Posted on Thu, 19 Apr, 2018
Posted by Bob

Tannoy Prestige Kensington vs Tannoy Prestige GRF: two exceptional loudspeaker models reviewed and rated.

Tannoy’s Prestige Range is one of our favourites here at Audio Affair; a thoroughly traditional range, utilising Tannoy’s signature dual-concentric driver technology, in beautiful, furniture grade cabinets. It’s hard not to love these incredible sounding, hand-made loudspeakers.

We decided a back-to-back comparison between the mighty GRF and the rather more compact Kensington models was long overdue…

Testing Times

Ensconced comfortably within the walls of Audio Affair’s dedicated listening room, an accompanying cast of world-class sources and amplification were assembled. Pre and power amplification came in the form of Sugden’s Sapphire range with a DAP800 preamplifier and FBA800 power amplifier.

Only a world-class source made sense for world-class loudspeakers, and to this end a Linn Klimax DSM network streamer was pressed into service, with music streaming in Hi-Res via Tidal.

Tannpy Prestige GRF vs Kensington

Tannoy Prestige GRF

First up, it’s the gargantuan Tannoy GRF; the GRF model was introduced to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Tannoy loudspeakers. A substantial loudspeaker in every way, the Tannoy GRF utilises a 12″ dual-concentric driver and stands over 1.2M high.

First up is Massive Attack’s Man Next Door: it’s clear from the outset that the Tannoy GRF display tremendous levels of refinement and control. Horace Andy’s vocals are beautifully forward and detailed without being invasive in any way. It’s time to try a track with more pace and scale to push these speakers harder…

The 80’s synth stylings of Todd Terje are next up with his track Maskindans: within a few bars, it’s obvious the Tannoy GRF are virtually unflappable on any style of music. Everything is wonderfully balanced with a deep and wide bandwidth which is, at the same time, utterly controlled and refined.

Tannoy GRF

Willie Nelson’s wonderful performance of Always on My Mind opens with a piano accompaniment which is pristine and clear. There’s wonderful separation between all the instruments and performers, with stereo imaging and sound-staging second to none.

Listening to Bob Marley’s classic Waiting in Vain is an absolute joy and again highlights the GRF’s key attributes of control, precision, scale and dynamics. The Tannoy GRF’s do a wonderful job of “getting out of the way of the music”  and allowing the listener to get on with enjoying the performance. Isn’t that the point of Hi-Fi?

Tannoy Prestige Kensington

The Tannoy Kensington speaker, in comparison with the GRF, has the smallest footprint of any loudspeaker in the Tannoy Prestige range. A tall, thin, cabinet design coupled with a 10″ driver makes the Tannoy Kensington rather more physically and visually accommodating.

One always tries to “listen with one’s ears”, however, as the helpful staff at Audio Affair pull down the smaller Kensington speakers, one’s eyes prepare to expect a smaller and less impressive presentation. As it happened, nothing could have been further from the truth.

A back to back listening with Bob Marley’s Waiting in Vain shows that the Tannoy Kensington have an immediate, and addictive character. A sentiment shared by other members of staff at Audio Affair. From the first note, these are sweet, warm and rounded sounding speakers with an all-enveloping presentation.

If the Tannoy GRF impressed with a  trademark neutrality and unshakeable control, the Kensington is a little more relaxed, a little sweeter, and a little warmer. Switching to Willie Nelson, the opening piano is perhaps not quite as pristine or defined as with the GRF?

Tannoy Prestige Kensington

In contrast, however, one could say that the Kensington is perhaps the more “entertaining” loudspeaker to listen to, with a little more “honey” in the presentation and maybe a little more life. What is undeniably missing is the GRF’s sense of scaling in the presentation. On the GRF, Always on My Mind seemed to grow in defined dynamic steps; with the Kensington, that becomes more of a gradual swell.

Spinning Todd Terje, again, there’s a rhythmic drive with these speakers which is engaging and welcome. The relentless control and precision of the GRF, notably absent, but again the warm, engaging and enjoyable presentation can lead one to forgive them that oversight.

Horace Andy’s vocal on Man Next Door, is perhaps not quite as cleanly presented as with the GRF. On a track which is already mixed with dirt and character, the natural warmth and “syrup” of the Kensington, perhaps leads to the “veiling” of the fine details?

GRF vs Kensington

To conclude then, the Tannoy GRF impresses with the Tannoy trademarks of neutrality, precision and stereo imaging. Trademarks which have made Tannoy loudspeakers the choice of recording studios for decades. With the exception of a notably “brassy” quality to the midrange, these were as close to an “acoustic window” as one is likely to find in a loudspeaker.

In contrast, the Tannoy Kensington impresses in another way altogether; its lively, engaging, sweet and warm presentation imbibes every recording with an enjoyable magic; one which is downright pleasing and entertaining. Whilst not possessing the clinical accuracy of the GRF, the Kensington is a truly superb (and arguably more practical speaker) in its own right.

Whether it’s the Tannoy GRF or the Tannoy Kensington, both are excellent ambassadors for the Tannoy Prestige Range. Be warned, however, that to hear them is to desire them!

Leave a Reply