Upgrades for RM30s?

john1970 · « **on:** 10 Feb 2006, 05:08 am »

If you had to choose only one upgrade for the RM30s what upgrade has the best sonic improvement? I realize that each upgrade may have some advantages; however, I don't want to turn a $3880 pair of speakers into a ~$6K set of speakers.

Thank you again,

John

warnerwh · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Feb 2006, 05:11 am »

I'd go with the MLS cabinets. The workmanship is beautiful. They also use good bracing with HDF instead of MDF like most speakers are made from. HDF is significantly heavier too.

The finish on the Mark Schifter cabinets is beautiful world class woodwork. For the money it's a bargain.

Just dawned on me that megawoofers are not an option in my book but a must have.

john1970 · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Feb 2006, 05:16 am »

warnerwh,

thanks for the advice. The Megawoofers are a mandatory upgrade (i.e., the solid graphite mid-basses are no longer being made).

John

BrunoB · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Feb 2006, 08:35 am »

Quote from: john1970

If you had to choose only one upgrade for the RM30s what upgrade has the best sonic improvement? I realize that each upgrade may have some advantages; however, I don't want to turn a $3880 pair of speakers into a ~$6K set of speakers.

Thank you again,

John

Capacitor upgrade is quite expensive but worthwile. My suggestion would be to ask Brian to upgrade the capacitors (to Auricaps) only for the tweeter. This should be inexpensive because the capacity needed for the tweeter is very small (~1.33 uF) compared to the midrange (~50 uF).

Bruno

Campindog · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 12:41 am »

Room treatment!

A friend has RM30's with MLS cabinets, Mega woofers and auricaps. My RM30's have no upgrades at all. He refuses to believe he can make his system sound as good as mine (actually better) with bass traps and absorbtion. He keeps looking for electronics to make his system sound similar to mine. Our electronics are comparable, but my system is cleaner, more detailed, smoother, and generally better in all aspects.

I read somewhere you were putting these in a small room with common demensions. That makes it even more important.

john1970 · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 01:12 am »

Campindog,

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately the speakers are going in 1/2 of a living room and this prohibits most room treatments. I am definitely considering the MLS cabinets for there greater mass and looks, but so far it is the only "upgrade" that seems worthwhile.

Thanks,
J

woodsyi · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 08:27 pm »

John,

I would definitely go with the MLS cabinets. Other upgrades can be done if you are inclined to do so later, but cabinet can't be easily replaced. I would seriously consider the CDWG when they become available especially if you can't always be in the sweet spot all the time or if you want to share your sound with more than 2 in your living room.

gongos · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 08:51 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi

John,

I would definitely go with the MLS cabinets. Other upgrades can be done if you are inclined to do so later, but cabinet can't be easily replaced. I would seriously consider the CDWG when they become available especially if you can't always be in the sweet spot all the time or if you want to share your sound with more than 2 in your living room.

Actually the cabinet is fairly easy to upgrade. All you do is gut all the parts and mail them back so they can be put in a new cabinet.

woodsyi · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 08:59 pm »

Quote from: gongos

Actually the cabinet is fairly easy to upgrade. All you do is gut all the parts and mail them back so they can be put in a new cabinet.

You call that easy?

I should know. I did that with my 40's.

gongos · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 09:01 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi

Quote from: gongos

Actually the cabinet is fairly easy to upgrade. All you do is gut all the parts and mail them back so they can be put in a new cabinet.

You call that easy? I should know. I did that with my 40's.

I did it with my 626r's. It took a little time, but was a heck of a lot easier than putting in a new cap upgrade.

john1970 · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 09:47 pm »

I've decided to go with the following:

1) RM30Ms in light oak (std. cabinet) with SR71 treatment
2) Dedicated Sub in light oak (std. cabinet) with Megawoofer and SR71 treatment. (I have limited room and can not fit the 215 or larger sub)

Although the MLS cabinets come in some great finishes my current living room has oak furninture and I would like to match the wood finishes.

If anyone has any suggests or improvements on the above system I welcome the suggestions.

Thank you,

J

John Casler · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 09:55 pm »

Quote from: john1970

I've decided to go with the following:

1) RM30Ms in light oak (std. cabinet) with SR71 treatment
2) Dedicated Sub in light oak (std. cabinet) with Megawoofer and SR71 treatment. (I have limited room and can not fit the 215 or larger sub)

Although the MLS cabinets come in some great finishes my current living room has oak furninture and I would like to match the wood finishes.

If anyone has any suggests or improvements on the above system I welcome the suggestions.

Thank you,

J

John,

I think you nailed it pretty good for your room and needs.

You might want to get the sub amp for your Dedicated.

john1970 · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 10:54 pm »

John,

I am getting the smaller amp (500W version instead of 1000 W) from Parts Express. The max RMS for the dedicated sub is stated as 300 W and the smaller amp seems a good option. Do you think I should go with the larger 1000 W amp?

Thanks,

J

John Casler · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Feb 2006, 11:15 pm »

Quote from: john1970

John,

I am getting the smaller amp (500W version instead of 1000 W) from Parts Express. The max RMS for the dedicated sub is stated as 300 W and the smaller amp seems a good option. Do you think I should go with the larger 1000 W amp?

Thanks,

J

Not to worry about "max" ratings, but that said, the 500w version should be fine in that room.