Напольная акустика — Tannoy SGM 12

The SGM 12 is the middle model of Tannoy's Super Gold Monitor series, introduced in late 2023 alongside the SGM 10 and SGM 15. Tannoy calls the range a modern evolution of its classic Super Gold designs, which were widely used in professional studios during the 1970s and 1980s, and the line traces back to the Monitor Gold concentric drivers of 1967. The SGM 12 is a passive studio main monitor meant for medium-sized rooms, and it was listed at GBP 8,249 per pair in the UK and EUR 9,500 per pair in Europe.

Key specs that matter

The 12 inch Dual Concentric driver combines a paper pulp mid-bass cone on a fabric suspension, whose 52 mm voice coil is edge-wound, and a 1.3 inch aluminium-magnesium alloy dome tweeter mounted at its centre, which also uses edge-wound wire. Crossover frequency is 1.2 kHz. Tannoy states a frequency response of 38 Hz to 30 kHz, sensitivity of 91 dB and a nominal impedance of 8 ohm. Continuous power handling is 125 W to the IEC standard, and maximum handling is quoted at 250 W. Each cabinet is 86.3 cm high, 44.7 cm wide and 30.8 cm deep, and weighs 29.4 kg.

Engineering and use context

The original Alnico magnet has given way to a modern ferrite system with copper demodulation rings and a high-flux magnetic circuit. The hard-wired crossover uses polypropylene capacitors, low-loss inductors and high-power resistors to form a 12 dB per octave low-pass and a 6 dB per octave high-pass filter. A control panel on the front offers two energy adjustments - Treble Energy, working from 1 kHz upward in a range of 3 dB up or down, and Treble Roll-off, acting from 5 kHz upward in steps between +2 and -6 dB. The cabinet is thicker than the historic version, using 19 mm chipboard with MDF inserts and internal plywood bracing, while the front baffle has a twin sandwich build and a second reflex port was added. Tannoy applies its Differential Materials Technology to cabinet rigidity. The bass ports fire forward, which Tannoy says allows installation close to walls or in soffits. Five 24-carat gold-plated binding posts, walnut veneer and a nylon grille complete the design.

Pairing

The high efficiency means a low-powered single-ended valve amplifier can drive the SGM 12, while solid-state amplifiers well beyond a few watts remain within the continuous rating. The five-post terminal panel allows bi-wiring with a separate ground connection.

Alternatives

The Tannoy SGM 15 comes from the same Super Gold Monitor line, built around a 15 inch Dual Concentric driver for larger rooms.