FS: Reiver Acoustics Henley speakers

[ahgee2]

For sale is a unique pair of speakers, a custom design-and-build by the supremely talented Scott Lindgren and Colin Topps (Reiver Acoustics). As far as I know, this is the only pair built to date. Colin and Scott christened these the "Henley", after one of the prominent Border Reiver Clans and also a tribute to Don Henley.

The best source of information for these speakers is Colin's thread over on Audio Talk:
http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6927

I would not be selling these, but for one thing. Because of the rigid Santos rosewood veneer that I specifically chose, they should not be placed in direct sun or up against a radiator. Unfortunately, it proved difficult to avoid the bay window in my small living room, and I eventually lost the fight with my other half to keep the blinds down! Colin and Scott were brilliant, offering to re-dress them in a flexible veneer, but I felt that it would be a shame to dismantle such a beautiful pair of speakers, and that somebody else (without a bay window) should get to enjoy them.

They are around 88dB midband sensitivity, -3dB at around 45Hz. For collection from my workplace in central Cambridge, auditioning welcome if you bring your own source, amp and cables.

£500

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2001.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2002.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2003.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2004.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2005.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/Henley_Grilles.JPG

[struth]

Look nice. Colin is a very good craftzman

[walpurgis]

Andrew, full sized photos are required for items over £250, not thumbnails. I've done one for you, so the listing is now compliant with selling rules.

https://i.imgur.com/m4vTblq.jpg

[ahgee2]

Thanks Geoff, much appreciated. Sorry I got it wrong first time. I actually spent ages trying to get the photos in-line, but I've only just noticed the step-by-step guide at the top of the forum - doh!

[Lawrence001]

What a beautifully finished pair of speakers. The ports should help with placement and the tweeters look like they'll sound sublime.

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

[Toppsy]

I feel as the co-designer and builder of these speakers I must reply to the original advise given regards the placement of these speakers.

Due the fact we do not have access to professional veneer glues nor a veneer press as the chosen veneer was raw leaf cut Santos Rosewood the only glue I could use at the time was impact adhesive. Now for those in the know this glue remains slightly rubbery for a long time until it fully cures (with time) to a hardness and does not remain flexible. Due this flexibility of the glue we cannot guarantee the veneer would split with direct heat such as refracted heat through glass via direct sunlight or direct heat from near placement to a hot radiator. One wouldn't place a antique piece of furniture in such a location nor should one place speakers. However with such a long time since we made these speakers I would expect the base glue to have fully hardened off and not be flexible any more. So placement within a bay window should not be an issue. But then why subject a piece of furniture to such extreme temperature changes when you wouldn't do this to valued pieces of furniture. As long as the speakers are not placed in the likes of say a conservatory I do not see there being a problem.

After we received this commission build I must say that the end resultant sound surpassed our expectation. The look of the finished speakers is stunning as is the sound, for so small a floor standing speaker. Scott and I had plans to develop this as a range of offerings and I have prototype cabinets built that due to my retirement from making speakers may now never see the light of day as finished products.

At £500 these are a bargain.

[ahgee2]

Thanks Colin for the clarification about the veneer bonding and speaker positioning: your comments should be reassuring to potential purchasers. And sorry to hear you are retiring from speaker-building, your superb craftsmanship will be missed by many, no doubt.

I just edited the original post to put all the photos in-line.

[Toppsy]

Andrew,
the speakers are nearer 90dB efficiency rather than the 88dB you stated.

[Rana]

Lovely! GLWS but just to note that Don Henley is still alive.

[struth]

Surprised these are still here.

[ahgee2]

Lovely! GLWS but just to note that Don Henley is still alive.

Thanks Rana, seems I got more things wrong than right in my original post! But that particularly embarrassing faux pas is now fixed ...

[wee tee cee]

Im interested...need them shipped to Glasgow.

I have a pair of Scott and Colins Eddingdales Srs (pair of 57s Colin fettled and made stands for)

Dont need a demo....my good lady approved of the Finnish.

Are they fussy placement wise/rear ported?

Do they need some power up them?

Whats your impression of them sonically?

Cheers

Tony

[ahgee2]

Hi Tony,
I can't say I experimented with placement, since there was only really one place where they could go in my little living room, see the final photo in this thread
http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6927&sid=e67777727461e50f28ad80dd1f62c120&start=15
which shows them in situ. Scott and Colin designed them with this placement in mind, based on a floor plan I sent them. The port is downwards facing, venting into the gap above the plinth (see photos at the top of this thread).
As for power, they shouldn't need that much at 88dB sensitivity, but I found that they opened up when I switched out my little T-amp for something with some more Watts.
Sonically, they certainly did what I asked Colin and Scott for, which was to add another octave of bass below what my little Ruark bookshelves put out. I won't say more since, to be honest, I'm not that much of an expert and have not owned many different systems with which to compare them. Much better than my amateur impressions would be Colin's comments on this thread, and also Chris on the AT thread http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6927&sid=e67777727461e50f28ad80dd1f62c120&start=15
Shipping to Glasgow? Possible but not easy, since I don't have any packing materials, but something we could look into if there is no other interest.
Cheers,
Andrew

[wee tee cee]

Andrew,
If you are able to arrange packaging and courier to Glasgow im happy to give them a home.

PM me regards cost.

Regards

Tony

[Pieoftheday]

For sale is a unique pair of speakers, a custom design-and-build by the supremely talented Scott Lindgren and Colin Topps (Reiver Acoustics). As far as I know, this is the only pair built to date. Colin and Scott christened these the "Henley", after one of the prominent Border Reiver Clans and also a tribute to Don Henley.

The best source of information for these speakers is Colin's thread over on Audio Talk:
http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6927

I would not be selling these, but for one thing. Because of the rigid Santos rosewood veneer that I specifically chose, they should not be placed in direct sun or up against a radiator. Unfortunately, it proved difficult to avoid the bay window in my small living room, and I eventually lost the fight with my other half to keep the blinds down! Colin and Scott were brilliant, offering to re-dress them in a flexible veneer, but I felt that it would be a shame to dismantle such a beautiful pair of speakers, and that somebody else (without a bay window) should get to enjoy them.

They are around 88dB midband sensitivity, -3dB at around 45Hz. For collection from my workplace in central Cambridge, auditioning welcome if you bring your own source, amp and cables.

£500

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2001.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2002.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2003.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2004.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/IMG_2005.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/colin/Henley_Grilles.JPG

Thought they were pro ac speakers at first, look really nice

[ahgee2]

Hi Tony,
You have a PM!
Best wishes,
Andrew


Andrew,
If you are able to arrange packaging and courier to Glasgow im happy to give them a home.

PM me regards cost.

Regards

Tony

[ahgee2]

Very happy to report that these are now SOLD to Tony - thanks for offering them a good home!

[struth]

nice one Tony.

[wee tee cee]

Im delighted-will post up a wee review when I get my head round them.

[brian2957]

Nice one mate . You'll be renting out speakers next :)

[Brigadoon]

I would like to voice a personal and heartfelt note of thanks to Tony for taking these out of play. :clap:

They are absolutely stunning, and worth every £ of their ask and way way more.

Temptation and consequences resisted. :whippin:

[wee tee cee]

Should be hear tomorrow .....weekend of fun!!!!

Hoping Colin doesnt hang up his hat-best speakers ive heard and owned.

[struth]

Think he said he has retired. Need to get badges for mine lol