Tannoy Canterbury GR Floorstanding Speaker, Walnut (Pair)

The Tannoy Canterbury GR is a 2-way floorstanding speaker from the Prestige Gold Reference series, featuring a 15-inch Dual Concentric driver with Alnico motor in a 235-litre birch plywood cabinet.

It's the second-largest Prestige model and shares the large coaxial driver with the Westminster Royal – just without the huge folded horn. The cabinet carries oiled walnut veneer with hand-selected burr walnut inlays, and you unlock the front grille with a gold-plated key. Quirky? Yes. And that's exactly why people love it.

Why the Canterbury GR?

Because 96 dB sensitivity and a 38 cm diaphragm produce an authority you can't fake with small drivers. Music happens here without any noticeable effort – even at room-level volume. LowBeats, in its exclusive test (Holger Biermann, 2016), attested the Canterbury GR a transparency and finesse that surprised even the reviewer, and placed it sonically very close to the large Westminster.

What you hear

A large, calm soundstage, voices with real body, a bass that has volume rather than just level. The PepperPot waveguide directs the treble forwards so the large diaphragm doesn't modulate it – that's why this coax stays clean even at the 1.1 kHz crossover point. Via the Variable Distributed Port system, you tune the bass to your room.

Who is the Canterbury GR suited for?

For large rooms, classic interiors, and people looking for a speaker for life. Bottom line: it's 68 cm wide and weighs 63 kg per speaker – that's not furniture you casually move around. And it needs run-in time, a lot of it. If you get impatient after two weeks, this isn't for you. Nor is it if you want a minimalist look.

Our verdict

The Canterbury GR is the point where Tannoy stops being a vintage quotation and starts becoming a reference. It rewards good electronics and a good room – and forgives neither if they're missing. That's exactly why, at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we look at this together with you before you invest this kind of sum.

Technical data

• Type: 2-way floorstanding speaker, Variable Distributed Port system
• Driver: 15-inch (380 mm) Dual Concentric with Alnico magnet system
• Tweeter: 52 mm aluminium-magnesium dome, Mylar surround, PepperPot waveguide
• Frequency response: 28 Hz – 27 kHz (–6 dB)
• Sensitivity: 96 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
• Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 5 ohms)
• Power handling: 150 W continuous / 600 W peak
• Recommended amplifier power: 20 – 300 W
• Crossover frequency: 1.1 kHz, cryogenically treated crossover, ICW ClarityCap MR
• Terminals: bi-wiring binding posts, fifth pole for grounding
• Cabinet volume: 235 litres, high-density birch plywood, DMT bracing
• Finish: oiled walnut veneer with burr walnut inlays, gold-anodised trim
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 680 × 1100 × 480 mm
• Weight: 63 kg per speaker
• Scope of delivery: bi-wire jumpers, Prestige wood wax, key for the front grille

Frequently asked questions

Does a valve amplifier suit the Tannoy Canterbury GR?

Very well, in fact. 96 dB sensitivity and a forgiving impedance curve make it an ideal partner for valve amps of moderate power. A strong transistor amp also works. Which direction fits your sonic taste is something we'll discuss calmly with you.

How long does the Canterbury GR take to run in?

Noticeably longer than typical speakers. The large coax needs many hours of operation before the surrounds and suspension really work freely. Judging it fresh out of the box does it an injustice. Plan for patient weeks – the difference is clearly audible.

How large does the room need to be for the Canterbury GR?

Realistically from around 35 m², with enough listening distance and space behind the speakers. It can play quietly, but it wants to breathe. In rooms that are too small, the bass crowds the soundstage – then the Kensington or Turnberry is the more honest choice.

What does the Variable Distributed Port system do?

It lets you adapt the bass tuning to your room, instead of living with whatever the room makes of the cabinet. This isn't cosmetic – it's the most effective lever against boominess. We set it together with you during installation.

Why buy the Tannoy Canterbury GR at HD Zürisee?

Because with a speaker in this class, advice, placement and electronics matching decide the result – not the purchase price. We deliver, set up, adjust the ports and stay reachable for you with our technician Mauri. Call us or write to us on WhatsApp.

Goes well with

You'll find matching electronics among our integrated amplifiers and power amplifiers, high-quality sources among our turntables. For the cabling, our speaker cables are worth a look. The whole brand: Tannoy collection.