Is RBH the best bang for the buck?

[ivseenbetter]

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.

Thanks. I really appreciate your post. It seems that there isn’t a lot of people that have any hands on experience with these RBH products…or at least nobody that is willing to post anything. Unfortunately, there really isn’t anybody nearby for me to audition these speakers with so I am hoping I can get opinions to help base my decision off of. I see that you noted I most likely won’t be able to tell much of a difference in sound when utilizing the “R” version of their speakers. I still might lean toward the “R” versions since I know that mentally I will know that I bought the lesser speaker and will probably convince myself that I bought a lesser product.

To be honest, I am torn. I like what RBH has to offer…however, they are a little pricey. I’m not complaining, if I buy them and they perform I will be happy. However, my research as uncovered a few other options. The Paradigms mentioned earlier in this thread seem to have a proven track record…but I just don’t know if I can stomach the cost. Actually, let me rephrase that, I don’t think my wife could stomach the cost. Then there is an offering provided by Speakercraft (Aim Cinema 5). They don’t have the MDF backings so I wonder about their overall quality…however, they have a good reputation and coupled with the fact that you can “aim” the drivers, it helps offset some of the compromises of having inwalls. If I got this model I could actually “toe” in the speakers using the aim capability.

 

[mperfct]

For what it's worth, I have SI-760's in my theater as L/C/Rs. My room is only 1700 cubic feet, but they fill it effortlessly and they are terrific. I auditioned a LOT of in walls, but bought the RBH's without auditioning them...and don't regret it for a second. I think they are very detailed, posess and excellent soundstage, and they taste like dark chocolate when you lick the woofer (I had to work the word chocolate into the review somehow).

The models you are looking at are definitely world-beaters. I think they would crumple my 2 x 5/8ths sheetrock theater and open up a 40' deep sinkhole around my house.

For the money, could you do better? I really doubt it.

 

[lsiberian]

Generally it would seem bad not to have backer boxes for an in-wall speaker because speakers are designed to work in a given volume.

 

[ivseenbetter]

For what it's worth, I have SI-760's in my theater as L/C/Rs. My room is only 1700 cubic feet, but they fill it effortlessly and they are terrific. I auditioned a LOT of in walls, but bought the RBH's without auditioning them...and don't regret it for a second. I think they are very detailed, posess and excellent soundstage, and they taste like dark chocolate when you lick the woofer (I had to work the word chocolate into the review somehow).

The models you are looking at are definitely world-beaters. I think they would crumple my 2 x 5/8ths sheetrock theater and open up a 40' deep sinkhole around my house.

For the money, could you do better? I really doubt it.

Thanks for the feedback. I think they seem to be pretty incredible too. I keep coming back to them for that reason. I may end up getting them without hearing them first. I'm glad it worked out for you...that bodes well for me if I go down that road.

Generally it would seem bad not to have backer boxes for an in-wall speaker because speakers are designed to work in a given volume.

The Speakercraft inwalls have backer boxes...they just aren't MDF. I hear MDF is the better material for this type of application which is what has me concerned...however they are getting good reviews.

 

[ozmedia]

The Speakercraft inwalls have backer boxes...they just aren't MDF. I hear MDF is the better material for this type of application which is what has me concerned...however they are getting good reviews.

RBH changed backbox manufacturer's a year ago, they are now slightly better ina few areas, such as the binding posts instead of drilling holes and threading wires. The 6100 is basically the in-wall version of their famed T-System, a show-stopper and jaw dropper if I've ever seen one (and I have ). T-1 here: http://www.rbhsound.com/t1.shtml

The new RBH backoxes are MDF also, no need to worry there, they sound fantastic. Shane and crew at RBH would not let such a high end product be sacrificed by a poorly built backbox.

As for Reference, you WILL hear a slight difference and they ARE a slightly superior speaker, but how much that difference is worth to you in dollars is the key question.

Paradigm, I've sold them (in fact worked for the Canadian company that brought them to market when they started out too) they are great but the Sig's, if that's what you are looking at, as nice as they really are, will pale on comparison to RBH Signatures, ESPECIALLY reference models.

Speakercraft, the second more popular speaker in the industry, is also sold by many of our dealers who are slowly but surely switching to RBH across the board now. They used to just use the entry level Speakercraft models for their less expensive installs, now they are even using entry level RBH where they can too. I'd put them side by side any day of the week and be raking in the bets at the same time.

In closing, as for price, they do cost more than some others, but to match the sound you would pay far more from any other manufacturer, if you can find one that will outperform them. RBH designs in house, they are a former OEM for other famous speaker companies, this allows them to offer a superior product at an affordable price.

If you can't foot the bill for the 6100's oro 6000's, don' forget about mperfct. Those 760's will amaze you too, they certainly sound a hell of a lot bigger and more expensive than they really are (even the 740's are awesome, then again, I've heard their MC series outperform most others).