AUDIO ORIGAMI BLOG

THE TANNOY PROBLEM

Tannoy : A Reputation Tested

Tannoy once stood as one of the most revered loudspeaker companies in history. However, a significant shift occurred in 2015 when Music Group (now known as Music Tribe) acquired the company and relocated production to China.

While there's nothing inherently wrong with products manufactured in China, provided quality control is diligently maintained, transparency with customers is crucial. Unfortunately, Tannoy fell short in this regard. Their lack of opennessabout the change in manufacturing location had an irreversible impact, severely damaging their brand. Loyal customers expect to be informed about company changes and reassured that product quality will remain consistent, regardless of where an item is produced. It took Tannoy nearly a century to build its stellar reputation, yet only a few years to compromise it.

Current Tannoy Quality: An Unbiased Assessment

Despite past issues, Audio Origami can attest to the current quality of Tannoy's higher-end loudspeakers. We own a pair of 2023 Tannoy Canterburys, which are undoubtedly Chinese-made, and we can confidently say they are every bit as good as their Scottish-made predecessors from before 2020. In fact, their exceptional performance has earned them a permanent place in our main listening room.

While we can only speak for the Gold Reference (GR) and SGM ranges, our extensive listening experience with post-2020 models within these lines confirms their superb quality. These speakers consistently compete with, and often outperform, other brands in their price category.

It's truly regrettable that Music Tribe's handling of the brand has overshadowed Tannoy's rich history in Hi-Fi. Nevertheless, we can assure you that the product itself remains excellent.