Description
This remarkable system is the “Tondo”, originally published as a DIY kit designed by Falcon Acoustics in the UK. The designer was the legendary Malcolm Jones, KEF’s founding chief engineer and original designer, who created the classic products that launched that company. Audio Spec, a Toronto speaker manufacturer, produced Malcolm’s design commercially under licence.
The Tondo uses a Bextrene 21cm long-throw woofer with a die-cast frame, and a 25mm fabric-dome tweeter, both made in France by Audax. These are coupled through the Falcon crossover, which uses high-grade components as you would expect.
The enclosure is reflex-loaded and heavily damped with braces and deadening panels internally. The baffle is time-aligned, and the tweeter area has surface damping.
The resulting sound is remarkably involving. The highs are clear and articulate, while the bass is fast, clean and extended, wherein the boxes all but disappear. The image presentation is focussed, spacious and coherent.
The enclosures are finished in oak veneer. We recommend a 16″ high spiked stand for these, such as the Premier M-30 (pictured).
Overall, a very musically satisfying system at a very attractive price. Amazing value.
