Tannoy Reveal 402 Studio Monitor Review

Smart, compact, practical and great sounding, the Tannoy Reveal 402s are a fantastic small home studio / desk speaker, with the best elements of both computer speakers and pro monitors rolled in, and at a realistic price, too. We take a look at all the features in our DJ-focused review of this compact monitor solution.

[Cyesloks]

I had these for 2 weeks already and im extremely happy with them.Thanks Phil for this awesome review. Im also enjoying the Masterclass.

[metalehead]

these monitors and the scarlett focusrite solo are any good for home recording? not something professional just me recording my staff

[gazrobinson]

I have the 502's and they are Tremendous, Highly recommended.

[glormond]

Many people say about impressive low-end on 402's. Aren't those speakers over-focused on lows? I'm thinking of buying a pair of those but I'm actually looking for more or less balanced speakers, and too much lows is not an option for me. I know it would be unfair to demand accurate lows in this price range but still I'm looking for the best choice for the money.

[rollvideo]

I still have one Reveal 402 left. The other one died. I agree with most reviews: They're pretty good for the money. The constant hum and almost imperceptible hiss I suspect comes from the cheap transformer inside. I'm not going to buy another one, bugger you Tannoy. Be aware of what's not covered in the warranty. 10 hours use in total. Not good enough Tannoy, you've lost me forever. The Australian distributor refused to replace it

[manosvrontos]

hi, which of those u recommend me to buy, the jbl lsr305 or the tannoy reveal 402?

[AnirbanMondalPhotography]

Have you tried the presonus eris 4.5 ???
wht do yiu think about them..?

[christophernation]

There is indeed loadsa-bass. So it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to get these spkrs off the desk. I am very surprised that the review did not mention this.

With the spkrs on the desk and that bass port 50mm from it, the desk will act as an extension of the bass repro system. The result is horribly boomy, smeary and way out of proportion to mids and highs. Loose objects will rattle, as might the desk itself if you crank up the volume.

I first tried setting the spkrs on a 6-pack of washing-up sponges. Better but still not good. I wasn't going to go for anything which coupled the spkrs to the desk, so stands were out, tho' if you don't have walls conveniently place you are going to have to go for stands. The more minimalist the better and with the basses of the stands isolated as much as possible by rubber feet or a slab of foam.

Mine are now on a pr of spkrs wall brackets. The wall brackets have dealt with the 90% of the problem. I have stuffed a piece of foam into the bass ports. This was a small but definite improvement of the sound without the foam.

I'm happy with the bass repro now. I have the spkrs set so that the tweeter is pretty much at eye level, as is recommended.

I have just listened to Bacon Fat [Giant Step: Taj Mahal]. The bass is well forward and defined in the mix and thru' the Tannoys you get full value - music, not just low frequence noise. Mids and highs are all there.

As for the spkrs emitting noise - it's true. But only my left spkr gives out a quiet hum. It's not noticeable to the degree which disturbs me. Mostly it 'disappears' in to ambient noise. When music is playing, it is, for practical purposes, non-existent. Other users seem to have had examples which hum/hiss louder than they are prepared to tolerate.

With 50W per spkr, they go loud. They are better than any computer audio setup, with bass box, that I have heard, so just for listening to music, you're ahead. Having amps built into each spkr saves money and desk space. I think they're great but not really good enough for critical mix/editing - not neutral enough.

[abhitsinha]

Hey I am a music lover. I want to buy studio monitors for my listening purpose. I am no studio guy. I heard the KRK Rokit 8 G3 and found that studio monitors have much more definition that hifi speakers. Can you tell me Is Tannoy 802 is better than the KRK and is my decision correct of getting studio monitors.

[shubhshinde]

+Digital dj tips do we get cables with this speakers? or please tell which cable is needed to connect this speaker to an audio interface.

[kitko]

I noticed you have them right next to your iMac... so I guess the fact that they're not magnetically shielded is not an isse.

My external drives are about 20 cm from my speakers' platform (current speakers are shielded).

Should I be worried about lack of shielding on these Tannoys?

[jenskuhnemann]

Thanks for the review.
Are you in jail???

[Pharesm]

You got a serious room echo in your recording. By the sound of it, you should be able to EQ it out, if you don't want to fix your room...

[mushy_GLX]

Hi, I am looking to buy studio speakers just for listening music. Like you... So if you had to choose between: Mackie MR6 mk3, Pioneer dj50x, Tannoy reveal 502 which would be your bet? Room is 10x10 feet. Thanks

[nismo]

Excellent, was looking for good speakers but not too expensive, budget and space is limited! 119$ sold!!

[Omega-Phil]

The inputs are TS and XLR not TRS and XLR

[mafred]

this hiss sux. no magnetic shielding. they're amazing speakers, but what the hell was Tannoy thinking by not shielding them?