AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Home Theater and Video => Topic started by: ajzepp on 26 Nov 2018, 06:11 am
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As I documented in another thread (see below for reference/link), I discovered a love for RSL speakers several years ago, and I still own and enjoy them today. Just got the news that the new line is on pre-order, and I'm very excited to see what they've done. Thought I'd establish this thread for future discussion and feedback once they are released into the wild. I hope to get a pair in to at least demo at some point, so I'll be happy to provide some feedback and make a video once I do.
Here is a link to the new CG5/CG25 product page, and below that is the thread I referenced above.
https://rslspeakers.com/cg5-overview/
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=111915.0
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Just a quick update that I spoke with Joe of RSL today, and I should have a pair in here by the end of the month. They're just waiting for the current production run to ship. The first batch apparently went like hot cakes. I'll be comparing the CG5s and hopefully a CG25 in both 2-channel and HT applications, and should be able to get a video up.
For anyone who loves dynamic, transparent speakers, these should be quite appealing. The CG4/24 line was one of the few box speakers that won me over, and these promise to be a step up from those. I'm eager to give them a listen.
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Very interested in hearing your thoughts as I have had the cg3 line, but felt they were a little too small for my room. What will you compare them with?
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I'll first compare them directly to the CG4/24, which I still own and use nearly every day...and then compare and contrast with some other random speakers I'm familiar with, including my Magnepan 3.6r's in my main room. I really don't have much interest at all in upgrading the CG4/24s, but then when I saw that the new line is also slightly higher end, it did pique my curiosity. I tend to have a love/hate relationship with most box speakers, because I'm a transparency junkie and once I adapt to boxes, I start *hearing* the box. But RSL did an amazing job with my current speakers, and they sound as transparent today as they did they day I bought them, which I find very impressive. The only other box that accomplished that in my home was the DeVore Super 8s. So I'm very much looking forward to giving these a listen. I do also have a pair of 3s here, so I'll probably pull them out and offer a quick side note on the differences, also. They do struggle to fill up a room, I agree with you 100% on that. Hopefully the new batch ships soon.
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I would be curious to know how the cg3 compares to the cg4 as well. Looking forward to your thoughts on all of the RSL's.
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Sure thing...I'll set the 3s, 4s, and 5s all next to each other and try to offer some thoughts on the differences. I do feel the 3s are a ridiculous value at their price point - especially when you get the package deal with their speedwoofer...the whole things comes in at under $1k, which I have no clue how they make any money doing that...but the 5s should be a very nice upgrade. The reason why I'm so curious is because they're double the cost of the 4s, and given how much I love the 4s, and the fact that they've been working on the 5s for over two years, they have the potential to be really good. The room I'll have them in isn't big in terms of square footage, but in cubic feet it's a much larger area, so that will be a real test for them. They appear to have a bit more internal volume than the 4/24s, and I'm sure they're designed to primarily be used with a subwoofer, but I'll try both configurations just to see how they do.
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Got some great news...I heard from RSL tonight, and apparently they've been having some logistics issues on their end, which accounted for the delay. I'm happy to say that they'll be shipping me some new offerings from the CGL 5/25 line, so I'll be happy to report back on some comparisons as soon as I've had some time with them. Will be sure to include comparisons to the CG3 and CG4/24 lines, as well, since I know a few of you guys are curious about that.
If anyone else has feedback on them, please chime in as well!
These are some of the best speakers that many people have never heard of, even though the company is legendary out west. Can't wait! :thumb:
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Just got confirmation that my order from RSL has shipped today. So I'll have a pair of CG5s, CG25s, and a separate CG25 center speaker. I usually evaluate HT speakers in a 2-channel setting first, so that will be first up. It should be very interesting to see what RSL has done with a speaker that is twice as expensive as their previous line.
I expect to have some very early, initial impressions/comparisons posted late Friday night, 5/3.
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Just a quick image of the CG25 in the wild...just arrived a few min ago. On the ground is the CG24 for comparison. The CG25 IS a lot bigger, but not quite as much as this photo would indicate based on the angle I took it. Sorry for the poor lighting...just a quick snapshot. Planning to break them in tonight and will offer some initial feedback tomorrow.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194156)
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BTW, I know several people have asked for comparisons with the other speakers in the line. Later tonight I'll put them all side by side and take a couple photos, and once I get listening impressions under my belt initially, I'll offer some auditory comparisons, as well. First impression visually, though...I'm really glad they went in this direction in terms of the size. I wanted something more substantial for a theater room I'm putting together, and my fingers are crossed that these will be the ticket. Hopefully they are dynamic and transparent, just like the CG4/24s, but on a larger scale.
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Here's a quick photo of the RSL models that I own. From right to left, we have the original version of the CG3, the CG4, the CG24, the CG5 (new), and the CG25 (new). As you can tell, I love this company and it's products. Will have more feedback on the comparisons shortly.
PS. A quick note about the sound...I've never been one to believe in break-in, but RSL speakers have convinced me that it's a real thing. More on that later, but Im a little over half way into a 36hr pink noise break in, and WOW is this speaker changing a lot. The CG4/24s did that when I first got them, as well, but whatever your views on break-in, these speakers will make you a believer.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194191)
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Do you have the Speedwoofer 10s also?
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Do you have the Speedwoofer 10s also?
I do, yep. I have it paired with some Magnepan 3.6s. It's a very clean sub, particularly great for music. The only RSL I haven't heard yet are the new re-packaged CG3s, but my understanding is that they're only a cosmetic change from the previous version, otherwise it's the same speaker. But yeah, the Speedwoofer is a solid value for sure.
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I was looking to get a pair of subs this summer for my HT. I currently was thinking of getting the Rythmik sub parts and building the pair of subs, but that would end up costing me $500 more than the RSL Speedwoofer 10s and a significant time sink in building the sub cabinets. The Rythmik can go lower, but will I notice it? I have been running with out any subs. 5.0 system.
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I was looking to get a pair of subs this summer for my HT. I currently was thinking of getting the Rythmik sub parts and building the pair of subs, but that would end up costing me $500 more than the RSL Speedwoofer 10s and a significant time sink in building the sub cabinets. The Rythmik can go lower, but will I notice it? I have been running with out any subs. 5.0 system.
It would probably be a very nice addition to an HT set up if the room was small-to-medium sized. If a larger/more open room, it may not be enough once the tracks get demanding. That's the main reason I use Power Sound Audio subs (Tom Vodhanels, one of the original founders of SVS's comapny) for HT and the RSL primarily for music. The 10" driver they use sounds great, but not sure how it would handle difficult passages in action films. No reason to believe it can't, just haven't really pushed it yet.
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194780)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194781)
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OP, any updates?
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Ditto! Thanks.
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Visitors! Woohoo!! lol
So essentially I have completed putting together a full 5.2.4 all-RSL room, and especially after calibration, things are sounding really good. The new CG5/25 line is a clear step up over the 4/24. They are dynamic, have a suprisingly robust low end for their size (though they are not small by any means), and just like their siblings, they have a nice degree of transparency, which is exactly what I look for in a dynamic/box speaker.
The only caveat, as I've beaten to death in the thread over at AVS, is that regardless of what you think about burn in, I STRONGLY recommend putting 30-40hrs on these things before critically listening. I will freely admit that out of the box, the 4/24s were sounding better. I thought something was very wrong. But after giving them time to break in on their own, they began opening up.
I think I said this earlier in the thread, but I dont know WHAT RSL does to their speakers, but it's the same thing that happened when I bought the 4/24s back in 2012. I hated them at first. That turned into love, and they've been with me ever since. I have no place for them at the moment, but I like them so much that I really have no desire to sell them. The same happened with the 5/25s. I really could not be happier with them currently.
The 5s do a slightly better disappearing act than the 25s do, and image a tad better. If I were doing music only, I'd PROBABLY go with the 5s over the 25s, whereas with the previous line I preferred the 24s over the 4s. I think the cabinet volume and slightly larger drivers in the 5 series allow for the smaller of the two speakers to sound a bit better musically. On the other hand, for movies I like the 25s up front, which is why I ultimately decided on three CG25s for the front stage. I don't need them to disappear or image to the same degree since they have a whole team of buddies to help them produce the effects. But both my roommate and I agreed that for music only, the CG5s are our preference.
Also, even though I felt the 3 series (haven't heard the CG23, only the CG3s) was a TAD thin, they blend surprisingly well with the 5/25s in surround duty (atmos height channels, in this case). The height channels are far more active than I anticipated before i went with Atmos, and I was a little fearful that they'd stand out, but they blend in very well.
Overall, I just am consistently very happy with RSL products, and especially with the in-home trial they offer, if they fit the description of the sort of speaker that you want in your environment, they are a no-brainer. They're built like little tanks, they sound great, the customer service if phenomenal, and they basically take all the "risk".
Just for the love of GOD, let them break in lol.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=195285)
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Congratulations, sounds like a perfect set-up. Thanks for posting the review :)
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Congratulations, sounds like a perfect set-up. Thanks for posting the review :)
:beer:
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Thanks for the review!!
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Thanks for the review!!
Anytime!
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I do, yep. I have it paired with some Magnepan 3.6s. It's a very clean sub, particularly great for music. The only RSL I haven't heard yet are the new re-packaged CG3s, but my understanding is that they're only a cosmetic change from the previous version, otherwise it's the same speaker. But yeah, the Speedwoofer is a solid value for sure.
I am SOOOOOOOOOOO happy I came across this thread! I LOVE RSL as well! Well at least the Speedwoofer 10S, as I have pair of them in my theater room with my ZU Audio speakers.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=195719)
Anyway, I just got a pair of Magnepan LRS's and am LOVING those too! I am brand new to Maggie's and it's a different way of listening to music. I really like them. However without a doubt, they need help in the weight and bass department. I have been debating about trying a pair of different subs for the Maggies but now that I have found another Maggie owner running RSL subs and liking them, I may just get another pair and save myself a lot of money. I already know I like them for music, so why try something else and be disappointed.
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It would probably be a very nice addition to an HT set up if the room was small-to-medium sized. If a larger/more open room, it may not be enough once the tracks get demanding. That's the main reason I use Power Sound Audio subs (Tom Vodhanels, one of the original founders of SVS's comapny) for HT and the RSL primarily for music. The 10" driver they use sounds great, but not sure how it would handle difficult passages in action films. No reason to believe it can't, just haven't really pushed it yet.
They are equally as good for home theater use. I LOVE the way they sound. Very articulate on home theater too. And a pair hit plenty low enough in my room. And I know what low sounds like as I have owned MANY SVS subs in my life. I haven't been happier than I am now with my RSL subs. They might fall off some under the 25hz range but who cares. Most of the action takes place above that. Believe me, they pressurize and shake my room. But they do it in a nimble and defining way way. MY dual RSL's are a permanent fixture in my home theater system. I might just add two more because I can. :D Stupid ridiculous value for $399! I would pay $600 for this sub.
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I was looking to get a pair of subs this summer for my HT. I currently was thinking of getting the Rythmik sub parts and building the pair of subs, but that would end up costing me $500 more than the RSL Speedwoofer 10s and a significant time sink in building the sub cabinets. The Rythmik can go lower, but will I notice it? I have been running with out any subs. 5.0 system.
Maybe I missed it but what are you running for speakers in your 5.0 setup? And you will LOVE a pair of Speedwoofer 10S's! Especially sonce you have no subs right now. Will completely and dramatically change your system. Also, what is the size of your room? If it is VERY large, you might need to go a different route or do more than two. But if it is say a normal, medium or small room, two is plenty.
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Anytime!
Yeah, thanks for the review. I will be ordering a CG23 for use as a center in my HT room. I know it's considered a sin to not have your center channel timbre matched with your mains, blah, blah and so on, but if it's a quality center channel, it won't really bother me. I am using a Boston Acoustics center right now paired with the ZU's. It's a complete mismatch but it actually sounds good and it isn't distracting. And I am VERY meticulous and picky. If I don't like the way it sounds, I will just send it back. But once again, thanks for the info on the pairing with the Maggies, you just saved me a ton of money and hassle of returning something if I didn't like it. Although the subs I was considering were the REL T5i's, which I heard were GREAT subs.
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Maybe I missed it but what are you running for speakers in your 5.0 setup? And you will LOVE a pair of Speedwoofer 10S's! Especially sonce you have no subs right now. Will completely and dramatically change your system. Also, what is the size of your room? If it is VERY large, you might need to go a different route or do more than two. But if it is say a normal, medium or small room, two is plenty.
JBL Studio 530s for mains and surrounds. JBL Studio 520C for the center. I have a medium to large size room and also adjoining room that can't be closed off. Looking at a pair of 15" sealed Rythmik subs now due to the room size. Subs are for HT and multi-channel music use. 2 channel will be a separate system with a rotating cast of speakers: full rangers, OB, and Omni's.
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JBL Studio 530s for mains and surrounds. JBL Studio 520C for the center. I have a medium to large size room and also adjoining room that can't be closed off. Looking at a pair of 15" sealed Rythmik subs now due to the room size. Subs are for HT and multi-channel music use. 2 channel will be a separate system with a rotating cast of speakers: full rangers, OB, and Omni's.
Go with the 15inch Rythmik's! They have been on my radar for a VERY long time. I might even go that route for my theater room and move the RSL's to the two channel room.
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I am SOOOOOOOOOOO happy I came across this thread! I LOVE RSL as well! Well at least the Speedwoofer 10S, as I have pair of them in my theater room with my ZU Audio speakers.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=195719)
Anyway, I just got a pair of Magnepan LRS's and am LOVING those too! I am brand new to Maggie's and it's a different way of listening to music. I really like them. However without a doubt, they need help in the weight and bass department. I have been debating about trying a pair of different subs for the Maggies but now that I have found another Maggie owner running RSL subs and liking them, I may just get another pair and save myself a lot of money. I already know I like them for music, so why try something else and be disappointed.
Nice!
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Nice!
Thanks!
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Nice!
How are you enjoying your new RSL's?
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How are you enjoying your new RSL's?
Oh, I am really glad I went ahead and converted the room...and even more glad I put RSLs in here. I've had a couple of guests over, and for a smaller room where I didn't do any construction, it's sounding really good. I'm generally just not a box speaker kind of guy, but these things just always hit my sweet spot, so to speak. I still need to add some more treatments to the room, specifically the rear wall and ceiling, so hopefully there is still room for improvement. But even if it never got any better, I'd still be very happy with the results.
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Just a quick head's up that I've decided to put my CG24s and CG4s (the speakers I recently upgraded to the new RSL 5 series) up for sale. I had no intentions of doing that, but I just don't have anywhere to put them anymore and I hate to have them just sitting around collecting dust. So, if the right buyer comes along, they're available.
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Congrats to RSL on their CG5 being chosen as the Product of the Year in the Audioholics budget bookshelf speaker category.
Ive posted a lot on here about how much I've enjoyed my RSLs since first coming across them in 2012...so much so that I chose RSL speakers all around for my theater room that I put together last year.
If anyone is in the market, these are incredible bang for the buck.
Here is the link to the Audioholics story:
https://www.audioholics.com/product-awards/2019-product-of-year
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Do you think the RSL CG25’s can hang with the Magnepan LRS?
I see you have the 3.6 Maggie’s how do they compare to the CG25’s?
I’m sure the 3.6 blows them out of the water just because of the design and the sure size of the 3.6.
I have the RSL speed woofer and I absolutely love that sub.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194780)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194781)
Much better than the pictures on the RSL website.
These CG25’s look great.
Nice touch with the magnetic metal grills.