Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

RSL 5.1 Theater Speaker System HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

Satellite Sensitivity: 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 87 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the CG4 satellites (purple trace), Speedwoofer 10 subwoofer (blue trace), and CG24 center channel (green trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured with grilles at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The CG4’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.58/–4.38 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 106 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 87 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 7.14 ohms at 263 Hz and a phase angle of –40.09 degrees at 3.3 kHz.

The CG24’s listening-window response measures +3.89/–2.00 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +4.11/–2.14 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 94 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 79 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.66 ohms at 230 Hz and a phase angle of –42.52 degrees at 3.4 kHz.

The Speedwoofer 10’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 34 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 30 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 103 Hz using the LFE input.—MJP

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COMMENTS
modesto66's picture
Submitted by modesto66 on December 30, 2011 - 10:32am

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.

K-hud's picture
Submitted by K-hud on May 27, 2012 - 8:48pm

Modesto,

May I ask what you ended up choosing? I also have a VTF-15H which I love. Currently I have it mated with 4 KEF Q300's and KEF Q600 Center and I've been unhappy mostly with the center channel.

I'm considering replacing all the KEF's with something else and the RSL's caught my eye (as did the Emotiva speaker review since I have Emotiva's 5 channel power amp)

I would do the RSL center as all 3 of my front mains if I went that way...

Thanks
Karl

Mark Fleischmann's picture
Submitted by Mark Fleischmann on December 30, 2011 - 3:34pm
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.

Scott Wilkinson's picture
Submitted by Scott Wilkinson on December 30, 2011 - 5:59pm

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

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

He totally raved about it.

michaelalanlittrell@yahoo.com's picture
Submitted by michaelalanlitt... on January 5, 2012 - 10:16am

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

nkinsella's picture
Submitted by nkinsella on November 18, 2012 - 4:43pm

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

gregsdouglas's picture
Submitted by gregsdouglas on February 10, 2013 - 8:47am

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????

juanseva_2's picture
Submitted by juanseva_2 on March 4, 2013 - 11:52am

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.

gregsdouglas's picture
Submitted by gregsdouglas on March 7, 2013 - 5:42am

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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