Does anyone else have RtR Speakers?
- Thread starter huntingskeet
- Start date
wank
Moks by popular demand
I'm fairly sure they're pre-BIC. They're a 1975-ish speaker, as that's when my dad bought his. I think anything the BIC era started with the "Series III" models, or possibly the group just earlier with "Total Capability" written on the tweeters. It wasn't like they dropped off a cliff in quality, it was more like a steep downhill - the first few years of speakers seem to still have some merit, and the later you go, the less good the speakers are. As a general rule, I pretty much stick with the models with round RtR badges.
But if you end up with more than one pair of HPRs available, I'm happy to make a trip out to take one off your hands.
But if you end up with more than one pair of HPRs available, I'm happy to make a trip out to take one off your hands.
Thanks for the info. The speakers above are a Series III so I am not sure what you are referencing. I have Series IV C's that I thought were from around 82. Are the Series IV C BIC era? No writing on the tweeters and they have a rounded RtR badge.
wank
Moks by popular demand
Let me correct myself. I know the HPRs are pre-BIC, but I'm fairly sure they're "original RtR", rather than the later years where they went somewhat downhill. And this is just collected info and impressions I've gotten.
I think of RtR as 4 phases:
1. Original RtR - this is the electrostatic tweeter period. I think they made the stats for early Infinity, and some others (maybe even those Superquads?). They did a lot of OEM driver production for some respected manufacturers. Their in-house speakers are outstanding, and go from the late 60s to about the mid- to late 70s, and likely includes the HPRs. The logo is a circle with RtR in it. Tweeters tended to be Peerless cones or electrostats, some piezos mixed in.
2. Middle RtR - after the founder left or became uninvolved, in the late 70s, focus kind of shifted and the designs were not as good. They're still fine speakers, but not up to the standards of the early phase, and don't seem to get much respect. This includes one pair I had (and like a lot), and features the same circle logo, but Philips dome tweeters, and yellow rings around them (like the above IIIs), and words like "Total Capability" on them.
3. Late RtR. This seems to be the "Series III" and "Series IV" speakers. More vinyl cabinets show up. While some designs are still very good, some aren't, and look designed to sell well. The logo is an arch with a circle RtR at the top and a flat bottom with words (like the series number). They also do a lot of house brand stuff around this period (Synergistics is one I see a lot) with the same gold foil backplate and terminals. At least in Series III, they still use the Philips dome. Yours obviously have one replacement woofer (the "Legacy" which apparently comes equipped with "600 watts"). I've only heard one pair of Series IV, and they were just OK. Through this stage, they still have those distinctive bass drivers and passives that I like a lot.
Then they disappear in the 80s.
4. BIC RtR. I've never heard them. They look sucky. I guess the name resurfaces in the mid-late 90s or so. I don't recall the logo appearance.
That's just my impression from having about 5 pair pass through my hands, and hearing one other. I'd like your impressions and any info you have on your Series IIIs.
I think of RtR as 4 phases:
1. Original RtR - this is the electrostatic tweeter period. I think they made the stats for early Infinity, and some others (maybe even those Superquads?). They did a lot of OEM driver production for some respected manufacturers. Their in-house speakers are outstanding, and go from the late 60s to about the mid- to late 70s, and likely includes the HPRs. The logo is a circle with RtR in it. Tweeters tended to be Peerless cones or electrostats, some piezos mixed in.
2. Middle RtR - after the founder left or became uninvolved, in the late 70s, focus kind of shifted and the designs were not as good. They're still fine speakers, but not up to the standards of the early phase, and don't seem to get much respect. This includes one pair I had (and like a lot), and features the same circle logo, but Philips dome tweeters, and yellow rings around them (like the above IIIs), and words like "Total Capability" on them.
3. Late RtR. This seems to be the "Series III" and "Series IV" speakers. More vinyl cabinets show up. While some designs are still very good, some aren't, and look designed to sell well. The logo is an arch with a circle RtR at the top and a flat bottom with words (like the series number). They also do a lot of house brand stuff around this period (Synergistics is one I see a lot) with the same gold foil backplate and terminals. At least in Series III, they still use the Philips dome. Yours obviously have one replacement woofer (the "Legacy" which apparently comes equipped with "600 watts"). I've only heard one pair of Series IV, and they were just OK. Through this stage, they still have those distinctive bass drivers and passives that I like a lot.
Then they disappear in the 80s.
4. BIC RtR. I've never heard them. They look sucky. I guess the name resurfaces in the mid-late 90s or so. I don't recall the logo appearance.
That's just my impression from having about 5 pair pass through my hands, and hearing one other. I'd like your impressions and any info you have on your Series IIIs.
Wank
Again thanks for the info on RtR's.
I am sorry if I confused you by somewhat hi-jacking this post, I am not the owner of the pair attached to this thread.
I do own a pair Series IV C whose photos I have posted in a previous thread but for some reason can not attach it to this thread. I am thinking based on your description, they maybe what you defined as mid RtR. They do have a yellow/gold ring around a 10"-12" woofer.
I have sent the owners of the HPR's each an e-mail so hopefully I can score at least one pair.
Again thanks for the info on RtR's.
I am sorry if I confused you by somewhat hi-jacking this post, I am not the owner of the pair attached to this thread.
I do own a pair Series IV C whose photos I have posted in a previous thread but for some reason can not attach it to this thread. I am thinking based on your description, they maybe what you defined as mid RtR. They do have a yellow/gold ring around a 10"-12" woofer.
I have sent the owners of the HPR's each an e-mail so hopefully I can score at least one pair.
sealevel
New Member
The original RtR's are still an outstanding speaker. Bought my first
pair of 240D's in 76, sold them to a best friend in 78 and upgraded to
the 600D's, 2 active 12's 2 dome mid's and 2 dome tweets.
The 600D's today remain my primary music generators, and the 240D's
are still alive and well in my bud's setup. The only headache I've had
with them is the overload circuit breaker, the contacts corroded to a
point where they ceased to function. Simple fix to bypass and add
an inline fuse. My Alpha 1 really likes being hooked to these.. :thmbsp:
pair of 240D's in 76, sold them to a best friend in 78 and upgraded to
the 600D's, 2 active 12's 2 dome mid's and 2 dome tweets.
The 600D's today remain my primary music generators, and the 240D's
are still alive and well in my bud's setup. The only headache I've had
with them is the overload circuit breaker, the contacts corroded to a
point where they ceased to function. Simple fix to bypass and add
an inline fuse. My Alpha 1 really likes being hooked to these.. :thmbsp:
I've always sung the praises of vintage RTRs. I use the DR1's as my main speakers, and rank them among the best speakers I have ever heard. This is partly because of the great sonics and soundstage, and partly because of the incredibly wide "sweet spot". They represented what RTR felt was the best they could do in the 1970s, and ultimately cost RTR most of their OEM electrostatic customers (who took a dim view of a supplier becoming a competitor).
I also have a pair of Infinity 2000a's. Each uses a quad of RTR electrostatic elements to handle the high end. Tremendous speakers for what they were, an oversized bookshelf speaker on steroids.
RTR also supplied quite a number of top name audio manufacturers from the 70's. The Crown speakers have great reviews, but I've never had the pleasure of hearing them. The same with the add-on electrostatic units that were adaptable to almost all big speakers of the time.
Edit: For anyone interested, there was a pair of 600D's available on CL in the last week.
I also have a pair of Infinity 2000a's. Each uses a quad of RTR electrostatic elements to handle the high end. Tremendous speakers for what they were, an oversized bookshelf speaker on steroids.
RTR also supplied quite a number of top name audio manufacturers from the 70's. The Crown speakers have great reviews, but I've never had the pleasure of hearing them. The same with the add-on electrostatic units that were adaptable to almost all big speakers of the time.
Edit: For anyone interested, there was a pair of 600D's available on CL in the last week.
House de Kris
Loud-n-Deep
justrideit
Busy, busy, busy
Darn it. I scanned everything I have concerning RTR but cannot figure out how to resize them so they can be posted. Anybody that wants them, send me a PM with your email address. I will email them to you.
4 pages of a review of the 280DR from Audio magazine dated 1973
1 promo page for the 600D
2 promo pages for the ESR-15 electrostatic radiator
4 data pages for the ESR-15 electrostatic radiator
4 pages of a review of the 280DR from Audio magazine dated 1973
1 promo page for the 600D
2 promo pages for the ESR-15 electrostatic radiator
4 data pages for the ESR-15 electrostatic radiator
I have a mid 70's pair of EXP-12 two ways...very nice sounding speaker. I just had a chat with a guy who worked with the original RtR guys back in the day and snatched up most of the spares after they went "under". Founded by Robert Rehorst and Ron Teyes....I hope to have another chat and dig up some more information....I'll pass it on.
freemone233
Member
I have a 280DR/ESR-15 pair in the front corners with the "cousin" brand, Synergistics S-62 and S-73 sets in the back corner of my living room. The RTR set is in the avatar. One night, I cranked Molly Hatchet's live CD and my wife, on the way home, heard the sound ONE BLOCK AWAY. How the cops didn't come, I don't know. Great speakers and GREAT SOUND.
bryblob
Super Member
here are some 280-dr's that I used to have...sold them:tears: really wish I hadn't they really did sound massive. I got them from my dad, who got them from his brother in-law. My uncle used to have the esr-15 electrostats, but I don't know what happened to them, never asked him. They really are a great sounding speaker
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jetblack
Super Member
300D's here. When I was shopping in the late 70's, I ran across these babies (see attached). They were twice the price of the 300D's, and I couldn't go there (limited budget). As far as the sub-woofer, I think they were ahead of their time. I haven't seen them for sale lately. I wouldn't mind giving them another listen.
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mywifespissed
AK Freeloader
I just picked up a pair of RTR EXP-12 speakers from CL. They have that beautiful elegant British Harbeth, Spendor look, with the wood framing the grill. A 12" Alnico woofer and 4" Peerless tweeter. They sounded warm and rich at the guys house using a '70's Marantz receiver. I'll try them with a Heathkit AA-121 EL34 amp.
Hey MWP - We could start an EXP-12 club! I picked up a set of 3 over the summer for $40 bucks and liked them so much I got another pair on CL that a guy shipped from Michigan. Man can they handle the bass of my Marantz 2275, and yet they're very "open" sounding - none of the more veiled sound I've noticed with some of the other vintage speakers I've tried in the past 2 years. I haven't yet treated the cabinets but I bet the wood will look awesome!