Introducing the CinemaSITE from RBH Sound - A First Look

[Audioholics]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/RBHSoundCinemaSITEreview1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 74px" alt=[CinemaSITE] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/CinemaSITE_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>When I first saw the RBH Sound CinemaSITE at the 2004 CEDIA show I was instantly captivated by the sheer genius of the product. For years it was only possible to get the elegant look of a custom home theater by either a) having a one-off custom wood-worked cabinet designed and, or b) utilizing an existing furniture solution that allowed integration of speakers on shelves. The problem with either of these solutions can be summed up by a factor of cost, inconvenience and severely compromised sound quality. The RBH Sound CinemaSITE on the other hand has been completely designed from the ground up to serve as a custom install solution for housing their Signature Series line of in-wall loudspeakers...

[Read the First Look]

 

[ned]

Nice! Sure wish the price could be lower.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Just out of curiosity, what are your demo room dimensions? (and also, how small a room would this system work well in?)

Also if Audioholics needs to give this away in a few months ........

 

[Privateer]

What electronics were you using?

 

[Takeereasy]

I don't want to say that this is the coolest thing ever, but this may be the coolest thing ever. It seems like such a straightforward, practical, common-sense idea. A prefabricated setup that looks custom. I don't know if anyone else is doing this but it is a good idea. I am aware that the pricetag is well above my budget, but it still seems like a great deal, especially when you compare to the cost of a true custom HT. Plus those speakers are sexy looking. Something worth considering for anyone looking to put in a real HT, or someone building a new home that can squeeze in a lot more for their budget.

 

[Tom Andry]

You know, I showed the article to my wife and she remarked, "Well, that wouldn't work in our room would it?" in a hopeful voice. She really liked it...until I told her it was 23k. Then it took smelling salts and cold water to revive her.

 

[Audioholics]

What electronics were you using?

I was using the system in a 5.1 configuration with an Emotiva processor and a Rotel RMB-1095 5-channel amplifier.

The next configuration, which will be featured in the full review, will have a 7.1 configuration with 66-SE dipole Surrounds and 41-SE Back Surrounds. It will be driven by either a Marantz SR9600 or a Denon AVR-4806 (depending upon who ships first).

The room is about 17 x 12 (not including large rear closets to hold the equipment) which makes it a tight fit, but acoustical room treatments (being installed shortly) should help considerably.

Compared to truly custom cabinet instalations - this system actually saves tons of money and time. But, yes, for the average Joe it may be on the expensive side.

 

[Privateer]

The next configuration, which will be featured in the full review, will have a 7.1 configuration with 66-SE dipole Surrounds and 41-SE Back Surrounds. It will be driven by either a Marantz SR9600 or a Denon AVR-4806 (depending upon who ships first).

Are you going to use those units as a whole or just for proccesing? Going from the rotel to the Marantz SR9600 or Denon AVR-4806 will be a HUGE drop in the amp department.

 

[Audioholics]

When I review them they (receivers) will drive the whole system. When I'm done reviewing I'll likely use the receiver amps to power the Surround Back channels until I eventually use an Emotiva MPS-1 to drive the entire system.

Not much in an Audioholics Reference System is permanent so we try not to get too attached.