Comments on: Castle Acoustics Harlech Speakers (Version 1)- Retro Review

By: David

David — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 21:08:40 +0000

I am considering buying a pair of S1s. I would be bi-amping with Arcam Alpha 7 integrated and Diva P80 power amp, so I’m curious about your experience of blowing the mid-ranges with Arcam amps.

By: CAH

CAH — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:42:58 +0000

In reply to Louis.

Nice review of the Harlechs. I own the same integrated amp as you – that’s the most underrated product out there! It’s a fantastic amp. I’ve had mine for years and heard it trounce far more expensive amps, even a pre/power combo from Krell, worth upwards of $25K

By: Louis

Louis — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 14:20:26 +0000

I have a pair of the Harlechs S1, with all original parts, in the Yew finish. I bought them used in 2014. I am powering them with Cambridge Audio 851A. I simply love these speakers. Warm, soft, very musical, the sound is classic British with accuracy of reproduction the goal, not exaggerated bass or treble to impress the beginner. I found they needed a fairly powerful amplifier. I started with the CA 651A, at 75W/ch, but found them a little laid back. They came alive when I upgraded to the 851A at 120W/ch. I also paired them with a Paradigm SE Sub, tuned with Paradigm’s PBK (Perfect Base Kit). The sub filled out the bass subtly and very is very musical. The end result is nirvana for me. Wether CDs or streaming, the music carries itself and fills the room with beautiful mids, crips highs, and detailed and warm bass without getting boomy. Vocals, especially female vocals, are magical. These speakers love jazz and classical, especially fine with piano, but they can also hold their own with prog rock. Unless I win the lottery and upgrade to Tannoys and McIntosh amps, this is my forever 2 channel rig.

By: CAH

CAH — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 15:58:09 +0000

In reply to Walriley.

Interesting. I never really thought about a re-cap. Is the SA to CSA worthwhile, or is it worth trying something more exotic?

By: Walriley

Walriley — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 09:48:20 +0000

Got a pair of S1 Harlech S1s myself. Decided to recap them as upper treble was rather too dull for my tastes. The original capacitors are of surprisingly high quality for what Castle were asking for them new; Claritycap SA’s throughout (although at the time, they were marked as ICW, who are the parent company of Claritycap). I found that the best option was to stay with Claritycaps, but upgrade to CSAs. This is because I did try Jantzen sliver Z’s and these did open up the top end beautifully, but they also mucked up the upper mid balance between woofer and tweeter, and so we’re a non starter.

By: TheHills44060

TheHills44060 — Mon, 24 May 2021 18:27:21 +0000

Great review. I have the a pair of Howard S3’s which are the bigger brother to the Harlech S2’s, both of which have the newer black carbon designed drivers. No idea if the is a source for the drivers nowadays. In the early 2000’s I was able to order a new wooden plinth (base) and have it shipped over from the UK by way of May Audio. Probably not a viable source for replacement Castle parts any longer.

Unfortunately I’ve never heard the S1 version of either speaker before.

By: CAH

CAH — Mon, 10 May 2021 15:33:40 +0000

In reply to kaz.

Kaz…curious to know what amp you favour with the Castle Harlech?

By: Raveendran Menon

Raveendran Menon — Thu, 06 May 2021 13:25:34 +0000

In reply to D Shadrake.

Yes Shadrake, I concur. The model reviewed is the 1st Gen, the original Harlech speakers as that’s what I am listening to. I have a question, any idea where can I get replacement black carbon fibre bass/mid drivers?

By: kaz

kaz — Thu, 06 May 2021 05:20:02 +0000

They are wonderful things, those Harelchs, especially so the mk2 iteration*, with the carbon mid-woofers, which, together with the new, higher quality tweeter, they exude an elusive electrostatic midrange! Have been gone through various Hi End and Hi Fi loudspeakers over my years, these Castle speakers speak softly and sentimentally about music, without any histrionics, usually found in today’s quest for extreme high fidelity, leaving your brain at ease and your heart full of emotion and warmth, whatever the music!

*had the mk1 back in 1998 and they stayed long but this time the mk2 will remain as a second system forever!

By: Raveendran Menon

Raveendran Menon — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 14:05:10 +0000

I have a great love for the warm detailed sound of British amps and speakers. I have an Arcam Alpha 9 integrated amps (actually, 2 of them), an Alpha 9 Power Amplifier, and an Arcam Delta 290 and 290P (power amplifier).

Today, after a couple of years of non-use, I resurrected my Alpha 9 amp. I had a problem with hiss and loss of sound on my left channel. I did some amateur quick-fix with spraying WD40’s Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner under the hood. Zapped the potentiometers, electric motors, and switches. It seems to have worked.

Finally jacked them into my Castle Harlech speakers (the best of British). The Arcam Alpha 9 and the Castles was “magic”. I have always been a fan of the in-house build philosophy of Castle. Sadly, both Arcam and Castle are not built in the UK anymore. My Harlech’s are a gem which I bought decades years. I had blown the mid-range speakers about 15 years ago with poor bi-amping of my Arcam integrated and power amplifiers. After replacing the speakers at a huge cost (I live in Malaysia), I then got my local specialist store to rewire the innards with high-end matched cabling.

Today, I spent a few hours listening to some great music through my Castle Harlech’s. Love them.