Tannoy Mercury 7.4 7

[dexxas]

Never heard of these Speakers Sure I know the mecury range but these look very pleasing to the eye have there own stands wondered I never seen them for sale in Richer Sounds ... Are they any good is there any reviews about them

http://tinyurl.com/p2qzm7y

 

[MeanandGreen]

I hadn't heard of the 7.4 either, I have some Mercury V4 myself.

Looking at the specs of the Mercury 7.4 with 93db sensitivity, 8 ohms impedance and 32 - 32khz freq responce and twin 7" drivers they look like a good spec floor standing speaker especially at the price I'm seeing them for.

 

[dexxas]

I hope someone from What hi fi will reveal all about them Worst sceanario is they might have been specificly made for another market. Why I mention that. is surfing like mad to find out what I can. there are two places one is an Australian hi fi outlett . This store on ebay is selling them with an option to pick them up at argos. But the same srore offering them for several prices. The Black vener ones going for less. I quite like the look of them myself i think they look quite macho if thats a valid discription. More handsome than the V4

SpecificationsRecommended Amp Power (watts)20 - 150Continuous Power Handling (watts)75Peak Power Handling (watts)300Sensitivity93dBImpedance (ohms)8Frequency Response32Hz - 32KHzWoofer Size/TypeTwin 7" driversCabinet TypeTwin rear ported reflexDimensions (mm)955 x 308 x 314Weight (g)15000

https://tinyurl.com/grrda35

 

[dexxas]

Quote

They are the new release following the V4 range. Basically more refined design and sound quality.

Sadly there isn't much I can say to give you a better idea. You really just need to hear them They are scrumptiosity good.

So this a coup we have not hear this news in What Hi fi yet

 

[dexxas]

I asked are these speakers for real they look Gorgouse

answer

Hi, I can say these are quite real! We have some in our soundroom and we had them hooked up and all had a good listen a month ago. If you look at the Mercury range as an evolving entity that has been improving and or tweaked the last 15 years this latest version is the end result of that evolution. These don't change much in sound quality over the Vi so if you like the way Tannoy voices these speakers in the past these will be on par. Definitely good price performance ratio on these.

If you could get a chance to audition some revolution XT's though I think you might be swayed to a different speaker that while entry level in price really nails it. Just check out all the glowing reviews. Once you do a direct comparison between a discreet speaker like Mercury and then to a genuine dual concentric based speaker like Revolution XT you will understand what the recording industry has known for years, and that dual concentric is just a more inherently correct way to create a loudspeaker.
Of course Revolution may be priced out of your range and then I would say the Mercury will not disappoint.

John V
Technical Support Specialist
TC Group Americas

I already own a pair of Tannoy F3 in my sitting room which front my 2.1 system i love them They have a Rel subwoofer for company.

For my main music enjoyment in our music room which is a Roksan setup with Bluesound node. I use a pair of Monitor Audio R1 silver on quality stands filled with grit. I bought a pair of V1's falling in love with them in What Hi fi then i read a review thought I like a change maybe move the M/A's into the living room. I purchased some Tannoy V1 from richer sounds for £1 99 what a disipointment these were a downgrade to the M/A (in my opion) I still think The f3 sounds better in all respects. Now the above email put me back in the Doldrums. "If I like the Sound of the V1's " oh dear .

To be fair icould not get any bottom end ot of the V4's at all to my satisfaction

confused between V4 V1's i had the V4

Thanks

 

[dexxas]

http://tannoy.com/residential/#!series_1176

I Bought a pair in the end £315 ebay

My Tannoys arrived today they look stunning and sound stunning even against my M/A Silvers Still testing them my music taste have changed so much pleased to say im not stuck in a time warp of my youth at 64

These sound much better than the V4s I owned and sold

My test pieces have been started of with Miles Davis, Flamenco Sketches. Cannonball Adley Solo in the left hand speaker always blows me away. Makes the speakers feel like they are blowing air

Movies Blow on bbc Iplayer The bass is stunning I left the covers on Because the speakers so gorgouse I can not take my eyes of them when the music playing it distracts as crazy as that might sound.

My overall rating is 5 stars

Love the mashups too on Spotify Big fan of Megan Davis , Lights, Gardiner Sisters, Erato, Bahari,

My test pieces include

https://youtu.be/tgLsQGxcePY Megan Davis

 

[MeanandGreen]

Pleased to hear you're happy with you new Tannoys. Just wondering in what way do you find them better than the V4 you used to own?

Thanks.

 

[thewinelake.]

I have always liked the Tannoy Mercury range and have bought unheard, despite that being against all the best advice. It seems to be impossible to audition them as very few stockists around in London, and none that do demo's. I'll have to carefully unpack and try them out to see if they're keepers, though. £320 seems a good price (some shops apparently want £499, go figure!).

They should be arriving today.

I was doubly impetuous there, as the carpet for the intended room isn't coming until next week, so I may have to try them somewhere else that IS carpetted...

 

[thewinelake.]

So they want £499 just like most other suppliers.

So how can Juno do them for £320? Seems too good to be true.

 

[The Mad One]

Hi I purchased mine from Juno records with free next day delivery.

And can confirm they are totally amazing speakers for £500 but with Juno records selling them @ £320 makes them a steel in fact I got mine for £299 cause I ask them for there best price and that's what they offered me and they're brand new.

Probably the best speakers I've had in a while I really like tannoy speakers they seem to suit my room more than other brands.

 

[thewinelake.]

Have you experimented much with how well they tolerate being close to a wall? That was always a bit of a weakness with the old Mercury (they loved being in open space) but that might be true of most speakers.

I've yet to sit them firmly (the spikes are not adjusted deep enough for the carpet in the room I first put them in) and I'm finding the imagery a bit muddled - but that might even be down to the amp (as well as the lack of firm foundations). Got another amp working just this evening (an old A&R A60) so will see how that performs.

Then on Thursday evening, I'm going to do a reverse demo - taking them along to a local Richer Sounds to see if any other £500 speaker can do a better job. Slight problem is that my source material is on a phone and I've lost my Chromecast (which seems to do a much better job of DAC than the built-in one).

 

[The Mad One]

Mine are about 20 cm from the rear wall and have no problems with bass boom.

I'm not sure of your amp (make wise) so cannot comment if your issues with imaging is to do with the amp and source doesn't seem to be up to scratch but also bare in mind that you've only had the speakers a day so will not be run in at all and they'll need to be stable with there spikes in.

I rekon once you've got your carpet fitted speakers set up propally your arcam amp used and a better source. You'll quite pleased with these speakers.

Let me know how you get on.

 

[thewinelake.]

I share your optimism!

 

[thewinelake.]

Impressive, given that the Dali's are about twice the price!

In the end I returned my 7.4's as I found them a little uninvolving. Had a brief flirtation with a pair of second hand ProAc studio 125's (which were better) before going to the dark side ;-)

 

[thewinelake.]

It's a mystery!

Everyone seems to see things differently, and sometimes you "just know" that you've found what you're looking for. For me, just guessing, I think it's a lack of bass control with the amp I had that was perhaps to blame. Give it a better amp and maybe it'd be a different story.

 

[bubobubo]

how could you guys describe the sound of the Tannoy ? { i heard they sound different than other speakers, that they had some "Tannoy sound"

i never had heard Tannoy *bad*

 

[bubobubo]

ps. sorry i could not help to like this picture*give_rose*

 

[Volvo_760]

I was wondering why did you find the Tannoy uninvolving?

 

[Volvo_760]

If you check for frequency response and measurements of the Dali Zensor range, you would easily understand why it sounds bright, has an annoying tweeter and base is quite shallow compared to Tannoy and Q-Acoustics.

 

[Volvo_760]

Tannoy Mercury 7.4 vs Dali Zensor 7
After having them both for a few months I would say that the Tannoy is definitly the better speaker.

The mids of the Dali are annoyingly frizzy with a slight decrease in the level towards the high tones - this leads to lack of intonation in the voices, base is quite heavy and exhaustingly plangent. Not to mention that the tweeter of the Tannoy is so refined that it would sound pleasing with almost any amplifier. On the contrary, the tweeter of the Dali sounded quite harsh and sharp with most amps I have tried. I had managed to achieve acceptable highs only with a Marantz PM6005, but didn't manage to improve the rest of the issues.

So, I decided to write to Dali if they can give me an advice with which amplifier the Zensor 7 would pair well. After one week I still have not received any reply. This is the second time I write to them and receive poor support. A bit disappointing considering that I have purchased 3 sets of Zensor 7 speakers.

On the other side, I had a damaged grille on the Tannoy and not only received an instant support but one week later was asked if I am happy with the support and if my problem has been solved.

Really regret buying every single pair of Zensor 7 speakers. Their sound is a bit like a demo TV with boosted contrast. Or probably even worse - with boosted brightness. It is something that would impress you in the showroom and won't stop annoying you after the second week. The only thing that stopped me from selling them long ago is the outer look. They really look very beautiful on the outside. As Jeremy Clarkson says - "Design is what sells". Probably some companies invest in outer appearance and others - in drivers. Unfortunately, in every other aspect they are not even close to the Tannoy Mercury 7.4. Really doubt if they are any better than the Tannoy Eclipse 3, which is more than 3 times cheaper. Not to mention that it is absolutely pointless to invest in anything more than the Marantz PM6005, because it is the maximum in quality that the Zensor has managed to handle. The only difference I can tell when I pair them with something better is power. No difference in quality. On the other hand, the Tannoy would shine effordlessly with anything better. You can easily tell who is producing speakers from 90 years, and who - from 30 years. Not to mention that the Tannoy would sound decently with almost any amplifier, is very versatile when it comes to positioning and as I already mentioned - would sound even better when positioned properly and paired with a better amplifier.

 

[Volvo_760]

Here is a very professional and objective review, supported by frequency measurements:

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=cs&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=bg&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hifi-voice.com%2Ftesty-a-recenze%2Freprosoustavy-podlahove%2F574-tannoy-mercury-7-4&edit-text=

 

[Volvo_760]

Not to mention the review of the Czech magazine Hi Fi Voice:
the web site filter doesn't allow me to quote the link, but you can easily find it in internet ...
Where the Tannoy is highly recommended. It looks to me much more professional and less commercial, backed up with frequency measurements, with detailed test conditions, with information about the amplifiers that were used during the test. On the contrary - I didn't even manage to find the name of the whathifi review author.
There is a review by Audio Appraisal, too: the web site filter doesn't allow me to quote the link, but you can easily find it in internet ...
I can quote plenty more ..
I am also begining to question myself about the Yamaha stereo amplifier reviews by what hifi. So, I would gladly give them a try.The 5 star Pioneer VSX-930 AV Receiver was a huge disappointment!
I would also try the Q Acoustics floorstanders and share my opinion. Hope that they are really better than the Tannoy and Dali speakers as described by What HiFi, because the Czech magazine above highly recommends the Tannoy, but does not highly recommend neither the Q Acoustics 3050, nor the Dali Zensor 7, though they have reviewed all of them.

 

[Volvo_760]

This review tells me only one thing - there are still companies that refuse to pay journalists, which makes me respect Tannoy and Yamaha even more!

 

[Volvo_760]

I would say that the Dali is more dynamically flat than the Tannoy. A bit dry is exactly the way it sounds to me compared to the Tannoy.
I have never noticed timing issues with the Tannoy. In fact, it sounds much more precise than the Dali.
Unrefined treble sounds ridiculous to me, especially when compared with the Dali. I have paired the Tannoy with several amplifiers from different generations - 70's, 80's, 90's and nowadays and never found the treble unrefined. I would say that the Mercury 7.4 is one of the most refined and universal speakers I have heard in this class. Not to mention the statement - "Not an easy listener". I listen to the music every day. Sometimes for several hours. I have found exhausting many speakers, especially the Dali, but never found exhausting the Tannoy, nor did any of my friends. On the contrary 1/3 of them find the Dali exhausting which is considered by what hifi as an "easy listener". Unfortunately, I have never heard the Q Acoustics 2050i and 3050, but I would gladly exchange my Dali for a Q Acoustics speakers and would definitely compare them with both the Tannoy and Dali speakers.
Bass needs more control? Tannoy speakers are famous for their quality bass. I have not heard a more precise bass in that price range than the one of Tannoy speakers and I would say that the Mercury 7.4 is no exception to me. In fact, the bass of the Dali suffers from a bit poor control. Not to mention the uneven frequency response of the Dali, which makes it sound hard, boomy, with a lack of impact...
In fact, I don't have a single friend who has preferred the Dali compared to the Tannoy. Most of the have listened to both of them in several different pairing combinations.There are two things that usually impress them in the Tannoy and these are the bass impact and the clean and detailed mids, which is quite the opposite to what i read in the what hifi review. And by the way, some of them are quite experienced in the audio sphere - ex-musicians (violin, piano), ex-consultants in audio stores ...

 

[insider9]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who doesn't like the Dali + Marantz combo.