Castle Acoustics Ltd

[Rare Bird]

I never hear anything on forums regrading the original Castle Acoustics Ltd loudspeaker company! Castle were the first ever speaker i heard, The 'Howard Mk.I' /Thorens TD160 Super/ Mayware 'Formula 4, Mk.3'/ ADC '26'/Quantum Electronics '102'/'207DA' are what first turned me on to real Hi-Fi.. I've gone thru a lot of changes but always end up back to sq one..... I think i'll probly live forever with my Mk.I 'Conway' & 'Richmonds'... Absolutly fantastic speekahs

[Haselsh1]

I used to own Castle Harlech speakers back in the late nineties and kept them longer than any loudspeaker I can remember. Unfortunately they didn't really suit low powered valve amps and I'd just bought one.

[Rare Bird]

Um a bit too late a model really! i was pointing at the early 70's models.. however Ive owned every single speaker they made upto the late 80's

[istari_knight]

Owned Conway II, Durham I & Richmond IIIi

Living with those old Castle tweeters was a real love/hate relationship! Sometimes sounded beautiful, sometimes dire...

Can be good if used in a complimentary system & bought for a fair price - Have you seen the prices some sellers want for very average examples on ebay ?! Talk about loonies :mental:

[Rare Bird]

Can i just make it clear i'm refering to the original mid 70's Castle Richmond 'Mk.I', Howard 'Mk.I' & 'Conway 'Mk.I'.. ;)

[The Grand Wazoo]

I never hear anything on forums regrading the original Castle Acoustics Ltd loudspeaker company!

You guys have just proved Andre's point!
Most folks don't know anything about the brand from before the floor standing Chesters, which sold well because they got good reviews.
The last pair of Castles I had were Pembrokes, from the previous range to that one. I sold them in about 1991 and they were a few years old then. The ones that Andre is referring to predate even those by a looooooooong time!

[Rare Bird]

Thank Chris. If i had transport i would indeed ship an early pair to one of the bake offs, people would be impressed im sure...I do have a pair of cubed 'Howard 'MkI' im my lock up but they are far too big for me to use, hence i'm using the the Conway Mk.I'..but at least i can say i have the first three models.. :eyebrows:

Drum kits & cymbals sound so real.. paper units rock...

[The Grand Wazoo]

I always fancied a pair of the bigger models - maybe they'd be just the thing to go with a Radford and a G99/Decca? I was thinking some early AR's......

[istari_knight]

Well the Conway II's were pretty old:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC00858.jpg

But point taken, they weren't from the first ever range that re-used Wharfedale drivers....Same poor tweeters though.

[Rare Bird]

Hi Chris
I went up to the factory & pick up a pair of 'Conway III' they were fantastic but i still prefered the 'Conway Mk.I' i'm not sure of the eficiency but at a guess 90dB/PerW/Mtr

My logic is High efficiency speekaz/low powered amps...Low mass tonearms/high compliance cartridges..

[Rare Bird]

Well the Conway II's were pretty old:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC00858.jpg

But point taken, they weren't from the first ever range that re-used Wharfedale drivers....Same poor tweeters though.
Pass

[Rare Bird]

Heres my 'Conway Mk.I' & Richmond Mk.I' the 'Howard' are stashed away !

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/Picture046_zpsc23f086a.jpg

[Marco]

Yup - I've always liked the old Castles. They got so much right about the design! Very revealing and musical sounding shpeekaz :)

Marco.

[Macca]

I notice that they have ported cabs - wouldn't that be quite unusual at that time?

[Gromit]

I rarely get on my high horse/get emotional where speakers are concerned but every time I think of the old Castle speaker firm, I shed a small tear for what was a maker of some wonderful sounding speakers which looked utterly beautiful too. Good old fashioned craftsmanship, built in the UK.

My dad once had a pair of orginal Kendals, and they were a fabulous speaker - not particularly robust (you couldn't drive them very hard) but a big-hearted, intensely musical speaker. I loved 'em. :)

[Eagle owl]

I still have a pair of Castle Avon's which I bought new in about 1996/1997. They are rarely used these days.

Geoff.

[Haselsh1]

A fabulous cabinet making firm that once again has ended up in bloody China. I get the impression that they will get their wish and dominate the World eventually unless we all wake up very soon.

My hi-fi philosophy is also for high efficiency loudspeakers with low powered valve amplification. That and paper drive units that uncover so much. My best ever loudspeaker...? Audio Note AZ-2.

[Mr Kipling]

Apart from the port being re-positioned in the MK II Richmonds, are there any other differences? Alvin Gold did a group review of small speakers in Hi-Fi Answers and described them as a bit of a curate's egg. Good on female vocals but not so good on dynamics. They came somewhere in the middle of the group. At the end of the review AG was glad to get back to his Mission 770 as he felt the smaller speakers were compromised on account of their size. My Richmonds need new surrounds.

I knew nothing about their collapse until I read about their new range in Hi-Fi world one year. At one point they used to Distribute Jecklin Float headphones and a preamp made by a company called JDL, I think. It was unusual in being a high feedback design with a fast power supply.

Some of the prices are a bit. . . I have seen £275 being asked for MK II Richmonds.

[wiicrackpot]

A fabulous cabinet making firm that once again has ended up in bloody China. I get the impression that they will get their wish and dominate the World eventually unless we all wake up very soon.

My hi-fi philosophy is also for high efficiency loudspeakers with low powered valve amplification. That and paper drive units that uncover so much. My best ever loudspeaker...? Audio Note AZ-2.
2nd yours and Gromit's sentiment regarding the demise of Castle. :(

While i don't share the Wam's love of Audionote UK stuff (AN/Kondo Japan different matter),
much of it vastly overpriced riding on the wave of it's inherited birthright name, but i share your love of the lowly AZ range of speakers,
had AZ3's six months between losing my Harbs and acquiring the Tannoy MG's, from mid to treble was top notch, can't explain it but above all it's other virtues,
i was captivated by it's musicality and emotional conveying qualities, but ultimately i couldn't control the boomy bass in my room and pulling it further into the living room was not an option, different from the AZ2 in the use of the ANe tweeters but share the hemp bass units i think,
whatever it was there was something special about them, didn't have money to investigate amp matches, so hard decision but eventually got rid.

[synsei]

I am ashamed to admit that I have never listened to a single model from the Castle range from any era. One of my saving graces as a snotty teenager was that I appreciated good craftsmanship. A work colleague of my fathers owned a huge pair of Castle speakers (I haven't a clue which model) which I encountered when Dad took me with him to visit one Saturday afternoon in the early '70's. I recall the cabinets to be things of beauty. From memory I think the veneer may have been Walnut and the finish exuded quality. One day I need to pop this particular Cherry.

Talking of paper cone speakers as we are, during my first stint in the hifi universe one speaker which I detested due to its aesthetics was the venerable AR18. They were sold everywhere (even Dixons sold 'em at one point) and I hated them with a passion. That is, until I heard a beat up pair from the 1970's at a friends bedsit back in 1998. He bought them from a junk shop in Kettering for a fiver. They were very scruffy, covered in scratches, various coloured paint splashes and with several corners rounded off. The drive units were in pristine condition however. Hooked up to my friends quite modest Akai stack system they sounded wonderful. I recall them being full of life and sounding particularly good when playing live recordings of his band.

[Marco]

While i don't share the Wam's love of Audionote UK stuff (AN/Kondo Japan different matter),
much of it vastly overpriced riding on the wave of it's inherited birthright name...

Hear, hear!! :clap:

Over-hyped nonsense it is.

Marco.

[wiicrackpot]

Talking of paper cone speakers as we are, during my first stint in the hifi universe one speaker which I detested due to its aesthetics was the venerable AR18. They were sold everywhere (even Dixons sold 'em at one point) and I hated them with a passion. That is, until I heard a beat up pair from the 1970's at a friends bedsit back in 1998. He bought them from a junk shop in Kettering for a fiver. They were very scruffy, covered in scratches, various coloured paint splashes and with several corners rounded off. The drive units were in pristine condition however. Hooked up to my friends quite modest Akai stack system they sounded wonderful. I recall them being full of life and sounding particularly good when playing live recordings of his band.
Did Castles of old not use real wood cabs?, i thought they did. :scratch:

Dave, you description sounds like my AR6's, totally battered cabs and shitty black baffle,
paper cone treble and electrical tape to cover the tweeter wiring but they were great fun,
re-foamed and re-furbed the cabs them moved on after i had my fun with them. :lol:

[wiicrackpot]

Hear, hear!! :clap:

Over-hyped nonsense it is.

Marco.
Team hug Marco. :cool:

[Marco]

Lol... :grouphug:

I think it's affectionately known as the 'Kondo Mafia'... ;)

It's the worst effect of 'forum hype' possible, with audio equipment: when it becomes more about badge aspiration and the desire to be part of a clique (moreover, the 'head honcho' of said clique), than music!!

Marco.

[Mr Kipling]

My Richmonds from '76 use particle board. MDF, as such, wasn't around then, I dont think.

[The Grand Wazoo]

No it wasn't. It was only really made commonly available in the 80's. I vividly remember a lecture in 'Timber Utilisation' when I was studying for forestry at college - the tutor held up a piece of MDF and announced - "This is the future!"

[Marco]

To which you said: 'More's the pity!' :rolleyes:

;)

Marco.

[Canetoad]

Did Castles of old not use real wood cabs?, i thought they did. :scratch:

Dave, you description sounds like my AR6's, totally battered cabs and shitty black baffle,
paper cone treble and electrical tape to cover the tweeter wiring but they were great fun,
re-foamed and re-furbed the cabs them moved on after i had my fun with them. :lol:

I have a set of AR28s and love them! Rebuilt bass driver (same as AR18) and Mundorf replacement caps in the crossovers. For their size they sound lovely to me! :)

[synsei]

Did Castles of old not use real wood cabs?, i thought they did. :scratch:
They may well have been solid wood, which would explain why they exuded quality, but I wouldn't have known that at the time, I was only eight or nine years old :lol:


Dave, you description sounds like my AR6's, totally battered cabs and shitty black baffle,
paper cone treble and electrical tape to cover the tweeter wiring but they were great fun,
re-foamed and re-furbed the cabs them moved on after i had my fun with them. :lol:

I'd like to get hold of a pair of AR18's as I reckon they would sound quite good hanging off the end of my current set up, but they go for wads these days.

[wiicrackpot]

I have a set of AR28s and love them! Rebuilt bass driver (same as AR18) and Mundorf replacement caps in the crossovers. For their size they sound lovely to me! :)
No Mundorf treatment from here for sure Bernie, remember those were the Donna Summer high octane Disco days, :D
banging fun speakers they were and certainly didn't get them for the finer details i look for now.


They may well have been solid wood, which would explain why they exuded quality, but I wouldn't have known that at the time, I was only eight or nine years old :lol:

I'd like to get hold of a pair of AR18's as I reckon they would sound quite good hanging off the end of my current set up, but they go for wads these days.
Dave. if they weren't solid wood the quality of veneer they used must be the best, there was a quality to them you only find in dear speakers.

I would've thought the speakers you have now would have no trouble seeing off AR 18's. :stalks:

[synsei]

I would've thought the speakers you have now would have no trouble seeing off AR 18's. :stalks:

Maybe so, but I'd still like to give it a go for shits 'n' giggles :D

[Rare Bird]

I notice that they have ported cabs - wouldn't that be quite unusual at that time?

I guess so..


Apart from the port being re-positioned in the MK II Richmonds, are there any other differences? Alvin Gold did a group review of small speakers in Hi-Fi Answers and described them as a bit of a curate's egg. Good on female vocals but not so good on dynamics. They came somewhere in the middle of the group. At the end of the review AG was glad to get back to his Mission 770 as he felt the smaller speakers were compromised on account of their size. My Richmonds need new surrounds.

I knew nothing about their collapse until I read about their new range in Hi-Fi world one year. At one point they used to Distribute Jecklin Float headphones and a preamp made by a company called JDL, I think. It was unusual in being a high feedback design with a fast power supply.

Some of the prices are a bit. . . I have seen £275 being asked for MK II Richmonds.

I never listern to Hi-Fi reviews i use my own earholes & can tell you now their is no lack of dynamics! I've never seen any go for that much :scratch: usually anything from £30-£80.00.. Yes they did distribute JDI & Floats.. The port position & tweeter were the differences in the 'Richmond'


I am ashamed to admit that I have never listened to a single model from the Castle range from any era. One of my saving graces as a snotty teenager was that I appreciated good craftsmanship. A work colleague of my fathers owned a huge pair of Castle speakers (I haven't a clue which model) which I encountered when Dad took me with him to visit one Saturday afternoon in the early '70's. I recall the cabinets to be things of beauty. From memory I think the veneer may have been Walnut and the finish exuded quality. One day I need to pop this particular Cherry.

Talking of paper cone speakers as we are, during my first stint in the hifi universe one speaker which I detested due to its aesthetics was the venerable AR18. They were sold everywhere (even Dixons sold 'em at one point) and I hated them with a passion. That is, until I heard a beat up pair from the 1970's at a friends bedsit back in 1998. He bought them from a junk shop in Kettering for a fiver. They were very scruffy, covered in scratches, various coloured paint splashes and with several corners rounded off. The drive units were in pristine condition however. Hooked up to my friends quite modest Akai stack system they sounded wonderful. I recall them being full of life and sounding particularly good when playing live recordings of his band.

The 70's models were 'Richmond', 'Howard', 'Conway', 'Kendal' The 'Howard' & 'Conway' were available with Queen An style legs.. But the 'Richmond' were the first Speaker they built..


Did Castles of old not use real wood cabs?, i thought they did. :scratch:



No, they were Chipboard.. But the 80's models used solid hardwood trim across the front of the cabs.. My fav 80's models were the 'Pembroke' & the 'Dover', very rare 'Dover's turn up on the second hand market..

[wiicrackpot]

The 70's models were 'Richmond', 'Howard', 'Conway', 'Kendal' The 'Howard' & 'Conway' were available with Queen An style legs.. But the 'Richmond' were the first Speaker they built..

No, they were Chipboard.. But the 80's models used solid hardwood trim across the front of the cabs.. My fav 80's models were the 'Pembroke' & the 'Dover', very rare 'Dover's turn up on the second hand market..
Thanks RB,seems they were more prolific than i thought, quite an array of models there.

I actually like chipboard as a cab material, especially a thick piece for the baffle,
whats them with the Queen Anne legs?, i really like the look of them, i am a sucker for big speakers. :cool:

[Rare Bird]

The 'Howards' are the ones pictured with the Queen Anne Legs & fancy grill option, i just have a standard pair of 'Howard' & 'Conway' with the low level metal stands... The 'Conway' was sold in the contemporay option aswell..

They were available in Mahogany, Teak & Walnut.

[Haselsh1]

but i share your love of the lowly AZ range of speakers,


I adored my AZ-2's and still wonder why I got rid of them. They matched my room and my Audion Sterling ETSE amplifier perfectly. They have such a beautiful quality to their sound that suited my music as well. I guess this is yet another stupid example of changing for the sake of change...?

I definitely will miss Castle Acoustics though. Fine quality craftsmanship.

[Mr Kipling]

Some interesting findings on using MDF in speaker cabinets here:

http://tnt-audio.com/clinica/cabinet_walls_e.html

[wiicrackpot]

I adored my AZ-2's and still wonder why I got rid of them. They matched my room and my Audion Sterling ETSE amplifier perfectly. They have such a beautiful quality to their sound that suited my music as well. I guess this is yet another stupid example of changing for the sake of change...?

I definitely will miss Castle Acoustics though. Fine quality craftsmanship.
Thats where i lost out i think, flimsy plasterboard walled ex-council house and Quasi rear horn loading is asking for trouble,
had mine's at the end of a pair of EL34 based push pull pre/power combo and was glorious on some material,
my Tannoy's sounded ragged by comparison initially till i adjusted to the sound.

[Haselsh1]

Thats where i lost out i think, flimsy plasterboard walled ex-council house and Quasi rear horn loading is asking for trouble,
had mine's at the end of a pair of EL34 based push pull pre/power combo and was glorious on some material,
my Tannoy's sounded ragged by comparison initially till i adjusted to the sound.

Yeah you see mine was a solid old terraced house built like the shithouse that was once in the garden. Fantastic house that I also miss a lot. It is one of my ambitions for the next two years to get back to a pair of AZ-2's to use with my Icon Audio EL84 powered device. I reckon with a new vinyl front end it should sound just about fab...!!!

[wiicrackpot]

Yeah you see mine was a solid old terraced house built like the shithouse that was once in the garden. Fantastic house that I also miss a lot. It is one of my ambitions for the next two years to get back to a pair of AZ-2's to use with my Icon Audio EL84 powered device. I reckon with a new vinyl front end it should sound just about fab...!!!
You obviuosly know what you are doing Shaun, ;) i wish i still had my Blackgate capped and Shunt modded KEL 84 (i'm big fan of that valve btw) around,
things might have been different in the bass dept.

* edited my initial reply on #19 , it's actually Hemp cones, not paper. :rolleyes:

[Haselsh1]

You obviuosly know what you are doing Shaun, ;) i wish i still had my Blackgate capped and Shunt modded KEL 84 (i'm big fan of that valve btw) around,
things might have been different in the bass dept.

* edited my initial reply on #19 , it's actually Hemp cones, not paper. :rolleyes:

Yeah I am aiming towards a Michell Gyrodec with an SME arm and my current Ortofon OM-30 Super because I love it along with my Icon Audio Stereo 20PP and a Graham Slee Era Gold V phono stage. Speakers are to be Audio Note AZ-2's but with the paper cones. I've put together this wish list from previously owning or hearing these items and now wanting to get back to where I used to be. Isn't it bloody stupid, I could've had this system ten years ago had I had the sense I have today.

[Haselsh1]

I love the EL84 bass but these recent Genalex Gold Lion's don't go as deep as my old Chinese variety. The bass on the Gold Lions is solid and strong but not as extended especially on the Quantic Soul Orchestra stuff.

[Xapito]

Absolutely love Castle old speakers... I have a pair of York's in pristine condition and another pair of Avon's. They have some mids to die for.

[istari_knight]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread as I've just received some Mk1 Richmonds.

I have "dissed" Castle speakers in the past but have [until now] not tried any of the original Mk1 designs... I can only guess something went dreadfully wrong down the line as these are little crackers. They appear to use the same tweeters that I hated so in the Conway Mk2 & Durham but these sound sweet toned & inoffensive not sharp & in your face like later ones.

Pics to follow but need to polish them first!

[Rare Bird]

They may look the same but they arnt.

The first three models were 'Richmond, Mk.I', 'Conway, Mk.I' & 'Howard, Mk.I'. I have all three but unfortunatly i cannot use the 'Howard, Mk.I' as they are physically too big for the room.

btw: 'Richmond' were their very first speaker back in the mid 70's. The 'Richmond' use a PCB X-Over, the 'Howard' & 'Conway' were hard wired X-Overs.

[Xapito]

The Howard's Mk1 are beautiful, never seen them before. I'm always wondering if among the vintage models I still need to listen do I should pick 1st the Trent's, the Richmond's Mk1, the Clyde's or the Pembroke's. :mental:

[Audioman]

Anyone know the current state of the company. I read a recent Polish review of the current Howards which suggests they are still made (now in China by IAG). If they haven't messed with the components these were really good speakers last time I heard them. Superficially they appear unchanged and still featured on their web site.

Paul.

[freefallrob]

I like Castle speakers, currently own and use some Castle Chesters floor standing 'transmission lines' (exits from the front), paper mid/bass with metal dome tweeter.

I really like them!

I also have some original Castle Durhams (rear ported) with paper mid/bass and plastic cone tweeter, really like these also:).

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6049&stc=1&d=1326727783

[Pieoftheday]

hi paul, ive recently bought some of castles new speakers, i really like em:)9027

[Rare Bird]

Can't really comment on the new Castle models & certainly have no desire to be intrested in them..My real intrest are the 70's models, ive had all castle models up to the early 90's tho. I have my favs from them but still i favour the first few models they ever made....

[istari_knight]

Well I've been having fun messing around with these Richmond's all afternoon :eyebrows:

Took them apart, cabinet is braced behind the midbass driver which was a nice surprise! No BAF wadding in sight, all walls & even the brace is covered in a single layer of grey acoustic foam.

The drivers have surprisingly large magnets & shockingly thin connecting wires :stalks:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01405_zpsdf128f01.jpghttp://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01406_zpsdf383416.jpg

Here's a shot of the PCB crossover, notice the air core inductor & "low loss" capacitor in the tweeter section... Another nice surprise.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01401_zps5de4ce77.jpghttp://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01402_zpsab852eef.jpg

Here you can see just how out of spec those caps are...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01407_zps8e7092e3.jpghttp://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01408_zps52ca49aa.jpg

I mapped the crossover [crudely!] for anyone that's interested.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/RichmondXover_zps0d04c904.png

Gave 'em a polish & fitted a spare badge to replace the missing one... Bobs your uncle. I'm planning to fit some new caps & do a rewire but thats for another day :D

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01411_zps1c46ef49.jpghttp://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01413_zpsaffd0a1c.jpg

[Rare Bird]

That's it. Mine are capped with Ansar 'supersound' Polyprops, rewired with Kimber 'TCX'..

[Mr Kipling]

Andr'e, is there much difference between MK I and II Richmonds soundwise?

James, you might like to try splitting the crossover. When I tried bi-wiring mine there was a worthwhile improvement.

[Rare Bird]

To my ears there's slightly more bass.. You could build that X-Over hardwired on a board, easy there's only two caps, two Inductors..

[istari_knight]

I'm not really a fan of biwiring, I tried it loads of times back in the day but never heard a difference.That said I cant hear the difference between wire jumpers & the brass links on biwirable speakers either... Golden eared I 'aint! :D

Considering the hardwire option but the current PCB is quite nicely designed so we'll have to see. I haven't even ordered the new caps yet cant decide which brand to try... damn my indecisiveness!

[Rare Bird]

James
I'm totally not a believer in Bi-Wiring either.
I use Ansars, they sound great & look like the original caps. Martin T using them in his Gale '401' rebuild :eyebrows: They looks very military vintage stylee which suits me to the ground..

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/Caps.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/ELPFAN1968/media/Caps.jpg.html)

[istari_knight]

I think I've used them or at least something very similar before - I fitted some Russ Andrews supersound caps in the output stage of a CD player yonks ago that looked the same IIRC.

[Rare Bird]

thats em

[Mr Kipling]

I've always been curious about foil inductors after some experiments I did in the '80s.

[Rare Bird]

Na leave the originals they were very good qwality..

[istari_knight]

I've always been curious about foil inductors after some experiments I did in the '80s.

Bit steep for me ! http://www.audio-components.co.uk/store/SubSubCategoryList.asp?SubSubCategoryID=111

I do like the look of these though :eyebrows: http://www.audio-components.co.uk/store/SubSubCategoryList.asp?SubSubCategoryID=110

[Mr Kipling]

Partsconnections have some MEGA CHEAP ERSA ones! I don't understand how they are so cheap. 33% off right now!

[istari_knight]

I reckon the originals are more than good enough. both use 1mm wire & the high pass one is air cored.

[istari_knight]

Partsconnections have some MEGA CHEAP ERSA ones! I don't understand how they are so cheap. 33% off right now!

Thats not so bad... You try some first & let me know how good they are :D

[Mr Kipling]

Do you have a value for the low pass one?

The surrounds are shot on mine!

[istari_knight]

Do you have a value for the low pass one?

The surrounds are shot on mine!

0.8mh/0.6R.

For a 14AWG copper foil equivalent its £13.25 or 12AWG is £21.18.

[Mr Kipling]

Thanks!

[Rare Bird]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/DSC01413_zpsaffd0a1c.jpg

Hi James
Just thought i'd let you know they arnt the propar badges for that model..

That aside i acquired another pair of Mk.I's last month, not in fantastic shape but can be saved :eyebrows:

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/RichmondMkI.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/ELPFAN1968/media/RichmondMkI.jpg.html)

[istari_knight]

I saw the badges were very different on the first picture you posted of the Richmond's... If I'm honest I prefer the later plastic badges but wouldn't be opposed to getting some nice brass ones made with a laser engraving thingy :eyebrows:

Don't know how much the Castle's cost new back in the 70's but compared to the pair of Pageant II's I have in the same room the difference in build quality is shocking [they make the Pageants look & feel like junk.]

If you ever come across a pair of Howard Mk.I's for sale & the seller's willing to stick 'em on a pallet please let me know - Would love to try a pair, I've never seen any but a little birdy told me they do occasionally appear for sale in Yorkshire.

[Mr Kipling]

I saw the badges were very different on the first picture you posted of the Richmond's... If I'm honest I prefer the later plastic badges but wouldn't be opposed to getting some nice brass ones made with a laser engraving thingy :eyebrows:

Don't know how much the Castle's cost new back in the 70's but compared to the pair of Pageant II's I have in the same room the difference in build quality is shocking [they make the Pageants look & feel like junk.]

If you ever come across a pair of Howard Mk.I's for sale & the seller's willing to stick 'em on a pallet please let me know - Would love to try a pair, I've never seen any but a little birdy told me they do occasionally appear for sale in Yorkshire.

In 1978 a pair of MK II Richmonds cost £109.

[Rare Bird]

In 1978 a pair of MK II Richmonds cost £109.

Which is about £530.00 in todays money :eyebrows: The 'Kendals' had been introduced a good few years by then..

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/castle1.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/ELPFAN1968/media/castle1.jpg.html)


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/castle2.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/ELPFAN1968/media/castle2.jpg.html)

[istari_knight]

Thats approx £529.57 in today's money according to this http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/Pages/inflation/calculator/flash/default.aspx

Seems a lot but I don't really know.

[r100]

Hi, I would like to warm this thread up with a question...

I can get a good price on a pair of Castle Chester speakers. They are the ones with the woofer and the tweeter aligned, i.e. on axis. I think there is another version with the woofer and the tweeter of axis.

Anyways, can anyone give me some feedback on their characteristics ?

Thank's

[struth]

Andre(the barbarian) is usually the man for Castle speakers. no one knows more:)

[r100]

The man in tatters ? Hope he is better now.

[The Barbarian]

The 'Chester' were an efficient transmission line design, they were a good speaker that sell for beer money these days..

[r100]

Thank's Andrė. The asking price is about 150 £. Cabinets have been repainted.. Too much ? And what is the difference between the two Chesters ?

[The Barbarian]

The original ones had a Recangular Grill, the later ones had a curved grill, a plinth & different design terminal pods, the later ones design was in-line with the aesthetics of the 'Severn' & 'Harlech'

[r100]

Thank's, do you think the price is OK ? sorry for insisting but I won't have a chance to audition them.

[r100]

Found this article which describes the Castle Chester speaker and compares it to its bigger brother.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kignqvhprntfkob/AADsF2sa8LqXxLlm65tj3Gx7a?dl=0

[Reffc]

I had a pair of those Chesters. My first (of many) castle speakers. They were quarter wave bass loaded (ie not true transmission line) and very limited in bass output but quite good. Treble could be a little sharp as the tweeter really needed padding down a little. Value for a decent pair these days would be circa £250 private. Harlechs were better and I also preferred Howard S2s.

[dantheman91]

Seems i have a soft spot for castle ive got a pair of "Clydes" coming this afternoon love the look and design they appear to up their as well reviewed as any other castle.....we shall see...:eek: shall i make the speaker number 17 i think i will :eyebrows::lol:

[brian2957]

I had a set of Castle Clydes many years ago . Beautifully finished and pretty good sound :)