New RBH Sound SX-1212/R Subwoofer

[templemaners]

Any future plans for a test of this sub?

Gene mentioned they would be testing this sub when RBH gets a production unit out. See comment #13.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

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".

Excuse me, I believe you mean $16,000 sub.

Yeah, I've added them to my cart before too.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

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..

You won't see any arguments there.

Or four Funk 18.0 unpowered subs vs a single Paradigm sub?

 

[Ricci]

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

Just sayin'.

I swear I think Gene is laughing at me sometimes...His inner monologue probably goes something like this...

"Here Josh, I have your next review. (Chuckling to himself) A $5,000, large, bulky, 150lbs+ subwoofer with meticulous craftsmanship and beautiful finish. Please take it apart carefully and get some pictures of the internals and components. Then take it out for a date to a barren parking lot/field, in the back of an SUV and interrogate it thoroughly with test signals. Do try not to get any scratches on it, or break anything in the meantime. Good luck and try to relax..."

 

[gene]

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.

A Porsche and Volkswagen both have 4 wheels and are made by the same parent company but they do drive just a little bit differently

 

[gtpsuper24]

A Porsche and Volkswagen both have 4 wheels and are made by the same parent company but they do drive just a little bit differently

Never said anything about them performing the same. Nothing I said was false its very very similar LOOKING to the EMP subwoofer, you know since they are from the same company the designs are similar. Both have black wood grain on the sides and rear with curved sides, both have a smooth gloss/matte finish on the front, both are bottomed ported, both have dual stacked front firing drivers.

$5k, is some serious competition in that price range. Dual SVS Ultras, JTR Caps, Seaton SubMersives, Quad HSU VTF 15H, Quad SVS PB12 Plus, not to mention Velodynes, Def Tech Trinitiy, Martin Logan, Paradigm.

Theres alot of competition out there, if your a die hard RBH fan than this is your new subwoofer, if you don't value price to performance but value looks or matching your existing speakers than this is your subwoofer. If you value bang for buck or extracting the last bit of performance per dollar than this might not be it.

 

[gene]

Never said anything about them performing the same. Nothing I said was false its very very similar LOOKING to the EMP subwoofer, you know since they are from the same company the designs are similar. Both have black wood grain on the sides and rear with curved sides, both have a smooth gloss/matte finish on the front, both are bottomed ported, both have dual stacked front firing drivers.

$5k, is some serious competition in that price range. Dual SVS Ultras, JTR Caps, Seaton SubMersives, Quad HSU VTF 15H, Quad SVS PB12 Plus, not to mention Velodynes, Def Tech Trinitiy, Martin Logan, Paradigm.

Theres alot of competition out there, if your a die hard RBH fan than this is your new subwoofer, if you don't value price to performance but value looks or matching your existing speakers than this is your subwoofer. If you value bang for buck or extracting the last bit of performance per dollar than this might not be it.

The finish quality and materials used are much different from the RBH compared to the EMP. Just b/c they share the shape in cabinet doesn't make them similar which your original post lead people to believe. The design goals are MUCH different between the 2 products. It again is like saying a Porsche and Volkswagen are similar b/c they have 4 wheels and a steering wheel and are made by the same parent company.

Yes $5k is a lot for a sub, but this sub has extreme output capability, far exceeding most if not all of the others on your list. Yes you could get 4 cheaper subs for better bass control, but you could also get 4 of these for better bass control and more output.

The same argument can be held for the cheaper subs on your list. You could find even cheaper alternatives and get 8 of those instead of 4 of these. It never ends.

How about reserving judgement until we actually evaluate and measure the thing or until you at least have the chance to hear it for yourself!

 

[templemaners]

Yes $5k is a lot for a sub, but this sub has extreme output capability, far exceeding most if not all of the others on your list. Yes you could get 4 cheaper subs for better bass control, but you could also get 4 of these for better bass control and more output.

How about reserving judgement until we actually evaluate and measure the thing or until you at least have the chance to hear it for yourself!

It would be better if you followed your own advice instead of constantly shooting down the notion that RBH might not be the be all and end all of speaker goodness.

Because there's no possible way a ported 18" sub with a 2400 watt amp could ever come close to dual 12" ported sub with 3000 watts.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It would be better if you followed your own advice instead of constantly shooting down the notion that RBH might not be the be all and end all of speaker goodness.

Because there's no possible way a ported 18" sub with a 2400 watt amp could ever come close to dual 12" ported sub with 3000 watts.

Area of dual 12" woofers are 226 sq inc (pi * radius ^2), while single 18" is 254 sq inc - Not huge difference
Power differences might be insignificant since you don't know the conditions these measurements were made

So I disagree on "No possible way" and will reserve my judgement till we see results. As I said before, this is all purely theoretical for ME, since I know I'd get $1-1.5k priced sub TOPS

 

[gene]

It would be better if you followed your own advice instead of constantly shooting down the notion that RBH might not be the be all and end all of speaker goodness.

Because there's no possible way a ported 18" sub with a 2400 watt amp could ever come close to dual 12" ported sub with 3000 watts.

I never said RBH is the be all in speakers or subs but I think its great they finally came out with a large high output sub for the custom install market.

The problem is, a few keyboard commandos here that would NEVER be in the market for a sub like this have to pass judgement on the product b/c of price and no direct experience. The same thing happened when we reviewed the Paradigm Sub 2 and the Velodyne DD-18+. It leaves a bad taste is manufacturers mouths when you get forum responses like this. It's disheartening to hear manufacturers tell me they are cautious about sending us gear to review NOT b/c of our review style, but b/c of forum trolling that happens quite regularly on our site.

My goal is to take Audioholics to the next level by getting more involved with pros, custom installers and high end manufacturers but forum trolling doesn't help us and god forbid any of our regular forum members would want to help support our cause of providing accurate and detailed product reviews and installation tips for ABSOLUTELY FREE to the consumers....

 

[Steve81]

The problem is, a few keyboard commandos here that would NEVER be in the market for a sub like this have to pass judgement on the product b/c of price and no direct experience.

Welcome to the internet.

 

[its phillip]

Area of dual 12" woofers are 226 sq inc (pi * radius ^2), while single 18" is 254 sq inc - Not huge difference
Power differences might be insignificant since you don't know how the conditions these measurements were made

So I disagree on "No possible way" and will reserve my judgement till we see results. As I said before, this is all purely theoretical for ME, since I know I'd get $1-1.5k priced sub TOPS

Can't just go with the surface area. You need to calculate the Vd...and I'm betting the captivator driver will have significantly more displacement than these pair of twelves, but that's just me guessing. I'd love to see an audioholics review of the captivator, captivator s, s2, and/or any other JTR offerings, as well as a review of Seaton's offerings. I'd guess a submersive F2 would be easier to review than the normal submersive since both drivers are on one side.

Anyway, I am of course eager to see the RBH sub review, even though units like this are well out of my keyboard commando price range

 

[Steve81]

Anyway, I am of course eager to see the RBH sub review, even though units like this are well out of my keyboard commando price range

Wholeheartedly agree. Ricci's reviews are a huge value add to any (competent) subwoofer. It's nice to know there aren't any big skeletons in the closet of the subwoofer you just purchased. Plus, while I might not be in the market for such a sub today, you never know when I might become even more fortunate than I am today and start looking again

 

[gene]

Can't just go with the surface area. You need to calculate the Vd...and I'm betting the captivator driver will have significantly more displacement than these pair of twelves, but that's just me guessing. I'd love to see an audioholics review of the captivator, captivator s, s2, and/or any other JTR offerings, as well as a review of Seaton's offerings. I'd guess a submersive F2 would be easier to review than the normal submersive since both drivers are on one side.

Anyway, I am of course eager to see the RBH sub review, even though units like this are well out of my keyboard commando price range

Would love to review the Seaton sub but I've contacted them at least 2-3 times and never got a response. I will submit a request for JTR b/c that subs looks killer too. My goal is to review every monster sized sub on the market....Well, not me, but Josh

 

[Irvrobinson]

$5k, is some serious competition in that price range. Dual SVS Ultras, JTR Caps, Seaton SubMersives, Quad HSU VTF 15H, Quad SVS PB12 Plus, not to mention Velodynes, Def Tech Trinitiy, Martin Logan, Paradigm.

Theres alot of competition out there, if your a die hard RBH fan than this is your new subwoofer, if you don't value price to performance but value looks or matching your existing speakers than this is your subwoofer. If you value bang for buck or extracting the last bit of performance per dollar than this might not be it.

As someone who definitely shops in this price range (I own a DD18 Plus), I've got news for everyone who thinks a dual-something-cheaper is somehow competition for the premium thing... no it isn't. The only reason I don't have twin DD18 Pluses is that I wanted to see how one performed before I sullied my room with another 140lb monster, and by luck one worked fine. Never once did it occur to me that I should consider two $2K subs rather than one really premium sub. Cost was not the primary factor, the overall product and user experience was. I also hang around with a few other folks that shop in this price range, and none of us ever think about pure price performance. There's more to any product than just raw performance.

 

[rmk]

Good to see AH facilitating the testing of subs. There is much noise and disinformation out in the market place and reliable 3rd party testing will be helpful in the decision making process.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

manufacturers tell me they are cautious about sending us gear to review NOT b/c of our review style, but b/c of forum trolling that happens quite regularly on our site.

Dang. I didn't realize that.

There is a sub for everyone based on a lot of factors. I take back what I said about the SX-1212R or Paradigm Sub 2, and especially the $16,000 KEF 209.

Dear KEF,

If your are watching, please send AH your 209 sub for review. We love you.

 

[its phillip]

Did you order some Focals and Dynaudios? I see they are in your signature picture now.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Did you order some Focals and Dynaudios? I see they are in your signature picture now.

Yes, sir.

I love all speakers and subs. Great stuffs.