Castle Acoustics

[raygreen]

Looking to try out an older set of speakers and came across castle Acoustics - a few seem well priced on ebay. Nice looking wooden cabinets. Can anyone tell me if they know anything about them in general or any models that rate highly.
Looking to try them against my Celestion DL6 (Arcam Alpha Amp and Arcam CD). My son is after building a system so an extra set will be required anyway so would be interested to hear of any 1970's early '80's recommendations.

Celestion Dittons might also be worth a try?
Thank you

[struth]

Andre (the Barbarian) is the man for this question. Think he has damn near every model.:) I've heard a few and liked them all. Dovers are good as are the bigger conways.

[The Barbarian]

The 1980's 'Conway IIA & III' were a beautiful pair of speakers but large.

If your looking at 'DL6' size the short lived 'Warwicks' had a great midrange but only a small bass unit like the Durham had

about the same size were the 'Kendals' these were a 70's design & were the precursor to the later 'Pembroke'

[Reffc]

Looking to try out an older set of speakers and came across castle Acoustics - a few seem well priced on ebay. Nice looking wooden cabinets. Can anyone tell me if they know anything about them in general or any models that rate highly.
Looking to try them against my Celestion DL6 (Arcam Alpha Amp and Arcam CD). My son is after building a system so an extra set will be required anyway so would be interested to hear of any 1970's early '80's recommendations.

Celestion Dittons might also be worth a try?
Thank you

Personally, I liked the later 80's/early 90's models, particularly the Harlechs and the Howard S2s (fabulous speaker). Castle were renowned for the quality of their cabinets and made the boxes for a fair few other manufacturers. Their acoustic engineer (Andy someone or other...forget his surname) knew his stuff too and few compromises were made in the delivery of their designs. I owned quite a few pairs of their quarter wave loaded models, including Chesters and Howards.

[The Barbarian]

Aye Andy designed those Conway II speakers in the opening post

[The Barbarian]

Here's the original Castle Acoustics what ive owned, still do own a few

Richmond MK.I & MKII
Howard MK.I & MK.II
Conway MK.I, MK.II, MK.IIa & MK.III
Kendal Mk.I & MK.II
Pembroke MK.I & MK.II
Dover
Trent
Clyde
Warwick
Durham
Stirling
Chester

I started falling out with em when i bought the 'Stirlings' because of the tweeter employed

Still like the 'Howard' Mk.I & II both totally different designs tho.. The MK.I Howards i have in storage as they are just far to large for our place.

Still love the very efficient 'Conway Mk.I' that use day to day.

Ive attached a pickkie i found of the 'Howard Mk.II'

[Reffc]

Nice looking speaker and in great condition too Andre. Never has the pleasure of hearing the early Howards'; It was the later types I had. Once heard the Winchesters at an Aberdeen dealer's shop...collosal things, slow ponderous bass, but few better with organ music (they went deep!). I like the Conways. A good design, like most of them.

[The Barbarian]

Hi Paul
There are not mine it's just a pickkie i found on the web. Sold mine a good 20 years ago. However i did buy them new from the factory at the time..

The only 'Howards' i now own are the cube shape Mk.1. Same as these but in Oak finish

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?29385-Castle-Howard-Mk1s

[Xapito]

Paul, what do you think of Chester's and how do you compare them with the other models? I have the Trent's Mk2, had the Avon's and the York's.

Cheers

[Martyn Miles]

Paul, what do you think of Chester's and how do you compare them with the other models? I have the Trent's Mk2, had the Avon's and the York's.

Cheers

And lots of apostrophes where they aren't required...

[Xapito]

Thank's for the head's up! :lol:

[istari_knight]

Never have found any local Mk.I Howards with Queen Anne legs :(

[Idlewithnodrive]

Like my Conway II's a lot; probably more than I do my Ditton 44's.

Open and detailed, natural sounding and surprising bass for the size of the drivers (8''). As has already been said, amazing quality cabs as well.

[istari_knight]

Used to have a pair myself... Not bad at all.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/Old%20HiFi/DSC00858.jpg

[Eagle owl]

I still have a pair of Avons which I bought new in about 1996 or 1997 iirc.

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/castle-acoustics/avon/prd_119282_1594crx.aspx

[The Barbarian]

I still have a pair of Avons which I bought new in about 1996 or 1997 iirc.



:nono: