VMPS RM30C- first impressions

Speaker Asylum

General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

Brian Cheney sent me a pair of RM30C (2 6.5 in. carbon fiber active woofs, 2 slot loaded passive radiators, 3 planar mids, ribbon tweeter- no side woofer). It has the standard caps in the xover. This version is designed for use with a sub or as a center channel. I also has the newish RM30 features- the CDWG "wave guide" on the front, and an outboard xover.
First- the cabinetry is very nice (my wife likes them). Very heavy and solid.
Sound- a real surprise for me. Compared directly to my Thiel 3.6, the first thing that jumps out is the similarity in tonal balance, instrumental harmonics, and integration. A very good sign, as these areas are the outstanding strengths of the 3.6, something I would not want to give up. Bass not nearly as deep or strong (3.6 is flat to around 28hz., the RM30C to 37 hz.), but is better defined in the RM30. The big surprise here is the buttery smoothness of the RM30,something many ribbon speakers struggle with, in my experience. The dynamics are there in spades, but naturally so-nothing is exaggerated.
Listening to familiar cds and movies, it is clear the the RM30 is more tranparent, and lets more fine detail through. None of it is pushed in your face, it is just there in place. Nice.
The wave guide does seem to perform as claimed. Listening even 45 degrees off axis, the tonal balance is pretty much unchanged, with a very useable soundstage. A neat trick.
These RM30s have a lot of features, and will merit a longer review- once I'm done having so much fun listening to my music again!

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Kimber Kable

Topic - VMPS RM30C- first impressions - jonbee 08:41:11 11/07/06 (2)

Here's a link... - jonbee 08:23:56 11/08/06 (0)

Good review for a great speaker nt - 22L 20:15:06 11/07/06 (0)

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