[Rokitman]

For those interested, here is a new review on the RM 40.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_1/vmps-ribbon-monitor-40-speakers-2-2005.html

[ted_b]

It's too bad he spends a considerable amount of ink, later in the review, talking about the tuning frustrations.  Although a very familiar issue with all of us VMPS'ers, it doesn't close off the review very well.  Let's face it, a tunable and flexible configuration like the RM-40's are a reviewer's nightmare.  He will have a hard time swapping review equipment ad nauseum.  The average audiphile, however, will have that tuning issue only once or twice during most stable system setups.

Overall, Brian ought to be proud of this review on two major points:  Jason clearly sees the incredible potential the RM-40's posess.  And the high value prop in these days of $30k speakers.

Ted

[Brian Cheney]

I heard some "room bloom" on the Talon speaker in Jason's room, though not as prominently as on the RM40.  It would require bass traps or room correction software to cure the problem.  Other than that, with the Red Planet amp the sound was extremely pleasing.

[brj]

From the review:

"The third option is bi-amping with the passive bass crossover removed, an outboard 24 dB/octave electronic crossover driving a separate bass amp, and a second amp running the ribbon panels through their built-in 6 and 12 dB filters. The latter setup allows bass levels to be set with great precision (0.01 dB increments) and crossover frequency to be adjusted Hertz-by-Hertz. The VMPS electronic crossover designed for this purpose sells for an additional $950, and requires a second amplifier."

When did VMPS release an electronic crossover, and where can one find information on it

[ekovalsky]

When did VMPS release an electronic crossover, and where can one find information on it...

It's ancient, a relic from the days of the FF1 & ST3.  It is active on the low pass to the woofers only and was not available balanced when I had asked about that a few years ago.

Before spending $1k on it, if it is still even available, I'd seriously consider accumulating the extra scratch needed for DEQX or TacT which are far more flexible in their crossover settings and also will transform your system with their correction function.  For those who want to avoid DSP for analog sources (vinyl, SACD, DVD-A, etc) a Marchand may be a good choice.  Pass Labs and Accuphase makes great crossovers too but at a price.

[ctviggen]

I just bought an active crossover for much less than that -- The NHT X2.  I'll set it up this weekend and report back.  I'm not, however, going to run the RM40s through the crossover; instead, I'm going to run the RM40s full range while running two Larger subs in stereo (one R, one L).  So, I'll have both the RM40s AND the subs supporting low bass.  I'm doing this mainly because I have the balanced interconnects to do it.  If I go the other way, I'd have to buy yet more interconnects, and right now I'm sick of spending money on the system!  For me, the NHT X2 allows me to get stereo subs (while integrated the LFE channel) and is something I'll use until I can afford to go TACT/DEXQ.

[Sedona Sky Sound]

I must say that this is one of the most poorly written articles I have seen in a while. Most reviewers at least check a few of their facts before publishing something. What the heck is an Ampzilla Trinaural Processor or an Ampzilla RM/X Trinaural Processor? Also, the SST Trinaural won Best of CES powering three RM/Xs, not three RM40s. And while neo magnets were relatively new when Brian first put the artical on his website (how many years ago was that?), they are pretty standard in the industry now. I can't believe a reviewer in this day and age would not be aware of that.

Even though he concluded with a positive note (i.e., a lot of speaker for the price), this person has zero credibility in my book. Afraid to mess with the putty? Can't get the pots back in place? Can't tame a basic room/bass mode? Afraid to bi-amp (with the number of amps he has, I am sure he could have come up with a killer combination)?

I just don't get it.  

Julian
www.sedonaskysound.com

[Tyson]

Some people just don't want to mess around with tuning a speaker to their room or equipment.  They want a "set and forget" type product.  And that's perfectly valid.  But the RM40 is definitely not the product for them in that case.

[Marbles]

Also, the crossover for the tweeters is at 6.9 Khz, not 10 Khz, but who's counting