Speakers To Replace Castle Edens

If I were you, move on to something else. Buy used, go listen to as many as possible!

I'd consider used. I have listened to a number of speakers and surprised as to how many didn't do it for me coming in under $3000. Only the Sonus Faber Minima has gotten it right for me. But it's a relatively new model. Won't find used too often. 

Reynaud's have that reputation for a glorious midrange, but there's nothing used at the moment, and they don't come up too often around here. 

There a couple of pairs of Spendor SP1 on usaudiomart for $1200. Super midrange for low money.

Another option is to see if the woofers can be rebuilt. They can replace the surrounds and re-center the cones.

Rebuild may be an option. You should also listen to the KEF LS50 Metas. Amazing soundstage and transparency. 

Triangle 40th Anniversary Comete Speaker Review

Talk to Fritz of Fritz loudspeakers.  Describe what you like and he'll be able to match which of his models meets your requirements.

If you have a Sonus Faber dealer nearby ask them when they will have the new Lumina II in for demo ($1200/pair).

I owned Castle Isis (20+ years ago) purchased from their distributer in Niagara Falls and have also listened to Castle Pembroke floor-standers (sp?) plus the original and 2nd version of the Richmond.

I replaced the Isis with Renaud Twins MkII around 2002 and then switched to flea watt tube amps and wide band single drivers (which I still use).

On the cheap (if you can find them) you would probably like the Richmond or Richmond II.

I'm considering switching to SS for the living room setup and am interested in the Lumina II's based upon listening to a few "good" Youtube demos.

A local dealer (I'm in Los Angeles) either has or will have them in stock shortly per a blurb on their website.

Never been a SF fan in the past, but liked the YT sound of their new inexpensive stand mount.

One YT video/demo compared them to 2 other speakers.

DeKay

Thanks all. 

My wife has a pair of Isis. They're good, but a VERY different speaker. They're wide open sounding, but don't come close to eye sumptuous Eden midrange, nor do they go nearly as low. The two don't sound like they're from the same family.

I haven't listened to the SF Lumina, but have to the Sorrento and they didn't do much for me. The only ones anywhere close to my price range were the Minema Avetor, and boy, do they have some midrange magic. Real, tactile, and soundstage like crazy. 

And in terms of rebuilding the drivers, I'd think that it would change the character of the speaker. I'd put money into it (I wouldn't do it myself) only to possibly not be thrilled with eye result. The woofers were Castle's own in-house.

Not a fan of the KEFs. I've heard them. For me they're quick and open, but not possessing of a particularly expressive or gorgeous midrange. In a way, they sound like the Castle Isisb model. 

I'm hoping to get a hold of the current Reynaud US importer and see if I can arrange to get a hold of a pair of current Reynauds to hear. I'm also wondering what the Cantabile Jubilé brings to the table compared to the Bliss Jubilé, and whether that would work in a relatively small room (12'x12'x11').

The Richmond are much fuller sounding than the Isis (I preferred the II model, but both were good).

DeKay

I did hear the first version of the Richmond. Very good midrange. As a viola player, I thought it reproduced the tone of strings really beautifully. 

So I'm not sure of what to do. The lower end Reynauds I have heard were flawed, but oh so musical. So I'm tempted with a better one. The Bliss Jubilee w/stands come to $3000 US. I could eventually get a pair of demos to try from the importer, Mike Planka.

Or, there's a pair of Cantabile Jubilees that would cost me about $3600 (retail $5000) to get them to me from Canada including shipping and import fees, but I wouldn't be able to hear them first. That's about the outer edge of my budget.

Or, I could reeaalllly stretch to get a pair of Sonus Faber Minima at $4000, which I have heard, but wouldn't be able to afford the stands for a while. I have 22" stands which I used for my Castles. The Minima stands are 29".. They're beautiful, but cost $1400, bringing the total price of that speaker to $5400.

I would feel more financially comfortable at $3000 (that'd be the Bliss Jubilee), but at $600 more, the Cantabile is supposed to be a better speaker, although I have never had a floorstander in my 12'x12'x11' room before, albeit a small floorstander.

I'd guess that I'd really like the Cantabile, but that's only a good guess based on the lower end Reynauds I have heard. Is it worth the gamble since I haven't actually heard those particular ones?

Go to hifishark.com and run a Reynaud search (Bliss Silvers currently listed).

DeKay

I think HiFi Shark is largely for the European market, no? I have gone there and not seen US listings.

Well, there IS one listing for Bliss Silvers, but they're in Chicago, local pickup only. 

The Bliss seller entered shipping info in the ad.

You have to register to see the shipping quotes.

Also there are filters for searching (I use North America/United States or whatever it's called).

Perhaps try contacting them to see if they are willing to ship (if they have the original boxes).

Shark is my main search tool (been looking for Audio Note AX Two Sig's for a couple of years now).

DeKay

Unfortunately, apparently Reynaud supplied boxes are quite flimsy, so they'd need to be substantially double-boxed. The US importer actually shrinkwraps them to a pallet and ships freight because he doesn't trust normal shipping companies with them otherwise m

BTW, I'm currently auditioning a pair of Harbeth C7 XD. The only thing they have sonically in common with the Castle Eden is that they render large images that can fill the room, but otherwise, they're very different. The Harbeths aren't as rich sounding and don't offer the harmonic tonal color that the Castles do. With the C7, I never believe I'm actually listening to real instruments. 

However, it's easy to listen to. I think the top end can get peaky at times. And it's not all that airy at the same time. Bass is tight and has some presence, but this speaker never seems to fully let loose on larger stuff. I can see some liking this speaker, as it has pretty good liquidity with smaller scale music, and a wide open midband.

Visit New Hampshire and Fidelis and AV Therapy. Both will be able to help you and you save on taxes.

If you haven’t been to Goodwins High End in Waltham you should go listen to some DeVore speakers. I think you might really dig their new O Baby speaker, but at $5700 they’re probably out of your price range but still really worth a listen. Here’s a review of it from Steve Guttenberg (not really a fan BTW) FWIW…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c8OrTtqx3s

If you find the DeVore house sound is up your alley, there’s a nice pair of their The Nines speaker for $4000 on USAM that might well be worth a look. Local pickup in NJ only but might well be worth the drive and maybe the owner would let you listen. Best of luck.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649887794-devore-fidelity-the-nines/

Yup said it before the Harbeth's have no soul....they play loud for their size but don't communicate the music IMO