I visited Paul Coupe (Reference Fidelity Components) on Monday 7th December as I heard he had produced a very nice reconstruction of the Tannoy Canterbury loudspeaker. I was impressed by what I had seen from the construction photos in the PFM trade discussion section and was intrigued to hear a pair. This was duly arranged when Paul told me they were both completed.
Here is a photo of one of the completed speakers.
I won't go into the construction of the Canterbury’s as this is fully described and documented HERE but needless to say the build quality and attention to detail is exceptional. The workmanship and finish is first class.
Paul has already written a very nice article about my visit which you can find HERE but I wanted to say a few words about these lovely loudspeakers myself.
Over the 43 years since my first system, I have been an avid audiophile and I have heard many original Tannoys including GRFs and Autographs (original ones) including when I was involved in the vintage scene. In fact my grandfather owned a pair of Tannoys with 15” Monitor Golds. All I heard sounded good but distinctly vintage and somewhat coloured. Now this could have been due to a number of things like age, condition, service history etc. so it was great to hear the RFC version in all their splendour. The sound was not vintage at all. Notably is the loudspeakers efficiency leading to a sound that was both realistic and more like a modern high efficiency design, but done properly. The mid and treble was dynamic but also smooth and unforced when it needed to be. When the programme material demanded the RFC Canterbury’s delivered. The bass was the biggest complement; there was no overhang or boom. It was clean and tight and precise and this is where Paul has really done some great work on removing panel resonances which improves the RFC version over the original design. If you closed your eyes you would think you were listening to a much more modern speaker, however the most important thing is that it made the music sound real.
This is not meant as a review but to provide some information. Anyone who has the room and is looking at buying a wonderful loudspeaker under £6K/pair should check these out, because at this price they are a complete steal considering the amount of care and work that goes into them. I am even considering a pair for myself. BTW did I mention each speaker weighs over 9 stone (60kgs)? Paul also offers a range of crossover options.
It is really refreshing that in these times small companies still strive for quality and performance to sell their products instead of marketing bullshit. It also takes me back to the days when the original Tannoys were built where manufacturers cared more about what they made, than how much money they could make on each sale. How times have changed...
Here is a photo of one of the completed speakers.
I won't go into the construction of the Canterbury’s as this is fully described and documented HERE but needless to say the build quality and attention to detail is exceptional. The workmanship and finish is first class.
Paul has already written a very nice article about my visit which you can find HERE but I wanted to say a few words about these lovely loudspeakers myself.
Over the 43 years since my first system, I have been an avid audiophile and I have heard many original Tannoys including GRFs and Autographs (original ones) including when I was involved in the vintage scene. In fact my grandfather owned a pair of Tannoys with 15” Monitor Golds. All I heard sounded good but distinctly vintage and somewhat coloured. Now this could have been due to a number of things like age, condition, service history etc. so it was great to hear the RFC version in all their splendour. The sound was not vintage at all. Notably is the loudspeakers efficiency leading to a sound that was both realistic and more like a modern high efficiency design, but done properly. The mid and treble was dynamic but also smooth and unforced when it needed to be. When the programme material demanded the RFC Canterbury’s delivered. The bass was the biggest complement; there was no overhang or boom. It was clean and tight and precise and this is where Paul has really done some great work on removing panel resonances which improves the RFC version over the original design. If you closed your eyes you would think you were listening to a much more modern speaker, however the most important thing is that it made the music sound real.
This is not meant as a review but to provide some information. Anyone who has the room and is looking at buying a wonderful loudspeaker under £6K/pair should check these out, because at this price they are a complete steal considering the amount of care and work that goes into them. I am even considering a pair for myself. BTW did I mention each speaker weighs over 9 stone (60kgs)? Paul also offers a range of crossover options.
It is really refreshing that in these times small companies still strive for quality and performance to sell their products instead of marketing bullshit. It also takes me back to the days when the original Tannoys were built where manufacturers cared more about what they made, than how much money they could make on each sale. How times have changed...
