New RBH Impression Series Bookshelves Look Interesting.

[gene]

RBH Sound has overhauled their acclaimed "Impression" speaker series, and Audioholics has managed to get their R-5 and R-515 speakers in for review. These affordable speakers keep the same great looks as the previous Impression speakers but add better build quality and enhanced performance.

Imaging for the lead vocalists on the R-5s was strikingly precise.

I’m not sure that a nicer-looking speaker can be had at that pricing.

We explore the latest improvements RBH has made to this series though exhaustive measurements and listening tests. Read on to see if the RBH R-5 bookshelf and R-515 LCR speakers should have a place in your sound system.

Read: RBH Sound R-5 and R-515 LCR Impression Series Speakers Review

 

[gene]

 

[TechHDS]

Anyone on here has the 55e towers? The bookshelf’s seem to be very nice.

Mike

 

[TechHDS]

Not just interesting. I have been listening to the R5e for about a month (pays to live close to their facilities). It has one of the finest tweeters I have heard. Overall, the best bookshelf I have ever owned. They have an amazing sound stage. I own their reference grade speakers in my main theater room, but this is my choice for two channel music. They hit a home run.

When you where there you wouldn’t have happen to take a look see or listen to pair of R55E’s by chance?

Mike

 

[blaze2051]

Im really considering picking up the 515E LCR

 

[shadyJ]

Im really considering picking up the 515E LCR

Now is a great time to do that. I haven't used those, but I suspect they are very good speakers, at least if my experience with the standard R-515 and R-55E speakers are anything to go by.

 

[Space2013]

I have three of the R515E speakers, and I'm wondering for anyone else who has the R515 what they are using for a crossover to the sub? I only have one sub, an RBH I-12 (no room for a second). The problem I'm running into is that I like to run the sub hot for music, but if I crossover at 80hz then I can notice a drop in base as the speakers take over above 80hz. Any thoughts besides getting dual subs?

 

[KEW]

I have three of the R515E speakers, and I'm wondering for anyone else who has the R515 what they are using for a crossover to the sub? I only have one sub, an RBH I-12 (no room for a second). The problem I'm running into is that I like to run the sub hot for music, but if I crossover at 80hz then I can notice a drop in base as the speakers take over above 80hz. Any thoughts besides getting dual subs?

If you run the sub hot, there will always be a step increase in the frequency response where the sub takes over (assuming the speakers and sub both have a basically flat frequency response). Often you can get away with it for HT, but music more often forces you to be honest!
If your AVR has EQ, you may be able to tone down the sub right where it takes over (or increase the bass where the speakers are getting close to handing the signal to the sub) and end up with a ramp increase instead of the step. That should help hide it some.

 

[shadyJ]

I have three of the R515E speakers, and I'm wondering for anyone else who has the R515 what they are using for a crossover to the sub? I only have one sub, an RBH I-12 (no room for a second). The problem I'm running into is that I like to run the sub hot for music, but if I crossover at 80hz then I can notice a drop in base as the speakers take over above 80hz. Any thoughts besides getting dual subs?

You can raise the crossover point of the sub, but that risks greater localization of the bass sound. I would just use an equalizer or tone control of some kind, either at the source or at the processing level before it gets to bass management. Look to see if your AVR has a tone control- sometimes that can be buried. If your source is a computer, there are all kind of software equalizers that you can use to shape the response however you want. You can always just buy an outboard equalizer as well, like a MiniDSP.

 

[Space2013]

I will look into that, I guess that's always a risk of running the subs hot!

I do think the R515E speakers sound great. I am surprised in the review that they seem to roll off rather early, it almost seems like they require a higher crossover with a sub than 80Hz, although as you mentioned that risks bass localization.

 

[shadyJ]

I will look into that, I guess that's always a risk of running the subs hot!

I do think the R515E speakers sound great. I am surprised in the review that they seem to roll off rather early, it almost seems like they require a higher crossover with a sub than 80Hz, although as you mentioned that risks bass localization.

80 Hz is a good crossover point for these speakers. While the roll-off looks to start a tad higher than 80, you will inevitably get some room gain that will shore up the low end. I might want maybe a 90 Hz crossover if I were calibrating them in an anechoic chamber, but in a domestic room, 80 Hz will do just fine.

Anyway, the lower they are tuned, they lower their sensitivity would become. I would rather have them punch hard at 80 Hz and above than give up headroom for a deeper tuning point that I would never take advantage of, since these would almost always be used with a subwoofer.

 

[charmerci]

Seriously? What's so hard about coming up with slightly different "names" for these? 5, 5E, 55, 55E, 515 and 515E - easily very confusing.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Seriously? What's so hard about coming up with slightly different "names" for these? 5, 5E, 55, 55E, 515 and 515E - easily very confusing.

Nomenclature is always fun.

How would you name the 3 different speakers?

R200, R300, and R600?

For Elites, they would be RE200, RE300, and RE600.

 

[shadyJ]

Seriously? What's so hard about coming up with slightly different "names" for these? 5, 5E, 55, 55E, 515 and 515E - easily very confusing.

To be honest, a clearer naming scheme wouldn't hurt product lines like these. Like call the R-55E the "Impression Tower Elite" and the R-515, "Impression LCR" and so on. Otherwise it can just turn into alphanumeric soup for those who aren't looking at these products closely.

 

[TechHDS]

I have three of the R515E speakers, and I'm wondering for anyone else who has the R515 what they are using for a crossover to the sub? I only have one sub, an RBH I-12 (no room for a second). The problem I'm running into is that I like to run the sub hot for music, but if I crossover at 80hz then I can notice a drop in base as the speakers take over above 80hz. Any thoughts besides getting dual subs?

@Space2013, how are you liking your Elites? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!! I’m about to order them with the center.

Mike

 

[TechHDS]

Nomenclature is always fun.

How would you name the 3 different speakers?

R200, R300, and R600?

For Elites, they would be RE200, RE300, and RE600.

Or how about RBH Elite Towers.

Mike

 

[charmerci]

Nomenclature is always fun.

How would you name the 3 different speakers?

R200, R300, and R600?

For Elites, they would be RE200, RE300, and RE600.

Something like - 22, 22E, 33, 33E and 505/505E