Rectilinear Speakers like these any good?

[Njord Noatun]

What I was asking was whether or not there was a specific brand that you thought was superior to the others.

Can't give any advice on that, but I am not sure it matters a whole lot.

Someone here - I can't remember whom - runs stacked Rectilinears :tresbon: - one pair of Lowboys (at the bottom, I would assume) and one pair of Highboys on top, and says it sounds incredible: That's a rig I would love to audition!

I used to run the XII, for about 20 years. They were great and it took a pretty good speaker to replace them. Mine seem to be slightly different to the ones pictured on that site.

The one picture of the Model XII in the database was given to me by an eBay seller who claimed that to be the correct model number. He might be incorrect, so I would love to see a photo of your XII so I can correct the database if needed.

Thanks!

 

[Snade]

Regarding recap, I installed the Dayton poly caps in sizes 60uF and 2.2uF on my Highboys.

The original caps on mine were 60uF and 2.5uF but the tech at Parts Express told me I would not hear any difference using the 2.2uF instead of the 2.5uF. You could buy two caps and install in parallel to achieve the exact spec of 2.5, but I wanted to keep it simple.

With the new caps, there was improvement in definition and clarity of the mids and highs. A real improvement.

I used the 5% tolerance Dayton caps and the 60uF runs just under 14 bucks. If you used a better cap like the Solens, the 60uF would be more expensive and I don't recommend it.

Just my thoughts. Snade

 

[pilotputz]

Hello again, Snade!
I almost always go with the 5% Daytons, myself. I bet the 60uf is going to be flipping HUGE!! I thought the smaller cap was a 2uf and not a 2.5uf, but then it was buried pretty good. I guess I'll take the same advice the Parts Express tech gave you and go with the 2.2ufs.
I've been trying all night to upload some photos of the big old beasts all set up in my living room and running strong, but they won't upload because they're too big or something...:scratch2:
When I get that figured out I'll those up.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Njord Noatun]

I've been trying all night to upload some photos of the big old beasts all set up in my living room and running strong, but they won't upload because they're too big or something.

If you wish to attach photos, they need to be:

1) Resized so that no side exceeds 900 pixels
2) Compressed so that the total file size is no larger than somewhere around 125 Kb (the exact limitation escapes me, but I always aim for about 100 Kb).

As the output files from modern digital cameras certainly exceed both these restrictions by multiples, you will need software (client based or web based) to reduce them as per above.

If you just want to embed the photos into your post (using the Insert Image function) there are no size limits imposed by the AK server software, but you will need to host the images yourself (e.g., Photobucket).

EDIT:

I don't have any experience with tube amps, but for a solid state amp, I think the Rectilinear III speakers require an amp with at least 75 watts per channel to really show what these speakers can do. I run mine with a vintage Marantz receiver with more than 100 watts per and it sounds fantastic.
Have fun. Snade

Mine seem to like a fair amount of power, and I couldn't believe how much better they sounded when I went from a 100 wpc amp to 165 wpc.

 

[Susurus]

If you post a pic on a free site like Photobucket and link it in your post, you can get around the size limit faster than resaving it with lower res in Photoshop.

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Is this model one that C. Marchasetto (sp) designed? (Was with Dahlquist for ~10 years before going solo with Alon/Nola.)

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Stacking these seems to eliminate the need to invert the upper pair...with that unusual distributed driver layout.

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165 wpc... I can guess what that is...:yes:

Susurus

 

[Njord Noatun]

Is this model one that C. Marchasetto (sp) designed? (Was with Dahlquist for ~10 years before going solo with Alon/Nola.)

James Bongiorno, Richard Shahinian, and Jon Dahlquist were all involved with Rectilinear Research Corp., although in what capacities and when escape me at the moment.

165 wpc... I can guess what that is.

I betcha you can - a combination that's pretty hard to beat, IMHO.

 

[pilotputz]

Rectilinear Highboys vs. JBL L-96s

Upon the advice of several of you folks that said that these speakers really prefer the juice, I hooked my Highboys up to my Kenwood KM-207 that puts out 155 wpc. WOW!! These speakers really DO perform when you put the juice to them!
A couple of weeks ago I picked up a pair of JBL L-96s and have been using them as my solid state speakers. I think they sound pretty darn good, too. Well, today I did an A/B test with L-96s and the Highboys, and the Highboys literally blew the JBLs out of the water. Compared to the Rectilinears, the JBLs sound really thin and forward: No where near the mellow, rich, articulate sound of the Highboys.
Man!! I think I found the best sounding speakers that I've ever owned. I've been doing a bit of searching here on AK about the Rectilinears and sure looks like I'm not the only one to think they're something really special. There's a fella a few towns over that has a pair of Lowboys he's been looking to get rid of: I think I'll be taking those of his hands. As has been suggested, I'd love to have them stacked with the Highboys and give that a listen!!

 

[Susurus]

James Bongiorno, Richard Shahinian, and Jon Dahlquist were all involved with Rectilinear Research Corp., although in what capacities and when escape me at the moment.

All-star cast! Course last year I knew nothing about such people, now I can rattle off shapes, specs, models, dates, and play a little 'name that speaker'...

...and have delved into DIY forums; know my Qts from Vas ...

Should remember enough fluid dynamics to design a little squawk box...

Gotta order that Loudspeaker book from Madisound, they have an out-of-date 6th ed. for 11 bucks.

I betcha you can - a combination that's pretty hard to beat, IMHO.

:tresbon:

Susurus

 

[joelongwood]

There's a fella a few towns over that has a pair of Lowboys he's been looking to get rid of: I think I'll be taking those of his hands. As has been suggested, I'd love to have them stacked with the Highboys and give that a listen!!

That was the first thing I tried when I acquired the Lowboys. Personally, I was not impressed, as there was just too much going on with 24 drivers operating at once. The sound, to my ears, was not very coherent.........but they did produce a LOT of sound.
Of course, YMMV. If you do acquire the Lowboys, I'd love to hear your impressions. And I'm glad you're enjoying the Highboys so much, because they are truly GREAT speakers.

 

[Njord Noatun]

Personally, I was not impressed, as there was just too much going on with 24 drivers operating at once. The sound, to my ears, was not very coherent.

Joe, IMHO you are a just a tad tough on the Lowboys: Although I did not have a chance to A/B my Lowboy against the Highboy (as I did not own them concurrently), the Lowboy has many of the same sound characteristics as the Highoy: Big, bold, and fatigue-free sound. Admittedly, the Lowboy bass was a little muddier and the highs a little more veiled than the Hi, but I lived with them for almost a year, and it is still a very capable speaker that can stand its own against a lot of speakers out there!

Just not quite up to the standard of the Highboys! :thmbsp:

They are both a bit challenged in the WAF area, but the Hi is still a much better looker than the Lo, IMHO.

 

[joelongwood]

Joe, IMHO you are a just a tad tough on the Lowboys: Although I did not have a chance to A/B my Lowboy against the Highboy (as I did not own them concurrently), the Lowboy has many of the same sound characteristics as the Highoy: Big, bold, and fatigue-free sound. Admittedly, the Lowboy bass was a little muddier and the highs a little more veiled than the Hi, but I lived with them for almost a year, and it is still a very capable speaker that can stand its own against a lot of speakers out there!

Just not quite up to the standard of the Highboys! :thmbsp:

They are both a bit challenged in the WAF area, but the Hi is still a much better looker than the Lo, IMHO.

Njord, my comments were in regard to the stacked arrangement of both Hi and Low boy models. While I have been "a tad tough" on the sonic merits of the Low Boys, I have been listening to them on a fairly regular basis for awhile now and I would have to agree with your assessment of their sound, particularly in comparison to the High Boys.
Since I have become infatuated (obsessed?) with vintage gear over the past several years, I have discovered a few things. First and foremost is that matching components is of the utmost importance. Simply judging a speaker's sound based on its use with one receiver or amplifier is insufficient to get a true picture of what that speaker is capable of. When I first got the Highboys, I used them with a Harmon Kardon HK730, and, to my ears, the sound was quite veiled and muddy. removing the grills helped, but that veil was still prominent. I then began hooking them up to various other power sources and finally settled on a Carver 6250 Receiver, which, with some of my other speakers sounded rather thin and lifeless. The match with the LowBoys was, and is, an excellent one. The veil, for the most part, is gone, and the bass is deep and tight. In direct comparison to a pair of AR2ax (pre-1970) I have hooked up to the Carver, the 2ax's are the one's that sound veiled and a bit dull. If I then switch over to the LowBoys, the sound becomes much more transparent, albeit not quite as full and rich sounding as the 2ax's.
OK, I'm starting to ramble so I'll stop. Bottom line.............given the right electronics, the LowBoy performs quite admirably.......but I still prefer the Highboy.

 

[Wornears]

I bought my mint Rect III Highboys from their original owner a couple of years ago and became an AK evangelista for them. (Not quite at the lever of Njord, though. <G>)

Mine are stacked atop my JBL L-200 pair and I agree they sound "dark" and "veiled" at lower wattage levels. I've powered them with tubes and SS, and SS is better -- about 100wpc -- gets them to working.

The all-important midrange freq is one of the best you can get in a vintage speaker, and for the money they can sometimes sell for, they are a sonic bargain. (Which will change if we keep singing their praises here.)

They may look like someone just threw the drivers at a dartboard and then put them on the front of a box (and the plastic cover over the back of the midrange driver looking like it is a caulking exercise isn't confidence inspiring), but if there were ever an example of a speaker being the sum of its parts, this is one. The quality of the cabinet materials is very good and they can look great, and sound very fine, even so many years later.

They'd be one of the last to leave here.

 

[Snade]

The all-important midrange freq is one of the best you can get in a vintage speaker, and for the money they can sometimes sell for, they are a sonic bargain. (Which will change if we keep singing their praises here.)

They may look like someone just threw the drivers at a dartboard and then put them on the front of a box (and the plastic cover over the back of the midrange driver looking like it is a caulking exercise isn't confidence inspiring), but if there were ever an example of a speaker being the sum of its parts, this is one. The quality of the cabinet materials is very good and they can look great, and sound very fine, even so many years later.

They'd be one of the last to leave here.

I could not have said it better. Exactly my thoughts.

I would only add that these speakers play big. I think the size and quality of the cabinets plus the number and design of drivers fills the room with sound in a very impressive way. They image surprisingly well too for big speakers.

I have mine just sitting upright on the floor as they were designed. Some suggest putting them on short stands to improve some boomyness in the low-end, but I like hearing vintage speakers the way they were designed.

Cheers, Snade

 

[davidsss]

The one picture of the Model XII in the database was given to me by an eBay seller who claimed that to be the correct model number. He might be incorrect, so I would love to see a photo of your XII so I can correct the database if needed.

Thanks!

I'll take some pics when I get a chance (the speakers are in my shed). I don't have the original woofers as I blew one and the foam went on the other. However, the tweeters and mids are original as is everything else about the speakers.

DS

 

[G6MT]

New to site

I am new to this site and came across it while researching my father’s Rectilinear III’s. My uncle was up from Florida last month visiting when he noticed my father’s Rec III’s. (My father passed away back in 2004) My uncle told us how he went with my father to buy the speakers. My father had saved the original owners manual for the speakers, along with the original payment check, delivery notice and warranty notice. In with the paperwork there was also a test report from Hirsch-Houck Laboratories reviewing the Rec III’s performance. I’ve seen threads on AK discussing that test report. The bottom of the test report shows, “As seen In the December 1967 Issue of HIFI/STEREO REVIEW” Did this review come with the speaker literature???

He ordered these incredible speakers from Dixie Hi-Fidelity Wholesalers on November 18th, 1971 (7 months before I was born) and took delivery on November 30th. Apparently this Hi-Fi dealer was located in VT or NH, as my parents lived in NH at the time.

I recently moved the speakers to my home. I have been listening to them since before I can remember, and they still sound incredible today.

My father paid $160.00 each.

The back of the speaker has adjustments for mid and tweeter.

I don’t remember the speaker covers ever being removed. I am planning on pulling them to check the condition of the speakers sometime soon. They definitely sound as if each of the twelve speakers are in perfect condition.

I love the knowledge people bring to this site about the vintage equipment, especially the Rec III’s.

 

[Njord Noatun]

Welcome!

Hi G6MT,

Are yours the Highboys or the Lowboys? If you have the dual tone controls, I believe you have the 2nd generation III, launched in 1971, if memory serves me right. In addition to the documentation and literature you referred to, if you follow the link in my signature you will find some additional documentation and photos on this brand, including a Highboy brochure.

This brochure lists a Highboy MSRP of $299 apiece. I have seen the Highs and Los referred to as discounted down to the $225-250 level, but never to the $160 that your dad paid: He must have been a good negotiator or lucked out on a huge discount or sale!

I believe the grille is attached with a large number of little brads, but haven't removed one myself, as both of my pairs (Hi and Lo) already had the grille removed and now is re-attached with velcro. Someone who has gone though the arduous process of first-time grille removal might chime in with advice.

Thanks for sharing the story about your speakers. They are great speakers, and I believe yours is the only one-owner pair on AK! I recapped mine, not because I was certain they needed it, but just as part of what I would consider a general restoration process.

And most importantly, welcome to AK!

 

[G6MT]

Highboy versions

Thanks Njord, its good to be here.
I have the high-boy versions.
I will definately check out the link in your signature.
It amazes me how our highboy 12" woofer magnets have (according to the owners manual) 7.5lb/120oz magnets. That kind of weight is rare these days in stereo speakers. Many of todays subs don't even hit that weight.
I've read that high magnet weight lends it's self to voicecoil efficiency.
Long live vintage equipment!!!

 

[iamdgw]

I think I saw a set of these at the local thrift store today for $60.00
Also a set of XII (labeled) also $60. The III's would be the 'highboys' from what I can tell. Excellent condition. I currently use some Pioneer CS-63DX as my main speakers. Have used HPM-100s in the past. How do these compare to those and is the price right in your opinion? Assuming they didn't sell in the final 2 hours before the store closed, I could get them in the morning when they open. Advice tonight if possible...

 

[pilotputz]

Hello, iamdgw!!
I actually started this thread after I picked up a pair of Highboys at the local thrift. At the moment, I own at least a couple dozen pairs of speakers and have some stacked to the rafters in the back bedroom. I'm here to say that the Highboys might just be the best sounding speakers that I've ever owned. They are the most subtle, transparent and pleasing sounding speakers. I just love them!! They are pretty power hungry, though. I would figure you'd want to have an amp of at least 60 wpc to run them. If you follow some of the attachments that Njord and Snade were kind enough to share you will see that the original paperwork states needing at least 20 watts to run these; but they'll take a ton of juice and sound better the more you put to them.

My advice: GET THEM!! You won't regret it!!:thmbsp:

 

[iamdgw]

My typical set up is a Pioneer receiver right now is a 1080 but could be a 1050 in the future (110 wpc) though I did just pick up a sa-9800 (100wpc) that I'd love to use somewhere after I get it fixed. $60 is kinda high for the thrift store, but from what I've heard I'll see if they are still there in the morning. As for the slightly beat up XII's.. I'll leave those for someone else.