Tannoy BERKELEY MK II (1974)
A big two-way loudspeaker with a concentric driver, introduced by Tannoy in 1974.
Overview
The Tannoy Berkeley Mk II is a large integrated loudspeaker system introduced in 1974 as part of Tannoy's Prestige series. It is a two-way design built around a single coaxial driver assembly. A 15-inch woofer and a 2-inch compression driver sit in a concentric layout. That gives a very smooth angular dispersion, which suits critical listening rooms. It was designed for high-quality sound reproduction and shipped with a detailed technical manual for setup and alignment.
Specifications
| Speakers | One 15 in. woofer mounted in a ducted port enclosure, and a two-in. concentrically mounted compression driver. |
| Frequency Response | 35-20,000 Hz. |
| Crossover | 1000 Hz. |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal. |
| Power Handling | 85 watts continuous program material. |
| Dimensions | 33 in. (83.8 cm) x 21 in. (53.3 cm) x 12 in. (30.5 cm). |
| Weight | 90 lbs. (40.8 kg). |
Design
The bass unit is a direct radiator, and the high-frequency compression driver is mounted concentrically with it in the same frame and magnet assembly. The 15-inch low-frequency radiator and the 2-inch compression driver are aligned acoustically so the wavefronts stay coherent. The enclosure is ported and internally braced, finished in oiled walnut, with two removable brown cloth-covered grilles. On the front baffle are two switched equalizer controls, labeled Roll-off and Energy. They have four and five positions respectively, which makes 20 tuning combinations. Connection is by spring-loaded terminals in a recessed rear cavity.
Context
The Berkeley Mk II belongs to Tannoy's Prestige series, along with other models like the Arden and Cheviot. It is a flagship approach to two-way speaker design, with an emphasis on uniform dispersion and dynamic clarity. Tannoy, known for its long-standing reputation in high-fidelity sound reproduction, engineered it for both domestic and professional applications that needed accurate audio performance.
Reception & Use
The Berkeley Mk II has a strong middle and upper register, with the extreme top end slightly rolled off. Intermodulation distortion is low, even at high sound levels, so large orchestral peaks come through clean and without image smear. Harmonic distortion is somewhat elevated, particularly in the lower frequencies, but subjective dynamic softening is minimal. Its dispersion gives a consistent listening experience across wide angles.
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