Enclosures
I thought the RBH series that I am referring to come built into their own enclosure? Wouldn't that mean the fall into the category of better quality inwall?
I know that you are a very active DIYer so building your own inwalls probably seem pretty simple, however, I find the concept very intimidating.
Despite that fact, I also find it very intriguing. Could I use my rockets and actually use them as inwalls? Has there been anybody else who has built their own inwalls that would be willing to walk somebody like me through it?
Most RBH in-walls don't come with a custom enclosure, they build a generic one size fits all. Even then, MOST (99.999%) of installers don't other with them anyway and some have even been told they sound better without a backbox, RBH does design in-walls to utilize the full stud space anyway.
Signatures, do have a custom tuned back box. It incorporates a thin metal rim that fits the baffle perfectly. Of course you need to rip great holes in your drywall to install them unless in a new home and done during the prewire stage. The baffle and grill that show through the wall are MUCH smaller than the back box which is nearly 5' tall (as you can see in the picture)
http://www.rbhsound.com/si6100.shtml
As for the reference drivers, YES, the ScanSpeak tweeters and Status Acoustic (also an RBH product) woofers are superior to the standard Signature drivers, however, unless in a nearly perfect room and listen under very critical conditions, you probably won't really notice a great difference. Signature drivers are proprietary, RBH designed and are AMAZING. They work around ring at rolloff to offer a perfect product, this sort of R&D is only found in far more expensive products, if at all.
I was just demoing a pair of the new MC-6CT's for a theatre designer and he was floored at the range, power handling and detail of aluminum. He admitted looking at a lot of product, and said this was the best sounding cone he'd ever heard. The MC series, as just described, are not even at the same level as the Signatures, however I would challenge you to find a better sounding driver anywhere, regardless of the price point.
as for: "you need towers for better power handling."
If that was with respect to the 6000's or 6100's, not true at all. I've seen them installed in massive home theatre rooms, pumping out SERIOUS SPL without any effort. 4 in floor subs, 6100 L/C/R with 760 rears and sides, absolutely POUNDING effortlessly. you will never bottom them out.
Yeah, it sounds a bit overblown but it's the truth, if you haven't heard a pair, it's hard to imagine (I know I doubted it at first too, especially being a former Paradigm rep) but once your ears hear RBH and their aluminum cones, you'll never go back.
I have seen 6100's and 6000's used in $200,000+ home theaters in multi-million dollar mansions and they sound flawless. If you like to really turn it up and shake the room, no problem, even their tiny satellite monitors literally crank and pound effortlessly.
Having worked with many competitive product lines, I can tell you straight up, and anyone who owns or knows RBH will tell you also, they are by far the best value for money on the market today. I've tried many many times to find a better sounding in-wall or in-ceiling product, to no avail.
They were pioneers in the industry, were builders and designers for JBL, Fosgate, Macintosh and others for years. Then 17 years ago they started branding and building their own product, it reduces R&D costs, reduces production costs and allows them to offer a superior product at an affordable price.
Phew, sales pitch over, and I don't even sell them myself a living, I am just a rep for low voltage and home theatre installers. Knowing them now, I would gladly buy anything RBH came out with, unseen and unheard.
