KENSINGTON GR-BA

2 Way Floorstanding 10" Dual Concentric HiFi Loudspeaker (Black Ash)

Product Features

• 2 way floorstanding loudspeaker for large sized rooms
• Dual Concentric driver technology provides class-leading coherence and point-source imaging
• 10" highly efficient driver with 93 dB/Watt sensitivity and 500 Watt peak power handling deliver breath-taking dynamics and realism
• PepperPot WaveGuide powered by Tannoy Alnico magnet system enhances the point source symmetrical dispersion properties
• Aluminium-magnesium alloy diaphragm and Mylar surround compression driver delivers exceptional clarity and articulation throughout the high frequency range
• Handcrafted black ash veneered cabinet with black ash inlays provides a unique and timeless piece of furniture
• capacitors, low loss laminated core inductors and thick film resistors delivering a more natural and cohesive sound
• bi-wireable binding posts to improve signal transmission and integrity
• Fifth binding post provides grounding to reduce radio frequency interference and improve midrange clarity
• High density birch ply and particle board cabinet provides extreme rigidity to control low frequency performance
• Distributed Port system gives powerful and extended low frequency performance
• Extensive bracing incorporating DMT (Differential Materials Technology) to couple drivers to cabinets
• Precision machined silver anodised aluminium adjustment panel metal trim complements the aesthetic of the real wood cabinet
• TANNOY - 90 years of British sound heritage and innovation

Product Description

Tannoy Prestige Kensington GR Black Ltd Edition Speakers further refines the Dual Concentric driver concept bringing cutting edge technology and sleek style to the world’s finest traditional loudspeakers.

Hand-Crafted 

Each hand-crafted, solid plywood Prestige GR cabinet is finished in oiled real wood veneer and finished with machined metal trim hard anodised in lustrous gold.

To mark this milestone, and as a celebration of the company’s proud heritage, the iconic original Tannoy ‘lighting strike’ logo is incorporated on all models throughout the Prestige GR series. 

Dual Concentric

Featuring a 10” Dual Concentric drive each, the Kensington GR each with Alnico magnet system and the Tannoy PepperPot WaveGuide, is mounted in a comprehensively braced and solidly constructed mahogany cabinet.

This combination delivers superb dynamics with fluid mid-range, focused imaging, spacious sound staging and deep, controlled bass performance.

No Compromise

The only rules Tannoy absolutely adhere to when designing and crafting Prestige loudspeakers is to utilise the most up to date, no compromise, acoustic technologies and time-proven cabinet making skills ensuring these are probably the very best sounding loudspeakers you will find anywhere.

The design comfortably complements any decor whether classic and vintage or casual and contemporary.

Tech Specs
Performance
Compatible Amp: 50-225W
Cont power handling: 135W RMS
Freq response: 29Hz-22kHz (-6dB)
Sensitivity: 93dB (2.83V @1m)
Nominal impedance: 8 Ohms 

Drive Units
Type: Dual Concentric
HF: 51mm (2") aluminium alloy dome
Alnico magnet/ Pepperpot Waveguide
Voice Coil: 52mm (2") round wire wound
LF: 250mm (10") treated paper pulp cone
Surround: HE twin roll fabric surround
Dispersion: 90 degrees conical

Crossover
Frequency: 1.1kHz
Type: Bi-wired, hard wired passive
LF: low loss compensated 2nd order
HF: 2nd order compensated HF
Shelving Adj: +/-3dB (1kHz-22kHz)
Slope Adj: +2,-6dB p/octave (5-22kHz) 

Construction
Enclosure: Distributed port
Finish: Lacquered mahogany veneer
Detail: Solid walnut edging and trim
Volume: 105L (3.7 cu.ft)
Dimensions (HWD): 1100 x 406 x 338mm
Weight: 37kg (81.6 lbs) 50kg x 2 with packing

Tannoy Kensington GR review

These retro-style speakers have more going for them than just nostalgia... Tested at £9950

By What Hi-Fi? July 13, 2015

OUR VERDICT

It’s easy to dismiss these on the grounds of their retro appearance, but there’s real substance to the Kensington GR’s engineering and performance

FOR

• Impressive combination of scale, dynamics and finesse
• Good rhythmic capability
• Impressively articulate and insightful
• Sonic composure
• Retro appearance
• Fine build and finish

AGAINST

• Some rivals have more punch and grip in the bass

It’s easy to dismiss Tannoy’s Prestige series for being old fashioned. While the range’s traditional appearance may not suit the decor in many UK homes, it’s a firm favourite in the Far East where the fine craftsmanship, retro details and sonic talent have brought huge success.

We have one of the mid-sized models on test here, the Kensington GR, and even a quick listen proves there’s more at work here than just nostalgia.

Build and design

When we say mid-sized, it’s only in the context of the range. It’s still a huge cabinet that’s 105 litres in volume and 110 cm tall. Packaged, these speakers weigh in at a hefty 49kg each, so make sure you have a willing (and strong) friend to help unpack them.

Once you do that you’ll find that the Kensington GRs are beautifully made, wider than they are deep and covered with loads of retro design details. The cabinets are solid too, using a mixture of high-density birch ply for the front baffle and rear panel, combined with particle board and solid wood for other sections.

There are two standard finishes; the traditional-looking Walnut most Tannoy Prestige speakers come in, or the Black Oak of our review sample.

There are loads of neat cosmetic touches. We love the GR (Gold Reference) emblem on the front baffle and the engraved thick metal plate used for the treble adjustment section. The surprisingly heavy grille actually locks into place and there’s a chunky key that unlocks it for removal. Our inner nerd loves such things.

The speakers' accessories are housed in this beautifully made matching box

Items such as the beautifully finished wooden box that houses the biwire links, spikes and the nicely produced manual help promote pride of ownership. Details like this really boost the feel-good factor.

Despite all the fancy woodwork, the heart of these speakers is Tannoy’s trademark Dual Concentric drive unit. The one used in the Kensington GR builds on decades of development. It has a 25-cm paper pulp mid/bass cone with an impregnated twin roll fabric surround.

The tweeter – positioned in the heart of the mid/bass to help integration – is a 52mm aluminium/magnesium dome. It fires through a ‘pepper pot’ grating into a stainless steel horn – an arrangement said to help sensitivity and control directivity.

We don’t normally mention the magnet material used in a drive unit, but here we’ll make an exception. The Dual Concentric driver uses an Alnico magnet to provide the driving force for both the low- and high-frequency drivers.

Tannoy claims the use of Alnico (an iron/nickel alloy, with cobalt, aluminium and other rare metals) helps give the drive unit array a cleaner transient response and increased sensitivity.

The fifth terminal is for grounding – which can improve sound

The sheer size of the Kensingtons means you’ll need a big room – around 20 square metres as a minimum, we’d say. Make sure you can place these floorstanders at least a metre out into the room to make the most of their stereo imaging.

In our listening room, any closer to the rear or sidewalls resulted in an un-natural bloom at low frequencies. It isn’t particularly severe, but enough to adversely affect the overall performance.

Tannoy provides a good degree of flexibility in the treble. On the front baffle you’ll find adjustments for treble energy and roll-off. These are subtle enough to be useful, so it’s well worth experimenting to optimise performance.

The Kensington GRs can be biwired, and they benefit from that, sounding more precise and lucid when used this way. As with other Tannoys there’s an additional terminal next to the two pairs of signal inputs, the use of which (wired to the ground-pin on your amplifier) results in a cleaner, crisper presentation.

Performance

A solid, embossed key locks the weighty front grille in place

Effortless – is our first impression of the Kensington GR’s sound. They’ll deliver a piece of music like Hans Zimmer’s Where We’re Going (from the Interstellar OST) with breathtaking composure.

The large dynamic shifts of the track are rendered with impressive force and the scale of sound is just huge. Yet, there’s it’s all done with an astonishing sense of ease. At no point do these speakers sound strained or close to their limits, even at high volumes.

There’s none of the hardness of lesser speakers when pushed, nor the restrained dynamics that go with small drive units and compact cabinets.

Then, there’s the bass. While it comes as no surprise a speaker this size produces lots of it, we’re impressed by the Tannoy’s quality. They’re subtle, textured and articulate.

Rivals from the likes of B&W and Focal deliver more punch and grip, but sacrifice a little grace in the process. It’s a trade-off we’re happy to accept.

You can fine-tune the treble via the under-grille panel

We’re impressed with the Tannoy’s stereo imaging too. Positioned with care these speakers set up a wide and deep sound stage populated by securely focused instruments. The stability is impressive, with the precision unspoiled even when louder elements come into play.

With Nina Simone’s Feeling Good, the Kensingtons continue to shine. That Dual Concentric driver gives a seamless and direct delivery, rendering Simone’s vocals with real passion and drive. Along with the power, we’re reminded just how subtle and insightful these speakers are.

We give alt-J’s Hunger of the Pine a listen and are struck by the Tannoy’s rhythmic skill. The overall presentation is a little gentler than we’re used to, but there’s still enough energy to satisfy. The combination of fine timing, strong dynamics and clarity are more than enough to win us over.

Verdict

The Kensington GRs are speakers to love. Their retro appearance may not be to all tastes but there’s enough sonic quality to place them on the top rung of speakers at this price.

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They’re gentle giants, balancing finesse with force in a mighty appealing way. Consider us tempted.