What Hi-Fi? Verdict
There's much to admire here – the Tannoy remains an enjoyable and flexible design
Pros
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Punchy and taut sound
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fine build
- +
compact
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good range of inputs
Cons
- -
Other subwoofers at this price level can go deeper
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A long-running favourite at What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, this Tannoy sub is now available for less than its original £500 test price.
Measuring 37x34x34cm, the TS-12 comes in a very well-built, but surprisingly light enclosure. It's a sealed design, using a downward-firing 30cm driver and a meaty 500-watt amplifier. The result is fast, punchy bass with the minimum of overhang. The TS-12 will go loud, too, without sounding overstrained when pushed.
Socket-wise, there are line-level inputs in both RCA (phono) and XLR flavours, with matching outputs limited to the latter. You'll also find a filter to control low-end extension, as well as the more usual crossover frequency. Oddly, there's no speaker level input.
It'll effortlessly pump up the basslines in Leftfield's Space Shanty, snapping into the adrenaline-infused rhythmic hook with a vital, foot-tapping enthusiasm.
The only downside is that there are limits to its absolute extension: whether you're listening to music or movies, it can't quite explore the furthest reaches of the deepest basslines.
However, some will readily trade this lack of absolute authority for the Tannoy's other strengths.
