[Manowar]

Hi all,

I am interested in the RM-2 or RM-30? I am finishing my new room in my basement which is approximately 20x18
need to know which speaker will work best in this size room? the height is less than 8ft.actually about 7' -6" with some sofitts covering the duct work.
I do have a pair of tube amps and currently listen to cd for playback only, mostly rock, blues and Jazz!
 trying to keep things simple but am open to adding a S.S. amp for bass and biamping!
Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
John

[warnerwh]

If you want killer good sound get the RM 30's without woofers and get at least one sub.  The RM 2's are excellent and you don't need a sub with them but they only have 2 mid panels and are very wide which affects imaging. Either way you'll be a happy guy. 

Biamping is a GREAT idea. Run those tubes on the mid/treble region with the ss on bottom. Myself and everyone who hears my system have been very impressed which is biamped with a hybrid on top. My opinion is that at least some tube qualities on the mid/treble is the best combination with these speakers.

[jonbee]

I think either will work fine, but I own the RM30Cs in a room about the same size, with twin subs, and the sound is astonishing, once all the partnering and setup was done. I regularly visit several 'phile friends with much more expensive, properly tweaked setups, and I wouldn't trade my RM30s for any of them.
They have taken me off the high end speaker market, period. If I get a larger room someday, the only option I can imagine is a pair of 60s.
If you can't swing a sub, perhaps the RM2 is a better option if you want very deep bass.

[John Casler]

Hi all,

I am interested in the RM-2 or RM-30? I am finishing my new room in my basement which is approximately 20x18
need to know which speaker will work best in this size room? the height is less than 8ft.actually about 7' -6" with some sofitts covering the duct work.
I do have a pair of tube amps and currently listen to cd for playback only, mostly rock, blues and Jazz!
 trying to keep things simple but am open to adding a S.S. amp for bass and biamping!
Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
John

Hi John,

Yes as suggested above, both models offer their own couple qualities that might work for you.

Due to the extra neopanel MR driver the RM30's will play a bit louder.

The RM2, with the 12" Woofer will play deeper in the bass.

The dual 6" Megas on the RM30 will slam you with upper and midbass, but at the same time offer detail and tone in that region that is hard to beat. Rim shots are incredible with the RM30's

The RM30 is elegant, and has a slim and deep cabinet.

The RM2 is a brute in a box.  Not pretty, but pretty effective sonically.

The other quality that is useful in a low ceiling is a slightly recessed vertical dispersion if ribbons and drivers that are arranged in a vertical line.  So you won't have problems with "ceiling or floor bounce.

It is hard to go wrong with either model.

If the budget is there, I would put you in the RM30 unless you need the bass of the RM2.

Both are formidable performers in their price range.

If you are considering the biamping now or later, the best bet might be the SDE (special digital edition) which places the amp "after" the Digital Crossover, and raises the effective efficiency of the speaker, which is much better for tubes.

[Tyson]

The 30's are the way to go.  The extra midpanel will give you greater transparency and (more importantly), greater dynamics (micro and macro).  I also recommend bi-amping, with tubes on the mids/highs, and SS on the woofers. 

[Manowar]

Thanks everyone for all the input so far!

Would one Larger sub with the RM-30's equal the bass qualities of the RM-2?

And could I still get by with bi-amping or would I need a third amp for the sub?

John

[Scottdazzle]

There's another current discussion on this topic:
Circles > Audio Manufacturers > VMPS Audio Products > Topic: Question for the board, SDE 626, RM2 or RM 30?

Biamping in your room will be a good idea. Unless you are going to use them for home theater, too, you could try the RM-30 without a sub first and then decide if you want a sub. I've used mine with and without and in my small room, the sub isn't needed.

[John Casler]

Thanks everyone for all the input so far!

Would one Larger sub with the RM-30's equal the bass qualities of the RM-2?

The LARGER will play much lower and louder.

And could I still get by with bi-amping or would I need a third amp for the sub?

John

The VMPS subs are all passive so the SUB amp/x-over/equalizer ($400) is the best idea.

[woodsyi]

I would get the 30's and biamp -- tubes on top and SS at the bottom.  These ribbons were made for tubes IMHO as any hint of shrillness just turn to silkiness with tubes.  Then get a Larger and get the Dayton amp form Parts Express that JC recommends http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-810.  It comes with it's own low-pass filter (30Hz to 200Hz) with one channel of EQ.  Since 30's will play down to low 30's you should be able blend in the sub.  That's what I would do but then I am a bass junkie.  In Scott's smaller room just the 30's were plenty enough to play most music.  BTW, I am talking tight bass -- not the booming woolly crap fit only for explosions.

[Manowar]

The 30's are the way to go.  The extra midpanel will give you greater transparency and (more importantly), greater dynamics (micro and macro).  I also recommend bi-amping, with tubes on the mids/highs, and SS on the woofers. 

What kind of power in a SS amp is recommended for the woofers? I have a Yamaha M4 amp from way back that works great and is rated at 120 wpc into 8 ohms!

The VMPS subs are all passive so the SUB amp/x-over/equalizer ($400) is the best idea.

Does BC do any mods or set up to this sub amp?

I would get the 30's and biamp -- tubes on top and SS at the bottom.  These ribbons were made for tubes IMHO as any hint of shrillness just turn to silkiness with tubes.  Then get a Larger and get the Dayton amp form Parts Express that JC recommends http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-810.  It comes with it's own low-pass filter (30Hz to 200Hz) with one channel of EQ.  Since 30's will play down to low 30's you should be able blend in the sub.  That's what I would do but then I am a bass junkie.  In Scott's smaller room just the 30's were plenty enough to play most music.  BTW, I am talking tight bass -- not the booming woolly crap fit only for explosions.

Woodsyi, I'm with you on the BASS!!!

[woodsyi]

What kind of power in a SS amp is recommended for the woofers? I have a Yamaha M4 amp from way back that works great and is rated at 120 wpc into 8 ohms!

One with overkill power and high damping ratio.  I use a pair of Acoustic Reality 1001's which are ICE amps rated at 500W/8 ohm or 1KW/4 ohms.   Switching amps are really good in this application IMO. 

[Manowar]

Well i've read all the suggestions and comments, and though if I had the money I would go for the RM-30's, but with the added equipment for those, it puts me out of budget!

If I go with the RM-2 I don't need a sub, but I would definately bi-amp, my pre has two outputs,or is the SDE still recommended! 

I see Brian has the RM2 jr. for $1999 is this special still going on?


Thanks,
John

[Brian Cheney]

Special is still available.

[Manowar]

Brian,

Which version of the RM2 are these? Do you have anything like these available, with SDE???
 
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/guitarpick/RM2Right.jpg

Thx,
John
 
 

[Brian Cheney]

That is a pair of the RM2jr, $1995pr.  SDE normally adds $795 for the preprogrammed processor, but on the Jr special its $595 additional with biamping required.

[Robby L.]

THAT is a beautiful speaker.  Havent seen the RM2 in Piano finish.

Also didn't know that that RM2Jr comes with 2 Spiral Tweets, nice.

I'm saving up for a pair of these!