Tannoy Mercury V1 loudspeaker

The last few decades have seen dramatic improvements in the art (and science) of loudspeaker design. Tannoy's budget-priced Mercury series is now in its fifth iteration. The two-way, front-ported Mercury V1 ($320/pair) measures 11.8" high by 6.7" wide by 10" deep and weighs 9.9 lbs. My samples came in a very handsome Dark Walnut finish (Sugar Maple is available) with simple black cloth grilles. I left the grilles off to reveal the speakers' attractive front baffles and accentuate their equally attractive high frequencies (more on the latter later).

The Mercury V1's fit and finish were excellent, with no visible blemishes of any kind. Designed in the UK and made in China, this speaker feels like quality. Knocking on a side panel resulted in just the slightest resonance—very fine performance for a model in this price class. Whereas many other speakers have contoured baffles, tapered edges, and/or rounded side panels to reduce vibrations and cabinet reflections, the Mercury V1 is all straight lines and right angles—not a curve in sight. Its overall look, then, is somewhat old-fashioned, but the front baffle's aluminum accents lend a touch of modern elegance. The speaker has a 1" soft-dome tweeter and a 5.1" pulped paper-cone mid/woofer, and its published specs include a frequency range of 45Hz–25kHz, a sensitivity of 86dB, and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Around back is a single set of sturdy, five-way binding posts.

Sound Quality
Unlike the Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 45, which I reviewed last month and which took some time to distinguish itself as an outstanding performer, the Tannoy Mercury V1 sounded compelling right out of the box. In college, I listened endlessly to Indeterminacy: New Aspect of Form in Instrumental and Electronic Music, a collection of 90 one-minute stories spoken by John Cage, accompanied by David Tudor on piano and electronics (2 CDs, Smithsonian Folkways 40804). Though I no longer own that set, I've recently been enjoying a fine reissue on high-quality, 180gm virgin vinyl (2 LPs, Doxy DOZ406). Through the Tannoys, Cage's voice sounded uncommonly smooth and round, and was clearly focused in the center of a wide, stable soundstage. Piano and percussive elements flashed into my listening room with impressive speed and force. Interestingly, the Tannoys brought to the fore a persistent tape hiss I'd never before noticed. Through my PSB Alpha B1s ($299/pair), Cage's voice was just as clear and present, but with significantly more edge and hardness. On the other hand, the PSBs paid less attention to the tape hiss, but added a bit of size and weight to the entire performance.

To test the limits of the Mercury V1's bass, I first turned to "Limit to Your Love," from James Blake's self-titled debut (LP, Polydor B0015443-01). Again, piano and voice sounded softer, rounder, gentler than I'm used to, but pleasantly so; and while the song's incredible blasts of low-end energy lacked ultimate weight and authority, they were nevertheless extremely well defined and remarkably controlled. However, with more rhythmically complex music, such as Nicolas Jaar's reinterpretation of Mike James Kirkland's "What My Last Girl Put Me Through" (12" single, Ubiquity UR12298), the Tannoys' taut, lean bass couldn't make sense of the groove. Here the PSBs were more accomplished, sounding altogether funkier and nastier, and creating a more involving listening experience. The Tannoys were more polite and reserved.

It was while listening to the mps—the first album by my band, the Multi-Purpose Solution (CD, Mint 400 M4R00 18)—that I really noticed the Tannoy's magic: Even though our distorted guitars lacked some body and heft, our clean guitars were incredibly easy to follow and sounded wonderfully vibrant and true, and cymbals sounded sweeter and more fully expressed than I could recall.

That led me to Bérangère Maximin's gorgeous No One Is an Island (CD, Sub Rosa SR 337). So intoxicating was the sound of Frederick D. Oberland's electric guitar, so thrilling the sounds of Maximin's laptop effects, that I was compelled to listen to the album from beginning to end and over again. Though no other aspect of its frequency response seemed unduly sacrificed, the Tannoy's highs were especially delicate, clean, and lovely. Surprisingly, my emotional response to this music depended greatly on the speaker I used: The PSB Alpha B1 made it sound consistently bolder and more physical, creating a more dramatic and unsettling listening experience; the Tannoy offered a sense of ease and grace that transformed the music into a decidedly more intimate and peaceful affair—two distinct sounds, equally valid.

While I feel certain that I'd be able to successfully identify these speakers in a blind listening test, I'm not nearly as comfortable choosing a favorite. They both made beautiful music. In general, I'd give the PSBs the advantage for rock and large-scale orchestral music; the Tannoys would get my vote for jazz and smaller-scale music. But really, both speakers sounded fine with everything I played. If Floyd E. Toole were to blindfold me and put a gun to my head, I guess I'd pick the PSBs, simply because I listen to more rock and I like big bass. But I'd miss the Tannoys' delicacy and grace.

Conclusion
I think I'll have a hard time forgetting the Tannoy Mercury V1. But for now, good fortune smiles again: Kal Rubinson has just offered me some of his Echo Busters acoustic treatments, and I plan to pick them up later this month. While they won't exactly turn my listening room into an anechoic chamber, they'll provide a small step in that direction.

COMPANY INFO
Tannoy Ltd.
North American Distributor: TC Group Americas
335 Gage Avenue, Suite 1
Kitchener, Ontario N2M 5E1, Canada
(519) 745-1158
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COMMENTS
seank's picture

I googled Tannoy Mercury V1 and can't find any U.S. Internet sellers or local sales in Illinois.

If I were the head of Tannoy, I'd be looking for a new sales team.

 

evert's picture

Which ones would you prefer for a 2-channel musical setup?

/Regards Evert

kpkats's picture

How do you think Tannoy Mercury V1 compares to the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1?

Regards Kostas.

tejastiger61's picture

I read the  artical...  I wish  to purchase.   Tannoy's Web site  is down for  repairs. 

It is  December .. Folks tend  to buy eletronics at Christmas...  I know I do.

After this great write up you would have figured Tannoy  should be ready to sell and ship as quick as possible. Why are they not..? What  is  the problem..? Where is common sence in this behavor..?  When will they finally get it  together will  I still care...?  Stay tuned.... 

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