New RBH Sound SX-1212/R Subwoofer

[gene]

We checked out the RBH demo room at CEDIA today. They were demoing their new SX-1212/R subwoofer and it rocked the place.

Here are some specs:

• dual 12" high excursion drivers each with 12+lb motor structurers
• 3000 watt USA made amplifier with 30A fuse. Feed this baby the power if you've gt it.
• DSP front end to linearize the driver/cabinet response
• No crossover or bass management, meant to work directly with your A/V processor
• Similar output capability of the bass module in the new $50k Status Acoustics Titus 8T
• Port diameter is a whopping 6" and 30" long. That's no typo, this baby has a huge bottom mounted port. You could fit your head in it!
• Available in black or sandalwood finish
• Price: $5k

 

[shadyJ]

umm... I hate to be the first jerk to say it, but for $5k you could get two Seaton Submersives. On the other hand, this sub does look like it packs a lot of punch for the footprint, if not the dollar. But for $5k I would want a black gloss finish at the very least, or something on that level.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

umm... I hate to be the first jerk to say it, but for $5k you could get two Seaton Submersives. On the other hand, this sub does look like it packs a lot of punch for the footprint, if not the dollar. But for $5k I would want a black gloss finish at the very least, or something on that level.

Well, I'm glad you're the first and not I.

$5K for one sub? ouch!

There's a lot of competition at this price.

Dual Funk 18.0 unpowered subs = $4000 delivered (add a Crown XLS2500 for $500).

 

[gtpsuper24]

Sorry I don't see a $5,000 subwoofer. I think some of these B&M brands just charge a ridiculous amount for there stuff just cause it sells in a retail showroom. I guess this is the subwoofer if you just have to have a all matching RBH system, but if not IMO theres dozens of better options for less. The pictures may not do it justice but it looks like a EMP subwoofer with aluminum drivers. I always wonder how SVS or HSU can offer such bang for the buck products but yet some of these big retail brands charge so much, the profit margins must be huge. I bet the SVS Ultra would be $8,000 if it was sold in a showroom.

 

[templemaners]

umm... I hate to be the first jerk to say it, but for $5k you could get two Seaton Submersives. On the other hand, this sub does look like it packs a lot of punch for the footprint, if not the dollar. But for $5k I would want a black gloss finish at the very least, or something on that level.

Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Sorry I don't see a $5,000 subwoofer. I think some of these B&M brands just charge a ridiculous amount for there stuff just cause it sells in a retail showroom. I guess this is the subwoofer if you just have to have a all matching RBH system, but if not IMO theres dozens of better options for less. The pictures may not do it justice but it looks like a EMP subwoofer with aluminum drivers.

$5K for a one dual-12" aluminum woofers sub is a little steep. I thought maybe at least dual beryllium woofers or something.

But another aluminum sub? No thanks.

No wonder they won't release an 8T sub. That would be like $10K for one sub.

I'll pass.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking.

I'd like to know who among us is NOT thinking the same.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Just to be "devil's" advocate - I'm confident that :
A) This sub offers indeed reference performance comparable to best offerings from ID brands
B) It's not designed/marketed to be offered to typical AH crowd - In fact in it's target market many could consider it too cheap to add to their 40-60k speakers ...

Of course you'll never see me getting it

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just to be "devil's" advocate - I'm confident that :
A) This sub offers indeed reference performance comparable to best offerings from ID brands
B) It's not designed/marketed to be offered to typical AH crowd - In fact in it's target market many could consider it too cheap to add to their 40-60k speakers

Brown noser.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Brown noser.

Hey! A) I intend to visit Next AH's shindig in Florida
and B) Wanted to change a tune once in a while from my regular self - see remarks such as this one:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/896753-post2.html

 

[pbc]

CEDIA is always a fun place to watch the most expensive offerings pop up. It's geared towards "professional installers", also known as "people who are hired by really rich guys to install the most expensive gear in their homes regardless of price to performance ratio".

I recall trying to convince my bro to purchase dual SubM's or dual 18.0's from Funk vs the Sub2 from Paradigm. He just didn't care that he could get more performance for much less, he just wanted the Paradigm Signature brand, and their top of the line sub, "because I can".

Don't get me wrong, it's an incredible subwoofer, fit and finish second to none, gobs of output in a "small" form factor, etc. But for the $8k or whatever it was out the door ...

Oh, and he's already wondering when he should get the second. If only we all had these kinds of issues!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

CEDIA is always a fun place to watch the most expensive offerings pop up. It's geared towards "professional installers", also known as "people who are hired by really rich guys to install the most expensive gear in their homes regardless of price to performance ratio".

I recall trying to convince my bro to purchase dual SubM's or dual 18.0's from Funk vs the Sub2 from Paradigm. He just didn't care that he could get more performance for much less, he just wanted the Paradigm Signature brand, and their top of the line sub, "because I can".

Don't get me wrong, it's an incredible subwoofer, fit and finish second to none, gobs of output in a "small" form factor, etc. But for the $8k or whatever it was out the door ...

Oh, and he's already wondering when he should get the second. If only we all had these kinds of issues!

Then he should have gotten the $16,000 KEF Reference 209 subwoofer.

http://www.kefdirect.com/209-subwoofer.html

Dual KEF 209 would be only $32,000. Pocket change.

 

[gene]

This sub has gobs of output and it sounds great. It's not a value product when compared to ID but for B&M its actually much cheaper than its competitors.

The THX guys were all hovering in the demo area very impressed with its performance. I have no doubt this sub would exceed our Extreme Bassaholic rating. Josh Ricci will be doing a full test on this when they get us a production unit. Looking forward to that!

BTW, RBH does offer 30 custom wood finishes as well....

 

[Adam]

Josh Ricci will be doing a full test on this when they get us a production unit.

Well, if Josh is busy, I might have some free time.

Just sayin'.

 

[Hocky]

Nothing wrong with the price point as far as I am concerned.

 

[ack_bak]

Just to be "devil's" advocate - I'm confident that :
A) This sub offers indeed reference performance comparable to best offerings from ID brands
B) It's not designed/marketed to be offered to typical AH crowd - In fact in it's target market many could consider it too cheap to add to their 40-60k speakers ...

Of course you'll never see me getting it

Exactly. RBH is targeting the custom installer market many whose customers would not think twice about a $5K sub.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Then he should have gotten the $16,000 KEF Reference 209 subwoofer.

KEF Reference 209 Subwoofer - Free Shipping 18" Reference 209 Subwoofer.

Dual KEF 209 would be only $32,000. Pocket change.

Wow, that makes my DD18+ look like a freaking bargain.

 

[pbc]

Don't know why, but it's cracking me up that the Kef $15k subwoofer is available online via their "Kef Direct" store. Seems so easy to "add to cart".

 

[shadyJ]

hmm, get one KEF 18" sub or get five Funk 18.0 subs, each of which likely offers better performance, for the same price.. hmm, decision, decisions..

 

[mtrycrafts]

We checked out the RBH demo room at CEDIA today. They were demoing their new SX-1212/R subwoofer and it rocked the place.

Here are some specs:

• dual 12" high excursion drivers each with 12+lb motor structurers
• 3000 watt USA made amplifier with 30A fuse. Feed this baby the power if you've gt it.
• DSP front end to linearize the driver/cabinet response
• No crossover or bass management, meant to work directly with your A/V processor
• Similar output capability of the bass module in the new $50k Status Acoustics Titus 8T
• Port diameter is a whopping 6" and 30" long. That's no typo, this baby has a huge bottom mounted port. You could fit your head in it!
• Available in black or sandalwood finish
• Price: $5k

Any future plans for a test of this sub?