New Web Design and New Product Annoucements!

Brian Bunge · « **on:** 7 Feb 2004, 09:17 pm »

Rutledge Audio Design has recently undergone a major web redesign. Our goal was to create a new streamlined site which was easy to navigate and at the same time was worthy of showcasing our superior quality products and services. This new design has far exceeded even our wildest expectations. We hope you feel the same.

In addition to the new design we also have several new product announcements. Under our Loudspeakers page you'll find two new products. First is a new 2-way monitor using an aluminum 5" woofer and 1" titanium tweeter. These are named the Metals. Second is a new 2-way tower consisting of a single high efficiency tweeter and nine 3" woofers. These are named the Pulsar 9.1's.

Under our Subwoofers page you'll find 3 all new subs. We are offering a 10", 12" and 15" sub; each a low Q sealed design making them perfect for 2-channel systems as well as Home Theater systems. All 3 subs use drivers with Adire Audio's patented XBL2 motor technology which allows for low distortion even under extreme excursion. As far as we're aware, we are the first manufacturer to offer a full line of subs designed exclusively around this new motor technology.

As always, our products are available in our standard oak, maple, cherry, or walnut finishes as well as custom veneers and stains.

BradJudy · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 01:21 am »

Looks really nice Brian.

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 02:52 am »

Thanks Brad, I appreciate it.

pjchappy · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 02:56 am »

Brian,

Have you checked out the 1000W plate amp from PartsExpress.com.

It has an EQ and is rated @ 1000W into 4ohms and 500W into 8ohms.

They have a smaller one w/ half the ratings as above, too.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=18245200&St=6308&St2=-56033327&St3=40866793&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=124775&DID=7

I am thinking about using it as an external amp for my VMPS Smaller Sub.

By the way, the new site does look great!

p

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 03:27 am »

No, I have not checked them out yet. I will say I have my reservations about either amp being able to meet their rated specs. Look at the weight of the amps vs. the Keiga 1000W amp at Madisound. It has a huge toroidal transformer and the entire amp weighs 30lbs. More than half of that weight is from the transformer. Now look at the amps at PE. The 1000W amp weighs 17lbs. Regardless of an amp being Class D, Class A/B etc., it still needs a large transformer in order to be able to deliver it's rated power.

I would love to see someone actually measure these amps. Maybe their weight is not listed correctly or maybe I'm just way off base all together. But it does make me wary of actually trying one of these at the moment.

pjchappy · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 03:50 am »

The transformer looks pretty big. . .AND class D's are EXTREMELY more efficient than AB. . .

Julian, from SedonaSkyandSound likes this amp. . .PM him for his opinion. He frequents the VMPS board. . .

Anyways, I will probably get this amp in the next month. . .

Back to your topic, many vendors here on AC need to revamp their sites. . .especially VMPS. . .good work!

p

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 03:56 am »

Well, they still have to generate their power from somewhere. The high efficiency just means that more of the power makes it to the driver and isn't released as heat. Therefore, there's little need for heatsinking. But I'll contact him and see what he thinks of the amp anyway. I'd love to get a real answer as to it's true power ratings.

Thanks for the compliments on the site. It's been a long time coming.

pjchappy · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 03:59 am »

Well, back to the amps. . . as for what I read on this class of amps. . . they take the power as needed. . .so, unlike other amps, they don't draw as much power. . .

p

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 04:11 am »

Brian, Your new web site....1,000% Better !!!..... Good Luck !!

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 04:16 am »

I just looked at the .pdf file for the 1000W amp and I now see that it's rated as 512W MAX at 8 ohms and 1024W MAX at 4 ohms. Max power ratings are pretty useless to me when determining how much power I need for a particular subwoofer design. I want a true RMS rating. Otherwise, I could call the PE 250W amp a 500W amp if we are only talking MAX output. Now I understand why the price of these new amps is so good. The Keiga amp, while not having the same features, has been tested as giving a true 1KW of power RMS. It too is a Class D amp and is double the weight of the PE amp. Regardless of the Class, the transformer still has to be large enough to create the power required.

What sub are you wanting to use the PE amp for?

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 04:17 am »

Thanks lonewolf. Hopefully it'll spark some new business!

pjchappy · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 05:08 am »

Brian,

Can you give me a link to that Keiga amp . . .

I am looking for an amp for my VMPS Smaller Sub.

p

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 05:33 am »

Here's the info. on the Keiga. There's a PDF file too but I can't seem to get it to come up at the moment. It doesn't say whether it's rated at RMS or MAX but I believe it was independently tested and was confirmed to deliver 1KW RMS.

http://www.madisound.com/kgnd.html

Based on the specs and power handling listed on the VMPS site for the Smaller sub I'd think the PE amp or the Keiga would be overkill. You'd probably be better off going with the 500W PE amp although the headroom of the 1000W PE amp would be nice as long as you're very careful in calibrating your sub. There are very few drivers I'd be comfortable putting a real 1KW of power into.

pjchappy · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 05:54 am »

Well, I would eventually replace the smaller sub. . .maybe w/ a VMPS Larger Sub, or something else. . .

How is the low pass filter or whatever you call it on these units. . .w/ my current set-up, I am running my P1s full range. . .

Also, I can't tell by the picture on this. . .what are all the adjustments you can do w/ its equalizer.

Thanks!

p

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 06:04 am »

Are we talking about the Keiga? I assume it uses a 2nd order crossover. It's variable from 50-100Hz. There is no real "EQ" per se. There's just a bass boost switch which is applies 6dB of boost at 25Hz.

If you want full crossover adjustability I'd suggest going with the HS200 amp from Adire. It uses 4th order independently adjustable high and low pass crossovers and has a built-in EQ as well. It's only rated at 200W into 4 ohms but that should still be plenty for your current sub.

JohnR · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 11:24 am »

pjchappy I don't understand why you would sell a perfectly good QSC amp and then pay X times as much for a plate amp.

Hey Brian, good news on the site

A website that gets updated, now that's a novelty

Couple random thoughts (if I may - !)

* You might want to mention that a sub -- and *which* sub -- is included in the 5.1 special.

* Pulsars: "While they're not quite what you'd call a "fullrange" speaker" hey I'm no advertising wiz

but I think I'd change the wording here

* Have you considered a "Signature" option for the Pulsar. Some folks will just want to pay for foil coils and $$ caps. Just a thought

Pirate · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 11:43 am »

Hello Brian,

Just went all the way through the new site. Looks great!

It’s easy to navigate, lots of information and the photos of individual products are first rate. GOOD LUCK!

By the way...The Rad 9s look very intriguing.

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 05:02 pm »

John,

Maybe I'm just honest to a fault.

I do have a Signature version of the Micros in the works. It adds a notch filter to help smooth out the upper midrange response. It's a nice addition if you want to use them mainly for 2-channel audio. For a HT setup it may or may not be something someone would want to try. It'll be a $50 upcharge. I'm just trying to decide if it's feasible to mount the circuit inside the already quite small cabinet or mount it in an outboard project box.

Pirate,

Thanks for the compliment. The new site has been something I've wanted to do for quite some time but am just now able to do so.

BTW guys, don't forget to check out the News/Specials page for some great deals on various speakers I'm trying to clear out.

pjchappy · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 05:53 pm »

JohnR,

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. . .

Brian,

Someone's gonna get a great deal on the demo AV1s and AV3s. . .
I will mention these to someone who may be interested.

p

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 07:35 pm »

PJ,

Great! And let us know what amp you end up using.