DIY Reference Horn Speaker System – Tannoy / JBL / Azura / Fostex Floorstanding Loudspeakers

2 months ago 149

Region/State

(VIC) Victoria/Australia

Suburb or Town

Warranwood

Condition/Warranty

Condition: As New / Mint
Warranty: None or Limited Warranty (in compliance with Consumer Law)

Payment Method

Cash on Pickup, EFT, Bank transfer

Original Receipt Available

Shipping & Pickup Options

Shipping: Not available
Pickup: Available

Reason for Selling

Down sizing

Custom Reference Horn Speaker System – Tannoy / JBL / Azura / Fostex

Price: $5,900

Location: Warranwood, Melbourne

Condition: Mint

Pickup: Preferred (inspection welcome)

Reluctantly selling my custom-built reference horn speaker system, a two year-long passion project built with no shortcuts and using the best components throughout. These were designed and built to deliver true high-efficiency, reference-grade sound with scale, realism and effortlessness that maybe conventional speakers simply cannot match.

At the heart of the system are a matched pair of legendary 15” Tannoy 3836 dual-concentric drivers, highly regarded for their coherence, dynamics and natural presentation. These are becoming incredibly hard to find and are typically seen in far more expensive, Tannoy reference-level speakers. Rare to see a set in this condition and still have the original boxes they came in from Tannoy.

These are paired with a beautiful set of AzuraHorn 340 Le Cléac’h horns, known for their smooth, natural and uncoloured delivery without the shout or harshness sometimes associated with horn systems. Driving these are a set of JBL 2435HPL compression drivers with genuine beryllium diaphragms, offering extraordinary speed, detail and refinement through the critical mid and high frequencies.

High frequencies are handled by a pair of Fostex T925A super tweeters, adding exceptional air, extension and sparkle to complete a truly full-range horn presentation.

The cabinets themselves took well over a year to design and build and are constructed using premium White Russian birch plywood and quality hardwoods. The density and rigidity of this wood makes it ideal for speaker construction, dramatically reducing cabinet resonance and allowing the drivers to perform with clarity and authority. The result is a beautifully clean, open and highly dynamic sound with exceptional realism and scale. The workmanship, materials and precision fit of the cabinets reflect the care of a true craftsman, with every detail executed to the highest standard. Cabinet height 1320mm x width 430mm x depth 370mm.

No detail was overlooked in the build:

• Premium-quality speaker connectors throughout

•. All hardware fitted with leather washers to protect the timber and reduce vibration

•. Carefully assembled and matched components

• Mint condition and meticulously cared for

A simple, purpose-built crossover designed with sound quality as the priority. Hand-assembled using a solid copper air-core coil and quality components, it keeps the signal path clean and direct for excellent clarity, balance and driver integration. Clean, effective and built to perform.

This is a rare opportunity to own a seriously capable, high-efficiency horn system featuring some of the most sought-after drivers in the high-end audio world. Comparable components alone would cost far more than the asking price, without factoring in the time and craftsmanship involved in the build. If you’ve been curious about stepping into the world of horn speakers, this system is the perfect entry point, offering genuine high-end performance and scale without the usual eye-watering cost of comparable setups.

Inspection and audition welcome for genuinely interested buyers.

If you know horns, you’ll know just how special this system is.

WARRANTY INFORMATION (Private Seller)

The item being advertised is sold "as is", and no warranty should be assumed unless otherwise indicated and agreed between the Buyer and the Seller. Photos representing the item being advertised form part of the description unless otherwise specified.

This content has been generated using AI analysis. While we strive to ensure accuracy and quality, AI-generated material may occasionally contain errors or omissions. All information should be independently verified, and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers or editors.

I cannot provide a comprehensive summary based on the search results provided, as they do not contain specific reviews or discussions about a "Tannoy Reference Horn Speaker System" by that exact name, nor do they address products from Azura or Fostex horn speakers as a unified system.

The search results do include reviews of several individual Tannoy Prestige Gold Reference models (Kensington GR, Canterbury GR, Stirling, and Westminster Royal), which are horn-based speakers. However, these appear to be separate product lines rather than a single integrated system, and there's no mention of Azura or Fostex collaboration in these results.

What the available results reveal about Tannoy's horn speakers:

Sound Quality Strengths:
- Dual Concentric driver performance: Users praise the seamless, integrated sound produced by Tannoy's Dual Concentric design, with one reviewer noting it creates "a sense that music is coming at you like a force of nature."
- Detailed and articulate midrange/treble: Described as "natural detail with excellent pace, rhythm and timing" without shrillness.
- Dynamic capability: Multiple reviewers highlight impressive dynamics and composure, even at high volumes, with one noting the Kensington GR delivers sound "with breathtaking composure" and "astonishing sense of ease."
- Bass quality: Praised as "subtle, textured and articulate," though some note they prioritize finesse over punch compared to competitors like B&W and Focal.

Build Quality:
- "Fantastically made" and feature "fine build and finish."

Weaknesses:
- Placement sensitivity: One reviewer noted that positioning too close to rear or sidewalls caused "un-natural bloom at low frequencies."
- Not universal: One user noted horn speakers from this category don't perform equally well across all genres, performing better with classical, jazz, and soft rock than heavy metal.

To provide the specific summary you're requesting, I would need search results that explicitly discuss products marketed as a unified "Tannoy Reference Horn Speaker System" or that include reviews of Azura and Fostex horn speakers.

No direct market listings or user-reported prices were found for the Tannoy Reference Horn Speaker System – Tannoy / JBL / Azura / Fostex Horn Speaker, which appears to describe a custom or hybrid vintage horn-loaded system combining components from multiple brands (e.g., Tannoy Dual Concentric drivers with JBL, Azura, or Fostex horns).

Comparable high-end Tannoy Prestige Gold Reference horn speakers (e.g., Westminster Royal GR or Canterbury GR models with 15" Dual Concentric drivers in large horn cabinets) list new at approximately AUD 50,000–60,000 per pair in Australia, based on conversions from USD pricing and local retailer data (e.g., ~AUD 53,000 for Canterbury GR).

Estimated fair market price range in AUD (per pair):
- New/mint: AUD 45,000–65,000 (rare stock; last new Tannoy Westminster Royals noted as limited).
- Used/excellent condition: AUD 25,000–45,000 (ex-demo Prestige models like Kensington GR or Stirling GR imply strong resale value).
- Good/fair condition (vintage/custom hybrids): AUD 10,000–25,000, depending on driver/horn matching and originality.

Key factors affecting value:
- Condition: Driver integrity (e.g., original Dual Concentric vs. reconed), cabinet finish (walnut veneer, hand-crafted birch ply), and functionality (crossover, terminals).
- Rarity: Custom multi-brand systems or flagship models like Westminster Royal (530L horn cabinets, 99dB sensitivity) command premiums due to scarcity.
- Components: Size (15" vs. smaller drivers), upgrades (Gold Reference series with Al-Mg HF domes), and provenance (UK-built, serial-matched pairs).
- Market: Australian hi-fi demand for heritage/vintage horns is strong but niche; ex-demo units retain 60–80% of new value.

Prices vary widely due to bespoke nature; consult local specialists like Class A Audio or Nirvana Sound for current appraisals, as data is from pre-2026 listings.