Полочная акустика — Castle Avon 2

The Avon 2 is a bookshelf speaker from Castle's Avon Series, built with the brand's breakthrough Twin Drive Transmission Line (TDTL) technology paired with an advanced ribbon tweeter. Castle engineers spent three years investigating the acoustics, mathematics and performance aspects of transmission line loudspeakers to develop this technology, driving the line at two distinct points to overcome both the damping problem and energy loss that conventional single-driven transmission lines suffer.

Key specs that matter

Rated response is 50Hz to 20kHz at plus-or-minus 3dB, with bass extension to 45Hz at -6dB. Sensitivity is 88dB into 8 ohms nominal, compatible down to a minimum 3.3 ohms, with a recommended amplifier power of 25-100W and peak SPL of 96dB. Crossover frequencies are 320Hz and 3.2kHz. Cabinet volume is 19.2 litres. The ribbon tweeter uses an ultra-thin alloy sandwich precisely positioned in a powerful transverse magnetic field, where the ribbon itself acts as both voice coil and diaphragm - this drives the entire radiating area directly, responding accurately to the music signal without energy storage or breakup, specifically chosen to match the low-end clarity the TDTL technology delivers. At 475mm on plinth x 210mm x 310mm (with terminals) and 10.5kg per speaker, the Avon Series is available in a choice of seven hand-finished real wood veneers sourced, wherever possible, from properly managed forest resources.

Sound and use context

Expect a smooth power response extending from the lowest fundamentals right through to midrange frequencies, with the direct-drive, low-mass ribbon tweeter delivering superb musical detailing and transient attack - Castle states this combination resolves the harmonic content of music in a thrilling and natural way, a delight to both eyes and ears given the hand-crafted, polished real-wood construction.

Pairing

The 88dB sensitivity and wide 25-100W recommended range suit a modest to mid-power integrated amplifier without unusual current demands, an accessible amplifier match for most systems building around this compact bookshelf speaker.

Alternatives

Castle's Avon 4 and Avon 5 floorstanding models share the same TDTL technology and ribbon tweeter in a larger, deeper-bass-extended format, worth the further investment if this Avon 2's already smooth power response still leaves ambitions for genuine floorstanding scale.