Castle Knight 2 magazine reviews.

[chebby]

I am in the market for these speakers and they are on my 'listen to' list for next week.

Whilst surfing the Castle Knight 2 webpage I noticed the 2010 award 'gong' from another hifi magazine.(Best speaker up to £2000 it seems.)

They wrote...

"In fact, we'd go further by saying that this is probably the best-sounding budget Castle speaker ever made. In addition to the traditional qualities of accuracy and refinement, the Knight 2 adds unforced detail and first-class soundstaging.

Whilst it won't be the first choice for lovers of high-octane dance music, everyone else will be more than satisfied by its subtle charms. The class-leading finish cements this as a classic Hi-Fi Choice recommendation."

I also had a look at the WHF review of the same speakers where we are told...

"Can sound too polite Despite the unanimity of their sound, though, the careful neutrality of the Castles can easily manifest itself as rather dour and unexciting.

A song as giddy and abandoned as The Ramones’ Sheena Is A Punk Rocker ought to gallop along with sparks flying, but under the Knight 2s’ direction it’s altogether too polite, too ordered and lacking in inspiration.

For some listeners, of course, this control-freakery will be nothing but good news and, allied to the impressive build and finish, will make the Castles a very persuasive option."

Interesting that both reviews largely seem to agree on the overall sound (imaging, control, refinement, detail, midrange etc.) but that WHF mark down for qualities that another magazine give praise to.

I can think of quite a few past reviews where this has happened. WHF will prefer a rip-roaring, stomping, grunting, thumping and exciting presentation and mark down delicacy, refinement, sound-staging and control.

Could this be a reflection of the review team's 'demographic'? (Younger and more impressed by products that flatter their tastes in music.) Or maybe a reflection of the target audience for the magazine?

This is just an observation rather than a criticism (we can't all like the same things) and I will make up my own mind when I hear the Castle Knight 2s (and 1s) next week.

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds good to me Chebby. Based on those observations I'd jump right in with an audition! Keep us posted.

 

[chebby]

The 'listen to' list also includes Rega RS1s and MA RX1s (and they all have to - at least - match the sound quality of my MS20i Pearl Editions).

 

[Clare Newsome]

They are great speakers - as you'd expect a product that gets such a strong, four-star review from us to be

But to get five stars from WHF a product has to be more of an all-rounder. As we've said many times, there may be a four-star product that outperforms a five-star product in a specific area, but isn't as strong in other areas.

That's why many of the WHF team (myself included) have four-star products in their systems - we'll have kit that suits our specific tastes/requirements, just as we urge everyone else to discover when they're auditioning.

The musical tastes of the team don't come into it, as (a) there's a diverse range of tastes on the team and (b) we test with a broad array of genres when we review.

 

[manicm]

chebby:

WHF will prefer a rip-roaring, stomping, grunting, thumping and exciting presentation and mark down delicacy, refinement, sound-staging and control.



I've read both reviews and I don't necessarily agree with your statement. I fairly think WHF is saying that while the Castles are refined they don't rise to the occasion when a bit more energetic music calls for it. And such characteristics should not be mutually exclusive in a speaker.

And I've read WHF's supertest between the Castles, B&W 685s, KEF Q300 and a few others. I was surprised at the winner...

 

[matthewpiano]

What did win and why the surprise? I missed that issue!

 

[Clare Newsome]

manicm:
And I've read WHF's supertest between the Castles, B&W 685s, KEF Q300 and a few others. I was surprised at the winner...

You've said that twice now, in separate threads. Can i ask why you're surprised? (When the winner in question had had such a strong, five-star First Test in the previous issue)

 

[manicm]

Hmm Clare, you sound strangely suspicious? Well do note I own the supertest winner

. I was just surprised the most expensive speaker did not take the prize, regardless of price

 

[manicm]

Clare Newsome:manicm:

And I've read WHF's supertest between the Castles, B&W 685s, KEF Q300 and a few others. I was surprised at the winner...

You've said that twice now, in separate threads. Can i ask why you're surprised? (When the winner in question had had such a strong, five-star First Test in the previous issue)

Hold on, First Test? Then the SA edition must have made a MAJOR MISTAKE, cos the winner that I read was NOT a new model...

I am very

now.

 

[smuggs]

have to agree with first poster,

once i have a acram alpha9 power amp, im looking at the following

rega rs1's,dynaudio dm/6,knight2,B&W cm1's and usher 520's so cant wait for you review on the castles

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

chebby:The 'listen to' list also includes Rega RS1s and MA RX1s (and they all have to - at least - match the sound quality of my MS20i Pearl Editions).

There were two things that impressed me most at Bristol-

1/ The new AE compact which certainly were powerful for the size and value.(not saying they are what you want here)

2/ The Castle 2's which I found quite stupendous-£300 at Bristol (and I have the RX1's which are also damned good)

I think you might enjoy the Castle 2's,but I can't comment on comparison to the Pearls.

Edit- the RX1's might be a bit boomy if you are close to a wall

 

[Clare Newsome]

manicm:Clare Newsome:manicm:

And I've read WHF's supertest between the Castles, B&W 685s, KEF Q300 and a few others. I was surprised at the winner...

You've said that twice now, in separate threads. Can i ask why you're surprised? (When the winner in question had had such a strong, five-star First Test in the previous issue)

Hold on, First Test? Then the SA edition must have made a MAJOR MISTAKE, cos the winner that I read was NOT a new model...

I am very

now.

Ah, sorry, I missed the fact that you were reading our South African edition, as opposed to the UK edition that had taken a while to get to you.

Yep, test results- and star ratings- can change in overseas editions where there is a big difference in pricing in that market.

All our ratings are based on performance for the money - so if a product is noticeably cheaper/pricier in another country, ratings may have to be carefully reassessed.

 

[Pistol Pete1]

I remember hearings those Castle Knight 2 speakers at the Manchester Show, last year.....

Both my friend and I thought that they sounded superb.........and then we noticed the price of them and couldn't believe the sound they produced for the money.

They ended up being the highlight of the show, in our opinion, closely followed by the 'Q' series speakers from KEF.

I was a little surprised by the 4 star review from WHF, but I guess that is still a pretty good review.....

If only Castle had created a centre speaker for the range, as I was after a new set of AV speakers at the time.........

Saying that, I did contact them about that, and there was a possibility that a centre speaker was being added to the range later this year......

 

[Simon Lucas]

chebby: Could this be a reflection of the review team's 'demographic'? (Younger and more impressed by products that flatter their tastes in music.)

Younger? Oh I like you, you silver-tongued charmer.
If only.

 

[manicm]

Simon Lucas:

chebby: Could this be a reflection of the review team's 'demographic'? (Younger and more impressed by products that flatter their tastes in music.)

Younger? Oh I like you, you silver-tongued charmer.
If only.

And what would they know anyway

manicm, getting bored with moderatiing your language - MODS

 

[plastic penguin]

chebby:

I am in the market for these speakers and they are on my 'listen to' list for next week.

Whilst surfing the Castle Knight 2 webpage I noticed the 2010 award 'gong' from another hifi magazine.(Best speaker up to £2000 it seems.)

They wrote...

"In fact, we'd go further by saying that this is probably the best-sounding budget Castle speaker ever made. In addition to the traditional qualities of accuracy and refinement, the Knight 2 adds unforced detail and first-class soundstaging.

Whilst it won't be the first choice for lovers of high-octane dance music, everyone else will be more than satisfied by its subtle charms. The class-leading finish cements this as a classic Hi-Fi Choice recommendation."

I also had a look at the WHF review of the same speakers where we are told...

"Can sound too polite Despite the unanimity of their sound, though, the careful neutrality of the Castles can easily manifest itself as rather dour and unexciting.

A song as giddy and abandoned as The Ramones' Sheena Is A Punk Rocker ought to gallop along with sparks flying, but under the Knight 2s' direction it's altogether too polite, too ordered and lacking in inspiration.

For some listeners, of course, this control-freakery will be nothing but good news and, allied to the impressive build and finish, will make the Castles a very persuasive option."

Interesting that both reviews largely seem to agree on the overall sound (imaging, control, refinement, detail, midrange etc.) but that WHF mark down for qualities that another magazine give praise to.

I can think of quite a few past reviews where this has happened. WHF will prefer a rip-roaring, stomping, grunting, thumping and exciting presentation and mark down delicacy, refinement, sound-staging and control.

Could this be a reflection of the review team's 'demographic'? (Younger and more impressed by products that flatter their tastes in music.) Or maybe a reflection of the target audience for the magazine?

This is just an observation rather than a criticism (we can't all like the same things) and I will make up my own mind when I hear the Castle Knight 2s (and 1s) next week.


Perhaps I can offer a possible explanation regarding reviews: WHFI have invested millions on revamping their review/testing rooms to achieve the perfect acoustic 'chambers' if you like. And it certainly was impressive when I was invited to do the BQ about 18 months ago. However, to me, all the positives can work as a negative. Let me Explain: How many living rooms (or home listening rooms come to that) have the perfect acoustics? Certainly not mine. If anything, it's over forgiving plus factor in my daughters scooter plonked in front of the speaker, propped up against the DVD rack...

This probably explains why WHFI have said the Leema Pulse is bright. Not so. Not based on my personal experience anyway. MA RS6 WHFI said they won't match the latest incarnation of Cyrus gear. I've heard Cyrus on my RS6 and fine... hunky dory.

Of course we are talking about personal opinion (and taste), that's obvious. The moral of this post is professional reviews are great guidlines to individual item(s), but they are no substitute to hearing the product first hand and in your own environment.

As mentioned this is NOT a scientific appaisal, just a possible explaination....

 

[Singslinger]

PP is absolutely right - mag reviews should not be taken as the gospel truth but should be used as an auditioning shortlist.

I'd like to add that as long as reviews are objective and honestly delivered, I see no problem with one mag giving a product a 5-star verdict and another giving the same item one star. To me, the absence of bias is of paramount importance.

 

[chebby]

Staying with circa £400 speakers with excellent real wood veneer finishes, I have just noticed that Quad have another generation of the 11L (11L 'Classic') selling for £379 in gloss lacquer Cherry finish.

Again, a 4 star WHF review that praises resolution, detail, authority and imaging (and build + finish) but marks down for lack of 'excitement''.

Using the same counter-logic, I think they will have to go on my 'listen to' list as well as the Knights, although the 11L Classic's sensitivity is a little bit down at 87db (6 ohms) from my old 'faves' the (90db @ 8 ohms) Rega RS1s.

(Andrew Everard had 'fun' testing his review M-CR603 with PMC GB1s for Gramophone so I doubt a pair of Quad 11ls will blow up at the more moderate volumes I tend to enjoy!)

 

[dave_k]

Hi Chebby, if you hear the Quad's with the Marantz I'd be very intersted to hear your thoughts on the combination. I have my eye on the floorstanding 21L2 for possible use with the Marantz...

 

[Jason36]

Well if the Castle Knight 2 sound anything like the old Richmond's then they will be amazing.

In my opinion they are a very underated speaker which usually get overlooked now for the more mainstream speaker ranges. My richmonds sound superb on the end of my Caspian pre/power/CD combo. Will definately be looking at the New Castle Floorstanders when I come to change my speakers later this year.

Let us know how you get on with the Knight 2's

 

[Helmut80]

Well if the Castle Knight 2 sound anything like the old Richmond's then they will be amazing.

In my opinion they are a very underated speaker which usually get overlooked now for the more mainstream speaker ranges. My richmonds sound superb on the end of my Caspian pre/power/CD combo. Will definately be looking at the New Castle Floorstanders when I come to change my speakers later this year.

Let us know how you get on with the Knight 2's

yep, really want to hear the Castle Knight 5s