EXCELLENT speakers WITH stands. “The best loudspeakers you’ve never heard of…”
As went the infamous tag line of Royd Audio, whose loudspeakers were an underrated gem of the British Hi-Fi industry. Each pair was hand built by Joe Ackroyd in Telford, UK from the early ’80s until the start of the 21st Century. Over this time, Joe produced many unique and exceptional loudspeakers, all of which captured the hearts of their owners. Regret only came to those who sold them on prior to a misjudged upgrade… From original review in 1991: SOUND QUALITY
Compared with the norm, Sintra does sound rather thin and bight in balance. This is partly due to its lack of real weight, but also to the unusual and very refreshing lack of bloom and boom from its massive and rigid little cabinet.
Having taken the time to adjust to the balance, the impressive qualities of speed, air and razor-sharp timing start to shine through. So low is the cabinet signature, it sometimes reminds me of a panel speaker, but a less welcome consequence is that there’s nothing to hide any midband inadequacies, which in this case amount to the coloration consequent upon a somewhat isolated and projected upper mid. In my book, that’s an acceptable price to pay for the informative and dazzlingly quick mid-bass and the lively and evolving dynamics and coherence, but others may not find the compromise as much to their tastes. CONCLUSION
Sonically somewhat idiosyncratic, Sintra is also highly communicative and informative, and a worthwhile improvement over Eden to boot. It doesn’t go particularly loud or deep, but in certain important respects sets standards for miniatures – indeed for loudspeakers in general – which demand recognition. The simple fact that it makes music so enjoyable and involving is ample grounds for Recommendation, though I must add the rider that the sound will not be to every taste. [Lab: Average+/Sound: Good] Balance is bass light and a little bright, but superb dynamics, speed and timing make this luxury miniature musically very informative and satisfying. Hi-Fi Choice – Directory, Sept 1991. SPECIFICATIONS
Royd Sintra (1)
Version 1
Year of Release 1990
Dimensions (WxHxD) 203mm x 305mm x 190mm
Recommend Amplifier Power 20 to 30 watts
Sensitivity 1 watt for 90 dB S.P.L. at 1 metre
Power Handling 80 Watts
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Drive Units 5" bass/mid range unit cast chassis, 19mm dome tweeter with secondary chamber
Crossover Frequency 4.25 KHz
Bass Resonance Frequency 57 Hz
Frequency Range 50 Hz to 20KHz
Port(s) Rear (rubber fluted)
Terminals Single
Finishes Black Ash or Walnut Veneer
Weight 15.5 Kg
I've rated the speakers' condition as 7/10 because one speaker's cloth has pulled slightly away from the speaker grill, and both speakers have a few scratches .
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