Question Fyne vs Tannoy

[Brownrke]

Dear What hifi Forum Community!
Currently I own a Dali Oberon 5 stereo speaker pair.
Amp: Rega Elex-R
Sourxe: Cambridge Audio CXN

I would like to upgrade the speaker set for a better matching pair.
My nominees are
- Tannoy Revolution XT 6F
- Fyne Audio F501
- Quadral Chromium Style 6

I tend to choose the Tannoy over the others, because of it's clarity, spaciousness and because of it's shape - to reduce internal wave disturbance, but I would like to hear some opinions.

My room is ~20m2 and cannot pull the speakers too far away from walls and corners max 30cm.

Thank you for your hints and opinions in advance!

 

[shadders]

Hi,
In the end, it is what you prefer that matters. If you have home demonstrated the speakers, pick the ones you like.

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[Al ears]

Shadders is right, unless you can actually audition any of these speakers then keep what you have as they are excellent speakers. However, if they don't sound good to you I would question why you got them and what is missing from the sound you have at the moment.
I cannot tell you what is best to buy and out of those I have only heard the Tannoy

 

[Brownrke]

Dear Shadders,
Thank you for quick response! Exactly, personal preference is the ultimate decision point. However where I live there is a limited opportunity to listen before you buy (close to none especially for the Tannoys). Therefore my goal is to collect as much info as possible and rely on reviews. Unfotunately for Quadral chr st 6 there is not much to find on the net. Usually this is no good sign but U never know when you will find hidden gem. Thanks again!

 

[Al ears]

Dear Shadders,
Thank you for quick response! Exactly, personal preference is the ultimate decision point. However where I live there is a limited opportunity to listen before you buy (close to none especially for the Tannoys). Therefore my goal is to collect as much info as possible and rely on reviews. Unfotunately for Quadral chr st 6 there is not much to find on the net. Usually this is no good sign but U never know when you will find hidden gem. Thanks again!

The Chromium series is readily available in the UK, however if you have difficulty auditioning any or all of these it may be worth sticking to something you can actually get to audition.
Buying based on other peoples opinion can often lead to disappointment.
What exactly is wrong with your current speakers?

 

[Brownrke]

Shadders is right, unless you can actually audition any of these speakers then keep what you have as they are excellent speakers. However, if they don't sound good to you I would question why you got them and what is missing from the sound you have at the moment.
I cannot tell you what is best to buy and out of those I have only heard the Tannoy

@Al ears:
Oberon 5s are great and I love them. But sometimes I think they have limits. E.g.: stage is not always consistent. In some records stage is projected out of the speakers (Billy Jean - "don't think twice " shout from left corner is splendid). But in other cases ot is muddy. Depth is almost not sensible. And bass can run out of authority (Peter Gabriel - Red rain bass guitar chords could be more weighty). These I woukd like to improve. I am affraid of the 360 downfiring port of F501 could be too much base close to the wall.
Quadral chr style6's ribbon driver is intriguing but again it's a smaller speaker and maybe lack punch and authority. Hence I favor the Tannoy.

 

[gasolin]

Bright speaker (tannoy) https://www.stereophile.com/content/tannoy-revolution-xt-6-loudspeaker-measurements

 

[gasolin]

@Al ears:
Oberon 5s are great and I love them. But sometimes I think they have limits. E.g.: stage is not always consistent. In some records stage is projected out of the speakers (Billy Jean - "don't think twice " shout from left corner is splendid). But in other cases ot is muddy. Depth is almost not sensible. And bass can run out of authority (Peter Gabriel - Red rain bass guitar chords could be more weighty). These I woukd like to improve. I am affraid of the 360 downfiring port of F501 could be too much base close to the wall.
Quadral chr style6's ribbon driver is intriguing but again it's a smaller speaker and maybe lack punch and authority. Hence I favor the Tannoy.

Better amp that can control them and better feet ? Isoacoustics gaia III ?

 

[Brownrke]

Better amp that can control them and better feet ? Isoacoustics gaia III ?

Hmm, which Amp would you recommend?

 

[Brownrke]

Hmm, which Amp would you recommend?

But anyway thanks for this hint. Do you suggest that a better feet with better isolation coukd be more beneficial than a speaker upgrade?
Regards Brownrke

 

[plastic penguin]

Heard Tannoy Precision 6.1 a few years ago. Excellent speakers in many respects but they do need careful partnering.

Looking at the OP's kit: Rega, very open and detailed (closest I've heard to my Leema). Cambridge has very similar traits.

Although similar tonal speakers can work I would look at balancing the soundstage out, with, perhaps a slightly smoother sounding amp, such as Yamaha AS 2100. Should work a treat with the Dalis.

 

[Brownrke]

Bright speaker (tannoy) https://www.stereophile.com/content/tannoy-revolution-xt-6-loudspeaker-measurements

Woww thanks for this thorough article. I believe the Elex-R is a bit warm so they may match up with the Tannoy.

 

[Brownrke]

Heard Tannoy Precision 6.1 a few years ago. Excellent speakers in many respects but they do need careful partnering.

Looking at the OP's kit: Rega, very open and detailed (closest I've heard to my Leema). Cambridge has very similar traits.

Although similar tonal speakers can work I would look at balancing the soundstage out, with, perhaps a slightly smoother sounding amp, such as Yamaha AS 2100. Should work a treat with the Dalis.

Thanks for this suggestion as well. I've checked this Yamaha quickly and based on the pure numbers it must be a solid beast. But it is way over my budget. Considering the sensitivity the 90dB of Fyne F501 can have the upper hand. Tannoy 89dB just a bit below, but it can make a difference, right?

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks for this suggestion as well. I've checked this Yamaha quickly and based on the pure numbers it must be a solid beast. But it is way over my budget. Considering the sensitivity the 90dB of Fyne F501 can have the upper hand. Tannoy 89dB just a bit below, but it can make a difference, right?

No, you won't notice any difference with just 1 db. What makes a bigger difference are the ohms. If one is 4 or 6 ohms and the other is 8 that could - I do suggest "could" - as it depends on whether a speaker can have a 'dip' in ohms. Every speaker is different.

When I had my old RS6s it had 90db with 6 ohms. My old 40 watt Arcam could struggle once it was cranked up. When I demoed PMC DB1i with 87 db but 8 ohms it didn't suffer the same issues. Had no real problems.

Your Rega won't have those issues, as it's more punchy with additional power and a cleaner current.

In my opinion it's more about getting that tonal balance right. If you can't afford the Yammy then look at a s/hand Arcam A39. Like the Yammy it'll work fine with any of the aforementioned speakers.

As others have mentioned, the only way you'll know for sure is to demo a few different brands.

 

[gasolin]

Hmm, which Amp would you recommend?

I can only guess, mabye hegel but not a tiny low powered amp, above 100 watt pr channel in 8 ohm

 

[gasolin]

But anyway thanks for this hint. Do you suggest that a better feet with better isolation coukd be more beneficial than a speaker upgrade?
Regards Brownrke

Isoacoustics feet helps getting the most out of the speakers

 

[gasolin]

Thanks for this suggestion as well. I've checked this Yamaha quickly and based on the pure numbers it must be a solid beast. But it is way over my budget. Considering the sensitivity the 90dB of Fyne F501 can have the upper hand. Tannoy 89dB just a bit below, but it can make a difference, right?

87-89 db sensitivity is normal, not low, every 100 watt pr channel amp should make 87-89db sensitive speakers play more than loud

 

[Brownrke]

Isoacoustics feet helps getting the most out of the speakers

And do you have experience with the Viablue HS Spike and disc?

 

[gasolin]

And do you have experience with the Viablue HS Spike and disc?

No i have only experience with isoacoustics feet i have used for around 9 years, have tried foam but didn't do anything for me

 

[plastic penguin]

I can only guess, mabye hegel but not a tiny low powered amp, above 100 watt pr channel in 8 ohm

Why would you need an amp above 100 watts, unless you want to pee the neighbours off? As I mentioned above my old A65+ was fine with RS6s unless you felt the need to crank it up loud, then it struggled.

But the 80 watt Leema has no issues, nor did the 85 watt Creek Evo 2 I had on home demo.

 

[gasolin]

Sometimes it just makes a difference having extra power,ability to control the speakers you have

It's like a car with more top speed than you need,even when you don't use it it just makes a difference having a power full engine

Some might have big mcintosh,krell, audio research amps with more than 2x200 watt in 8 ohm, not always because the have low sensitive speakers but to always have enough power for the bass (bass need alot more than you might think,imagine) and for loud and 100% clean music, often the more powerfull amp sounds best and can control speakers better than the same amp just in a lower watt version

If you choose a different brand with lower wattage it might be better at controlling the oberon 5, going up to a more power amp from the same brand should also give more control

 

[plastic penguin]

Sometimes it just makes a difference having extra power,ability to control the speakers you have

It's like a car with more top speed than you need,even when you don't use it it just makes a difference having a power full engine

Some might have big mcintosh,krell, audio research amps with more than 2x200 watt in 8 ohm, not always because the have low sensitive speakers but to always have enough power for the bass (bass need alot more than you might think,imagine) and for loud and 100% clean music, often the more powerfull amp sounds best and can control speakers better than the same amp just in a lower watt version

If you choose a different brand with lower wattage it might be better at controlling the oberon 5, going up to a more power amp from the same brand should also give more control

You know as well as any that power doesn't necessarily equate to better sound. For everyday use the Rega Elex-R, with it's 90-odd watts per channel will have more than enough grunt and control to power any speaker around 6-8 ohms and 87 dbs.

 

[Brownrke]

You know as well as any that power doesn't necessarily equate to better sound. For everyday use the Rega Elex-R, with it's 90-odd watts per channel will have more than enough grunt and control to power any speaker around 6-8 ohms and 87 dbs.

I agree with Platic Penguin. Before the Rega I have had a CA CXA60. And the stepup of the extra +15 W per channel was instantly audible. I have never turned up the volume knob over half state with Rega ElexR and I was already worried that the neighbours gonna come over with some "kind" words.
Rega provides totally enough power support for the Oberon5, that's for sure.
What I feel it can do more.

 

[Brownrke]

Thank you guys All for the great support! I try to sort out an audition for the Tannoy, hope to be lucky! I have to bring over my AMP to be sure about system match. Fingers crossed!

 

[plastic penguin]

Thank you guys All for the great support! I try to sort out an audition for the Tannoy, hope to be lucky! I have to bring over my AMP to be sure about system match. Fingers crossed!

Good luck and keep us updated.