Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Mark -

Curious about your thoughts on how the PSB Imagine Mini's when combined with a HSU VTF 15H sub would compare with the RSL 5.1 system.

I'm awaiting for a pair of Imagine Mini's to be delivered and read your review of the RSL system and now second guesing my strategy of putting a compact surround system together.

Since the Minis are on the way, and RSL sells direct with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you have the priceless opportunity to compare two speakers directly in your own listening space. You'd be crazy not to take advantage of it. While you're waiting, compare our measurements of the speakers. This gives you a priceless opportunity I don't have as a reviewer -- I'm not allowed to see the measurements before I complete my text -- and it may (or may not) inform your listening.

I have not reviewed the HSU sub, so commenting on it would be malpractice on my part (other readers please take note). The company's subs do have a great reputation for price:performance ratio.

The Hsu VTF-15H is reviewed by Tom Norton here:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/hsu-vtf-15h-subwoofer

He totally raved about it.

I very fondly remember Rogersound Labs. They had a store in the area of northern Los Angeles where I grew up. A good friend of mine had a pair of their speaker powered by an incredibly powerful Kenwood amp connected with original Monster Cable (which I still have as a memorial to my good friend who passed away). We used to blast Pink Floyd through those speakers and they could handle it. Best sound I've ever heard at the age of 19. This is what got me interested in this hobby in 1988/1989.

PS - all of us still miss you Rich Hommel

I am just getting into the Home Theater world and I really want to make the right choices.

I subscribe to Home Theater Magazine and love the insights and reviews, I've learned so much in just over a year of really thinking about Home Theater.

As for this review I love the triple 5 stars that RSL system gets but I'm a little nervous about putting money into a Sat/Sub system.

I have a dedicated Home Theater room about 12' by 24' with a 90" Epson PowerLite 8350 projection Screen and a Onkyo 7.1 TX NR-616 Receiver that pushes 115 watt per channel.

I'm using an older Bose Sat speaker system right now with this setup and I'm not thrilled with it... I'm looking a more full sound with better range and power.

Do you think the RSL system will blow me away? That's really what I'm looking for. Speakers that fill the room and don't sound like they are trying too hard.

I'm willing to use 2 CG24 as the R/L to pump it up a little but I don't want to regret not getting a floor standing system...

Please Advise. Thanks

I'm in what sounds like the same situation. Living in Canada, I can get most of the products reviewed here (although my HT magazine subscription costs a lot more!) but I can't listen to anything prior to purchase (even the stores that do carry some of these products have demo rooms set up so poorly my existing 20 year old Yamaha receiver & Polk sub/sat package sounds better than anything in even the high end stores.

I like the concept of the no risk trials, but am not crazy about actually setting up/tearing down multiple systems and trying to compare them. Needless to say, the upgrade process has been frustrating.

So many products at so many price points, all getting great reviews. I just want the best I can get and don't want to touch it again for another 20 years if I can avoid it..... I thought I had it narrowed to either MartinLogan or Aperion Verus Grands. Now I'm reading this and wondering about another sub/sat system. I thought I had my receiver settled at Yamaha rx-a3020, but the new Onkyo tx-nr3010 also has caught my eye. Argh! (First world problems indeed!)

Which way did you go????

hello Mark
I have been for several years in search of a very good subwoofer, but not too expensive, for my home theatre, and I finally met the RSL brand through this wonderful hometheatre.com page.
The references that you do about the brand RSL, the position yourself in great esteem and great performance.
I wanted to contact them and finally I had a very warm welcome and excellent service, so I will acquire the speedwoofer 10 in the coming weeks.
¿ Have for me any suggestions??
My A/V amp is a yamaha rx-v673 and set of speakers I have, although not very good are bose 301, VCS-10 central and satellite 161.
My room is open median and range where it communicates with another slightly smaller space, but which together would be talking about an area of 35 to 40m2.
Thank you very much for giving us your valuable comments on this excellent brand.
greetings,
Juan.

Thanks for this. RSL wasn't even on my list when it came time to replace my aged Polk Audio speakers and 20 year old Yamaha receiver. Because of this piece, I contacted RSL and picked up a 5.1 set. Howard and Roger were amazing to work with and even saved me $1000 on my AVR, suggesting I'd get little ROI in such a high-powered receiver (for my average sized theater) and steered me towards the Onkyo TX-NR818.

I was NOT looking for a sub/satellite setup, instead considering various tower packages like ML's and Aperion. I have to say I am completely satisfied with my investment in the RSL and mid-tier Onkyo. Thanks for the great review - it was the main reason I went with RSL (at least telling myself I had 30 days to return them....)

The only down-side to this setup is the time requirement. I now find myself revisiting many titles in my DVD & Blu-ray collection, re-listening to everything all over gain. What a difference!!!

Completely happy with my investment. The sound is very full, big, rich and extremely detailed. I am literally hearing things I never heard before when listening to very familiar titles!

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