Precisions 6.2 floorstanders. I am thinking of buying the Musical Fidelity A5 Integrated amplifier ( used market ).
Will the Musical Fidelity A5 Amplifier go well with the Tannoys ?
Thank you
Tannoy and Musical Fidelity are an excellent match in my book.
Which speaker are better for rock and symfonic metal which often sound too bright; the Precision 6.2 OR the tannoy XT6F? OR maybe better q acoustics concept 40? In my area i saw a seconden hand precision 6.2. in mint condition for 1150 euro, a new XT6F for 1050 euro and a new concept 40 for 820 euro.
I play a lot of rock and metal and I certainly wouldn’t consider the Precision 6.2s to be bright. I’d say the XT6Fs are brighter, and haven’t directly compared either to the Concept 40s side-by-side so it would be unfair to offer a comparison.
As long as I am being chatty today, I am wondering if anyone knows why Tannoy is discontinuing the Precision series speakers. On one hand the discontinuation helped me as I scored a pair of 6.2’s for $1000 off the retail price. But it also means I own a pair of speakers that for some reason Tannoy did not seem fit to keep in their speaker line-up, which to me, seems to leave a gap between the Definition series and the Revolution. The Precision is a much better speaker than the Revolution, at least to my ears, so again, that begs the question as to why the Precision was given the axe? Not enough profit built in to the original price perhaps?
Since the sale to Music Group, Tannoy appear to be revising (and in some cases reviving) their product lines. The Definition series is being discontinued, and the Legacy series (which is in a similar but slightly cheaper price bracket) are being introduced. The Mercury moved up the range to be replaced by the Eclipse. So essentially, Eclipse becomes Mercury, Mercury takes the place of the lower end revolution, Revolution takes the place of the higher end revolution (the XT8Fs are an exceptional speaker and far better than the Precision 6.2s in my opinion) and precision, and the Legacy takes the place of the Definition, for now. I’m not sure what the profit margins were so can’t comment on those; I will say that the Precision 6.2 was a lot of speaker for the money, but as it was price cut by most retailers soon after launch (at least here in the UK), it appeared profitable enough.
Thank you for the information and clarification. I have to admit that I had only heard the Revolution XT6F and not the “8” so perhaps it was wrong of me to say the Precision series is better than the Revolution just based on those two side-by-side comparisons. Tannoy is not a speaker company that gets a lot of ink and/or exposure here in the USA. It appears to be demo’s mostly in shops that sell a fair of amount of U.K related electronics (Naim and Rega to name a few). The Precision 6.2 speakers are keepers for me so I will not tempt the fates and listen to the XT8F and just leave well enough alone.
Sorry for the long winded explanation of “consecutive” and “concurrent”. It is that OCD part of me coming out. Thanks for taking it in the manner intended. I meant no slam or disrespect in my long-winded diatribe on the differences between the two words. It is what happens when you are the younger brother of two sisters who were excellent, and brilliant, teachers.
Darn auto-correct! It should read “mids” not “kids”.
My apologies for not catching that before it posted. I thought I had corrected the auto-correction while I was composing my posting but it seems that little bugger (the auto-correct demon) got me…
This will be an obvious late response to Ashley’s article but it needs pointing out. At the end of the third paragraph it is stated (and I am paraphrasing here a bit) that the single point source allows all the frequencies to reach the ear consecutively. I believe that should read “concurrently”. If the frequencies arrived consecutively, we would be hearing one frequency after another rather than all at the same time. Unless I am mis-reading this, I believe when I listen to my speakers, all the frequencies arrive to me at the same time. If not, am I hearing the treble frequencies first, then the kids, and lastly bass, or would it be in an ascending order, starting from the bottom up rather than the top down?
See my point? Hence my belief the word concurrent would be the better word to use between the two; consecutively vs. concurrent. When people are assigned prison sentences, a “concurrent” sentence allows them to serve two or more sentences at the same time, whereas a “consecutively” served prison sentence would mean they serve one after another so my belief that all the frequencies come at me at once.
I rest my case….Cross?
Well spotted and corrected.
Hi Ashley,
I would like to ask you few questions concerning the Precision 6.2s:
– you’ve written in your review that “As with any speaker equipped with a dual-concentric, or ‘Single-Point Source’ driver, proper positioning is a must to obtain the best results.”; does it mean, that the optimal listening position is smaller than in case of standard designs, found for example in the Mercury range?
– I will be able to place the speakers only 30cm from a wall – how noticeable is the sound degradation compared to an ideal placement (60cm from a wall)?
– do the speakers come with a foam dampener that can be inserted in a bass port? Have you tried how it affects the sound?
– would you always recommend filling the Mass-Loading Cavity included in the Precision 6.2s or is it rather a matter of an individual preference?
– the speakers have an earthing terminal used to earth the speaker to the chassis of the amplifier to further reduce interference. How this can be done with a Cambridge Audio CXA80, what kind of wire should be used? What’s your experience – are there any real gains?
Hi Adam – Yes, the listening position or ‘sweet spot’ is somewhat smaller with a dual concentric, however it’s still quite wide depending on the distance between the speakers, and the distance from the speakers to your listening position. Ideally you should form an equilateral triangle between the listening position and speakers, though in cases where they’re further apart than they are from you you can toe them in slightly and angle them in toward your ears. The XT range is slightly better in this regard as those drivers have better dispersion. Setting up a pair of Precisions even in a less than ideal environment isn’t particularly hard though.
If you place the speakers 30 CM from a wall, you may encounter excessive bass boom depending on their position within the room and the other furniture in the room. At least 40 CM is optimal, though if you use a foam port bung you can elevate the issue somewhat. The speakers are not supplied with these as they’re not really recommended in most situations (they can make the speakers sound a bit bass light), but they can be useful if you need to place the speakers close to a wall. Again, the XT range would be to your advantage here as its ports are downward firing and the air exits from the front, meaning that being close to a wall wouldn’t be an issue.
I don’t always recommend filling the MLC. If you find the bass a little out of control, filling it can help tighten things up. It’s a good idea providing you won’t be moving the speakers around too often.
I don’t use the earthing terminal as I’ve never had issues with interference. You’d need a cable with a large spade fitting on 1 end and a small ring connector on the other. You’d then loosen a couple of the screws on the back of the CXA 80 and fit the cable there as it has no ground terminal. Not really recommended or worthwhile in my opinion. Hope this helps!
Hi All,
I following this thread, I have already bought Tannoy Precision 6.4 and Tannoy Precision 6C to upgrade my Tannoy SFX5.1. It is currently paired with 4 years old Yamaha RX-V473 AV Receiver. I’m in the process of upgrading rest of SFX speakers and Sub. Could you Please suggest best sub woofer to go with Tannoy Precision 6.4 & 6C, also best Yamaha AV receiver to pair with these. Also, is it okay to have SFX speakers as surround speakers? (SFX speakers are only 6ohms impedance) or it should be replaced as well?.
Thanks for your time & valuable suggestions. Sorry for asking 3 questions – Sub Woofer, AV Receiver and Surrounds. Cheers, Selvam
I’d probably upgrade the rear speakers to Tannoy’s Precision 6.1s, and would choose a subwoofer from the Tannoy range. I’m afraid I don’t use a sub so I can’t give you an exact model recommendation, but they have a few models for you to choose from. You won’t hurt anything using the SFX rear speakers. As for the Yamaha AV receiver, I’d be looking at either the RX-V781 or the RX-!1060/2060.
Hi Ashley, You are a gem such a quick response. Excellent :-). You mean to say that I should be fine with existing SFX subwoofer having crossover frequency of 45Hz to 140hz. Thanks for your suggestion on AV Receiver. Is there any problem running these Precision speakers with my old RX-V473? I’m just wondering how long I can wait (safely run with existing one) to upgrade to Yamaha Aventage ones you suggested. Thanks for your time in Friday afternoon.!
Nothing wrong with using that sub. You’d be better off upgrading to one of the subs higher up in the Tannoy range, or of course looking at something a little better from another manufacturer depending on what is available to you and in your budget. I see no problem with running your speakers with your existing receiver providing you’re not playing at extremely high levels. The most common cause of speaker damage is clipping, where the amplifier cannot produce enough power to drive the speaker at the desired volume. However your Tannoys are high sensitivity speakers, meaning they need less power to reach a higher volume, and therefore at most levels your current Yamaha should be absolutely fine. With all that said, depending on how much bass you need you may find that a receiver upgrade will provide enough power to your front speakers for them to provide satisfactory bass without the use of the SFX sub.
Thanks Ashley for your response. I will keep the Yamaha volume check not to go down below -25db, I hope this should be fine (Please correct me if I’m wrong). I will have to wait for price of Yamaha RX-A1060 to come down a bit usually it happens in June, when new version of Yamaha comes up in the market. I appreciate your thoughts and help.!!
Cheers, Selvam,
Unfortunately I can’t give you an exact volume setting at which your amp will clip because it depends on not only the amplifier itself, but the impedance of the speakers under dynamic conditions and the material being played. If you hear any distortion or if the sound starts to become harsh at high volumes, back the volume off a little, otherwise you should be fine. Those Tannoys will produce a staggering amount of volume with very little power, so it’s very unlikely you’d cause the amp to clip at reasonable listening levels.
Thanks Ashley for your response. Thanks for your help. Have a great week end. God Bless you with good health, wealth and happiness forever 🙂
Cheers, Selvam
I am curious if these Tannoy’s, which I really love, will work with NAD C375BEE receiver?
Unfortunately I don’t have the possibility to bring them home for listening and I was wondering how bass and imaging will hold up in our large room of 6 by 8 meters (20 x 26 ft).
Thanks so much for any advice.
Tannoy and NAD always makes for a great pairing, so while I haven’t heard the 375 I would imagine they’ll sound very good together. Tannoy speakers, when correctly setup, image extremely well and the 6.2s are more than capable of filling a room. You may want to investigate the 6.4s also, as I know some who have commented here prefer them. In a room that large, bring them out from the wall a little (start with around 60CM and adjust until the bass sounds good), and set them in an equilateral triangle between you and the speakers, angled inwards anywhere between 10-15 degrees.
If you really want to optimise things, create a sound file in any free audio editor such as Audacity which contains a test tone at the same level on both channels. Using a sound level meter (or a free smartphone app that’ll do the same thing), measure the sound coming from the speakers in your listening position by first adjusting the balance to the left, and then to the right, moving the speakers to achieve the same relative level from both channels. It’s important that your metering device remain in the same position and that the ambient noise is quiet, or at least consistent.
@Ashley thank you so much for your reply. The 6.4s are a bit above budget considering the need for better audio cables as well. But let me see if I can find a discounted version somewhere.
I have added a link below to a jpg which represent speaker placement at my home. The speakers will be placed as indicated in red.
The yellow markings A & B are the placement of speakers of the former house owner. IMO a terrible placement which is killing stereo audio.
link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1zbfwt9dhqmo3hy/speaker%20placement.JPG?dl=0
I cannot find a better placement at the moment as there is no possibility near the fire place. I have drawn them a bit to close to the wall. I have 1 meter off the corner wall so I hope that’s sufficient.
Other possibilities are the Dali Rubicon 6, Opticon 6 or 8, or the B&W CM9 s2. Personally I think all speakers will do great, where the Opticon 8’s will possibly bring most of the bass.
FYI I am not that of a bass addict, but as the room is quite large music should be able to fill it.
Feel free to leave any comment or suggestion. I am learning a lot from you guys.
1M off the wall is absolutely fine. The main thing is to not push them back too far or you’ll get bass boom from the wall behind, and to equalise the distance between the speakers with your listening position to achieve a triangle. As they’re single-point source drivers (I.E drivers in which the sound frequencies appear to come from the same space), they must be aligned with your ears and equidistant for the best results.
As for audio cables, what cables are you looking at? IMO you really don’t need anything better than a pair of Van Damme 4MM or 6MM OFC cables which you can buy for very little money. Van Damme cables are used in studios and professional setups and they do the job perfectly. There is no need to spend ridiculous money on extravagant cabling in my experience. When a sound is recorded in a studio from, for example, a vocal microphone, it goes through many metres of cable, often with a few joins, before it reaches the preamp. It’s then heavily processed before it makes it onto the resulting master. The last few metres of cable in a given audio system isn’t going to make a world of difference, providing it gets the signal for A to B as unaltered as possible which Van Damme cable does.
Hi, Can you tell me why the Precision range are suddenly being heavily discounted on price this year? £800 for the 6.2 and £999 for the 6.4. Do they have a new range being launched?
No word on new speakers from Tannoy marketing. The prices dropped last year, and i believe were started by Richer Sounds who dropped almost £1100 off the 6.2s, essentially devaluing the purchase for everyone who’d bought a set at the original £1899 retail. No comment. These have been the going rates for a while.
I spoke to Tannoy earlier this year who told me that the range was being discontinued. I suspect this is for one reason, profit! Because: 1) They did not meet sales targets and I would put his down to marketing issues, as the products are excellent, while no sound engineer expert, I have auditioned all three models. 2) They may have been costly to make, they certainly feel and sound expensive.
Take advantage of the keen pricing, they are great speakers, I think opinion was a little divided on the 6.1s and 6.4s, this I have concluded was down to price points, where as the 6.2s got universal praise but when the others were discounted even the 6.2s had to follow.
Even if I have got all this wrong, I auditioned the 6.4s closely followed by PMC floor standers at about £2500 RRP and Spendors at the same price (sorry can’t remember the exact models and lost my notes) both were better in some respects than the Tannoy’s but for a damn good listening session and ‘I just have to listen to that old album again’ it was the Tannoy’s that I had to have, engaging is one word, impressive is another. Some say these virtues may run dry and they lack a clinical, detailed sound with real snap, maybe, but I had to have the Tannoy’s but would have liked the PMC’s.
If the Tannoy’s had still been £2400, very close to the price of the PMC’s, then it might have been a real fight but with the Tannoy’s so keenly priced, there was no contest.
Like many, I dream that there are the perfect speakers out there for me, in my case they are probably PMC fact.12’s, they are, realistically out of reach, but not entirely. Could I justify the expense, no. So I am happy with my Precision 6.4’s.
Life, just a load of compromises!
Sorry to ramble on, but in conclusion, if your budget, or as I prefer, what you can justify/feel comfortable with, is around £1000. Listen to the 6.2’s vs 6.4’s, and make sure they are both set up correctly, the same as each other (allowing enough room for the rear port on the 6.2’s) with the volume matching and let your ears and toes (tapping) decide. If you are not blown away, save up a shed load more for the best that PMC offer.
I auditioned both PMC and the tannoys and I personally preferred the Tannoys. Them I heard the Precision DC8s and was blown away. I had to have them and now that they are run in they are even better. If you’ve got the money (beg borrowed or stolen) I would go for these. However, if your budget doesn’t stretch the 6.2s are a great buy.
That should have been Definition DC8s and not Precision DC8.
I agree, the Definition range is lovely. I’m glad you’re enjoying yours.
Hi Ashley,
I am looking at possibly buying a pair of 6.2’s but am unable to have a demo on my own system, I was previously using a pair of B&W CM7SE’s which were great but to big to fit in my suitcase when moving overseas.
I will bi-amping them using full Musical Fidelity, X-A100R pre amp, X-AS100 power amp & X-Ray CD Player. Do you think that this setup with be ok or would my 2nd choice of Kef R-700’s be better?
Regards
Neil
I don’t see any reason why that setup wouldn’t work. Of course sound is subjective, but personally I’d take the Tannoys over the KEFs.
Hi Ashely,
Thanks for your input and thats my main concern about the subjective hearing, I went through countless varients before I settled on the system I had. A local shop has a new pair at a very attractive price due to a cancelled order but no demos, obviously doesn’t want to open them on the off chance I’ll buy.
Think I will take the chance with them.
Regards
Neil
If you can get to a branch of Richer Sounds that have the 6.2 and 6.4 give them both a spin. The 6.4 might be a bit overwhelming if your listening room is a bit small but I think they are both great speakers. The closest that I found (although quite different) were PMC but they were over £2k so at current prices the precisions are great value! Ps if you have laminate floors try mounting them on isolation pads.
The next step up from the Precisions are the Definitions priced around the same as the PMC range (starting at about 2.3K I believe), though the first floor standing model is around 5K.
Hi,
Just a little update.
No chance of getting to a Richer Sounds branch here in Thailand but I have managed to get some demos at a company called Piyanas here ….they have some seriously nice equipment on display with serious prices to match!
Anyway after seeing them all in the flesh it was between the Tannoy Precisions & Paradigm 75F (they look stunning in Midnight Cherry).
In the end I bought the Tannoy Precision 6.4, the 6.2 just felt it need a little more bass.
The Paradigm 75F’s which are about the same size as the 6.2’s were a very very close second but at almost double the price just couldn’t justifiy the extra…on looks alone the Paradigm’s won hands down.
Thanks to both Ashley and Jonathan for your replies, just waiting for them to arrive on Wednesday.
As I am now on the audition trail for a new amp to go with the Precission 6.4s I had the opportunity to listen to a pair of Spendor A6R speakers and while very good I was glad to get back to my Tannoys!
Hi Ashley
I have a pair of precision 6.2 speakers purchased some 5 months ago. My front end is a modified LP12 with a Musical Fidelity X Ray cd player.
My amp is a Musical Fidelity A5 integrated. Love the sound from the LP 12 – the sound from the cd is adequate – but it is some 12 years old and isn’t as important to me.
A friend covets my A5 amp and am wondering if I was to sell could you recommend an integrated that would be a step up? Rega perhaps?
Or should I resist the temptation to change!
Live in rural area with limited opportunity for hands on reviews so I would appreciate your comments.
Many thanks
Peter
Interesting question. Rega and Tannoy go very well together so an Elicit-R or even the cheaper Elex-R would I’m sure make for a very nice upgrade. What cartridge are you running on the LP12 with which phono stage?
Hi Ashley
Thanks for taking the time to reply.My LP 12 was upgraded by Inspire Audio and I have an Ittok arm with a Dynovector DV-20x2L low output moving coil cartridge. I use a low output phono stage made by Angle Audio
– this seems to be a pretty good value for money item.
Every thing came together in a pretty short space of time based on second hand products – with the exception of the speakers and phono stage.
As you know the upgrade bug is always there,but sometimes we spend unnecessarily!
Trying to take a more considered approach this time around.Previously lost all my kit to the recession.
Regards
Peter
Nice setup. Personally I believe in a source-first approach, though as you have an exceptional front end I’d probably be looking to go down the Elicit-R route.
Many thanks Ashley – not going to do much more in the way of serious changes but I’ll look at the amp as my own now has a good few years under it’s belt and the Elicit R is starting to appear second hand at reasonable prices.
Thanks again
Peter
Meant to say these speakers are excellent but (in my case anyway) they do need an awful lot of running in. Worth it in the end.
I agree. They take a few months to truly settle in. I think most of it is down to the extremely tight cone suspension.
Not an expert on anything to do with audio components, but just before Christmas I bought the 6.2 LE’s and paired them with a Rega Brio amp and Rega RP1 performance pack turntable.
Is there any part of that set up that I should think about upgrading?
Is it worth putting sand in the speakers?
Should I bi-wire this, not sure what this is and get banana plugs or leave the bare wire?
Any other advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
Paul
You have a great setup there. As for bi-wiring, the brio-R as with all Rega amps doesn’t have the second pair of terminals required for bi-wiring. In my opinion (an opinion that’s shared by many), bi-wiring is unnecessary and overhyped; and in some cases, it has an adverse affect on the sound so should be avoided. As for banana plugs, their main purpose is to offer a neater connection and avoid the risk of accidentally shorting the speaker cables together and causing damage to the amp. I use them as a reviewer because I’m constantly disconnecting and re-connecting cables to accommodate different components. That said were I to have a system that was permanently setup, I’d probably keep the bare wire as it offers the best surface contact. What speaker cable are you using?
As for putting sand in the speakers, that’s really a case of trial and error. The effect it will have on the speakers depends on the floor design of your house, not to mention the choice of carpet or wood and the acoustics in the room. That said it’s an option worth considering, as adding mass to the speakers will usually result in a tighter, more controlled bass response.
In terms of an upgrade, if you’re happy with what you have I’d stick with it. If you want to upgrade, the turntable would be the most logical choice – an RP3 with the ELys2 cart, and maybe a Rega Fono MM phono stage. I’d also consider Rega’s duet speaker cable, assuming you’re not using it already.
Thanks Ashley for the reply.
I’m now glad the bi-wiring question is sorted.
I’m using Atlas Equator mk11 2.0 6N Pure OFC cable (mouthful)
I will look into the Rega cable as an alternative if you think it is worthwhile.
I put the sand in the speakers and it did make the base more precise. Now that it’s in there it’s staying, too messy to muck about with.
If I buy a pre-amp for phono I assume this is better than the one in the Brio? Should I the connect this to different line in as number 1 is for phono.
I need to buy a CD player too for this system if you have advice I would also like to have a DAB radio / Streamer (all in one ideal) but either way it is my next purchase.
I will definitely be going for a higher spec turntable, not that there is anything wrong with the Rega RP1, I just want to get the best from the music I have.
One more thing, there is a slight buzz/hum from the speakers when the amp is on. You can only hear it when your ear is about a foot away from the speaker. Does not interfere with sound. Is this normal, I don’t want to go crazy trying to eliminate it if there is always a slight noise with this level of equipment.
Thanks in advance again Ashley for any advice.
Paul
Hi Paul – Glad the sand in the speakers made a worthwhile difference. I definitely think that adding some Rega cables would be a worthwhile investment, as would an external phono preamp. The Brio has a very good phono stage, but it is only a basic circuit and a dedicated unit will give better results. You’re correct in that the external phono unit should be connected to one of the Brio’s line inputs as opposed to the phono input.
As for a CD player, of course the natural partner is Rega’s own Apollo-R. An excellent CD player with a very warm, analogue sound. It seems to me that you like the Rega sound, so sticking with Rega components is the best way forward.
Sadly Rega don’t make a streamer, or a tuner for that matter. Perhaps something like the Onkyo T4070 would suffice. It features an onboard streamer, DAB+, FM and AM radio tuners and can be controlled by Onkyo’s phone / tablet app if you wish.
You could perhaps later on look at adding a Rega DAC-R to complete the setup. You would then feed the digital outputs of the Apollo-R and Onkyo T4070 into the DAC-R, and take advantage of its superior digital processing capabilities to get the best from both components.
As for the turntable, an RP3/Elys2 or an RP6 /Exact would be your best choice. If you intend to keep the system in the long term without upgrading the components, the RP6 is better value for money as it is it includes a better platter, improved sub platter, and the TTPSU power supply unit which offers electronic speed control at the push of a button. You don’t specify your maximum budget, but if funds allow I’d opt for an RP6, especially given that the rest of your system is very capable.
As for the hum, it’s perfectly normal with the Brio. It’s designed to offer the best sound at the price, but it does make a bit of noise. Providing it’s inaudible with music playing, it’s nothing to be concerned about.
Cheers Ashley, I will be setting up my kit with all the equipment you have mentioned.
My budget will reach to the RP6 next year but will be keeping exact costs from my better half. Apollo R will be next purchase followed by pre amp and the Onkyo DAB.
It may be next year but I’ll let you know how I get on.
Cheers Paul
Excellent. Enjoy the upgrade process, and be sure to keep me posted.
Hi Ashley,
It sounds as if you have given these speakers a decent listen. I have just moved to Australia and my Linn Keilidhs were destroyed in the move ( I have a Sondek/Akito/Adikt with a Majik DSM) and I heard the 6.2 at Richer Sounds before I moved. There was a lot of other speakers and people about but I thought they sounded brilliant and beautifully finished. I am nowhere near a Linn or Tannoy dealer here and would value your opinion. Thank you.
Martin.
Sound is subjective, but I personally think they’re very nice speakers for the money. Of course, if you have the budget a pair of definitions will give you better sound with the same (or better) level of fit and finish. I can’t claim to be familiar with the sound of your LINN gear (not a huge fan of their products), but the Tannoys will partner well with just about anything. The most important thing to remember is that they take months to break in unlike other speakers, so it’s important to persevere as they can sound a bit dry and harsh out of the box. Also take care with positioning, there’s plenty of advice in the comments section here that’ll help you get the best from them.
Following a demo with the 6.1’s, 6.2’s and 6.4’s a quick conclusion, 6.1 too light weight, 6.2 a bit bland, 6.4 stunning. The listening room was small and far from ideal and the test was done using the same 4 tracks, switching from one speaker to the other, each pair being well run in. I can’t see what the fuss is about with the 6.2’s and why there is so little written about the 6.4’s and what there is tends to be less favourable although that might in part be due to the original price being £2400.
what was the amp and CD or source music?
Yamaha A-S501 amp and Cocktail Audio, using it as the drive with a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic plus.
Very interesting feedback, thanks for sharing. The A-S501 is on the bright side of neutral – so I can see why you may have found the 6.1s and 6.2s lightweight and bland; the extra bass weight of the 6.4s would undoubtedly have compensated for what the A-S501 lacks in warmth. I can’t say I ever found the review samples of either speaker to be bland or lightweight. Perhaps a 6.2 vs 6.4 comparison is in order.
Do you think I should try the test again with a different amp, bear in mind that it would have to be what Richer Sounds have in stock.
Yes, try it with an Arcam A19 or a Marantz PM-8005
Thanks Ashley. I think you really should try the 6.4’s. Bearing in mind that the 6.1’s never received rave reviews but you think they were worthy of praise. Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t have been unhappy to make space for either of the smaller Tannoys, ironically my wife and I wanted to be impressed with the 6.1’s but thought they might be lost in our lounge before we started the test it was just that the 6.4’s stood out. I guess I should audition the 6.4’s against other speakers in the same price range which is now £1199. Any way my Castle Howard S2’s are up for sale!
I certainly liked the 6.1s. Used with sensibly priced components and setup correctly they can sound excellent. I think the lack of praise for them is mainly down to neither of those conditions being met; a typical reviewer’s reference system costs many times the price of the 6.1s and will undoubtedly reveal their flaws, and many overlook the importance of the careful (and time-consuming) setup required to get the best from a pair of dual-concentric speakers.
Thanks Ashley. Makes sence and the same could apply to the 6.4’s plus both these and the 6.1’s had challenging price points when they were reviewed. Where as the 6.2 which are some of the most universally praised speakers ever sat better amidst the competition on price. The thing is I can now get a great deal on the 6.4’s but do you think the 6.1’s/6.2’s might sound better with a Yamaha A-S500 rather than the newer 501 as I can’t run to a new amp just yet? I don’t get much time to keep auditioning kit so thank you for your thoughts.
The A-S500 and A-S501 are very similar-sounding. If you preferred the 6.4s (and have the room) I’d stick with them, and take the time to set them up correctly to get the best from them. Like most Tannoys they’re very easy to drive and will be a great match for just about any amp you decide to try in the future.
Thanks Ashley
When you say set up correctly, what do you mean other than creating the magical triangle and playing with toe in angles etc?
That’s it really. Get the triangle and toe-in right, and then make sure the speakers are perfectly level using the spikes underneath and tighten the locking nuts. If the speakers are located on carpet, make sure the spikes are pressed firmly down into the carpet for better stability.
I bought the Tannoy 6.4s but at home despite burn in they didn’t impress as they did on demo, I have got another pair to try this weekend, if they don’t produce the goods I am left with a high end option, PMC fact8, trouble is I can bearly afford the PMC.23. These are the only speakers which truly impressed me other than the Tanoy precision 6.4s
Hi Ashley, I saw few retailers selling Tannoy Precision 6.2 LE (Limited Edition). Is this real from Tannoy, I cannot see any information in their website. If it’s real, how better Limited Edition 6.2 compared to standard Tannoy Precision 6.2. Thanks for your time, Appreciate all your replies. It did helps our forum.
Cheers
Selvam
Looks to be real. It’s an upgraded version with matched driver pairs, an upgraded crossover and optimised cabinet tuning. As for the difference; I’m afraid I can’t say as I haven’t heard a limited edition pair. I suspect the difference is noticeable but marginal. If you can find a pair, I’d go for the LE version.
Hi Ashley,
I’m inclined to buy Tannoy Precision series based on your suggestion compared to Revolution XT series for home theater mainly watching India movies and classical & movie songs. How Precision is compared to KEF R-series, to listen natural sound. Thanks for your time. Appreciate your help.
Cheers, Selvam
I’m afraid I haven’t heard the KEF R-series. I’d encourage you to visit a dealer and have a listen if at all possible.
Hi Ashley,
Do you think these speakers would go well with a Roksan Kandy K2?
Cheers,
Richard
That would be a very nice combination.
Hi there,
i have currently got a pair of Tannoy Revolution DC6T Signature speakers which are very good. Do you think the new Precision 6.2 speakers would be a step up as i’m very tempted at the price of £799 online.
Many Thanks
Lee
The precisions are a definite improvement. More controlled low end with better imaging.
Hi there, i had the tannoy dc6t se and found these to bright with my marantz pm 8005 amp do you think the precision 6.2 will sound more rich in bass with my set up.
Many thanks
David
I’ve used both the DC6T SEs and the Precision 6.2s with the previous generation Marantz (the 6004) and didn’t find either particularly bright. In fact, they sound pretty similar – though the Precisions are a little more, well, precise in terms of stereo imaging and the bass being a lot tighter. That said, if the setup is too bright for you, I’d either change your speaker cables or look at something like the B and W 600 series or the Acoustic Energy 3-Series.
Ashley – thought I’d post an update – I took delivery of the 6.2 Limited Edition Speakers. They sound good with down tempo, acoustic, mellow music but they sound a bit harsh with anything a bit more challenging (rock, pop etc.) . The listening room is not ideal, it is approx 25 SQ/M and is best described as a conservatory with a lot of glass and hard surfaces. The rest of the system is CA StreamMagic 6V2 and CA Azur 651W power amp. Any suggestions? I was considering swapping the amp for something a bit ‘warmer’ with a more solid bass.
How long have they had to break in? They need at least 72 hours of playback time to sound their best; they will be quite bright and harsh up until that point. Once both the 651W and the 6.2s have had sufficient break in time, if you’re still not happy with the sound, I’d reconsider the choice of amp; maybe a Marantz or a Rega. Also what speaker cables are you using? And what interconnect are you using between the SM6 and the 651W?
Ashley – they’ve probably had 20-30 hours of continuous use now. I’m using the XLR balanced connectors with QED Silver Ann XT bi wire. I am tempted to try an Audiolab 8200P or Marantz PM8005
I’d go for the PM-8005, and use the Tannoys in single wire mode.
David – did the soud of your le version changed? I got also this speakers and for me the bass is
some kind of uncontrolled and much to sick…
Do you think the 6.2‘s would be a good match for a CA Azur 651w power amp (and Steam Magic 6 v2)?
HI, I have a Yamaha a-s2100 very powerful and refined sound, which I will be selling soon.
let me know if you might be interested
thanks
eddie
WOW – it’s a beast!!! 🙂 I’m afraid that’s too much for my current budget – but maybe one day … 🙂 Thanks anyway.
it is a beast – 25kg of beasthood! i have soavo 3 floorstanders which it powers very well
On audition they were connected to the Chord CPM 2650 – impressive mid range… but considering the price Marantz works extremely well 🙂
I’ve just bought these pair of beauties yesterday… They are brilliant! From the finish to sweet sounding music…
All in one package for value which makes these speakers absolutely out of the reach for their competitors.
The speakers are driven by Marantz PM 6004 and Im using Tefuel streamer for my all FLACs collection – hugely enjoying these!!! Recommending without any doubts for the prce of £799 in satin walnut – you can find it in the net.
Glad you’re liking them. They do sound lovely with a 6004, amazing really given the price difference. Marantz and Tannoy are a great combination.
They are definitely worth an audition if someone considering speakers up to £2000. More you listen to them more you impressed by what these speakers do with sound 🙂
I was hoping that its going to be a good combination: Marantz and Tannoy – and actually it works really really well 🙂
I am curious as to how the 6.2s comapre to the dc6ts, and also the new XT revoultions by Tannoy!
The Precision 6.2s are a lot nicer than the DC6T SEs, both in terms of finish and sound. They’re cleaner and clearer, with a better stereo image.
I’m currently trying to get samples of the new XT range – so keep an eye out for that review.
I’ve never heard different Tannoys but was impressed with Definition range build quality – awesome… the finish is mind blowing – especially in wooden gloss!
Do you think the Tannoy precision’s would work well with Yamaha amps? I now have old castle Howard 2’s with a yamaha AS500 (temporary replacement for old Audiolab kit that stayed) I was thinking of the precision 6.2s and yamaha 2100 amp?
That would be a stunning combination. I haven’t heard the 2100 amp (yet), but I did try the AA-S3000 out with the 6.2s when I had that in for review and it sounded lovely.