Townshend Glastonbury speakers

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Selling a pair of Townshend Glastonbury speakers. These are a Max Townshend wonder-speaker from the early 90s, effectively a single driver (up to 7khz) with a ribbon tweeter/supertweeter 'tickler' to 30hz.

Very unusual design with aluminium cabinet filled with plaster and carpet felt to be completely inert. This means bass down to 27hz and flat response right up through. The current Townshend Glastonbury equivalent costs £19k. They weight over 30kg each - very heavy.

Bought recently on the wigwam partly out of curiosity (because I've always wanted to try a pair) but they are not a good match for my 30w triode amp - you really need 70w plus, solid state, to drive them properly and tons of current.

So released for sale again, for the £400 I paid for them. These can go for up to £1500 in perfect nick but these have cosmetic issues, some bubbling and the odd scrape on this finish - being metal, a respray or repaint in black hammerite (or any other colour you like!) is dead easy, much easier to get right than wood. Personally I was happy to let them be.

Collection only, needless to say, from Berkshire.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/town1.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/town2.jpg

[John]

In the right system these should sound stunning

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http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/t1.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/t2.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/t3.jpg

[hornucopia]

Great speakers. I ran some for a dozen years. Best floorstanders really. AND the chance to have them match your decor easily!

Sold mine for £950, so a bargain here!

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Just to say I have now rigged these up to a cheap 60w solid state power amp (my 1978 vintage A&R Cambridge from the garage!) and can now demo them at something closer to the sound they are supposed to make - low bass is back, midbass is fleshed out and the whole thing is back in balance. Amazing really ... this old thing blew two fuses when confronted with Quad ESLs no sound just a 'click' ... here it sounds rock solid and ready to party. Really brings home the importance of amp-speaker matching as the heart of the system.

[Filterlab]

So, they go up to 30khz (I assume, rather than 30hz you mentioned), what's the low end reach?

*EDIT* Ahhh, I missed the 27hz bit. Hmmm, interesting. Let me mull for a while. :)

[Welder]

Cant help thinking these would make a great active project. I'm soooooooo tempted :doh:

[montesquieu]

Cant help thinking these would make a great active project. I'm soooooooo tempted :doh:

Well what are you waiting for?:) I can guarantee you WON'T ever see a cheaper pair (well not a pair that's intact and working perfectly anyway).

[Welder]

A month ago and I would have had them like a shot.
I’ve heard these speakers and I know what they can do.
Fact is mate I’m all spent out for the next couple of months……a bitch, but there you go.

And you’re right; they’re a bargain for someone who knows a bit about decent speakers.
But….I’m out unfortunately :(

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One more ...


http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/glast.jpg

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weekend bump - rather surprised these haven't shifted.

[mole0937]

weekend bump - rather surprised these haven't shifted.
I really cant believe these are still for sale,if it hadn't been for wife Iwould have kept them,they outclassed my large Usher floorstanders,run them with a highish output solid state ,you will have music heaven,Ipromise you.

[montesquieu]

Just to say I now have the perfect amp to demo these with ... a Duncan 'Williams Audio' 200w 2022 Tripath amp I just bought from Ali.

It's now putting out more low bass than my 15in Tannoy Monitor Golds and the overal tonal balance top to bottom is astonishing. Really these are fab speakers. I had heard them with a Krell KSA150 and was impressed - hearing them in my room with 200w Class D and it's just amazing.

[Reid Malenfant]

I'd take them off of your hands but i have no transport :doh: Damn annoying in all honesty but nothing i can do with no car license..

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unfortunately delivery isn't possible as I only have a saloon car, you really need an estate or large hatch for these.

[Elvis's last movement]

Would it be possible for me to listen to them?

I am in Newbury...

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No problem at all, about 2min off M4 J10 which is about 20min away.

[Elvis's last movement]

Superb......when are you free?

I can come tomorrow evening....or Thursday evening.

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switched to pm :)

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never heard back?

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Sold pending payment