Castle Harlech v. Monitor Audio Silver 8?

Which of these two speakers would you recommend for use with an Arcam A85 amp and CD93, for mainly classical music, but also some modern ( mainly Latin American ) music?

I can get the Castles new for about £600, and the MAs ex-display for about the same or a little less.

Would appreciate your advice.

Thanks.

 

There's a pair of Quad 22Ls at £450 over at HFC. I know what I'd do

 

Emiliano,

I found the MA Silvers to be initially impressive sounding, but after about half an hour or so, I started to feel a degree of listener fatigue. They seemed to put an artificial edge to the music. As such, I don't imagine they would mate well with the Arcam electronics.

Haven't heard the Castle Harlech's, but am curious about these 'speakers and the bigger Howard's. I'll probably arange a dem of these 'speakers sooner or later as I'm interested in the semi omni-directional design. I'd be interested in hearing your impression of the Harlech's, especially in reference the the MA S8's.

Regards,

Stuart.

 

Emiliano Ive heard the Castle Harlechs but not the MAs.

The Harlechs have a top firing driver and the sound comes at you from around you, rather than directly in front of you.

To my ears, it sounds like listening to music in the next room to where the hifi is.

I a/b'd them against Ruark Talisman II's at the time, and found the Ruarks much more to my taste - I prefered their direct presentation.

Some people might prefer the effusive omni-directional sound.

 

Many thanks, gentlemen.

Don't like the idea of sound arriving from the sides, so that probably rules out the Castles.

Maybe I should try to demo the MAs against the Quads. As for the former, Stuart, perhaps they wouldn't be quite so fatiguing with classical music.

If you have any ideas about other suitable mid-priced floor standers for my setup, please let me know. I could go up to £800 at a pinch.

Thanks again.

 

are you looking at second hand?

some mid-90's talisman II's would cost you £250-£300.

you could get some Linn Keileighs for that too, and I think they're good too.

£800 could get you yesterdays £2k speaker if thats what you want.

NB
I never could spell 'keileigh' !

 

or build your own for about that price..... and no it's not difficult.
cheers


julian

 

Thanks again.

Having discounted Castle because of the Harlechs, I'm now reconsidering, and wondering if the Conways might be worth a listen.

 

The Conways will easily see off the Silver 8 - no listener fatigue for a start ;-)

The Conways are fast and punchy with a beautifully transparent midrange and a treble that is ever-so-slightly lower than the norm so they are never shrill or tizzy. Good definition in the bass - great for cello, double-bass etc. and watch out for those timpanis - these babies rock! Oh and they go very loud without distress if required.

 

Cei Lidh

 

A Ceilidh is an Irish or Scottish social gathering with traditional music, dancing, and storytelling.

A Keilidh is a loudspeaker made by Linn.

 

True. I thought if you could remember to spell the real word then the other should be easy.













It took me 8 years before I could finally do it without checking the dictionary each time.

 

all true!

and still an excellent speaker for £250 or so.

a few pics, just for fun

keiledhs on ebay with 1 & 1/2 days to go

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14993&item=5773846564&rd=1&ssPageName=WD3V

the emporium

RUARK TALISMANS 800 250

check the link, youve got the castles you were looking at too for 400.

http://www.emporiumhifi.com/Pages/ModernPages/SpeakersM.html

 

If you don't mind Black or Rosewood finish, you can get brand new Conway 3's for £600 here:

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/castleconway3.shtml

 

That's an incredible price for a new pair of conways, Chris!!

 

those keilidhs are only £155 with one day to go on them. Could be a bargain for somebody (unless it goes mental at the end)

 

I'm really quite interested in the Conways now, after reading a few reviews. Just worried they might not give enough detail, or transparency, or whatever it's called. Will have to buy unauditioned - won't bore you with reasons - but that's how I got my electronics, and I'm happy enough with them. Just need a little more input, so I'll post similar thread on another forum, where I'm known as Arthur John Smithsplese. Many thanks again for all your help. Regards.

 

Data, I know, I feel sick just thinking about it

Emiliano, the Conways have good detail provided your source and amp are up to it.

 

what colour are yours, Chris?
thinking about trying a pair.

 

Mine are in cherry