Magico S5 vs Tannoy Westminster Royal SE

Bhobba is absolutely right, the Magicos are brittle on many pieces, and he really is on the money with Rockports. Though I prefer the Tannoys for FAR less money than what I would consider a competitive Rockport, the Rockports are a very credible speaker that have a nice low distortion delivery.

The Westminsters, which I listen to for hours daily, are far more seamless and integrated top to bottom. The distortion is much lower. They are far easier to drive. The are absolutely superior on voices, which is the toughest test. They are more dynamic. They scale far better.

While monetarily not in the same league as most of the posters on this thread, I have achieved, for far less of an investment, the kind of performance provided by Tannoys.

Alnico drivers, pepperpot high frequency drivers, and hard edge surrounds, all in ca 1975 drivers, the HPD 315.

Crossovers are custom designed and built, cabinets are custom made 150 litre bass-reflex, at nearly 2" thick and each weighing 192lbs.

They are able to provide me with musical enjoyment I could not have afforded otherwise, and in a very large room, to boot (16'.5" X 34', w/cathedral ceiling).

They are happy to be driven by 300Wpc SS, or 35Wpc (VAC PA 35.35).

Tannoy has proven to be endearingly reliable, flexible, and wonderful music makers. These will be my last speakers, others need not apply.

I wish you all the enjoyment that I am having, no matter what you do it with.

Regards,
Dan

They provide me with

Dan, you have marched to the beat of your own drummer and I have no doubt that you have benefitted hugely from doing so. "Wonderful music makers" is your quote. I could not say it better.

Most readers, unfortunately, will doubt that these speakers, not using the latest buzzwords, the latest supposed high tech materials (I doubt the words "high tech" have ever been misused and clouded reality as much as they have been in high end audio) could ever compete with the latest, greatest $50k or $100k speakers.

Kiddman, thak you for your kind comments. For me, Tannoys, at least of the time-tested Dual Concentric variety, are not known for their ability to reproduce the fine detail of some of the mega-buck speakers, such as Magico and Wilson, they just make music listening a constant joy on a daily basis.

For example, I once heard Wilson Maxx-2's, driven by VTL Siegfried mono-blocs, and found the sound to be hyper-detailed, and not to my liking.

Tannoy's get to the meat of the music, and are capable of reproducing the scale of music in a way I've heard few other speakers do.

I have audio friends that drop by when they can (it's a five hour drive). They are very well-seasoned audio enthusiasts, and members of the Portland Audio Society (in Oregon). Upon their initial visit, they described what they heard as "world class", much to my surprise.

This was before the new crossovers had been implemented, and before the woofers had been reconed with the hard edge surrounds, and improvements have been made in amplification, and both analog and digital front ends as well.

Whether or not they are "world class" is immaterial, what's important, is I never tire of listening to them, and they are a source of constant enjoyment. My solo listening sessions last from 4-6 hours daily, with no listening fatigue. I feel no need to try and improve on that.

As always, regards and enjoy,
Dan