Tannoy GOLD 7 Review

Tannoy is easily one of the most respected and recognizable English audio brands. Its line of dual concentric driver monitors is an industry staple, and for good reason. In this review, we take a deeper look at the eye-catching GOLD 7.

The Tannoy GOLD 7 offers an excellent midpoint between the smaller GOLD 5 and the larger GOLD 8. It offers outstanding imaging and fantastic accuracy, and its unique appearance sets it apart from other options in the market.

While we might not be as old as the Tannoy brand, we still offer nearly two decades of industry experience. This has helped us develop a detailed analysis process for every product we review, with studio monitors making up a core part of our focus.

Knowledge is power, as is gathering experience and data from across the industry. Our network of industry experts gives us even deeper insight into every product that crosses our desks so that we can deliver uncompromised and balanced reviews. With that said, let’s see what the GOLD 7 has to offer.

Features

While Tannoy is not the only brand that offers coaxial speakers, its innovative dual-concentric speaker design is among the very best in the industry and has earned the company an excellent reputation as a favorite among producers and engineers worldwide.

Sound Quality

The first thing that instantly stands out with the Tannoy GOLD 7 is the impeccable stereo imaging offered by the Dual Concentric driver. The large 6.5-inch woofer houses a 1-inch tweeter behind the center of the bass driver, offering pinpoint accuracy and coherence.

While this already sets it apart from many other studio monitors, the GOLD 7 also doesn’t let up in the all-too-critical accuracy department. The frequency response is tight and neutral. It’s excellent for serious studio work and offers a fatigue-free listening experience over longer sessions.

Iconic Dual Concentric drivers form the basis of the GOLD series.

The low-end offers a clean and concise punch without any muddiness or overt colorization. If you emphasize the low end in your mixes, the Tannoy GOLD 7 is up to the challenge.

Not to be outdone, the mid-range is equally sublime, with excellent depth and definition. Everything from instrumental components to vocals shines with supreme accuracy and engaging dynamics, ideal for working with this critical frequency range.

The Tulip Waveguide provides a broad sweet spot.

The top-end is bright but not overdone. Once again, accuracy is the name of the game, and the titanium tweeter doesn’t disappoint. Adding to this is the Tulip Waveguide, which helps deliver a broad and forgiving sweet spot. Near-field monitors are a staple for any studio, but I appreciate it when a monitor offers a little wiggle room when it comes to ideal sitting locations.

At this price point, the Tannoy GOLD 7 is about as good as you can get. I can foresee some people preferring a different sound profile, but equally, I can’t foresee anyone having any major criticism of the accuracy on offer. It is a well-rounded and highly capable monitor for analytical listening.

Build Quality

Tannoy built an excellent reputation not only for the sound quality of its speakers but also for the high build quality evident across its entire range of products.

The Tannoy GOLD 7 is designed and engineered in the UK and has a lengthy 3-year factory warranty. I’ve used Tannoy monitors for years and have never encountered a problem. This is the norm rather than the exception when looking at reviews online.

Exceptional quality from a well-respected brand.

At the heart of the monitor is the iconic Dual Concentric driver. Decades of refinement and attention to detail are on full display, and this extends to the titanium tweeter. Supporting this is a high-quality Class AB bi-amplification system and a robust cabinet.

The finishing is also superb, with clean lines, connection points, and composition. Over the last twenty years, I’ve seen a glut of low-quality offerings hit the market, with the ever-present allure of cutting costs resulting in some subpar products. Thankfully, Tannoy has not fallen into this trap and retains its legacy of producing high-quality audio gear.

Specifications

The Tannoy GOLD 7 is no slouch in the specs department. Its premium Class AB amplification system, with 300 Watts of power, powers the unit. The transducer-matched low—and high-frequency amplification ensures high efficiency and clean dynamics.

High output level with ultra low distortion.

The high power rating gives ample headroom with a Max SPL of 110dB. This is more than enough for any professional studio setting and ensures that the monitor is never under excess stress. Performance at higher volumes is also impressive, with no distortion until you reach the very top of the range.

The frequency response is also extremely impressive, with a response of 65Hz-20kHz at -3dB and 46Hz-20Hz at -10dB. There is ample reach and depth to deliver satisfying low-end performance, and if anything, I feel the stated response is a little on the conservative side. It sounds like it digs deeper than the base 65Hz without a noticeable drop in output level.

Tuning Options

The Tannoy GOLD 7 offers some tuning flexibility, but compared to some of the other offerings on the market, it starts to show its vintage-inspired roots in this area.

At the studio monitor’s rear, you’ll have access to a Bass Adjust switch, which offers a 0dB, -2dB, and -4dB setting. This is a quick way to trim off the low end in problematic spaces and something I see as a must-have feature for any studio monitor.

Easy to use Bass Adjust switch.

Flipping over to the front, you’ll have further control with a High-Frequency dial. The options range from -2dB to +2dB in 1dB increments. I’ll admit it is a convenient addition to have this option on the speakers’ front for easy access. Input control is also on the front for easy volume control.

Conveniently placed HF Trim control.

These two tuning controls give you adequate flexibility, but other monitors do take this further, either via more room control options or a detailed DSP. Sometimes, less is more, and the refined choices here can prevent analysis paralysis. However, if you love to fine-tune and tinker with your monitor settings on the unit itself, this monitor might not be the right choice for you.

Design

The design of the Tannoy GOLD 7 is likely to be the most contentious, and it will heavily depend on your personal tastes.

On the one hand, the clean matte black finish coupled with gold accents gives it ample pizzazz and character. It fully leans into its vintage roots, and the gold Tulip Waveguide instantly catches the eye.

However, I am also willing to admit that this vintage look won’t be to everyone’s tastes. For what it’s worth, I’ve had dozens of monitors make their way through our studio, and the Tannoy GOLD 7 was easily the most discussed. After countless bland black boxes, I appreciate that there are bold and alternative options like the GOLD 7 available.

Eye-catching vintage inspired design.

Beyond appearance, the Tannoy GOLD 7’s fundamental design is second to none. This expertly designed monitor leans heavily into its roots while ensuring the unit is up to the challenges of modern production work. It is not a monitor with stock, standard off-the-shelf components. It’s a statement piece that retains authenticity in an ever-crowded and sometimes bland market.

I also appreciate that the unit is front-ported, which makes placement in tighter spaces more forgiving. The Tannoy GOLD 7 offers a standby mode with a switch to turn it off if desired. Finally, you can also switch whether the unit is the Left or Right monitor in your configuration.

Dimensions

Your initial thoughts might be that the Tannoy 7 might offer a smaller footprint than other 6.5-inch monitors due to its dual-concentric driver setup, but in reality, it is roughly the same size as other monitors on the market.

A solid 6.5-inch studio monitor.

At 20.7 lbs. (9.4 kg), it is far from the lightest monitor on the market, but this higher weight level adds to the monitor’s premium feel without making it feel bulky and cumbersome. As always, I recommend that you ensure that any monitor stands you use can handle this weight rating.

Inputs

The Tannoy GOLD 7 keeps things fairly straightforward in the input area with a slight twist.

At the unit’s rear, you’ll have access to a TRS and XLR connection point. It’s also worth noting that you can have both connections active, which opens up the option to have two sources connected simultaneously, something that not every monitor offers.

Two active connection inputs.

The GOLD 7 also offers an AUX input, which is quite rare for a monitor with a distinct studio focus, but it can come in quite handy if you have clients in the studio who want to connect their devices.

The addition of an AUX input is an added bonus.

Beyond that, the GOLD 7 sticks to its studio-centric roots and doesn’t offer consumer-focused features like Bluetooth or a headphone port. Considering its intended use, I’m not surprised these are absent.

Value

When you consider the sound quality on offer and the premium level of build quality, the Tannoy GOLD 7 represents excellent value for money and comfortably competes with other leading choices in this price bracket.

There is ample bang for your buck here, and a set of these will make an excellent addition to any studio space. There are cheaper options out there, but none will match the sound quality on offer here. There is a solid balance between quality, sound, and price.

Customer Reviews

The Tannoy GOLD 7 is a popular studio monitor with glowing reviews. Consistent 4 and 5-star reviews cement its reputation as a unique and capable offering. Industry experts also rate it favorably, with high scores across multiple reviews. The feedback from our network was equally positive, with the stereo imaging shining as one of the most outstanding features of this monitor.

A Part Of History

Few brands around the world become part of the lexicon, and Tannoy is one of them. The brand’s innovation and dominance throughout the 30s and 40s resulted in its addition to the Oxford English Dictionary, making it synonymous with public address systems.

Through its use in automotive audio and broadcast during the Second World War, Tannoy solidified its reputation as the go-to brand for public address systems. Not long after the war, the groundbreaking Dual Concentric driver was launched, further advancing the brand.

Nearly a century in the audio industry.

Since then, Tannoy has been on a continual journey of innovation and reliability that keeps the brand one of the industry leaders. Whether in the studio, cinema, or hi-fi, Tannoy is a brand I’ve come to trust—a challenging task to pull off, considering how critical I’ve become over the years.

In a world of cheap knock-offs and hastily slapped-together products, I’m glad to see that legendary brands like Tannoy continue to play a vital role in the industry I love.

Alternatives

The Tannoy GOLD 7 is a fantastic studio monitor, but as mentioned in the introduction, knowledge is power, so it is always worthwhile exploring alternatives before handing over your hard-earned money. Below, I take a quick look at some other options that might better suit your needs.

KRK ROKIT 8 G5

The latest generation of ROKIT monitors is an excellent choice. The KRK ROKIT 8 G5 is a powerful and punchy option that gives you ample flexibility to sculpt the sound to your preference.

• Multiple voicing modes make it great for studio work and casual listening.
• Highly detailed DSP gives you access to a long list of tuning flexibility.
• Integration with the KRK App is a little lackluster.

Pioneer DJ VM-50

If you want a slightly smaller monitor with a punchier sound profile, the Pioneer DJ VM-50 is worth considering. It’s a solid choice for DJ practice sessions at home while retaining enough flexibility for studio work.

• Punchy output with well-defined bass performance.
• Attractive design with flexible tuning controls.
• Stereo imaging and neutrality are not as refined as the GOLD 7.

PreSonus Eris Pro 6

The excellent PreSonus Eris Pro 6 follows the coaxial theme. It takes full advantage of the coaxial design, with a more compact footprint, while delivering reliable sound and quality.

• High neutrality with excellent imaging.
• Modern design aesthetic that will blend into any studio space.
• Much like the GOLD 7, it isn’t the most budget-friendly option on the market.

Our Verdict

The Tannoy GOLD 7 is a superb monitor. Its outstanding stereo imaging and point source approach delivers one of the most satisfying listening experiences I’ve encountered in this price bracket. The flat response makes it ideal for critical listening without fatigue.

While its appearance might not be to everyone’s tastes, I love the eye-catching look. Add to this high build quality from a reliable and long-standing brand, and there is little to fault. This is an excellent monitor that I have no hesitation in recommending.