[HarleyMYK]

I posted the identical query a while ago, and the answer at that time was "No, nobody had A/B'd the 30's vs. the 40's.  I thought I would ask again and see what the impressions were of switching back and forth between the 30 and the 40 -- if anyone has had the opportunity yet

[jdoyle]

While not exactly an A/B test, I did listen to both at Today's Audio last week in Flint MI.  The speakers were in different rooms and were set up with different components.

Here 's my impressions of the VMPS line and how I'd bet all would rank by the majority in a Blind listening test.

RMX.....  Hands down best.  Even though powered w/ Ampzilla's and an Ayre disk player.  With any other set up, they win, no question.

RM-30's....   Surprisingly close to the RMX at lower levels, even though they were powered by much less expensive equipment.  I liked these alot... until you stood up.  Still might buy these anyway.

RM-40's.....  Better at higher SPL's,  better when standing, probably better for home theater,  depending on what you like to listen too and at what  volume level, the votes between the 30's and 40's would be the closest.

626r's, RM1 & 2's...   ....  Unfortunatley,  the 626's were not set up for me to listen, but I'm sure they would place last when compared to there bigger brothers.  I did not audition the rm 1 or 2.

ALL are VERY nice, all have their pro's & con's.

John

[KJ]

JDoyle,

Any impressions on the "focus" of the RM30 vs. the RM40?  I believe there was a perceived difference in "sweet spot" width due to the variations in speaker width.

Also, I was surprised on your comment about the RM40 sounding better standing up.  Isn't the FST in the middle of the speaker?  The only time I sampled the RM40 I noticed quite a significant reduction in presence of the highs while standing (which made sense given the FST location).

-KJ

[KJ]

One thing I should have noted in my previous post - the pair of RM40s that I listened to were not outfitted with the FST.  Is the vertical dispersion noticeably different between FST optioned RM40s and non-optioned?

-KJ

[JoshK]

supposedly it is better, to what degree I don't know.

[Tyson]

Yes, having just removed the dual spiral tweeters from my 40's and put in the FST, I can say that the highs are certainly more audible while standing up.  But then again the highs are also definitely more clear and extended/transparent in the sweet spot too.

[lkosova]

Would of been interesting to see the RM 30's powered with the SAME equipment for a fair comparison.

Don't ya think??

Larry

[ctviggen]

Yeah because the combo of Ayre disk and Ampzillas is probably pretty darn good.  I've heard very good things about both.

[lkosova]

That's my point and even having the RM 30 's "close" in the listening is really a pretty remarkable achievement by MR. Brian Cheney.

Don't ya think??

Larry

[ctviggen]

Especially from such a small, significant-other-friendly speaker.  I bet VMPS sells boatloads of these things.  Plus, I prefer to have options, and the VMPS line up gives you options, whereas most other speakers don't. For instance, my Linns have the sole option of lowering the tweeters by 1 db (which I think they're too laid back to begin with, so I personally would never do  this).  (I should say that you can bi- or tri-wire these and go active, but then you're into six amps to run the front speakers and two to run the center channel.)

[JoshK]

Couple of thoughts, actually more speculations....

I think the RM30's will probably have a number of advantages with its thin baffle and added midbass drivers.  I should be able to dissapear well with the increased imaging ability that the narrow baffle allows it.  Not that the RM40's are a slouch here, because a number of my audiophile buddies have commenting that the RM40's were the most invisible large speakers they had ever heard.

My guess is the narrower baffle will accentuate the falling output at lower frequency response of the midpanel.   Here is where the added midbass drivers compensate.  In the RM40s, with a wider baffle it is not so much a concern.   I acheive imaging that is very satisfying to me so I don't feel I am lacking.   The advantage of the RM40s again will be standing up and walking around the room while listening to music.  I think the RM30s will probably have the edge if a seated position is always the listening place of choice.  

Some day in the future, if my wife would let me, I would do a HT with RM30s but I think I'd still choose the RM40's over the 30s for music because I am rarely seated for very long while listening.

[KJ]

If the FST is approximately 33" high on the RM40 and the FST is just under 48" on the RM30, wouldn't the RM30 sound better when you stood up and the RM40s sound better sitting down?  

Not trying to nitpick JDoyle's info - I'm glad to hear some more information on the RM30s since they are a potential future purchase.  I better measure the height of my sofa.  

[JoshK]

The problem with that is that the midpanel is fairly directional in the vertical plane as well, so although the RM30 has its FST higher than the RM40s the midpanels on the RM40s (the bulk of the music) is much higher when standing.

[jdoyle]

JDoyle,

Any impressions on the "focus" of the RM30 vs. the RM40?  I believe there was a perceived difference in "sweet spot" width due to the variations in speaker width.

Also, I was surprised on your comment about the RM40 sounding better standing up.  Isn't the FST in the middle of the speaker?  The only time I sampled the RM40 I noticed quite a significant reduction in presence of the highs while standing (which made sense given the FST location).

-KJ

As Josh summed up in his post above... yes, even though the tweeter is a tad higher in the RM-30, the RM-40's mids make up for it when you're standing.  While standing with the 30's, all of that "fantastic sweetspot" is now only enjoyed by my navel.  The sweetspot while seated was about four feet wide give or take horizontally.  My wife and I can both enjoy while seated together.  

I usually sit and relax while enjoying my collection of Pat Metheny and other jazz guitarists.  The 30's would be the perfect choice for that.  But, I'm also a frustrated drummer, so when I pop in CD that rocks and stand behind my couch and bang away with my sticks... the 30's sweetspot won't reach my ears.  That's when I'd like the 40's (or RMX's if I win the lottery    ).

I like the size of the 30's and yes, the narrow baffle improves it over the 40's ever so slightly, yet it's still noticable.  That's why I think they'd place second in a blind test.  Stand up and it's a whole different story.  It's not that they sound horrible standing, you're just not getting that incredible sound that you paid for.  

I was about ready to order the 30's without listening.   I was convinced soley on testimony that these would be the speakers for me.  I made the trip to listen and I'm glad I did.  Now I know they are th speakers for me... I just don't know which model yet.

Again, all have their pro's & con's.

JD

[KJ]

JDoyle,

Were the RM30s and RM40s positioned to cross approximately two feet in front of you when you were listening?

-KJ

[jdoyle]

JDoyle,

Were the RM30s and RM40s positioned to cross approximately two feet in front of you when you were listening?

-KJ

No.  In fact the toe in wasn't even exactly matched.   You know how it is at these Mom and Pop stereo shops...  there's stuff everywhere.  Unfortunatley I was there on a Saturday too.  I was a bit excited, forcing myself to listen hard (I tried to relax, but couldn't).  People are walking around talking behind me.  The salesman (Rod) was very helpful, but we're talking as well.  My friend that came was making comments... you get the picture.  

Still, I was wicked impressesed.  On this wall was the RM-30's, the RM 1 & 2, and the component rack.  Flanked by a Larger on the right and a Smaller (I think) on the left.  I didn't feel comfortable trying to adjust them since everything was packed in tight. I wanted to here them without the subs, so they disconnected them.  They pulled out a couple of chairs for us to sit in and I moved the chairs left to right  & back and forth.  I would guess all within a 5 foot radius.  The sweetspot did wane on the extremes, but I was expecting more of a drop-off than what I heard.  It was only when I stood up that made me go "hmmm".    

The 40's were set up in a separate Home Theater room, placed outside of an entertainment center.  Toed in to where, I'm not exactly sure. It was hard to tell.  I'm not sure how well they fuss with the set-ups.  I can imagine things are moved all of the time due to all of the different brands that they demo.  In the room as well down the left wall were all of the Def Techs and Klipsches.  The back wall had a couch  as well as the right wall.  In the center was a large coffee table.  Still the 40's rocked as well, even though Rod demo'ed a movie instead of my reference disk.  I stood and sat in this room,  the 40's work best here for both.

The RMX's were in the RM-30 room on the left wall flanked by the 626's (which weren't connected).  The traffic had died down a bit  when I listened to them.  

Rod then left me alone to listen to the 30's again, but the Denon combi player decided to skip on me.  I removed the disk and reloaded it, got to listen to D. Krall one more time and then we had to scoot to meet up with the wives.    

I see you live in WI, is there some sort of Ferry that can scoot you across lake Michigan so you could drive on to Flint?  You won't be disappointed in the trip.  

John

[KJ]

I see you live in WI, is there some sort of Ferry that can scoot you across lake Michigan so you could drive on to Flint? You won't be disappointed in the trip.

It might take that to hear them.  Another WI listener posted earlier asking if anyone locally had any of the VMPS line - no luck.  I might be making a business trip to Ann Arbor this year.  If that happens, I'll see if I can find a way to make the jaunt to Flint.  Thanks for all the insight.

-KJ

[Marbles]

Just make a trip to Chicago......

[KJ]

Are you referring to Cinema and Sound or are there AC members with VMPS setups in the Chicagoland area?

[lkosova]

I will be having the RM-30's soon in Chicago. Detail at 11:00

Larry