RBH 61-SE/R Speakers - How do they compare?

[brian rin]

Hello, I'm a newbie in the audio world and have a question about RBH 61-SE/R speakers that were reviewed on this website.

I have a chance to snag a pair of these for around the same price as popular bookshelf speakers that are mentioned frequently: Ascend Sierra, Salk SongSurround, KEF R300, Paradigm Studio 20, Philharmonitors, etc.

So my question is, how do the RBH compare to those speakers? From what I understand (please correct me if I'm wrong), the RBH is relatively an older design and might not be the best value even at 50% MSRP. I tried to find online owner impressions, but I only found maybe one or two that just did not have much information. I know Audioholics praised the ability of these speakers, but are their performance relevant even today?

I would love to hear any impression from those who have heard the RBH and other bookshelves in the same price range...

Thank you.

 

[macddmac]

1/2 price new.. I'll buy em

 

[gene]

Hello, I'm a newbie in the audio world and have a question about RBH 61-SE/R speakers that were reviewed on this website.

I have a chance to snag a pair of these for around the same price as popular bookshelf speakers that are mentioned frequently: Ascend Sierra, Salk SongSurround, KEF R300, Paradigm Studio 20, Philharmonitors, etc.

So my question is, how do the RBH compare to those speakers? From what I understand (please correct me if I'm wrong), the RBH is relatively an older design and might not be the best value even at 50% MSRP. I tried to find online owner impressions, but I only found maybe one or two that just did not have much information. I know Audioholics praised the ability of these speakers, but are their performance relevant even today?

I would love to hear any impression from those who have heard the RBH and other bookshelves in the same price range...

Thank you.

The 61-SE/R's are classics. They use the Scan Speak 9500 which is arguably one of the finest dome tweeters ever built due to its incredible off-axis response, high power handling, low Fs and low distortion. The mid driver is still their current aluminum phase plug mid used on many of their upper echelon products.

If you can get a pair for 1/2 retail I'd jump on that deal!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The older RBH don't look that great aesthetically, though.

The newer SX-series with the nice curved body looks much better.

RBH SX-61
MSRP $1,200/PR
Dealer $750/PR

RBH SX-61/R
MSRP $1900/PR
Dealer $1188/PR

RBH SX-T1
MSRP: $5,200/PR
Dealer: $2,825/PR

 

[brian rin]

Thank you all for the replies. I might grab them very soon and will post impressions if anyone is interested...

And the SX-61/R look VERY sexy indeed! Would choose those if I had the funds!

 

[brian rin]

So, I just got a pair of them and they are sitting at home, anxiously waiting to be unpacked from boxes. I'll post my impression and pictures because why not.

Just one thing for now - they are a lot bigger and heavier than I expected. Might need a new pair of stand for these.

 

[gene]

So, I just got a pair of them and they are sitting at home, anxiously waiting to be unpacked from boxes. I'll post my impression and pictures because why not.

Just one thing for now - they are a lot bigger and heavier than I expected. Might need a new pair of stand for these.

With proper placement and setup, the speakers will disappear in a small room. Throw in a nice musical sub and you've got sonic nirvana!

 

[brian rin]

So here's a little update on the speakers. I haven't had much time to play around with placement and adjustments until few days ago. I was upgrading from my trusty Energy RC-10 speakers that I have liked very much - even more after I recently got a Denon receiver with Audyssey XT.

Long story short, I couldn't get the RBH to sound good in my room no matter what I tried. I have a very limited space in my small room of about 1200 cubic feet. It has a desk, a bed, a piano, a huge window, etc. I have no doubt that the 61-SE/R are very fine speakers, but their potential just couldn't be realized in my room. Audyssey couldn't properly calibrate 61-SE/R to my liking (crossover was WAY off at 120hz regardless of multitudes of mic positions I tried). My subs aren't capable of reaching 120hz without distortion and localization issues.

For now, I'm gonna have them boxed up in storage until I either completely re-configure my room or move into a bigger house. I re-learned the lesson that speaker and room acoustics interactions are too big to not consider. RC-10s will have to suffice for now - not that I am dissatisfied by them!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So here's a little update on the speakers. I haven't had much time to play around with placement and adjustments until few days ago. I was upgrading from my trusty Energy RC-10 speakers that I have liked very much - even more after I recently got a Denon receiver with Audyssey XT.

Long story short, I couldn't get the RBH to sound good in my room no matter what I tried. I have a very limited space in my small room of about 1200 cubic feet. It has a desk, a bed, a piano, a huge window, etc. I have no doubt that the 61-SE/R are very fine speakers, but their potential just couldn't be realized in my room. Audyssey couldn't properly calibrate 61-SE/R to my liking (crossover was WAY off at 120hz regardless of multitudes of mic positions I tried). My subs aren't capable of reaching 120hz without distortion and localization issues.

For now, I'm gonna have them boxed up in storage until I either completely re-configure my room or move into a bigger house. I re-learned the lesson that speaker and room acoustics interactions are too big to not consider. RC-10s will have to suffice for now - not that I am dissatisfied by them!

Wow, that sucks. Sorry to hear. I've heard the T1 monitors & they sounded awesome. If I ever get rid of all my speakers, I would get five SX-T1 monitors.

Never heard the 61/R, though.