The M1s ... as good on the end of mini-systems as with top-rated RM2,000 amps

What better speakers to perform such duties than Tannoy's new Mercury M1 loudspeakers. Believe all you've heard -- they are indeed as good as claimed.

Features

The seemingly unstoppable Tannoy Mercury series has just come up with its greatest achievement to date. Unlike the relatively large M2s, the new M1s are more conventionally bookshelf-sized at just 30cm tall, and their tweeter-above-the-bass-unit configuration is standard too.

Driver complement is a 25mm soft-dome tweeter (the same used in all the Mercuries) allied to a 13cm long-throw paper-cone mid/bass unit, housed in a simple and nicely finished black-ash cabinet. The front baffle comes in a choice of two finishes, light cherry or grey birds-eye. The one reviewed came in birds-eye (which, in plain English, is almost black), but I would imagine the light cherry to be more attractive.

Swing the M1 around and there's a single set of terminals that accepts 3mm and 4mm plugs or bare wires. A sensitivity rating of 87dB and the eight-ohm impedance mean even low-powered amps won't sweat driving the M1s; Tannoy says they're suitable for amps from 10-70W.

Performance

The M1s were placed on a pair of sand-filled Apollo AZ6 stands and driven by two Micromega Minium amps in bi-amp mode from a Marantz CD67 CD player; interconnects and cabling were AudioQuest throughout. The M1s were tested after running in continuously for a week.

Placing these speakers close to a solid rear wall will make the most of the rear-ported design's bass-pumping potential, but even more striking is what they do in free space -- they image like a dream. They sound detailed and involving, but also warm and well-mannered enough to slip into any system with ease. Play orchestral or chamber pieces and, while they lack the openness and exhilaration of more expensive models, they do a fine job with the scale and substance of an orchestra, while giving a reasonable account of the detail of the various sections.

The sonic balance here is expertly struck, able to flatter poor or aggressive recordings in a big, entertaining style, yet never leaving out anything significant from more subtle material. With simple musical mixes, that midband brings a vibrant, open presence to instruments and voices, while the brisk, informative treble reveals high level detail. Paul Simon's tonsils (Er, you mean voice? -- A.L.) sound particularly potent on Graceland and there's a wonderful resonance to kd lang's voice on her laidback classic, Lady Chaterlaine.

These little speakers just get on with the music in a totally enchanting manner. Revealing but never harsh, the M1s are able to switch from a gently swaying string quartet to surging rock bands, each with unabashed enthusiasm. Most impressive is the way the sound as a whole hangs together, the midband and treble not only revealing of ambience and timbre but also well integrated with the bass.

When it comes to reproducing an intimate acoustic, the M1s are very effective. Simple instruments and close-miked vocals like Tori Amos's eerie guitar and vocal mix on Crucify sound natural and close, with definition and proportion. Only with really savage mixes do the M1s give up the struggle, sounding lightweight and thin; the rest of the time, the M1s deliver much more than they should for the money.

To sum it all up, there's no simpler word to describe these speakers other than "amazing"; for the price, they perform better than anything I've ever heard. The Tannoy Mercury M1 is perfect for those looking to upgrade the speakers of their mini-system or as a first time buy.

For: Superb bass from a box so small; no shortage of treble clarity and plenty of punch.

Against: At this price, nothing.