[RAW]

Before room was loaded

After room was loaded

LXII new tower designusing the XBL^2  RA165.16 drivers

Black Walnut HTFR beside the Cherry HT3

Dodd new power supply

Dodd new 120's

Dodd new preamp

Dodd new preamp with remote.

Well Gary helped get the gear going and the pictures do not show the craftsmanship.The packaging is very very well done also.
At this point no HT8 as FedEX has lost one?Other than that we have all the speakers shown ready for the show.


The new RAV-1

[Zero]

I love that walnut! Great work!

[RAW]

Thanks.
Should be a great time.

[Milehighguy]

Just got back from the RMAF. And it's always great and informative to talk with Al. All the speakers in the RAW room were using xbl type woofers and all had impressive bass without needing large cabinets. I especially liked the ht-8 speakers and Alison Kraus was sounding terrific though them. The HT-3' were also putting out a powerful and clean sound in a small cabinet that will fit in small rooms. I also was VERY impressed by the new RAV-1 stand-mounted speakers. Really clean open sound, and once again more strong punchy bass than you would expect in a speaker that size. The RAV-1's are a clear winner in my opinion, and I was tempted to buy them , but decided to stay married instead. And as always, the cabinet work was beautiful as well. Great job Al!

[Milehighguy]

Just wanted to add, one day after the show I decided to sit and listen to my trusty RA8's that I got at last years show. I'm happy to report that I'm still very happy with them, and they mate so well with the sw12 subs that I bought at the 2004 rmaf show. A friend of mine calls them "effortless", and prefers them to his b&w 802's (original). To me, they have a life-sized, "majestic" sound. Dynamic yet smooth,and  with
fast punchy bass, and great open mids and highs. With Al  pursuing other new (and worthy ) designs, I don't think these gems get the attention they deserve. One advantage they have is with their high efficiency, the ribbon tweeter doesn't need to be padded down much at all, which improves the performance of the ribbon.

[RAW]

Jack
Thanks for the comments was great to see you again this year, with a new CD great thanks

The little HT3 in size anyway in that room could still load the room very well, we had Danny come in Saturday first thing "man you can hear that bass by the elevator what are playing the HT8" no just the little HT3.

Over all we had a great show and the HT8 did prove to have room issues as if we did not know of that before hand.
This is why the Apex II never made the show.We would just need a very large room with lots of traps to make the Apex II even come close to sound good in that small of room

Then add we got a room that had been remodeled to host a special needs person complete with a wheel chair washroom made our room smaller by 6 feet in length plus we lost a lot in the hallway area in the room.
But we still made it work ok.

Now the RAV-1 yes a good little monitor for sure.And yes using XBL^2 on the driver as well not the M-130 of late.

A good match for a pair of RA8 for surrounds, or a pair of RAV-3S will work well also.

[Berndt]

Just wanted to add, one day after the show I decided to sit and listen to my trusty RA8's that I got at last years show. I'm happy to report that I'm still very happy with them,To me, they have a life-sized, "majestic" sound. Dynamic yet smooth,and  with
fast punchy bass, and great open mids and highs. With Al  pursuing other new (and worthy ) designs, I don't think these gems get the attention they deserve. One advantage they have is with their high efficiency, the ribbon tweeter doesn't need to be padded down much at all, which improves the performance of the ribbon.

Man, MHG I have to say, I bought my RA8 kit shortly after reading your glowing evalutions. The kit took over my imagination. Due to unforseen issues with my woodworker pals completion was delayed beyond my patience. I ended up heavily modifying some magnepans that I bought for a song. I am very happy with my maggies but the dynamics are muted, whilst the tone is brilliant. You speak of fast punchy bass and I think I could have a winning pair of speaker designs. I am doing a maintenance cycle in a new friends woodshop. Level the table, zero his spindle, square his fence, then do the same to his joiner, planer, ...
Al has assured me these speakers are special and I believe there is a reason I haven't stopped believing.
Sorry for the OT remarks.

[Milehighguy]

You won't be sorry. If you need a surround speaker, check out the excellant RAV-1

[lonewolfny42]

Al....Few more photo's here........

[Berndt]

Al....Few more photo's here........

Nice collection of pictures LW.
Kind of makes me wish I was there.


Al, those new mtm towers look great!
I have been busting some OT again, will call when I get a free breath.

[lonewolfny42]

Al...Just remembered something....when we spoke on Saturday, you said to come back Sunday to hear the new Bent. Well....I forgot . Did you try it in your system ? Thanks....

                                 Chris

[RAW]

Yes we did on Sunday along with Kevins (DIY Cable) Amp this was a UCD 400 Kevin made for the show.

Both showed very good and thanks to Kevin and John for sending them for us.

[tdangelo]

I thought the little HT3's were amazing!  If I only had known I wouldn't have bought the much bigger Apex for my very small room. Thankfully I have lots of GIK panels otherwise my 12x14x9 room would explode, hehehe...  Hopefully I'm getting a bigger room in the near future (new house).  I can't wait to here the Apex in that,    Very nice Al!

Tony D.

[RAW]

Thanks Tony.
Yes the little HT3 and I mean that in size not sound does very well we think for the price.

[RAW]

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/rmaf2006/warnke/page3.htm
Enjoy the music RMAF coverage

Coverage from Secrets of Home Theater

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_4/show-report-rocky-mountain-audio-fest-2006-page-31.html