The Tannoy Mercury 7.2 bookshelf speaker wades into the budget battle with aplomb, delivering high performance at low cost.
Tannoy Mercury vs Wharfedale Diamond, it’s a budget battle between two of Britain’s most famous loudspeaker manufacturers, which has raged for decades. Wading into the ring today is the Mercury 7.2 – one size up from the entry level 7.1 and fighting hard for your attention.
In terms of price, at £219 it’s extremely affordable, but does that mean it can’t deliver true Hi-Fi performance? Let’s take a look at the specifications, and learn the low-down on Tannoy’s Budget Bruiser.
High Tech – Low Cost
Competition at this end of the loudspeaker market is fierce, and with large volumes come economies of scale; many loudspeakers at this price point feature technology handed down from flagship products, giving an impressive pound/performance ratio.
Starting with how the input signal is handled, the Mercury delivers from the offset: The crossovers employ low-loss, laminated iron core inductors, whilst internal wiring is silver-plated Oxygen Free Copper. The speaker terminals use Tannoy’s custom designed, gold-plated binding posts.
Moving onto the drivers, the heart of any loudspeaker system, Tannoy haven’t cut corners here, either. A two-way system, the Tannoy Mercury 7.2 utilises a 152mm Woofer with a 28 mm tweeter.
The tweeter features a soft, woven polyester dome – which resists ‘break up’ within the audio bandwidth. The Woofer features Tannoy’s proprietary multi-fibre cone material coupled to a computer optimised rubber surround, allowing for high excursion without over-damping.
Attractive and Functional Cabinetry
An area in which the Tannoy Mercury really scores, at this price bracket, is in its cabinet design and finishes. Whilst many budget loudspeakers limit you to a version of Henry Ford, ‘any colour so long as it’s black’, the Tannoy Mercury 7.2 is available in a range of attractive finishes.
Beauty, as the saying goes, is more than skin deep; the Tannoy Mercury 7.2 loudspeaker cabinets utilise Tannoy’s Differential Materials Technology (DMT). Used in critical areas, DMT helps to damp unwanted vibrations and reduce colouration.
The net result of these design efforts is attractive enclosures which (claim Tannoy) are the most acoustically neutral enclosures in the Mercury range to date. A rigid and non-resonant cabinet is the goal of Hi-Fi loudspeakers, allowing the drivers to work at their most efficient.
Tannoy Mercury 7.2 – A great ‘First Hi-Fi speaker’ or Economic Upgrade
The Tannoy Mercury 7.2 feature a sensitivity rating of 89db which is very respectable at this price point. Amplifier power is stated at between 20-100 Watts, making them a good match for most any equipment at this price point.
Whether using the Tannoy Mercury 7.2 to build your first proper Hi-Fi system, upgrading the bundled speakers with a mini-system, or simply as a pair of good value bookshelf speakers, the Tannoy Mercury 7.2 bookshelf speakers are unlikely to disappoint.