Clarity, excellent detail, well combined with Yamaha-stereo

they miss out on the lower ends. wich makes you miss something when the music has a good bassline

I bought these while saving for better speakers, caus i spend most of my budget on the hifi-componits. They were /are enjoyable speakers, but still had me very determend to buy speakers with more dynamics and more bass. yes for this price and size they are a very good buy.

but i can't help missing the lower parts in my music. i think the m2 is more preferable for a little bit more money.
i just love that contra-bass on Roy Hargrove's cd !!!

For the price, the best I've heard. They sure beat the comparable B&Ws!

A bit small. Sound is distorted at higher volumes

I got these because I wanted an entry level music system. I am currently running the M1s off of a Rotel RA-932 and the amp is more than enough power for the speakers. Overall, they are the best sounding speakers in the $200-$300 price range that I have heard. They are fairly clear, etc. I am going to upgrade to the Tannoy Mx3s sometime soon, but these are holding me for now. I would recommend these speakers to anyone looking for an "entry level" system.

Similar Products Used:

none really

Well balanced. Great overall clarity, depth and body for a bookshelf design. Able to handle anything from Tool to Tchaikovsky.

A touch muted at high volumes. Being small they don't go that loud. Could do with more detail - but I'm being picky.

You can't buy the gorgeous little M1s anymore which is a real shame. The original mercurys sound far better than Tannoys replacements - the Mx. I've had these speakers for 2 years and they're every bit as good as the day I bought them.

When it comes to positining, the M1s are quite forgiving. I do recommend using sturdy 60cm stands preferrably ones you can fill with sand or leadshot. Placing them close to a rear wall will add some depth to the low end but they work equally well in free space.

OK so how do they sound? They rock, they roll, they whisper, they wail. The sound these speakers produce belies their compact dimensions. It's big boned and muscley. The bass is never going to threaten peace loving citizens within a 1km radius but there is no doubt its there. Tight, taught, fast and rythmic and superbly balanced. Even on tracks made up mostly of low frequencies (Dire Straits is excellent) you never feel that there's anything missing from the music.

But their talents dont end yet. Midrange and treble is presented sweetly and smoothly. True, some detail is sacrificed here - the Tannoys sounding a little more laid back than speakers like the Acoustic Energy Aegis model. But what these speakers excel at is making all sorts of music listenable and involving. Lead guitars have appropriate snarl. Female vocals sound rich and atmospheric (try Dido - No Angel). Solo instruments like piano, violin and sax have real timbre. You can play just about anything out of these speakers and they will replay a faithful convincing soundstage picture.

Hifi press label these speakers as budget entry level. True they're inexpensive, being designed to slot in well with a wide range of equipment. But I can't stress this enough. The Tannoys will really sing when partnered with quality electronics. NAD, Rotel, Marantz, Musical Fidelity for example.

If there are any faults to be mentioned they are ones that are apparent in any small bookshelf design. The Mercury M1s will sound quite lost in large listening rooms. Their sensitivity of 87db/w/m and 8 ohm impedance means most amps will have no trouble driving them, but don't expect stadium like sound levels. There are other speakers available which will definately go louder.

To conclude, the Tannoy Mercury M1s really deliver much more than they should for their price. If you are able to pick up a pair 2nd hand, these speakers will not disappoint. Buy with confidence!


My system:

- Bellogetti 4 tier stand
- Rotel RCD-951 HDCD capable CD player
- NAD C340 integrated amplifier
- Yamaha TX-492 tuner
- Tara Labs cables and interconnects
- Tannoy M1s
- Solidsteel lead filled stands

Similar Products Used:

Tannoy M2, AE aegis 1, Dynaudio, Monitor Audio, Jamo, Magnat

Maybe theres too much wax in my ears. The difference btw M1 and R1 are quite subtle. But you can biwire R1. Man i was blown but the life like strings the M1 produced. The only bookshelf speakers I have heard that outclass M1 is the Jamo Concert 8. BTW i am quite ignorant about audio stuff.

bass extention, good midrange, nothing horrible in the sound

lack bass punch and dynamics. voices can sound a bit pinched. Treble not very good. a bit uninvolving, build seems a bit cheap

they are still good speakers, but after 1 3/4 years with them i have found their limitations. Still nice and musical though. But replacements (Mx1) due soon.
cable terminals seem a bit cheap.

powerfull sound

For that price, there is no weaknesses

Very fast bass, and beautifull sound expecialy for classical music.I really like them.

Similar Products Used:

tannoy mercury m3

All round ability

When you consider the size, none

I used Ben Harper and The Matrix DVD to audition these speakers and I was amazed at how well they handled the different sounds. I fell in love with them as soon as I heard the acoustic guitar of Ben Harper. These speakers are stunning value for money.

Similar Products Used:

TDL, Axiom and Jamo

sound belies their diminutive size. even after several years on the market there's not much that can beat these

efficiency could be better - they don't go that loud

I traded my all Sony home theatre rig to focus on a real music playing system around 18 months ago. These little dazzlers had taken off in a BIG way overseas but were relatively new to OZ. Dealer gave me 80 bucks off them which in hindsight has turned an already good speaker into a brilliant one.

My current system consists of:

- NAD C320 40 watt amp
- Marantz CD-48 (oldie but goodie)
- Tannoy Mercury M1s
- rigid 65cm leadshot filled stands

I think the Tannoys are the ideal link here. Their sound is fast, fullsome and detailed. True, its slightly warm but not once have I felt something is missing from the soundstage pictures presented. The warmth factor also means that they'll handle every (yes I mean EVERY) style of music very well indeed. Be it Beethoven, Dire straits, Van Morrison or Metallica - it won't wrong foot them.

Buy these, put them on quality stands slightly away from a rear wall and hook them up. They sound good straight from the box too.