Short answer: the Dayton Audio MK602X. It ranks #100 of 105 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $149; the Tannoy System 600 ranks #101 and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tannoy System 600 offers: Impedance is well controlled, and the concentric dual-driver layout gives it consistent horizontal and vertical response relative to typical non-coaxial 2-ways of its era. The catch: CEA2034 spinorama shows a large suck-out right at the crossover frequency where the two drivers fail to overlap properly, plus general peaking beforehand - the reviewer noted “no measurement seems to have been used to optimize this design.” Predicted in-room response is correspondingly poor.
The case for the Dayton Audio MK602X: Inexpensive, compact two-way with a 6.5-inch glass-fiber woofer and 1-inch silk dome. Watch for: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail.
Buy the Dayton Audio MK602X. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Tannoy System 600 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 105 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tannoy System 600 | Dayton Audio MK602X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $149/pair |
| Ranked | #101 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #100 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | approx. 73Hz - low confidence, response never reaches a flat reference level (measured, Audio Science Review) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approx. 48Hz - low confidence, response never reaches a flat reference level (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Tannoy Dual Concentric driver (type 1678) | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 6.5" glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 8.7"H x 14.2"W x 11.4"D (220 x 360 x 290 mm) | 15.1"H x 8.6"W x 11.8"D |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg pair (cabinet) | - |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | approx. 84dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - low confidence, no flat reference plateau) | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin’s impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Power Handling | 50-150W recommended | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, flared tubes | ported, rear |
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- Yamaha NS-10 vs Yamaha NS-6490
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Yamaha NS-10
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Yamaha NS-10
- Fosi Audio SP601 vs Dayton Audio MK602X
- Ascend CBM-170 SE vs Tannoy System 600
The Two Speakers In Full
Tannoy System 600: $400 Discontinued
Pros: Impedance is well controlled, and the concentric dual-driver layout gives it consistent horizontal and vertical response relative to typical non-coaxial 2-ways of its era.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows a large suck-out right at the crossover frequency where the two drivers fail to overlap properly, plus general peaking beforehand - the reviewer noted “no measurement seems to have been used to optimize this design.” Predicted in-room response is correspondingly poor. Amir ran out of time to perform a dedicated subjective listening test on this unit, but concluded from the data alone that it is “highly colored and really not something you want to put in your system.” Long discontinued; used-market only. Discontinued.
Full Tannoy System 600 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approx. 48Hz - low confidence, response never reaches a flat reference level (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | approx. 73Hz - low confidence, response never reaches a flat reference level (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 8.7"H x 14.2"W x 11.4"D (220 x 360 x 290 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" Tannoy Dual Concentric driver (type 1678) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 50-150W recommended |
| Sensitivity | approx. 84dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - low confidence, no flat reference plateau) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg pair (cabinet) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, flared tubes |
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Dayton Audio MK602X: $149/pair Amazon Parts Express
Pros: Inexpensive, compact two-way with a 6.5-inch glass-fiber woofer and 1-inch silk dome. Erin measured respectable small-box extension—72Hz F3 and 43Hz F10—and roughly 85dB sensitivity. The cabinet and removable grille are tidy for the price, and the response can be made less bright with broad treble EQ when listening close to the reference axis.
Cons: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail. More seriously, the low-order woofer filter creates a 4-5dB directivity discontinuity around 2kHz; because the reflected sound differs from the direct sound, equalization cannot fully fix it. Erin also found multiple resonances around 900Hz and rising distortion/compression from the woofer at higher levels. Its 4-ohm nominal load and modest 85dB measured sensitivity demand more amplifier current than the price suggests, while the 72Hz F3 makes a subwoofer advisable despite the relatively low F10.
Full Dayton Audio MK602X review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.1"H x 8.6"W x 11.8"D |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 6.5" glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin's impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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