Floorstanding loudspeakers — Tannoy PLATINUM F6-BL

The Platinum F6-BL is the black version of the Platinum F6, a floorstanding loudspeaker in the Tannoy Select Platinum range, developed in the UK by the company's design engineers. The same cabinet is sold in burgundy (BU) and white (WH), and the range also contains the B6, a 2-way bookshelf model built around the same 6.5 inch drivers.

Key specs that matter

This is a 3-way design with three transducers. A 165 mm paper cone driver handles the low frequencies, a second 165 mm paper cone unit covers the midrange, and a 25.4 mm silk dome looks after the treble. Tannoy sets the crossover points at 350 Hz and 2.5 kHz. The quoted frequency response is 40 Hz to 20 kHz measured at the -6 dB points, sensitivity is 87 dB at 1 W and 1 m, and nominal impedance is 8 ohm. Recommended amplifier power runs from 20 to 150 W, while IEC power handling is given as 75 W continuous and 300 W peak. Each speaker stands 1078 mm tall, 300 mm wide and 235 mm deep, and weighs 17.1 kg net.

Engineering and use context

A rear ported reflex box forms the enclosure, built from 19 mm MDF, braced internally with plywood and heavily damped. The crossover is a hard wired passive network that Tannoy describes as low loss. Connection is made through a single pair of 4 mm binding posts, which Tannoy customises with 24 ct gold plating, so the speaker is wired in single wire mode. The F6 ships with rubber feet intended to reduce resonance, and it should sit on level ground so it cannot tip. A zipper grille covers the front baffle. Tannoy notes that its speakers need about 24 hours of use to run in. Tannoy is owned by Music Tribe, alongside Midas, Klark Teknik and Lab Gruppen.

Pairing

Tannoy states that power handling depends on the thermal capacity of the voice coil and that an amplifier which is clipping can damage the drivers if this goes on for long. The company adds that a more powerful amplifier running free of distortion does less harm than a weaker one driven into clipping, and that the high peak rating of its speakers permits responsible use with larger amplifiers. The nominal impedance and the broad suggested power span let the F6-BL work with most conventional stereo integrated amplifiers.

Alternatives

The Tannoy Revolution XT 8F is a larger 2.5-way floorstander with an 8 inch Dual Concentric driver, 91 dB efficiency and a recommended amplifier range of 25 to 200 W.