Hi-Fi: Tannoy Definition DC10T Floorstanding Loudspeakers – Review – 79

A recent fetish with single-driver loudspeakers (my own DIY horns and the fine Gemme Audio Vivace, also reviewed this issue) was quite a revelation. How could a loudspeaker with only one driver (and, in the case of the Vivaces, a tiny one) sound so good?

Part of the magic of the single driver is its ‘single-point source’ maxim, whereby all frequencies emanate from one drive unit, promising phase coherence and minimising the dreaded crossover anomalies.

Of course, the better multiple driver speakers overcome this with well thought out crossovers; but what if you could combine the two — a multiple-driver speaker with a single-point source?

That’s exactly what Tannoy’s imposing new Definition DC10T has to offer: a state-of-the-art speaker employing Tannoy’s latest incarnation of the company’s dual-concentric technology. It’s an impressive sight: each piano-gloss cabinet sports two 254mm doped fabric drivers, one equipped with the centrally mounted dual-concentric tweeter, while the chrome rings around each make quite an art deco statement. The top driver containing the DC tweeter covers the bass/mid/treble frequencies while the bottom unit is solely dedicated to lower frequencies. The drivers have a double ‘roll edge’, presumably to quicken transient speed.

The deeply curved enclosure is constructed from sustainable birch plywood, while the crossover has been subjected to a deep cryogenic treatment process, which means it has been slowly cooled to a temperature of -190˚C. This is a growing practice within high-end audio and proponents claim it improves fidelity and relieves stress on components during their manufacture. It sounds cool (no pun intended), and who am I to argue?

Yet another surprise was in store on the terminal block, where there are five binding posts instead of the usual four. One is used as a ground terminal, and my initial listening concluded slightly improved dynamics while using it. Maybe Tannoy is on to something here.

Listening sessions took place using a Korsun/Project RPM 12/Raysonic/Squeezebox Duet/DacMagic system, while cables were Nordost’s esteemed Blue Heaven/Solar Wind and Super Flatline Mk2 bi-wire.

After a bit of experimentation it was found that the rear-ported DC10Ts were best sited well clear of walls, as they developed monstrous low frequencies — Tannoy recommends at least half a metre from a rear wall and a metre from side walls, and that’s exactly how they were placed.

They’re killer speakers. Tracks from Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On on 180g vinyl placed Marvin in mid-air between each speaker with the band around him. It was luscious. The Tannoys really brought to life ‘Astronomy Domine’, from Pink Floyd’s psychedelic debut Piper At the Gates Of Dawn, too. Indeed, many albums were auditioned via CD, Squeezebox and vinyl, and the result was always massively entertaining.

Tannoy’s DC10Ts aren’t a bargain-basement steal, but in this case you certainly get what you pay for: effortless, room-filling sound with pinpoint imaging and soundstaging. All the pleasure boxes were definitely ticked.

GARY PEARCE

Tannoy Definition DC10T Floorstanding Loudspeakers – Specifications

Enclosure type: 3-driver rear-ported bass reflex
HF Driver: 25mm titanium dome dual-concentric with Tulip Waveguide
Bass/mid: 254mm dual-concentric with twin roll fabric surround
Bass: 254mm with twin roll fabric surround
Frequency Response: 30Hz-35kHz
Sensitivity: 92dB
Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal Recommended Power
Handling: 15-200W
Dimensions: 1125 x 339 x 320mm (H/W/D)
Weight: 34.5kg per speaker

Pros

• Beautifully made
• Beautiful sounding

Cons

• Need room to breathe

Verdict

A successful update to the Definition series

CONTACT

www.internationaldynamics.co.nz

This review is from Tone 79. Click here to check it out.