RM30

Brian Cheney · « **on:** 14 Mar 2006, 02:44 am »

The mls folks inform us our containerfull of RM30 cabinets was picked up from their factory last week and are due to arrive in Oakland Ap 3.

We are getting rosewood, African ebony, diamond piano black (gorgeous) and satin black. Stock (that means no extra charge) finishes will be lite oak, dark oak, mls satin black, and cherry. Extra charge for mls piano, ebony and rosewood of $400pr.

A lot of product out of China looks nice but is cheaply made. Rather than save money I decided to go the very high quality route, and these mls cabinets cost us about 50% more than those Bud Bailey made domestically. The quality and finish are fabulous, however.

CDWG's for the RM30's already in the field are on this shipment. Sorry for the lead times, but they're typical of Asian sources. We ordered the RM 30 samples last October, so it's been six months from initial order to delivery.

KJ · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 05:04 am »

Quote from: Brian Cheney

Extra charge for mls piano, ebony and rosewood of $400pr.

Quote from: Brian Cheney

A lot of product out of China looks nice but is cheaply made. Rather than save money I decided to go the very high quality route, and these mls cabinets cost us about 50% more than those Bud Bailey made domestically. The quality and finish are fabulous, however.

If they cost 50% more, why are the MLS premium finishes cheaper? Ex. $400/pr for MLS rosewood, yet the Bud Bailey rosewood upgrade used to cost $800. While I'm happy for any future owners, I'm a little dismayed that my comparatively "inferior" rosewood finish retailed for over double the new finish.

warnerwh · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 05:39 am »

I suspect the cost of labor in China is the reason the MLS Rosewood is less than the Rosewood ones made in California even when you take into account they must be shipped over here. I would also bet Mark Schifter is buying that Rosewood veneer in large quantities because he uses it on all of his AV 123 speaker line.

The bottom line though is that people get a premium finish and build quality for little money compared to what it would cost to do here in the states. The MLS finishes I've seen are no less than gorgeous and perfect. Women seem to gravitate toward my Rosewood RM 40's and fondle them. It actually looks like the want to hug them. Maybe they remind them of something?

John Casler · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 02:19 pm »

What Warner suspected is true.

Particualrly for the Rosewood, since this is a finish MLS uses on his own line as an "anchor finish", which means he buys in "HUGE" volume.

Domestically the veneer is always a non-stock specialty for the cabinet maker and I have even seen times where B, has had to drive from supplier to supplier, to find the shade of veneer the customer requested.

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 05:02 pm »

Bud Bailey used Indian Rosewood costing $300/sheet on our cabinets. It takes nearly a full sheet to make an RM 30 box, thus the price. We will sell the remaining Bud Bailey rosewood cabinets at the same price as mls. They're very well made and look wonderful--in fact, we used them to exhibit the CDWG version of the RM 30 at CES and drew many complements.

mls uses plantation rosewood from local suppliers.

Now that Bud (and all domestic speaker cabinet makers of any size) have been driven out of business, mls is our only cabinet source.

jdoyle · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 05:11 pm »

Just to be clear... are all cabinets now MLS?

(or specifically)

Are the Light & Dark Oak made by Bud Bailey, or MLS?

Thanks,

JD

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 05:31 pm »

These finishes (all stock finishes) are by Bud Bailey: lite oak, dark oak, cherry.

mls stock finish is Satin Black.

mls premium finishes are African Ebony, diamond piano black, and rosewood.

Piano black has always been the most difficult to produce. Bud used a shiny black film from Japan applied over the MDF. It looked nice but not as nice as a sprayed finish. In sprayed finishes domestic paintshops are constrained by EPA guidelines. Car paint (acrylic) over three coats of primer is typical, but very expensive, as hand sanding between coats is required and the paint runs about $175 per gallon.

The best piano finish is the "two stage" kind where several layers of primer (with hand sanding inbetween) are applied first, then several layers of lacquer go on. Then the lacquer is hand sanded and buffed to a high gloss. This takes about 10 manhours per cabinet and is the kind mls produces. Drying time is about two weeks.

The labor and time involved in such a finish precludes domestic sourcing.

wshuff · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 05:32 pm »

Does that mean that MLS is now making the RM/X cabinet?

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 05:53 pm »

We still have stock in the Dorne Dibble RM/X. After that, mls.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 05:59 pm »

Are the new RM30 cabinets the same as the BB versions internally?

brj · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Mar 2006, 07:21 pm »

It sounds like a special MLS cabinet upgrade offer would be appreciated by the many existing RM30 owners.

I seem to recall a similar offer for RM40 owners in the past...

Campindog · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 04:48 am »

Now that sounds like an excellent idea! That African Ebony is sooo kewl.

John Casler · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 08:21 pm »

Quote from: BRJ and Campindog

It sounds like a special MLS cabinet upgrade offer would be appreciated by the many existing RM30 owners.

I seem to recall a similar offer for RM40 owners in the past...

Now that sounds like an excellent idea! That African Ebony is sooo kewl.

Although the former "upgrade speclal" has ended, and the price of the new SuperDuty RM30 cabs is actually higher than the original MLS RM40 cabs, B, has allowed me to offer something similar.

All RM30 customers can "upgrade to the CDWG SUPER DUTY MLS RM30 cabinets like this:

(these prices are "PER CABINET")

$199 for the "MLS finish" upgrade and a SUPER DUTY cabinet
$100 Core Cabinet Fee (or you can send back your Core Cabinet)
$120 For the CDWG
$62.50 PRs

Plus return shipping to you.

This applies to both RM30 M and C models

This is a "LIMITED SPECIAL" offer (I had to do a little talking to get it) and may be discontinued at any time, or as long as cabinet stock is available.

EDIT: Sorry all, but I knew Brian would come to his senses and he has. The special is now over and I will post the new pricing for "upgrading to the Incredible SUPER DUTY MLS cabinets.

Look to the last post in this thread and I will post the pricing soon

miklorsmith · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 09:03 pm »

So, from this, I assume the "SUPER DUTY" cabinets have additional bracing internally?

John Casler · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 09:22 pm »

Quote from: miklorsmith

So, from this, I assume the "SUPER DUTY" cabinets have additional bracing internally?

Yes, they have additional bracing and "slightly thicker" HDF (High Density Fiberboard)

I posted some pictures of the "thicker cabinet walls" here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=26035

If you look at the pics closely, you'll see that the baffles are "VERY" thick.

mca · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 09:26 pm »

Quote

So, from this, I assume the "SUPER DUTY" cabinets have additional bracing internally?

You mean I can't get a free massage by leaning against my cabinets now?

shoe · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 09:08 am »

These have aprox. 80 hrs on them. I love the detail and overall sound but not sure if my Portal Panache integrated is ideal for driving the RM 30m's.
I would actually like to "warm" the mid range up a little.
I have $1600 to spend and will be looking for used. Integrated is more desired because separates may end up costing me more.
any experience or ideas??

thanks

warnerwh · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 08:47 pm »

Buy a tubed integrated and another power amp and bi amp. An older Rotel for 5-600 for the bottom with 200wpc and maybe an Audio Aero Prima for another 600. This has 40 wpc with a tube preamp and mosfet power amp built in. I don't know integrated's very well so hopefully others will chime in.

mlschifter · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 06:34 am »

Quote from: warnerwh

I suspect the cost of labor in China is the reason the MLS Rosewood is less than the Rosewood ones made in California even when you take into account they must be shipped over here. I would also bet Mark Schifter is buying that Rosewood veneer in large quantities because he uses it on all of his AV 123 speaker line.

The bottom line though is that people get a premium finish and build quality for little money compared to what it would cost to do here in the states. The MLS finishes I've seen are no les ...

... he is.

We buy HUGE (and I sincerely mean HUGE) quantities of "certified" Rosewood...

I know these cabinets will impress... and I'm excited for VMPS owners.

Thanks for the opportunity Big B...

Most humbly (from afar right now)...

mls

mlschifter · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 06:36 am »

Quote from: Campindog

Now that sounds like an excellent idea! That African Ebony is sooo kewl.

It really is Derek...

I even had one very wealthy couple offer me some really big money to build their kitchen cabinets in this same Ebony and finish...

I had to decline as I have NO IDEA how to do this sort of thing...

Thanks for the comment...

All the best...

mls