SpeakerTalk

[Gary]

The following Tangent information is taken from AudioScene Canada magazine (1980). Tangent was an English company.

Tangent Speakers
System CrosoverWeight
Model Tweeter Woofer Response Power Freq. (kg) Cost / pr.
TM3 KEF T-27 KEF B110 55-32k +/-3 100W 3k 17.7 $450.00
TM1 KEF T-27 KEF B110 37-32k +/-3 150W 3k 34 $675.00
RS2 KEF T-27 Audex 55-32k +/-3 200W 3k 16.3 $650.00
RS4 KEF T-27 Audex 37-32k +/-3 200W 3k 31 $900.00

RS6* KEF T-27 Audex 35-32k +/-3 200W 300, 3k 40 $1,300.00
Audex
RS8** Audex Audex (4” mid) 35-25k +/-3 200W 300, 3k 54.5 $1,995.00 Dalesford (10” woofer)

* RS6 are three way speakers. Both mid and bass are the same Audex driver.
** RS8: No KEF parts are used.

Tangent had their own crossovers (dividing networks).

TM = Tangent Monitors
RS = Reference Series

There were also a series of Tangent speakers with model names SPL-1 ($275.00 / pair), SPL-3 ($500.00 / pair) and SPL-5 ($725.00 / pair). I have never seen these models. They may or may not have KEF parts.

These are Tangent speakers sold in Canada and the USA before they declared bankruptcy. The name Tangent was revived at a later date and separate companies existed in England and Canada. Although the speakers were generally excellent, the company appeared to have sunk too much money into research and development of their pre-amp, amp (a good design but poorly built) and turntable – “Circus Lupis” (which was a disaster).

I have a pair of Tangent UK speaker boxes but sadly no original tweeters or drivers remain.

PS Sorry for the editing...
_________________
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charles M. Schulz (as Charlie Brown)

[proffski]

Interesting!

The Tangent RS6 sold in the UK used B200-B110-T27.

Tangent Excelsior used Audax units.

[Gary]

Someone here (somewhere) posted that the original Tangent RS6 as you described above, was not very good. I guess they revised it using different drivers (Audax) instead of tweaking their crossovers.

After all, the B200, B110 andT27 are all quality parts.
_________________
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charles M. Schulz (as Charlie Brown)

[proffski]

I have an original report regarding this unit.
The problems were with the weird crossover design and ideology.
Bass was reported as excellent, but the phasing of the units because of the crosoveris what gave it the thumbs down.
Huge peaks and troughs in the response was the result.
I can send photo copy...

[Gary]

Ahhh, the mystery explained / confirmed! Thank you!

No, no photocopy required....
_________________
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charles M. Schulz (as Charlie Brown)

[ColinR]

I'd still like a pair though .

And I'd do one crossover modification - replace it with the Fried Model H's design .

My other want is another bad sounding speaker the LNB Minilab (KEF B200 SP1063 /T27 SP1032), a small transmission line / labyrinth with no bass!

[proffski]

Is my ageing memory playing tricks or was there a Paralab as well?
LNB Para-Lab Super? Elac +T27 in a labyrinth.
That too sounded er, peaky... and no bass.

[ColinR]

[proffski]

Cor! Why is this so fascinating?
The collective knowledge here on this site is just amazing.
But what does the outside world think?

Good luck with your quest for the Paras!
Is there any other manufacturer out there with such a following as KEF and derivatives? Why and where did KEF lose their way?
Accountants?

Certainly the American groups I belong to are not a patch on this site!

Long may we prosper...

[trickytree]

I had a pair of LNB speakers many years ago utilising a full range driver...thats all I can remember about them however!

Derek Whittington of New Audio Frontiers in Loughborough did once tell me that when he had his old shop the guy that made them used to bring them round to his shop for evaluation. If anyone is after more info it may be worth giving Derek a bell...nice chap and very helpfull.


Paul.

[ChrisR]

I've got a couple of Tangent products and have posted some photographs and information at:
http://home.eol.ca/~ifftay/tangent/tangent.html

If you've got any more info or pictures please let me know and I'll post them there too. Or, I'll link to your site if you've got stuff posted.

Cheers,
Chris

[proffski]

Brillant, cheers Chris!

[ColinR]

The URL has been "refined" to




http://home.eol.ca/~ifftay/tangent/index.html

[ChrisR]

Thanks for posting the URL fix.
http://home.eol.ca/~ifftay/tangent/index.html

You can even reach it by:
http://home.eol.ca/~ifftay/tangent

I've posted some new photos of an unusual Tangent speaker and updated the look of the site.

Let me know if you've got anything to add.

Cheers,
Chris

[Gary]

http://home.eol.ca/~ifftay/tangent/index.html

<edit> I can only imagine that this tall "triangular" speaker is a Tangent RS10 which - I was told - was never made. It would have been their top of the line. Where in the world did you find this anyway?!?!? I might be able to gleam more info if you want as I know someone who knows one of the people who put Tangent speakers togeather here in Canada. <edit>

A friend of mine has a set of RS2's and RS4's! My friend also has the pre and amp!

I also have a set of TM1's and RS6's as well as a broken sample (in pieces I'm afraid) of a Lupus Circus turntable. Apparently they never worked quite right and you may have problems getting it back together. That dust "cover" acted like a large antenna for interference, according to a repair guy I know. He runs Experimental Electronics in Toronto Canada.


Nice to meet you, Chris!
_________________
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charles M. Schulz (as Charlie Brown)