[monsterbill]

I'm thinking of upgrading my 626r's, and my biggest complaint is the bass.  I don't need it to go all the way to 20Hz, but I'd like to get some more 1st octave bass for music.  I'd rather not get a subwoofer.  Are the RM30's a good option?

I've seen posts indicating that the RM30m's go into the high 20s, and I've seen others indicating that they are only good to the mid-40s--less bass than the 626r's!

What's the "low-down"?  

Also, if the RM2's are the best option for bass, would I be giving up any of the transparency/imaging/soundstage of the 626Rs?  My room is 14x17, and I sit about 8.5' away from each speaker.

Thanks!

[John Casler]

I'm thinking of upgrading my 626r's, and my biggest complaint is the bass.  I don't need it to go all the way to 20Hz, but I'd like to get some more 1st octave bass for music.  I'd rather not get a subwoofer.  Are the RM30's a good option?

I've seen posts indicating that the RM30m's go into the high 20s, and I've seen others indicating that they are only good to the mid-40s--less bass than the 626r's!

What's the "low-down"?  

Also, if the RM2's are the best option for bass, would I be giving up any of the transparency/imaging/soundstage of the 626Rs? My room is 14x17, and I sit about 8.5' away from each speaker.
...

Hi MB,

Sounds like you might have some room problems, in that the 626R will give you very usable bass down to almost 30Hz in a good room. (even though Brian only rates it to 42Hz)

The RM30s are rated down to 30Hz and have twice the 6.5" woofer area plus the dual PRs "and" the 10" side firing woofer

So if your room will support it, the bass will be there.

As far as imaging, transparency, and soundstage, the RM30 will equal or surpass all but the RM/x in that department (again with the right set up), but all VMPS speakers, set up well, will yeild a Soundstage/Image Sonic, that defies description (or comparison)

How do you have your room set up? Long wall? Short wall?  Do you listen nearfeild or farfeild?  Do you use, or can you use treatment?

[monsterbill]

Thanks John.  Just to be clear, are you saying that the RM30m's are rated to go significantly lower than the 626r's?  This makes sense, but I thought I saw something from Brian rating the RM30m's in the 40s hertz-range as well.  Would I get any more bass from the RM30m's?

I'm in the process of moving, and the room dimensions are for the new room which has not been set up.  (You're of course right that the bass may improve in the new room.)  My current room is smaller (11x15x8), and I'm sitting about 6.5' from each speaker.  Both rooms have open doorways, and the new room has high ceilings.  I have license to position the speakers any way I want in the new room, and I plan on positioning the speakers along the long wall.  Room treatments are unfortunately not an option.  

I don't what to pony up the cash or the vertical real estate for the RM40s.  Should I also consider the RM2's?  Or do my 626r's surpass the RM2's in terms of transparency/imaging/soundstage?

Thanks!

[warnerwh]

Here's an educated guess and I'd be surprised if I'm wrong. The only thing that the 626r has over the RM2is it's narrow baffle. The RM 2's bass is excellent (I owned a similar VMPS speaker with the same 12's).  Being as the RM 2 has two midrange panels I suspect it will be at least as transparent if not more so.  I suspect the RM 2 has better bass than the RM 30 too, although the midrange must be better and also imaging on the 30.  It's a tough call as I've not seen your room but most likely the RM 2 will be at home in that size room.  My room is only 17x18 and even the Supertower/R SE's I'm using are perfectly fine.  Remember how tweakable these things are too.  I understand about the bass.  If you upgrade to either of the other two it will be a whole new ballgame guaranteed.  Brian is well known for doing an excellent job in the bass for over 20 years but you do need more than a 6.5 to move enough air for many of us.

[John Casler]

Thanks John.  Just to be clear, are you saying that the RM30m's are rated to go significantly lower than the 626r's?  This makes sense, but I thought I saw something from Brian rating the RM30m's in the 40s hertz-range as well.  Would I get any more bass from the RM30m's?

I'm in the process of moving, and the room dimensions are for the new room which has not been set up.  (You're of course right that the bass may improve in the new room.)  My current room is smaller (11x15x8), and I'm sitting about 6.5' ...

While I have not heard the RM30 w/o the 215 sub yet, Jim Romeyn has recently posted an excellent analysis and explanation of the RM30 M and how it sounds with the New MegaWoofer upgrade ($380 per pair)

[RickRichardson]

I replaced a pair of 626R's with RM-30M's in my 24 x 14 x 8 HT room.  I did notice clearly better bass with the RM-30's, although the most dramatic improvement was the transparency and midrange detail.    

I never did any measuments with the 626R's, but have made some measurements with the RM-30M's, using a Radio Shack SPM and the Rives Audio CD that has compensation for that meter.  I have no special treatments in the room, though I apparently need them.  I have an obvious room peak at 30 Hz.  Measurements made without the subwoofer show +10 dB at 30 Hz, +2 dB at 25 Hz and -3 at 20 Hz.  Adding the Vandersteen sub brings the 20 Hz reading to +1.

[ctviggen]

Where did you get the Rives Audio CD?  I have a Stereo Review CD that I use.  It's very helpful.  At my previous place, I simply moved the system from one wall to another and dramatically improved the bass response.

[zybar]

Bob,

You can get it directly from Rives Audio.

http://www.rivesaudio.com/home/home.html

George

[ctviggen]

Thanks, George.  I've bookmarked the site.