STATUS - SOLD
Click here for more pictures

Description :
The Castle Kendal speakers are the most compact floorstanding design in the range which are an advantage to smaller rooms. Its sealed box enclosure offers more appropriate loading for the mid-bass driver and permits the speaker to be used close to a wall. The Kendal employs a 130mm carbon-fibre bass/midrange driver and complemented by a 25mm composite soft dome tweeter. Castle Acoustics is a real wood specialist, and its cabinets always represent fine value as well as class. The Kendal speakers have great craftsmanship and are excellent pieces of furniture that sound great too. Due to the absence of any visible joints, visitors have the impression that the cabinets are made from solid teak wood. The long sides are cross braced to reduce panel vibration and each internal surface is covered with thick foam.

The Castle Kendal's bass might be limited in quantitative terms, but qualitatively it's rather good. The Kendal's bass is certainly smoother than average, with fine timing, good ultimate extension, and a real capability to drive the music along with direction and impetus.The sound as a whole might be a bit lightweight and upfront forward, and can react badly to some mixes, but by and large the Kendal gets away with it, and for the most part it proved a thoroughly entertaining experience. However, the forwardness does rather over-expose a midband that's not the last word in smoothness, and a variety of mild colorations are audible, especially on the spoken word. One other consequence is that clarity is well maintained even at very low listening levels but by the same token the sound can become a bit fatiguing when the speaker is thrashed loud. Conclusively, the Castle Kendals are clearly better suited to smaller rooms than 25-square metre arena. The Kendal has a decidedly forward, bass-light balance, which might be too edge-of-seat for some listeners, but which others will undoubtedly enjoy. The fact that it is one of the prettiest and most compact floorstanders around, suitable for siting close to a wall, and realistically priced which serves to push it comfortably into the recommended speakers list.

Specifications :
Power Handling...............................25-100 watts RMS
Frequency Range............................50Hz - 20000Hz
Sensitivity.......................................87 dB
Impedance......................................8 ohms
Dimensions(w x d x h)......................20 x 24.5 x 73 cm
Weight............................................9kg per side

Miscellaneous :
Made In...........................................UK, England
Condition.........................................7/10

Product Information :
http://www.hifiengine.com/manuals/castle/kendal.shtml (Manual)

Reviews :
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/castle-acoustics/kendal/prd_119283_1594crx.aspx
http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/entry.php?sectionid=15&entryid=151
http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/Awards%201997/119/852336/Castle+newcomers