So I listened to the RMX...

Xi-Trum · « **on:** 16 Aug 2004, 08:19 pm »

Here's my short review of it: I wished I hadn't...

Now I can't listen to my RM40 without thinking how much better it can be.

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 08:24 pm »

Did you also listen to the 30's?

ctviggen · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 08:58 pm »

I always think of the stuff I can buy for the difference between a fully loaded RM40 and a fully loaded RMX.

brj · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 09:21 pm »

Hi Xi-Trum!

Where did you listen to a pair?

shokunin · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 09:44 pm »

Is the sound that drastically different or was it in a better room/equipment? Curious.. I've not the heard RM/x's yet...

shokunin · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 09:46 pm »

On second thought, maybe I shouldn't audition the RM/x's... for the exact reason you stated. My wife would kill me if I brought home any speaker larger than what I have (Rm40's).

John Casler · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 10:04 pm »

I know an Rx for the RM/x disease.

Cures it every time.

shokunin · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 10:48 pm »

John,

I think you just gave me a dose of it....

Take 6 larger subs and call it the night

John Casler · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Aug 2004, 02:15 am »

Quote from: shokunin

John,

I think you just gave me a dose of it.... Take 6 larger subs and call it the night

OK, It's a night

Enjoy your new RM/x pair when they show up.

Now, we just need some Amped up Ampzillas to "light them up" and big things will happen

Xi-Trum · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Aug 2004, 12:33 pm »

Marbles: I haven't heard the RM30. It's on my list to audition. I just have to find a willing party.

brj: It was in Houston.

shokinun: I've heard the RM40 in various setups. From the very first notes, you can tell that the RMX is in another league.

ScottMayo · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Aug 2004, 02:31 pm »

Quote from: brj

Hi Xi-Trum!

Where did you listen to a pair?

Sometime around (I'm guessing) mid-November, folk (who are seriously considering buying) will be able to listen to a pair of RM/x in North Central Massachusetts. (The date depends on finishing room construction, taking shipment, tuning the things.. ok, maybe January *is* more likely...).

You, too, can be corrupted by the Disease.

brj · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Aug 2004, 03:01 am »

Hey Xi-Trum, you realize that when you finally break down and get the RM/X, you're automatically obligated to host a North Texas Audio Jam get-together, right?

Xi-Trum · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Aug 2004, 01:30 pm »

brj: No problem at all. Assuming there's no price increase on the RM/x, I'm looking at ... oh... 5+ years.

Now, you can certainly help cut it short by taking the RM40 off my hands.

Brad · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Aug 2004, 06:45 pm »

Xi-Trum,

You were in H-town, but no call

I guess the Texans beat the Cowboys bad enough you were embarrassed to call

shokunin · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Aug 2004, 07:03 pm »

What amps were powering the X's??

brj · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Aug 2004, 04:50 am »

Quote from: Xi-Trum

brj: No problem at all. Assuming there's no price increase on the RM/x, I'm looking at ... oh... 5+ years. Now, you can certainly help cut it short by taking the RM40 off my hands.

Now if you had natural cherry cabinets, the FST and maybe another tweak or two, I'd be tempted!

(Although I'd really have to think about how they'd fit in my room. The RM30 on the other hand, seems much more easily integrated... oh wait, now I need a larger sub... where the heck is that going to go??

)

zybar · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Aug 2004, 01:21 pm »

Quote from: brj

Quote from: Xi-Trum
brj: No problem at all. Assuming there's no price increase on the RM/x, I'm looking at ... oh... 5+ years. Now, you can certainly help cut it short by taking the RM40 off my hands.

Now if you had natural cherry cabinets, the FST and maybe another tweak or two, I'd be tempted! (Although I'd really have to think about how they'd fit in my room. The RM30 on the other hand, seems much more easily integrated... oh wait, now I need a larger sub... where the heck is that going to go?? )

I have a pair of RM 40's in Cherry with ALL upgrades that I am selling. I prefer a local buyer (which you aren't), but would be willing to ship (although it won't be cheap).

Send me a PM if you are interested.

Sorry for the shameless plug.

George

James Romeyn · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Aug 2004, 09:48 pm »

I know this is heresy, but I don't care. The system is comprised of three RM30s, two Dipole Surrounds & one Sunfire True Sub Signature EQ (2700WRMS amp/automated EQ).

Because the above 6-piece system is smaller, has automatic room mode compensation, better image density, larger stage size, & costs about $5k or 40% less, I'd take it over two RMX anyday. The 6-piece system also would appear to have greater dynamic capability. Bass linearity in this room would be no contest in favor of the sub. Bass modes muddy up the sound. There are now crystal clear treble percussion effects previously unheard on extremely familiar CDs. Timing & rests are more obvious, their intent by the arranger/author now clear.

In this 3300 cu ft room, with a Sunfire 5x400WRMS/4-Ohm amp, the maximum dynamic output could not be measured without potentially permanent & serious ear damage. I started playing a different CD that was cut much louder than the previous & literally threw the jewel case out my hands fumbling for the remote. It was some of the loudest reproduced sound I ever heard, with no audible distortion & crystal clear, period. Frightening. Someone else made a similar mistake. After muting it they immediately handed me the remote, saying they did not want the responsibility.

It truly is amazing what this much SPL & dynamic capability can have on the overall musical effect at everything from whisper to very loud volumes. My friend's non-domestic market JBL K-2 horns (awesome & gorgeous, about $20k) & the Avant Garde's I heard at last CES did not have this much dynamic impact. Bass cutoff, no contest in favor of the sub over the horns.

My 2c, YMMV.

I've quit retail, & will forward future requests to John C &/or Julian. If anyone wants to hear this system, as long as you are happily willing to provide job &/or forum referrals, you're welcome. I'd love to hear someone's opinion who has heard the X &/or 40s. The 40s are not even in the ballpark compared to this system, in any way, a complete no brainer.

Brian did an incredible job getting the voicing of the cone/dome Bipole Surrounds to match the ribbons. A steal for $1200pr. Only gripe is drivers not flush, maybe he can fix this later. Totally satisfying, even with music.

BTW, I think most members would dismiss the above described system in favor of the more exotic, sexy, advanced, & expensive RMX. This would be a mistake IMO, unless "image" (not the audio kind) & other salient factors meant more than outright performance. If you get the X & disregard room modes in the bass, performance will unreasonably suffer unless you happen to be blessed with a great room (lucky for the owner the one room where I assisted Brian setting up the RMX did have few if any bass modes).

I highly recommend the Sunfire pre-pro, amps, & subs.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 12:52 am »

Does the RM30 work decently as a center when laid down horizontally or is it greatly superior standing vertically?

James Romeyn · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 01:57 am »

Don't know. I am perturbed by the horizontal 30s non-symetrical array. I may build a new symetrical cabinet with the tweeter centered above the three mids, the 6.5s flanking the mids.

The one & only gripe is that I do seem to notice a slight image shift when a soloist's overtones (no fundamentals exist in this range) pass from the mids up to the tweeters. In that particular case, it appears the fact the center is taller vs. the sides, & non-symetrical, is slightly puking up an otherwise virtually flawless performance. My singular gripe, period. Well, that & the fact I want to do another A-B test in private of my Sunfire pre-pro vs. Brian's Krell-Wadia combo.

If Brian's really blows the Sunfire away, I may audition some top line pre-pros, like the McIntosh, EAD, or Meridian (my current short list). The Meridian is my current favorite because of its surround conversion, allegedly equal to the Trinaural we have read about with interest.

I doubt I'd prefer any amp to my new Sunfire. Absolutely amazing: two-thousand WRMS@4-Ohms, no heat, 33lbs, current-efficient for minimum enviornmental impact, $2500, similar overall quality to my earlier $5500pr Ampzilla monos.

And tell me again why I need a 150lb heat-generating current-sucking behemoth ultra-expensive multichannel amp? And toooooooooooooooobes?????????????? Don't even talk to me.

One last thing: capacitor upgrades for a 3-speaker front array would cost 50% more than that of a stereo array. Still the 6-speaker system wold cost thousands less vs. two RMX.