and why does it look like an antique?
The catch is that some of them are also on the large side.
The result looks and feels like nothing else on the market.
But does that result in a set of thebest stereo speakers ie.
is this a speaker proposition you actually want to own?
If it aint broke, Tannoy will not be rushing to fix it.
In the UK, a pair of Autograph Minis will set you back 2,200 for a pair.
Where you see a single driver on the front of the Tannoy, there are in fact two.
This is a 25mm unit made of titanium.
Tannoy calls this arrangement ‘Dual Concentric’ and its been an element of the company’s speakers for decades.
This latest iteration includes a system that Tannoy calls Omnimagnet.
Connection to an amplifier is via a single set of binding posts.
On the plus side though, sensitivity is very good at a consistent 8 ohms.
Tannoy hasnt been diligently working away at dual concentric drivers for decades for the hell of it.
The effect is incredibly cohesive.
Its an extremely impressive disappearing act.
Whats more, voices and instruments are recreated in a way that is astonishingly convincing.
The manner in which the Tannoy gets stuck intoAll the way from Americais more than a simple reproduction.
The caveat to this positivity is that the recordings mentioned so far are very good ones.
This isnt a cheap speaker pair, and it cant really be driven on the cheap either.
Where the Tannoy springs more of a surprise is the bass extension.
There is a speed and cohesion to the Tannoy that the Antiques Roadshow aesthetic never really hints at.
Lets put something in context though, because I do think it matters.
The Tannoy looks the way it does mostly for the engineering reasons already mentioned.
Its not a mock-Tudor speaker but instead the logical result of decades of engineering work.
This doesnt mean that the Autograph Mini isnt going to look a bit odd in some situations.
Dont go thinking that fitting the grilles will make much of a difference ether.
This is helped by the standard of build being immaculate, even judged at the price.
you could see where the money has gone though.
Should you buy the Tannoy Autograph Mini?
Tannoy knows what it wants and delivers it perfectly.
Poor quality material simply isnt going to sound great on them.
Finally, a more niche but fascinating gear is the Neat Petite Classic.
Testing was carried out in my relatively normal living room which I use as a listening space.
