[Distorted]

While matching volume levels, I noticed a distinct difference in timbre between my LRC and my RM-40's. All three have the spiral tweeters, but I cheaped out and did not have the TRT cap put in the LRC, although I did with the 40's. The LRC, by comparison, sounds more muted in the higher register to my ears, and I am wondering if the absence of the TRT cap is the difference, or does the LRC not closely approximate the voicing of the 40's in any case? If, as I suspect, the TRT is required, then how can I best accomplish that at this late date?

The speakers are all driven by a three channel Earthquake amp with identicle wires, and are unequalized.

[pjchappy]

I think you answered your own question.  However, b/c of the LRC only having 1 mid-panel, at higher levels, that may also be a reason.

p

[rblnr]

I have a pair of RM40's w/the LRC, all w/TRT and FST.  They match well.

[Tyson]

Try putting the LCR on a floor stand instead of on top of the speaker - putting the LCR below the screen puts it closer to room boundaries, giving some re-inforcement to the sound.

Alternatly, I think the RM30 will be the best match for the 40's.

[RickRichardson]

I have not used either the LCR or the RM40, but have recently done an experiment that may be of interest to you.  I have tried using a single horizontal VMPS 626R as a center channel and then tried two 626R's together as a center channel.  This is on top of a 65" RPTV, and driven by a 7 X 200 watt B&K amp.  My experience suggests that the two speakers side by side where a significant improvement over one.  Just about everything was better from bass to high's, but most particular the lower midrange was much fuller.  The bottom line for me was that dialog was easier to understand.  Also, using two speakers, with two midrange drivers, spread the sound so that it was less pinpointed and therefore easier for the listener to believe it was coming form one of the characters on the screen, rather than the speaker on top of the TV.

So, two midrange drivers seem to be better than one, therefore, three must be better than two.  That is why I will be buying one of the new RM30C speakers when they are available.  I guess the alternative for you would be for you to buy another RM<40 and use it horizontally as a center speaker.  

See the pic of my experiment and then try to imagine a RM40 it its place.  

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=147

[Distorted]

My current configuration has my RPTV recessed and raised resulting in the screen being flush with the wall, and the LRC is horizontal on a stand below the screen. I note with interest rlbnr's observation that his similar aray does not apparently share my problem. This would lead me to think that the different caps may indeed be the root of that problem. Of course entirely different (and more) speakers may be a solutions as RR suggests, but perhaps a stab at rectifying the mismatched caps may be a better (read: cheaper) starting point.

Is there any way to avoid shipping the LRC back to the factory for the fix?

[Sedona Sky Sound]

As long as you are relatively handy with a soldering iron and REAL careful with a screwdriver, it can be done. If you don't have a good soldering iron, I can bring mine and we can probably get it done in an hour or so. I am in Houston at least twice a month doing demos, attending the Houston Audiophile Club meetings, etc..  

Julian
www.sedonaskysound.com

[wshuff]

When you say that you matched volume levels, does that mean through your processor with an SPL meter, or did you also take into account the tweeter and midrange pots on the speakers themselves?  If not the latter, perhaps turning the tweeter and mid-range panels up a bit at the LRC might give you a less muted sound in the higher registers.  Definitely worth a try before you go to the trouble and expense of adding new caps.

Good luck.

[rblnr]

Hard for me to know how much having TRT's in all pays off.  Since I listen to alot of music in Meridian's Trifield, the center channel plays a big part in my CD listening as well -- getting the TRT for the LRC seemed particularly important.


I wonder about the horizontal placement of 626R's -- horizontal alignment of the ribbon might limit horizontal dispersion and cause other issues, although apparently it worked.

Have wondered if I'm degrading quality a bit by relatively heavy use of the LRC for music.  One of the selling points of the RM40 is that 4 ribbons means lower distortion.  By having, say, half of my mids come through the LRC for music, am I winding up w/less clean output?  Flicking between Trifield and straight stereo (taking the LRC out of the picture) has been inconclusive, but haven't really spent the time to decide.  Wonder what people are finding w/their trinaural setups.

[jgubman]

I don't have meridian or SST gear, so my choices for music are PLII or stereo (analog bypass).

To me it's not even close, the RM-40s in stereo produce a much wider,  detailed and pleasing sound than PLII, which shifts a lot of the music, especially vocals to the LRC.

Of course, my room is pretty narrow (12') and the RM-40s are only about 8' apart and 10' from the listening chair.

BTW, all my speakers are FST and Auricaped, and I find the timbre to be dead on. It's just the output and the depth of the RM-40s that the LRC can't stand up to.

[John Kotches]

Distorted,

I'm curious if the CC is on top of an RPTV?  If this is the case, it could well be contributing substantially to the timbral differences.

When I was running RPTV I found that this was a terrible influence on timbre matching.

Cheers,

[Distorted]

John, the LRC is on a stand below and in front of the RPRV, which is raised and recessed into the wall. That configuration makes the distances to the "money" center listening position very close to equidistant for the front three speakers. It is possible that there could be some refection from the shelf of the stand, but it is open, and I doubt any reverberation or resonance from the stand.