RM/X

ARAM · « **Reply #20 on:** 16 Jun 2006, 04:39 am »

The speakers were shipped very well..When I got them they were in good condition..They had sticky tape over the tweeters..I don't know if you know but I bought them from Eric Kovalsky..I think these were the first commercially sold pairs..
About bases..I have spoken to a masonry place here ,,They specialize in marble and granite..So when I get them I will have a pic of them..
I heard about the Aksa amplifiers but I am not sure if they are strong enough for the RM/X..
Well, in the future I would like to have Pass Aleph 350..they are down to 3500 USA$ in the market now.(used )..I think they will give enough juice to the speakers??(350 watts at 8 ohm)..they just look so nice to me all the time..I have not heard them though..what do you guys think??

shokunin · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 Jun 2006, 04:56 am »

I had the Pass X-250 on my RM40's which synergized well with the Rm40's. The pass has lots of current, some warmth in the midrange, and solid bass. Treble energy and imaging weren't the best nor was it as crystal clear as some of the digital amps, but it's a nice amp and should drive your RM/x's.

If you have bass problems, make sure it's not just as your listening seat and play with the woofers firing out or reverse the speakers and have them fire in.

My RM/x's currently have the woofers firing towards each other (in) as that seemed to load my room better.

ctviggen · « **Reply #22 on:** 16 Jun 2006, 04:28 pm »

You purchased these from Mr. "I hate VMPS". That was quite a while ago. You could use the Aksa amps, but you'd probably have to use one 2-channel Aksa on one speaker and another 2-channel Aksa on another speaker (the so-called "vertical biamping"; "horizontal biamping" would be one channel from one 2-channel amp on the bass of one speaker and another channel on the bass of another speaker; ditto for the second 2-channel amp, applied to the mids/highs).

zybar · « **Reply #23 on:** 16 Jun 2006, 04:36 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen

You purchased these from Mr. "I hate VMPS". That was quite a while ago. You could use the Aksa amps, but you'd probably have to use one 2-channel Aksa on one speaker and another 2-channel Aksa on another speaker (the so-called "vertical biamping"; "horizontal biamping" would be one channel from one 2-channel amp on the bass of one speaker and another channel on the bass of another speaker; ditto for the second 2-channel amp, applied to the mids/highs).

Bob,

I don't think it is fair to say Eric is "Mr. I Hate VMPS". Eric (as well as many others) was very vocal about certain issues (which I am not looking to dig up). Truth is, Eric has said many positive things about VMPS (even after he sold his speakers) speakers as well.

I know Eric doesn't need me to defend his character, but as his friend, I felt that I had to say something.

George

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #24 on:** 16 Jun 2006, 04:52 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen

You purchased these from Mr. "I hate VMPS". That was quite a while ago. You could use the Aksa amps, but you'd probably have to use one 2-channel Aksa on one speaker and another 2-channel Aksa on another speaker (the so-called "vertical biamping"; "horizontal biamping" would be one channel from one 2-channel amp on the bass of one speaker and another channel on the bass of another speaker; ditto for the second 2-channel amp, applied to the mids/highs).

I think it's ironic that VMPS owners excoriate Erik now. First off, he bought one of the most expensive VMPS speakers, so they obviously made $$ off of him. Second, when he had VMPS speakers (the RM40 and RM/X), he was vocal in his support and I'm sure was instrumental in many of the first wave of VMPS owners purchases, given that most of them get their info off of this site and Erik can pretty much afford whatever the hell he wants. Thus, the fact that HE bought VMPS meant something, since he can clearly afford Wilsons or any other expensive speaker he wants. You can't buy advertising better than that IMO. If he is criticizing VMPS now, I guess it nettles many of you, but he also owned the brand, so he has more credence than if I started ripping on VMPS. Just my opinion as an observer who is dispassionate about either side of the argument.

Ryan45872 · « **Reply #25 on:** 16 Jun 2006, 05:31 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen

You purchased these from Mr. "I hate VMPS". That was quite a while ago. You could use the Aksa amps, but you'd probably have to use one 2-channel Aksa on one speaker and another 2-channel Aksa on another speaker (the so-called "vertical biamping"; "horizontal biamping" would be one channel from one 2-channel amp on the bass of one speaker and another channel on the bass of another speaker; ditto for the second 2-channel amp, applied to the mids/highs).

Starting this is not going to help the man find an amplifier.

John Casler · « **Reply #26 on:** 16 Jun 2006, 08:02 pm »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi Aram,

You should check out the aksa forum and as you live in melbourne perhaps a die hard could bring their amp along for you to listen to. It is a good quality amp with spades of dynamics, bass and is a really musical.

It will at least give you an idea what direction you need to go in.

Regards

Rod

Hey Rod,

Too bad you don't live closer, you could run the Son of Ampzilla over and try a Horizontal Biamp with ARAM's current amp.

I know the AMPzilla sounds good on the RM/x, but the Son doesn't have all the groceries for top and bottom.

Skynyrd · « **Reply #27 on:** 16 Jun 2006, 11:08 pm »

Wow.

I actually agree with Zybar on this one regarding Kovalsky. Stranger things have happened.

I thought Erik was super-knowledgeable and an overall positive proponent of VMPS. I still re-read his posts.
I don't get the putty thing either, and the deep bass just ain't in my pair of RM40's. And how about a nice warm tonal balance? Wait, it's my room or electronics. And the harshness is high performance! Sorry about my inadequacies there.

I'm just not the kind of person who only says nice things about products I buy. Life's too short for that BS!

Geez, I'll be keeping the RM40's for awhile even with their above outlined inadequacies. No Kool-Aid for me, though.

Gotta love that transient snap.

Skynyrd

ARAM · « **Reply #28 on:** 17 Jun 2006, 01:30 am »

Well I have been watching and reading Audiocircle and before here harmonic audio or smt (it was another website before this) for a long time..So I know about Eric and his thoughts..That is how I decided to buy the RM/X..by then I was living in UK and when I bought them I actually asked him to keep the speakers for almost 4 months more so that he can ship them to Australia later..which he did..I think everybody should have the right to criticize any product they have or they don;t have..Eric just had lots of money:

) to afford another speaker..if he is happy that is fine..the only thing is I cant get hold of him at all lately:

(...
I also remember Eric and Azryan comparing their speakers..Alpha LS and RM40...anyway...

warnerwh · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 Jun 2006, 06:59 am »

Skynard: If you're not getting good bass with your RM 40's then something else is wrong.

You should measure your room. Speaker position and listener position is very important, more important than the putty by far.

If after you measure your room and you still can't get the sound you want with listener/room position you should try a Behringer DEQ 2496. That should easily do the trick.

Even in my fully treated room with four large bass traps the Behringer unit helped immensely. I should add that if you don't have bass traps then that could be part of the problem. Everybody's room is different and every speaker will react differently in every room. There are of course the dimensions of the room that all speakers will have similar bass issues in.

I love quality and powerful bass. In my system I require nothing less than outstanding bass.I have it from the first octave on up. I do use a sub upto 45hz and run my RM 40's full range. Even with all the treatment and bass traps though the Behringer unit helped the sound quality alot. I would not go without one again. It doesn't matter which speakers you use or what else is in your system. With the typical large amplitude variations of the room DSP is now a must have for my system.

In case you're not aware the "average" listening room has peaks and dips of plus or minus 15db! I've read that Ethan Winer who owns Realtraps and is very knowledgeable about acoustics has measured 30db variations in customers rooms.

Now say you have a note of music and the fundamental frequency is 400hz. Now this 400hz tone is 5db up, the first harmonic of 800 is 7db down, next harmonic 4db down and the next harmonic is 5 db up. How close do you think this note will sound compared to what it should sound like?

With huge amplitude variations that are room effects one cannot possibly be getting the most out of their system. The only component that varies much from a flat frequency response is your speakers, unless you have a turntable on which the cartridge is also a transducer. The room is the big offender by a large margin.

By not addressing these amplitude variations no matter what your system it will not sound nearly as good as it can. I could put the rear channel speakers from my home theater (Polk Rti 25's) in my system and make them sound great. Far better I bet than alot of peoples 1,000 speakers. A system costing 2,000 can easily sound better than one costing 8,000 if the less expensive system has good acoustics and the 8,000 system is playing in the "average" room.

After over 30 years in this hobby I've learned that most people spend way too much time and money on the wrong things. Easily the highest priorities should be room and speakers. Amps, preamps, dacs all have an effect but it is very small and these electronics cannot come close to making up for the fundamental amplitude issues.

The Behringer DEQ 2496 with the ECM 8000 microphone is only 300 bucks. If one can afford it the Tact would probably be my choice but they're expensive even used. For the money what you get is a bargain and a half.

Marbles · « **Reply #30 on:** 17 Jun 2006, 11:19 am »

Quote from: warnerwh

Skynard: If you're not getting good bass with your RM 40's then something else is wrong.

I do use a sub upto 45hz and run my RM 40's full range....

Most all who have owned the RM40's and tried subs like to run the 40's with subs, so maybe if he's not getting good bass it IS the 40's.

I do agree with you though in that any room treatments are generally worth the time and money of doing them.

Rocket · « **Reply #31 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 02:47 am »

Hi,

What is the efficiency of the vmps rmx speakers?

Aram,

I'm sure if you contacted hugh dean at aspen amplifiers (he lives in melbourne) he would give you a demonstration. My aksa 100 has so much drive it wasn't funny.

Regards

Rod

ARAM · « **Reply #32 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 07:01 am »

On the website it says... 4 Ohm (3.6min.) 93dB/1W/1m..so 4 ohm is low..I think that makes it a bit power hungry???

ARAM · « **Reply #33 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 07:04 am »

Also to Brian or knowledgeable dealers,,, How much does RM/X weigh??168 kg or less?? or the first RM/X's weighed around 150 kg??I am not sure but I would like to know.. (it got nothing to do with sound but I am just curious..)

John Casler · « **Reply #34 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 06:00 pm »

Quote from: ARAM

Also to Brian or knowledgeable dealers,,, How much does RM/X weigh??168 kg or less?? or the first RM/X's weighed around 150 kg??I am not sure but I would like to know.. (it got nothing to do with sound but I am just curious..)

Hi Aram,

I seriously doubt that Brian put the speaker on a scale fully dressed, but I think it was estimated at 350# based on the cabinet weight and parts weight.

Your shipping docs, might have a number for the "shipping" weight.

Brian is still on vacation, (till the 20th) so he won't be able to answer until then.

ARAM · « **Reply #35 on:** 19 Jun 2006, 02:17 pm »

John ,actually they had the shipping weight on the paper .They must have weighed them somehow(of course they would!!..lol) and the paper showed them as 148 kg each..so I am not sure..that is why I am asking..Only Brian will know the exact weight..So I am thinking maybe later versions were heavier..Brian will know...

ekovalsky · « **Reply #36 on:** 20 Jun 2006, 06:18 am »

"Mr. I Hate VMPS" just saw this thread

Not been around here much lately, been busy enjoying my family and my system, and working some. And getting a kick out of my new car on the streets of Scottsdale and the track.

Aram, there is a pretty easy way to get the bases on. Drop the speaker onto its side, using some foam blocks or rolled up area rugs to keep it off the ground. Match up the slots in the bases to the bottom of the speaker cabinet and push them together HARD... they don't fit great but will lock in place with some monkey grease or a beating with a rubber mallet. Once it is firmly attached screw the bolts in. You can then left the speaker up at the top end and stand it into position. If you don't work out a lot get someone else to help.

When I sold and shipped the RM40s to tdangelo and the RMX to ARAM, two different freight companies recorded gross (packaged) weight to be well below what the net weight of the speaker was supposed to be, based on the specifications from the factory. I have no comment on whose scales are probably inaccurate.

I'm not going to sing the praises of VMPS or flame them. I enjoyed a lot of audio with both pairs of their speakers I owned. As everyone knows I had some performance issues with them in my room, and many hours spent moving the speakers and the listening position trying to improve things did not really help. Also I received what I considered to be unsatisfactory explanations when asking about specific aspects of the design and in-room measurements that I made with amateur equipment. Maybe flying Brian out here for a few hundred dollars to tinker with the putty and make fractional dB adjustments to the pots would have bought me sonic nirvana ? But being a skeptic and also a perfectionist, and not believing the speakers could be adjusted to compensate for what I felt to be shortcomings, the decision was made to sell them. I pursued a very different route that was very costly but the results have been excellent and I stand by my decision.

I'll be back.

ARAM · « **Reply #37 on:** 20 Jun 2006, 03:08 pm »

Hi Ekovalsky
I actually put the bases on today..