[jonbee]

I've had my RM30Cs for over 4 years now (a record for me, by a long shot), and every so I often I go through a phase where I look around to see if there is anything out there that can top these in my room for a reasonable price. These do so many things well, but of course I focus on what could be better. The most noticeable areas for improvement have been noted by others- the somewhat lean character of the lower mids/upper bass, and the emphasis in the mid-treble. The latter is no longer an issue for me; the panels have loosened up, and with cable choices and some partial masking of the mids with grill cloth they are now quite smooth.
After deciding there were no candidates that MIGHT replace these in my room without tripling my outlay, I decide to work on the midbass issue mechanically, by experimenting with baffle extensions for the woofers. The results were absolutely amazing to me.
After some interesting experiments using cardboard extensions, I initially cut four 4.5"x17" slats from 1" thick mahogany and attached them outboard the woofers with double stick foam tape. When I listened I was stunned. The whole power range increased in volume by a huge amount, probably 6 db. It was way too much, in volume and the range that was affected, so I cut them down in several steps. The most balanced effect was obtained with a much smaller baffle than I had expected. They now look like truncated sideways pyramids, 8.5 in. high and 3" wide. The ends are cut at 45 degrees so they are about 3.5" high on the outside edges. They are mounted on the sides midway between the woofers.
The sound has been transformed. Where before they were defined but a bit polite in the power range, now these have real body and kick, and this has not obfuscated the lower range at all. I love it! Total outlay for this "upgrade" was $11!
As always, taste and matchups rule, but with a little cardboard and tape one can get a glimpse of what can be done to re-tune the bottom end, beyond the putty exercises.     

[KJ]

Would be interesting to see some pics.

[jonbee]

I just uploaded 3 pics to my jonbee pics gallery, link at left.

[jonbee]

I've spent a day listening and tweaking. The best balance was found by turning the mids and tweets up by about 3 degrees or so. The tweets are now at 12:00, mids around 12:30.
The balance and sonics are now up there with the best I've ever heard. My balance reference for the range above 70 hz. or so had been Sennheiser HD600 phones, and I think the RMs matches them for balance, and beats them for musicality. Soundstage depth and the sense of top to bottom integration has also improved. The sound is slightly warmer and sweeter yet exquisitely detailed, and to my ears just plain beautiful.
Comparing them to my Volent VL-2 standmouts was surprising. In the past, the Volents had a bit better overall focus and detail, with better balance in the lower half of the range and a more transparent soundstage. The RMs had a much larger soundstage and opened up more, and had better top end balance.
Now the RMs retain their advantages, and match the VL-2s bass through midrange balance, but the surprise is that inner detail, focus and transparency is now quite close.  That puts them in rarified company, indeed. 

For those experimenting with cardboard, note that using wood increases the effect greatly in comparison, as you might expect.

[Russtafarian]

That is very cool.  I'll have to try this with my RM30s.  I agree the RM30s keep getting better with further tweaking.

I've been playing around with a miniDSP board as a crossover for my RM30s.  So far I'm impressed with results.  I've been documenting my miniDSP/RM30 experiments over at www.audioeve.org under the discussion "miniDSP miniReview".

Russ

[pjchappy]

I've been playing around with a miniDSP board as a crossover for my RM30s.  So far I'm impressed with results.  I've been documenting my miniDSP/RM30 experiments over at www.audioeve.org under the discussion "miniDSP miniReview".

If you're up for it, I would love to see you start a thread here, too.


Paul

[John Casler]

I just uploaded 3 pics to my jonbee pics gallery, link at left.

Very cool Jonbee,

If nothing else VMPS'ers are quite often tweakers at heart (I know I am)

I wonder what effect a more horn-like angle would have at "directing" the bass energy toward the listener?

I also noticed you have tweaked your Neopanels with what appears to be felt or foam.

Did you ever try the "High Boy" tweak?  It slightly reduces the bass due to inceasing the distance to the floor boundary, but has a rather nice effect overall especially if you use a sub to fill in.

[jonbee]

I haven't tried angling them, but I was shocked at how much extra lower mid/upper bass energy was made available using such small baffle extensions. Since that range is very room dependent, if offers some real flexibility to tune the interface mechanically, for those of us not wanting to go with DEQ at this time.
I cut grill cloth (Thiel grill cloth, to be precise) so that it covers the mid panels except for a 1.25" strip down the middle. I also covered the baffle plate for the tweeter with the same cloth. It softens the edges of the sound a bit, but the detail is still there. That tweak and the Clear Day double shotgun cables on top give the upper end a very good, natural balance. I think that since the cloth is fairly transparent; some of the effect comes from altering the off-axis response, thus controlling the directivity some. I noticed that Russtafarian uses foam blocks in a similar way.
I just experimented with the tall-boy tweak this week, in conjunction with the wings. I decided that 3.5 inch solid front risers (glued together 2x4 pieces, 11" wide, set on edge) offer the best result, with a real improvment in clarity and dynamics. I cut the mid and tweeter pots back about 4 degrees. The sound is amazing; transparency is improved, and the balance is as good as I've ever heard.
The wings and bases really took the whole up a major step; I wouldn't have guessed it was possible.
The only other tweak on the speakers is that I've used Bybee filters on the speaker inputs for a long time. A subtle but worthwhile improvement, although they cost a good deal more than the $15 I've got in the new tweaks!

[John Casler]

I haven't tried angling them, but I was shocked at how much extra lower mid/upper bass energy was made available using such small baffle extensions. Since that range is very room dependent, if offers some real flexibility to tune the interface mechanically, for those of us not wanting to go with DEQ at this time.
I cut grill cloth (Thiel grill cloth, to be precise) so that it covers the mid panels except for a 1.25" strip down the middle. I also covered the baffle plate for the tweeter with the same cloth. It softens the edges of the sound a bit, but the detail is still there. That tweak and the Clear Day double shotgun cables on top give the upper end a very good, natural balance. I think that since the cloth is fairly transparent; some of the effect comes from altering the off-axis response, thus controlling the directivity some. I noticed that Russtafarian uses foam blocks in a similar way.

Yes, that is called the "Lapels" tweak, and for sweet spot listening it is the BEST.

It does reduce horizontal directivity so it is the opposite of the CDWG.

I just experimented with the tall-boy tweak this week, in conjunction with the wings. I decided that 3.5 inch solid front risers (glued together 2x4 pieces, 11" wide, set on edge) offer the best result, with a real improvment in clarity and dynamics. I cut the mid and tweeter pots back about 4 degrees. The sound is amazing; transparency is improved, and the balance is as good as I've ever heard.

Glad you like it.  The height you use is often dependant on your "listening height".  It is surprising how much vertical dispersion that tweeter seems to have.  I use an 8-9" increase and it lookd like Russ is even higher than that.

The wings and bases really took the whole up a major step; I wouldn't have guessed it was possible.

I have clients who keep finding improvements even after 5-6 years.  It is mindboggling.

The only other tweak on the speakers is that I've used Bybee filters on the speaker inputs for a long time. A subtle but worthwhile improvement, although they cost a good deal more than the $15 I've got in the new tweaks!

Well, since we had Wywires, and Bybee filters installed on this years RM50's it is hard to tell what made the difference (and it was a different room), but this years system in Vegas was the best I have ever heard anytime or anywhere for overall capability (at ANY price)

[jonbee]

Just to  finish out this thread- I've spent a lot of time this week experimenting with raising the speakers (high-boy tweak). I tried a number of different heights, from 3-10". Raising them had some real benefits- the soundstage focus improved, and the integration between the woofers and mids was better. The sound was also much more upfront. Not minor changes, either. Initially I was very taken by the improvement. The whole range up through the midrange was improved. However, the more I listened, the more the upfront presentation, partticularly in the top end, was too much. I found listening fatigue to be a problem, which it had not been before. So I put them back on the floor, with the small tilt provided by 1/2" slats under the front edge, and felt the ease that I love so much return. I did lose some lower range focus; the sound is a bit more diffuse but warmer. For me and my gear that is how I will use them. The wings are in place to stay. They provide just enough extra body and slam in the lower mids and upper bass to balnce the picture very nicely.
As always, your mileage will vary. Just my 2c on the matter.

[doug s.]

jon, perhaps raising them back up, and using bigger wings, extending them further to the floor, along with further mid & treble pot tweaks, may give you the balance you need, plus the additional focus...  i have never heard the rm30's, but i experienced big gains by raising the similarly-sized coincident victory's.  of course, i was using (vmps larger) subs, crossed over at ~80hz, so this may have also contributed to the overall improvements in presentation, w/no downsides...

doug s.

[Scottdazzle]

I think I may be benefiting like jonbee by having the RM30M with the sidefiring 10" woofers instead of the RM30C.  Elevating them definitely improved bass articulation and smoothness with no ill effects.