Tannoy GOLD 5 Review

Industry icon Tannoy is well known for its range of dual-concentric speakers in a studio setting and beyond. The GOLD series is its flagship entry-level studio monitor series, and in this review, we take a deeper look at the smallest option in the range.

The Tannoy GOLD 5 is a compact and powerful studio monitor that delivers impeccable imaging and high accuracy. It is an excellent choice for smaller studio spaces, and its eye-catching golden design makes it a unique offering.

We specialize in product reviews and guides applicable to the entire spectrum of music makers and lovers. However, we pay extra attention to studio monitors on our site, and with dozens upon dozens of reviews and over 15 years of experience, we know what to look for.

However, we also acknowledge that to truly get a holistic perspective on the products we review, we need to look beyond our own internal testing. Because of this, we’ve established a trusted group of experts with whom we engage to ensure we get the most comprehensive summary of the products we review. With that said, let’s move on and dive into how the Tannoy GOLD 5 stacks up.

Features

The Tannoy GOLD 5 stands out in a crowded market due to its dual concentric driver design. However, it isn’t just a one-trick pony. Below, we take a closer look at this impressive 5-inch studio monitor.

Sound Quality

I’ve already had the chance to review the larger GOLD 7 and GOLD 8, so I had a fair idea of what to expect from the sound profile. However, I was intently curious to see whether that excellent sound would translate well in a 5-inch form factor. Thankfully, any fears I may have had rapidly evaporated once I got the Tannoy GOLD 5 setup in our testing studio.

For a relatively small studio monitor, it retained its larger siblings’ outstanding clarity and precision. The low-end offered clean and precise delivery without any muddy tonality or overt emphasis. For a 5-inch cone, it delivered a satisfying punch.

The GOLD series from Tannoy is a unique option..

The mid-range was equally impressive, with high detail and precision and engaging vibrancy in this critical frequency range. Instrumental compositions, in particular, came across with fluidity and high accuracy.

The top end was also solid, with ample sparkle and enough brightness to expertly deliver precise highs while not introducing fatigue into the listening experience, which is common with studio monitors with a bright top end.

Tulip Waveguide delivers a broad sweet spot.

With that said, the impressive sound profile was just the beginning. The defining feature of the Tannoy GOLD 5 is the pinpoint accurate imaging thanks to the dual-concentric driver design. Fantastic i8maging and a generous sweet spot ensure a precise and pleasant listening experience.

There are ample choices within this price bracket, but the Tannoy GOLD 5 is a unique offering worthy of detailed consideration. If you demand accuracy and top-tier imaging, it is an excellent choice for smaller studio spaces.

Build Quality

Another strong highlight of the Tannoy GOLD 5 is the high build quality on display. It’s unsurprising considering Tannoy’s excellent reputation, but it’s still something I like to thoroughly assess, as I’ve seen many great companies cut corners in the past and tarnish their once great reputation.

High build quality from a reliable manufacturer.

The UK-based company’s design and engineering are outstanding. Everything from the next-generation dual concentric drivers to the transducer-matched low—and high-frequency Class AB amplifiers is expertly crafted.

The finish is also top-notch, with robust connection points and a tough cabinet. This monitor will serve you well, and it offers an extended 3-year factory warranty—a sign of how much Tannoy believes in the longevity of its products.

Specifications

The Tannoy GOLD 5 also supports its excellent build quality with impressive specs. The 5-inch woofer works harmoniously with the 0.8″ tweeter and helps deliver a wide frequency response of 70Hz-20kHz. It has decent reach into the low-end, but if you are looking for added oomph, you may want to explore the larger models or add a subwoofer to your studio lineup.

High volume level for a 5-inch monitor.

Under the hood is a Class AB bi-amplification system with 200 Watts of power. Opting for a bi-amplified design allows Tannoy to tune each amplifier to suit the driver it powers specifically.

The output level is also solid for a 5-inch monitor with a Max SPL of 107dB. While this is ample, I often take this number with a grain of salt. More importantly, in our testing, the Tannoy GOLD 5 maintained high accuracy and low distortion as we crept up in volume level, something far more important than a raw number of what it is capable of.

Tuning Options

If I were to highlight the weakest element of the Tannoy Gold series, it would be the range of tuning controls available. Don’t get me wrong; you do have access to sculpt the output, but there is less flexibility on offer than some other choices.

Rear facing Bass Adjust.

At the monitor’s rear, you have access to a Bass Adjust switch, which allows you to trim back the low end by -2dB or -4dB. This can be helpful if your studio configuration causes you to experience some tonal problems in the low end.

Flipping around to the front, you’ll also have access to a High Frequency knob with a range of -2dB to +2dB. A handy way to either trim or boost the top end, and I do appreciate the convenience of having this dial on the front of the monitor.

Forward facing high frequency control.

However, that is where the flexibility ends. In our studio setting, we were able to use these two tuning choices to dial the monitor in, but I can foresee some wanting a little bit more out of the box than what is on offer here. It’s not a dealbreaker by any stretch, but it’s something to consider if you like to aggressively tune your monitors on the monitor itself.

Design

The design of the Tannoy GOLD 5 is the most polarizing aspect of this monitor. We reached out to our network and received a wide range of responses on the aesthetic design of the GOLD series.

Retro style in the modern era.

The results broached the full spectrum of responses, with some adoring the retro-inspired gold highlights and appearance while others found it a little too gaudy for their tastes. It is a case of personal preference, but for what it’s worth, I like the splash of color, and I believe Tannoy has struck an excellent balance between old-school cool and modern sensibilities.

On the technical side, the Tannoy GOLD series offers impeccable design. The dual concentric drivers are unmatched in the market, and I also like that the monitor features a forward-facing port, which can make placement in a smaller studio much easier.

Dimensions

The Tannoy GOLD 5 is a 5-inch monitor, making it an excellent choice for smaller studio spaces where space is at a premium. Larger monitors in small spaces can often prove problematic, both in sheer size and tonal dynamics, so having a high-quality dual-concentric driver option in this size is fantastic.

A compact monitor for small studios.

The Tannoy GOLD 5 weighs 12.8 lbs. (5.8kg). Most of this heft is due to the robust cabinet, and it does feel like a premium product in your hands. If you intend to put these monitors on stands, you’ll want to check the weight rating of your stands, but I would imagine the vast majority will be able to handle the GOLD 5 with ease.

Inputs

The Tannoy GOLD 5 also distinguishes itself from other options in the market by slightly deviating from what you would normally expect to see on a studio monitor.

Two active connection inputs.

At the back of the monitor is a set of balanced connection options, both XLR and TRS. However, both connections are active. In effect, you can connect two sources at the same time, which most other monitors do not offer.

There is also an AUX input, another rarity for professional studio-grade monitors. It’s a handy addition, especially useful if you have clients frequenting your studio and wish to connect a device.

AUX Input is an excellent addition.

As expected, you won’t have access to Bluetooth or a headphone port. These features are highly uncommon in professional studio monitors, so if you want that extra flexibility, you’ll need to explore more consumer-focused studio monitors or computer speakers.

Value

Tannoy is a well-respected brand, and with that does come a slight premium in price, but it isn’t egregious. The value offering for the entire GOLD series is quite high.

When you factor in the excellent build quality and years of industry experience that go into making dual-concentric driver monitors, it becomes difficult to directly compare the Tannoy GOLD 5 to other monitors. When you do compare it with competitors at a similar price point, the Tannoy GOLD 5 stands out as a unique, high-quality offering with fantastic sound, and in my eyes, that makes it a great value buy.

Customer Reviews

The Tannoy GOLD 5 is a well-liked and highly rated 5-inch studio monitor, both among hobbyists and professionals. Its highlights always include the excellent dimensionality of the sound and the high level of detail at both the low and high end of the frequency range.

Concentric Control

Studio monitors with dual concentric drivers offer exceptional precision in sound reproduction by aligning the tweeter and woofer on the same axis. This design reduces phase distortion and provides a more accurate soundstage, ensuring consistent audio quality from various listening angles.

Tannoy is known for its driver technology.

This setup results in clearer midrange and high-frequency detail, making these monitors ideal for critical listening, mixing, and mastering tasks. The focused sound improves stereo imaging, helping engineers and producers make more informed decisions during production. This superior clarity and balance make dual concentric monitors a favorite in professional studio environments.

Alternatives

While the Tannoy GOLD 5 is a unique offering, there are other options in the market that might better meet your needs. Below, I take a quick look at a range of alternatives worth considering.

Mackie CR8-XBT

If supreme accuracy is low on your list of priorities, the Mackie CR8-XBT is a consumer-focused option with a lot going for it. Its sizeable 8-inch woofer also offers ample punch for bass lovers.

• A budget option that packs a mighty punch.
• Flexible connectivity, including Bluetooth.
• Not as neutral and lacks tuning controls.

PreSonus Eris Studio 4

The PreSonus Eris Studio 4 is another budget alternative that delivers high-quality sound in a small form factor. Its attractive and modern design is another appealing element of this compact set of monitors.

• Wide dispersion and good tuning controls.
• A compact choice that can squeeze into smaller studios with ease.
• Not as loud as the Tannoy GOLD 5.

Yamaha HS3

Stepping even further down in size is the small yet mighty Yamaha HS3. This pair of studio monitors offers an aggressive price point and high accuracy. It also has legendary Yamaha quality backing it up.

• Low-cost alternative while retaining studio-quality sound.
• Attractive design and consumer-friendly connection options.
• Imaging is less pinpoint than the Tannoy GOLD 5.

Our Verdict

I’m a big fan of the Tannoy GOLD series, and after reviewing all the options in the range, I can confidently recommend them all. The 5-inch Tannoy GOLD 5, in particular, will appeal to creators who want a more compact monitor appropriate for smaller spaces.

When you combine excellent build quality with impeccable imaging and sound, there is little to fault. While the aesthetics might be a little polarizing, the GOLD 5 is undoubtedly an eye-catching option that delivers in the sound department.