Tannoy Platinum B6 Bookshelf Speakers, Black/Dark Wood (Pair)

The Tannoy Platinum B6 is a 2-way bookshelf speaker that combines a 25mm silk dome with a 165mm paper composite cone in a rear-ported bass reflex cabinet. This version pairs a black front with dark wood decor on the sides – noticeably more homely than plain black, without quite becoming a piece of furniture.

Tannoy is usually associated with very large, very expensive point-source speakers. The Platinum B6 is the entry point into the brand – and proof that the Scots can do affordable too.

Why the Platinum B6?

Because it gets right the things that tend to get rationalized away in this price class. The mid-bass diaphragm has a smooth profile and does without a dust cap, which audibly benefits midrange dispersion. The cabinet is braced inside, and the terminals are gold-plated and accept banana, spade or bare wire. 86 dB at 8 ohms means: almost any amplifier fits.

What you hear

Voices that sit cleanly centred, a bass that's precise rather than thick, and treble that doesn't tire even after two hours. The stereo image is stable and surprisingly large for a cabinet this size. Anyone who's ever heard a cheap bookshelf speaker that simply got louder but not better at higher volume notices the difference immediately.

Who is the Platinum B6 for?

For anyone who doesn't want two towers standing in the living room, but still wants to listen to music properly. Ideal for the shelf, the sideboard, the study – or as a surround pair in an existing home cinema.

Honestly: at around 50 Hz, the low end is done. Anyone who wants big deep bass reaches for the F6 or plans in a subwoofer. And: the bass reflex port sits at the back. Pressed directly against the wall, it booms – a hand's width of distance solves the problem, costs nothing, and is still surprisingly often ignored.

Our verdict

A speaker without pitfalls. The B6 doesn't do party tricks, it delivers consistently good sound at a fair price. The black-with-dark-wood combination is the variant that pushes itself into the foreground least in most living rooms. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we're happy to advise you whether the B6 or F6 suits your room better.

Technical Data

• Type: 2-way bookshelf speaker, bass reflex (rear port)
• Tweeter: 25 mm silk dome, neodymium magnet system
• Woofer/midrange: 165 mm paper composite diaphragm
• Frequency response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz (-6 dB)
• Crossover frequency: 2.5 kHz
• Power handling: 40 W continuous / 160 W peak
• Recommended amplifier power: 20 – 80 W
• Efficiency: 86 dB (1 W / 1 m)
• Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
• Connection: gold-plated screw terminals (banana, spade, bare wire)
• Cabinet: MDF, internally braced, brushed aluminium trim
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 230 × 360 × 235 mm
• Weight: 6.6 kg each
• Color: Black with dark wood decor

Frequently Asked Questions

Which amplifier suits the Tannoy Platinum B6?

20 to 80 watts at 8 ohms is recommended. Thanks to 86 dB efficiency, the B6 is undemanding and already harmonizes with compact integrated amplifiers and streaming amplifiers. What matters is less the wattage than the quality of the amp stage – we'll help you with the combination.

How far from the wall does the Platinum B6 need to be?

About 10 to 20 centimeters is enough. The bass reflex port fires rearward; if the speaker stands directly against the wall, the bass becomes woolly and booms. A little air behind it brings precision back and costs you nothing but a bit of floor space.

Is the Platinum B6 suitable for home cinema?

Yes, it works well as a front or surround pair in smaller to medium rooms. For movie soundtracks with real depth, you should add a subwoofer, since the B6 ends at around 50 Hz. As a rear speaker paired with larger Tannoy models, it also works cleanly.

Does the Platinum B6 sound better on stands than on a shelf?

As a rule, yes. Standing freely on a sturdy stand, with the tweeter roughly at ear height, the imaging becomes more precise and the bass cleaner. On a shelf it works too, as long as there's some air on the left and right. Avoid alcoves and books packed tightly right next to the cabinet.

Why buy the Tannoy Platinum B6 from HD Zürisee?

Because with us you don't just get a box, you get someone who also gets the system running afterward. We know the combinations that work, deliver in the region and install on site if you'd like. Questions? Call us or write to us on WhatsApp.

Pairs well with

A matching amplifier from our selection of amplifiers, decent speaker cables and a sturdy speaker stand – the latter being the cheapest upgrade there is for a bookshelf speaker. The whole range: Tannoy.