Well, I tried effectuating Audyssey yesterday after work even with 2 kids and parents over the house.
For now, I only did 4 microphone-measurements, instead of 8. But my preliminary assessment is that probably for the first time, I thought Audyssey Flat sounded a little better than Bypass.
I will have to wait until I am all alone in the house to re-apply Audyssey using 8 measurements. But at least this gets me started.
My impression of the RBH T2/R speakers is that they are mellifluous. But that is nothing new. It just confirms my previous impression of them from a few years ago.
I am wrote my review based on what I've heard so far using the same materials I've used over the years when auditioning. I tried to be a little creative with some wordings to make it a little less boring, so excuse my attempt.
But here it is.
RBH SX-T2/R Review
The RBH SX-T2/R isn’t your latest pretty girl to the dance. The SX-T2/R is more like the girl that you’ve known so well all your life, but have taken for granted. And many relationships and years later, you realize that she may very well be your soul mate. Well, okay, perhaps that’s a bit of a stretch. But I think it is pretty close, minus the soap opera and drama.
I first auditioned the RBH T2 (standard version) years ago before I bought the 9 sets of speakers – Revel Salon2, KEF 201/2, B&W 802D2, Linkwitz Orion3.2.1, Philharmonic 3, TAD 2201, ATC SCM7, Focal 826V, and Dynaudio X32. I also auditioned many others including speakers from Sound-field Audio, Funk Audio, Paradigm, PSB, NHT, Definitive Technology, Golden Ear, Klipsch, Martin Logan, Magnepan, Krell, Wilson Audio, DALI, JTR, and Monitor Audio. Many of these speakers are great sounding speakers. Most people would be happy with them. But what I realized was that all roads lead me back to RBH.
The key to finding your “soul mate” loudspeaker is having a clear and explicit goal. This may take years. Our needs and ideas may change over time. Mistakes will be made and the pain of trial and error is inevitable to many of us. My goal was as follows: 1) sound that is clear and detailed; impressive dynamic range; large soundstage; convincing imaging; 2) easily adjustable actively bi-amp bass that can powerful, punchy and musical without the need of internal amps or additional dedicated subwoofers; and 3) large towers that must not be too big and heavy. The last requirement seems like an oxymoron, but I’ll get to that.
If I had one word to describe the sound of the SX-T2/R, it would be “Pure”. The clarity, detail, and resolution of the sound are pure. It sounds as if you are inches away from the instruments. Nothing is between you and the instruments – not the microphones, the amps, the room, or the crowd. Every breath the singer takes, every chord the musicians play, and every sound the instruments make, for better or worse you are witnessed to utter detail and resolution. There is no forgiveness here. And absolution is unnecessary because the sound is pure.
The SX-T2/R reproduces sound that is like the original sound. The soundstage, imaging, and dynamics are as real as life whether the volume is low or high. The SX-T2/R features a technology called “Dispersion-Averaging Array”, which focuses the sound at the listening position for exceptional imaging and soundstage. In addition, the multiple aligned reference quality drivers increase efficiency and produce superlative dynamic range. The result is absolute true-to-life sound. Of course, this is most apparent when you listen to sound that has great dynamics. Just be fully warned. This speaker isn’t shy. It should be rated “EDR” for Extreme Dynamic Range. It will eviscerate your ear drums without flinching. You have been fully warned.
The bass from the SX-T2/R is amazing. It is tight. It is musical. It is accurate. The myth that ported bass isn’t as musical or accurate as sealed bass is absolutely false. Those who make such stereotypical claims evidently have never heard the bass quality from RBH loudspeakers and subwoofers. Actively bi-amp of the SX-T2/R with an external amplifier allows for easy adjustment of the bass volume. For smaller rooms where too much bass can be problematic, all you have to do is turn down the volume knob of the subwoofer amplifier. For larger rooms that could use more bass, all you need to do is turn up the volume knob of the subwoofer amplifier. Easy does it. In reality, RBH has taken the awesome musical bass from the massive T30-LSE Signature tower and turned it into an actual subwoofer called the SX-1010/R. Many audiophiles have asked for the same type of quality bass of large tower speakers, and RBH made it happened. Thus, the SX-T2/R is a “modular” tower consisting of the SX-T1/R, which is the top portion or the T30-LSE, and the SX-1010/R, which is the bottom portion of the T30-LSE. As a whole the SX-T2/R is a huge 60”, 150lbs intimidating tower. But because it is modular, each half is only about 30” tall and about 75lbs in weight. So the end result is a massive formidable impressive looking 60”, 150lbs man-tower that can be divided into 2 equal parts should you ever need to transport anywhere near or far. The sound quality is as impressive as the best speakers I’ve ever heard or owned.
The key to any marriage may be the ability to compromise. Loudspeakers are nothing as complex as a marriage, especially when you can cherry-pick all the features and quality that fit you best. Of all the loudspeakers that I’ve had intimate relationships with over the years, none fit me as perfectly as the RBH SX-T2/R. I am very happy to say that these RBH loudspeakers are the last speakers I will ever need to own...unless I win the lottery.
Review System
Loudspeakers: RBH SX-T2/R
Processor: Denon AVP-A1HDCI
Amplifier: ATI AT3005
Music: Eagles Hell Freezes Over, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City, Adele Live at The Royal Albert Hall, Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone, and Smallville Soundtrack.
