The Tannoy Autograph Mini is the British manufacturer’s most compact speaker. Its design is based on the original 1950s model, but in bookshelf format. Equipped with a magnificent real walnut cabinet, designed and handcrafted in the UK, the Autograph Mini benefits from a latest-generation Dual Concentric coaxial driver. A true signature of the brand, it aims to produce a full, dynamic and natural sound. Priced at €2,200, does this speaker live up to its promise?
Included accessories
The Tannoy Autograph Mini comes with eight damping pads to stick under the speakers to reduce vibration transmission. The British manufacturer also supplies two cylindrical foam plugs. If desired, they can be used to block the port on the back of each speaker, thus reducing bass response, or to position the speakers directly against a wall. Finally, two fabric grilles with magnetic fastenings can be used to cover the front of the speakers, without altering their acoustic properties.
Presentation
The Tannoy Autograph Mini speaker pays tribute to the British manufacturer’s most iconic model. The design is based on the Tannoy Autograph speaker produced in the 1950s. It was equipped with the manufacturer’s first Dual Concentric coaxial driver, a 15″ model.
Miniaturized and updated, the Tannoy Autograph Mini bookshelf speaker is designed for close-up listening sessions in rooms of 20 to 25m². It is now equipped with a more modest Dual Concentric driver (4.5″) which nonetheless benefits from the manufacturer’s most recent technological advances. These include a new magnetic assembly configuration, as well as a custom-made tulip waveguide and crossover with high-end components.
Design and finish
Designed with the same care as the prestigious speakers in the Tannoy Legacy range, the little Tannoy Autograph Mini is handcrafted in the brand’s workshops in Coatbridge, Scotland.
Made of high-density wood and stiffened by internal reinforcements, the cabinet of this bookshelf speaker is designed to eliminate any coloration. The speaker has a unique shape, with a beveled back. This non-parallel speaker design gives it a distinctive aesthetic, but more importantly, effectively reduces internal reflections and standing waves.
The finish of the Tannoy Autograph Mini speaker is commensurate with the care taken in its acoustic design.
A true piece of vintage cabinetry, its case benefits from a magnificent oiled walnut veneer and is adorned on the front and sides with an attractive fabric trim. Once the cover is removed, the front panel reveals the Dual Concentric driver, above the speaker’s logo and nameplate.
Dual Concentric driver
The Tannoy Autograph Mini bookshelf speaker harnesses all the British brand’s expertise regarding coaxial driver design. Developed in the late 1940s, Dual Concentric technology quickly became the hallmark of the brand’s drivers, and the company continued to perfect its formula. It comes in different sizes, depending on the speaker model. The Tannoy Prestige Stirling GR, Tannoy Turnberry GR, Tannoy Stirling III LZ SE and Tannoy Kensington GR are equipped with a 9.8″ Dual Concentric driver. The Tannoy SGM12 and Tannoy Cheviot speakers feature an 11.8″ model. The Tannoy Arden, Tannoy SGM15 and prestigious Tannoy Westminster Royal GR speakers feature a huge Dual Concentric driver, measuring 15″ in diameter.
The Tannoy Autograph Mini speaker is equipped with an 4.5″ diameter model with cellulose pulp cone for the mid-bass register. In its center, the manufacturer houses a 0.75″ titanium dome tweeter.
Sound reproduction is further enhanced by the use of a Tulip waveguide to ensure symmetrical high-frequency dispersion. This increases the amplitude of the stereo image, while offering more precise placement of the various elements of the soundstage. This configuration ensures exceptional consistency across the entire sound spectrum.
In-house electronic components
The electronic crossover on the Tannoy Autograph Mini speaker has also been revised. It features custom-designed Tannoy capacitors, low-loss laminated-core inductors and improved, closer tolerance wirewound resistors. Assembled and wired by hand, these components enable the manufacturer to fine-tune the speaker’s parameters for a truly natural sound. It covers a very linear frequency range from 106Hz to 20kHz (+/-3 dB).
Key specifications
- 2-way speaker
- Bass-reflex enclosure
- Genuine oiled walnut finish
- Coaxial driver
- Frequency response: 106Hz to 20kHz (+/- 3 dB)
- Power handling: 50W RMS
- Sensitivity: 85 dB /W/m
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 209 x 356 x 156mm
- Unit weight: 4.4kg
Listening conditions
For this test, we connected the Tannoy Autograph Mini to the Cayin CS-55A KT88 amplifier using a Viard Audio Silver HD12 HP cable. The Rel Acoustics Classic 98 subwoofer was used for 2.1 listening sessions, connected to the amplifier’s speaker terminals with its dedicated high-level cable.
We used the Magnetar UDP800 4K Blu-ray player for audio CD playback, connected to the amplifier with a NorStone Jura RCA cable.. To stream Hi-Res audio tracks via Qobuz from the Audirvana application, we connected a laptop to the Cayin’s USB port using the USB-B to USB-A cable supplied with the amp. The speakers were run in with the Jean-Marie Reynaud Magic CD. The speakers were placed on NorStone Stylum 2 stands, about 50cm from the rear wall.
Listening impressions
We began this test with the albums Random Access Memories by Daft Punk and Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits on CD. Honestly, we weren’t expecting such a performance! As well as offering exemplary clarity and smoothness, these speakers were very energetic. The drum kicks sounded realistic, the guitar phrasing nuanced.
As for the bass lines, they had a nice presence despite the modest size of the driver. The manufacturer’s mastery of bass-reflex tuning was clearly obvious! The bass was rapid and responsive, and was perfectly integrated with the other frequencies, giving the sound a sense of texture. Even if the Autograph Mini was timid below the 80/100Hz mark, we were never be frustrated.
We then played Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes’ Dark Rainbow album (24-bit/44.1kHz) on Qobuz, via the Roon PC application, using the Cayin CS-55A KT88’s USB DAC. The little English speakers were perfectly at ease expressing the North London band’s infectious energy. On more intimate tracks, such as the Sun Bright Golden Happening ballad, Frank Carter’s voice was rendered with extreme transparency. The Dual Concentric driver effortlessly expressed the slightest inflections, with a beautiful sense of proximity, while giving the piano notes great extension. The emotion in the track was palpable.
Lianne La Havas’ Blood (16-bit/44.1kHz) offered a different ambience, but was as lively, precise and authentic as ever. The small Tannoy speaker honored the infectious energy emanating from the British singer’s second album. The music unfolded with remarkable breadth and depth. Amplitude and texture were present even at low volume, and when the watts are turned up, the speaker maintained perfect control, the message remaining clear, without distortion.
On orchestral compositions, the little Tannoy speaker demonstrated rigor and precision in instrument placement. Incisive attacks (energetic, airy violins), and very comfortable with dynamic shifts, it expressed itself with aplomb and fluidity.
All these qualities are due to the exceptional Dual Concentric driver, unrivalled in its ability to reveal the smallest details of the music. It offers perfect phasing of the different registers, resulting in a full, very natural sound. The tweeter was very bright, but not harsh, and the midbass driver delivered a rich, round sound. This rather analytical character can be toned down, if desired, by pairing the speakers with electronics that have a round signature (a tube amp, for example).
Tannoy Autograph Mini Vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II
Offered at the same price, the Tannoy Autograph Mini and the Sonus Faber Sonetto II embody the same audio excellence, supported by handcrafted design. The design is not only aesthetic, but also acoustic. The finish leaves no room for approximation, making each of these speakers a superb object to be proudly displayed in your living room.
When you listen to them, you’ll be impressed by the vitality of these two speakers and their ability to deliver a wide soundstage. The presentation is smooth, and the music unfolds very naturally. The British speaker displays great transparency and a little more precision in the contouring and placement of instruments and vocals. It also has a more energetic sound. The 6.5″ driver gives the Italian speaker more warmth and character in the midrange. It also benefits from a better foundation in the lows, while offering more body to the lower mids.
Who are these speakers designed for?
The Tannoy Autograph Mini speakers will appeal to fans of beautiful vintage speakers looking for transparent, natural sound. They are ideal for intimate listening sessions in a room with a surface area of 20 to 25m², and express themselves ideally in a small living room, bedroom or office. It is also possible to add the REL Acoustics Classic 98 subwoofer, whose finish is a perfect match for the speakers. It allows full exploration of the lowest octaves, making an ideal 2.1 audio system with superb aesthetics.
Conclusion
What a nice surprise this Tannoy Autograph Mini review was! In addition to their superb aesthetics, these speakers are extremely musical, demonstrating vitality, smoothness and precision. The Dual Concentric driver is perfectly neutral, delivering the music with authenticity.
We liked
- The superb vintage design
- The clarity and smoothness
- The energy and impact in the midbass
- The amplitude of the soundstage
We would have liked
- A deeper exploration of the bass
