Tannoy System 10 DMT / DMT II
A 10-inch coaxial studio monitor built for power and precision, with a footprint no deeper than 290mm
Overview
At first glance, the Tannoy System 10 DMT looks like a no-nonsense workhorse—thick baffle, industrial grille, and a profile that doesn’t pretend to be anything but functional. But it’s the engineering behind that utilitarian shell that earns it a second look. This is a dual concentric monitor, meaning the tweeter sits at the center of the 10-inch driver, delivering time-aligned sound with a single point source. Designed for accuracy, power, and reliability, the System 10 DMT was clearly built for real studio use, not just audiophile listening rooms. The DMT II variant maintains the same core concept but swaps the original’s DMT energy controlling structure for a bass reflex enclosure, suggesting a shift toward extended low-end response—useful in larger control rooms or for music with deep content.
The System 10 series doesn’t try to hide its size. With dimensions not exceeding 560 x 365 x 290mm, it’s a substantial standmount speaker, but its depth is surprisingly restrained for a 10-inch design. That makes it viable in tighter spaces, though its power handling—rated at 350W RMS—implies it was never meant to be driven by modest amplifiers. At 8 ohms nominal, it’s electrically friendly, but it demands current. Due to its size and power requirements, it is often better suited for larger spaces, and its passive design means the entire signal chain defines their performance. Some forum users have compared the DMT to the classic Tannoy Cheviot, though no official lineage is documented. What is clear: this was a monitor built for engineers who needed honest translation, not flattery.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Tannoy |
| Product type | Dual Concentric Monitor Loudspeaker |
| Driver configuration | 2 way, 2 driver loudspeaker |
| Driver size | 10-inch |
| Driver type | coaxial driver |
| Power handling | 350W RMS |
| Impedance | 8 Ohm |
| External dimensions | not exceeding 560 x 365 x 290mm |
| Enclosure type | DMT energy controlling structure |
| Enclosure type | Bass reflex |
Collectibility & Value
Despite the lack of official production dates or original pricing, the Tannoy System 10 DMT and DMT II have carved out a niche in the used market. According to current listings and user reports, a pair in good condition typically trades around $900, with some units described as "Excellent – Serviced, tested, and cleaned." A Reddit user noted purchasing a Gen 1 DMT pair from a former studio owner, suggesting these monitors are still valued enough to be preserved and resold. Their appeal lies in the combination of Tannoy’s coaxial heritage and serious power handling—rare in a passive 10-inch studio monitor. However, with no documented common failures or maintenance needs, long-term reliability remains anecdotal. Collectors seem drawn to their provenance and build, but without sensitivity or frequency response data, their exact performance envelope remains partly speculative.
eBay Listings
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