The Royd Minstrels - Taking a look at this iconic speaker 

Yeah, the Minstrels are something special. Not perfect, but man are they a fun listen. The SEs are a totally different animal; I'll be making a video about those sometime in the next little while. The man from whom I bought these black Minstrels just got the Abbots and is loving them, too. Totally different animal, he says (as says my local British hifi shop owner here in Toronto). I've had three pairs of Minstrels and loved them all (these black ones, the mahogany mk2, and the cherry SEs). And yes - my Sugden pairs very nicely with the Minstrels. It plays up their strengths (PRaT), and diminishes their weaknesses (tames them a bit in highs). Just out of curiosity, how would you compare the three Royds you own? (just a loose comparison) I've heard the Abbots are finicky with placement and room, contrary to the Minstrels which can be plopped down almost anywhere and sound good. The Herals I've heard nothing about, so it'd be cool to hear your thoughts on those, too. Cheers from Toronto!

@@BadMonkeyFinger_Audio I’ll come back to you on this as the Heralds are with my brother in law as he lives close to the seller and collected them for me. I had a great chat with the seller who much like me with my Minstrels went into a local small HiFi shop to audition with his own music. He said he bought an Exposure amp with them and loved them but they ended up in his attic. I should get them in March. They have the same drivers as the Minstrels. The Abbots don’t have the bass extension of the Minstrels but are better otherwise and I would describe as a more mature sound. Also the cabinets are lovely quality with a full black veneer and striking appearance reminding me somewhat of the Daleks from Dr Who BBC TV series. PS if I ever see a pair of Priors I’ll buy them too! At the disbelief of my other half I recently bought a pair of Videoton Minimax 2 that I craved in my teenage yrs, they are different and not Royd but nice little cabinets. Greetings back from Abersoch, North Wales. I have a good friend who moved over to Whitby, Ontario around 12yrs ago. I keep threatening him with a visit.

Yes I will report back on the Herald, my bro in law picked them up as the seller was close to him. Hopefully getting them soon. All mine are black, the Abbots are a lovely veneer. I've also recently bought a pair of Videoton Minimax2's, a speaker that I really fancied as a kid in 1984. They aren't Royd's but are a lovely vintage speaker all the same. I'm currently using them with my Schiit Lyr 2, Rotel RA820BX and iphone 12 mini source with Fiio KA1 DAC. @@BadMonkeyFinger_Audio