Finish, Value, Good sundstage, great with jazz and vacals

Got a great deal on a Demo pair from Top Audio in Westminster CA. They sound great. I looked at alot of speakers and for the monet these speakers really shine.

These small book-shelf speakers (h x w x d = 30 x 17 x 23 cm) are marvellous. My music collection's value has doubled...
I compared them to Tannoy M1 and M2 (€ 180 and 270 a pair). M1 just lacks a little bit of quality for (kettle)drums. M2's bass is better, because of its size. R1 (€ 360 a pair) is small like M1, and the bass is not so deep as M2's, but it is compensated by a better clarity.

And the spatial reproduction is great. I can hear the orchestras sitting and choirs standing behind the speakers. And I don't even have to close my eyes for that.

nice finish, biwirable

see below

I work in a currys-esque hifi store in East Anglia, UK where I get to hear a lot of speakers. I was velly interested to hear these speakers- What Hifi award etc but I reckon they only got that award is that Tannoy pay for a lot of advertising in aforementioned mag...
This is in contrast to M2.5s on Kenwood Dpf2010 cdp, Ka1010 amp

Very shut-in and recessed midrange
Very little bright treble
No clarity
Very mushy sound
Little bass
What bass is not deep, Flabby, ill defined, no detail
No powa

I would advise anyone to listen by all means- but compare to the other tannoys and all but the mr rears outclass them. m1s are the best. on decent (atacama se24) stands of course!

Similar Products Used:

mordaunt short ms30iclassic (see ms30i review), tannoy m2.5, mission 701 (sh*t), mission 700 (even more sh*t), mission 702e (need I continue?)

I was very disappointed about the sound of R1. In several magazines the R1 has good reviews. After one day that I had bought the R1, I gave this speaker back to my dealer. I've listened for a couple of hours. Instead of to enjoy the music, for me I was disappointed about sound, bright, no weight and drive. I replaced this one for the ACoustic ENergy AEGIS One, perfect!!!
For 3 months I've had the M1 speakers. They did a better job (for the price)

Similar Products Used:

Acoustic Energy Aegis One, KEF Cresta, B&W 601S2

I got a chance to listen to this speakers when i was shopping for new ones. My choice was between M1 and R1. I was impressed by M1 low price and all round ability. R1 fail to shine in rock and dance music. Better suited for vocals. Very smooth, clear detailed voices is its strengths. The image is well blended and laid back. Gives a relaxing feeling.
My vote goes to the M1 for money for value.

Having listened to several brands of speaker, I eventually settled on the Tannoys. I performed A/B listening tests between the Mercury M2 and the Revolution, and found the Revolutions to be more pleasing to the ear in terms of accuracy, soundstage and clarity. Material used was classical, jazz, rock and pop. On some tracks, there was little discernable difference, but extended listening found the Revolutions to be more melodic and controlled. For "bassier" music, the M2s may have the edge, probably due to the larger enclosure. For my use, this isn't an issue (I live in an apartment/flat) and have a small subwoofer.Build quality is superb - solid wood I believe - and they are bi-wirable.
My amplifier is a Yamaha DSP-A1, though listening tests in the store were conducted through a Marantz device.
Tannoy seems to be hard to come by in the US. My supplier was House of Music in downtown San Francisco.
Compared to the UK, US prices are a little steeper ($500 vs. GBP300).

Beautiful to look at real-wood, solid build and reassuringly heavy and generally quality feel. Very clear sound and at a great price.

Cheap grills.

I have recently started in this field and took some time to read reviews of different speakers. Tannoy attracted with their long history and many awards. Made-in-Europe helped as well (perhaps wrongly). Fancy stuff is made in Scotland and assembly in Hungary.

I looked at the Mercury range, but was put off by the cheap plastic feel of them (call me fussy if you like).

Then I found the R1 for 138 pounds (220 USD at July 2000 rate) and was instantly convinced. The Mx1 and Mx2 sell for just slightly less than this.

The sound is cristal clear, however I must admit I am not a great fan of music or speakers with a lot of bass. Some reviews describe these speakers as lacking in "fun", but to me, they are just sophisticated and subtle. I am sure I could get twice as much out of them with a better amp (now I have a Aiwa-surround-kit-rubbish) and after the break in period. Beginner as I am, I still feel like I got a whole symphony orchestra for the money.

Similar Products Used:

None