RSL speakers, am I alone?
- Thread starter Bigears
- Start date
RSL Nevadas
I was lucky enough to score these "for a song" and I cant sing.
These are wonderful speakers sounding quite nice powered by a Yamha M-60 amp and cx-1000 preamp, about 10' from the back walls in my relatively narrow living room. Excellent bass, good soundstage with a touch of imaging.
I was lucky enough to score these "for a song" and I cant sing.
These are wonderful speakers sounding quite nice powered by a Yamha M-60 amp and cx-1000 preamp, about 10' from the back walls in my relatively narrow living room. Excellent bass, good soundstage with a touch of imaging.
Lnerell
Active Member
Nice to see the old RSL line get some love here. I have a pair of RSL 3300s sitting in my garage that I got for free back in the 1980s. My neighbor who lived in the front house (we lived in a duplex) was a store manager of a Tower Records. One day I came home and found two pair of 3300s just sitting in the backyard, his store had just upgraded their stereo system and had gotten new speakers (probably 3800s), so he brought these home and just dumped them in the yard unprotected. He left them their for about a week. One day I came home from school, it had just started to rain, so I took it upon myself to rescue the 3300s from the rain and dragged them into my house. He was so thankful that he gave me one of the pair as a thank you. I used those speakers in my home studio for a number of years, gave them to a friend who did the same, who then gave them back to me when he moved away.
Of course now this thread has got me thinking about pulling them out and seeing how they sound all these years later. :yes:
Of course now this thread has got me thinking about pulling them out and seeing how they sound all these years later. :yes:
RSL Speedscreen II's ?
I just picked up these Rogersound Labs that have no model number. I think they might be Speedscreens as they have a 12" passive radiator, 8" woofer, a 1 1/2" softdome midrange and a 1" softdome tweeter. The speakers stand about 48" high, 18" wide only about 6" deep and the drivers are vertically aligned. They are missing the passive radiators which rotted away and when I actually thought about it, I realized there was not enough depth to the enclosure to allow for a passive radiator that has its own chassis....probably a weighted piece of foam glued directly to the opening. Then again I'm only guessing. Anybody out there know about this speaker and it's passive radiator?? :scratch2: Before finding another pair of vintage speakers, I think it's about time I buy a digiatal camera, figure out how to use it and post some picks with my posts.
I just picked up these Rogersound Labs that have no model number. I think they might be Speedscreens as they have a 12" passive radiator, 8" woofer, a 1 1/2" softdome midrange and a 1" softdome tweeter. The speakers stand about 48" high, 18" wide only about 6" deep and the drivers are vertically aligned. They are missing the passive radiators which rotted away and when I actually thought about it, I realized there was not enough depth to the enclosure to allow for a passive radiator that has its own chassis....probably a weighted piece of foam glued directly to the opening. Then again I'm only guessing. Anybody out there know about this speaker and it's passive radiator?? :scratch2: Before finding another pair of vintage speakers, I think it's about time I buy a digiatal camera, figure out how to use it and post some picks with my posts.
RSL Speedscreen II's
Speedscreen follow-up. I was cleaning my newly acquired RSL's of spiderwebs, spider ****, who knows what and was diligently degreasing the nice frontal attenuator dials and finally noticed printed below in very stylish lettering "SPEEDSCREEN". Now that I know what they are, does anybody in Audiokarma land have any info on these speakers and its passive radiator?:scratch2: Thanks
Speedscreen follow-up. I was cleaning my newly acquired RSL's of spiderwebs, spider ****, who knows what and was diligently degreasing the nice frontal attenuator dials and finally noticed printed below in very stylish lettering "SPEEDSCREEN".
Now that I know what they are, does anybody in Audiokarma land have any info on these speakers and its passive radiator?:scratch2: Thanks 
stickman
Super Member
I worked for RSL their last 5 years in existence when the Speedscreens were an active model in their product line. They looked cool but I never cared for how they sounded and never paid much attention to them for that reason. RSL used passive radiators in a few of their models throughout the years, including on the rear of the Elan, a model highly regarded by AKer's that own them. The best thing to do is email the RSL website and ask Howard (who started and owned the company before selling in about 1989) if he can offer any suggestions. Unfortunately when RSL went bankrupt Howard was able to purchase the name back but not the speaker production facility assets, so he has no spare parts which is a shame.
Just use the "Contact" email link and get Howard's recommendations of how to proceed:
http://rslspeakers.com/
Good luck.
Just use the "Contact" email link and get Howard's recommendations of how to proceed:
http://rslspeakers.com/
Good luck.
I forgot I have an RLS Depth Charge sub. It's being used as an end table cover with a table cloth. I got it around 1990 and used it 'til 2001 when I got a polk PSW650. The thing never disappointed me and actually made a great stand for my TV before I got a big screen.
Anyway, I think I'm going to put it up for adoption here in L.A. I'm sure someone can give it a good home. It worked like a champ when it was disconnected and I see no reason it won't still.
Anyway, I think I'm going to put it up for adoption here in L.A. I'm sure someone can give it a good home. It worked like a champ when it was disconnected and I see no reason it won't still.
spacefox1138
New Member
RSL Nevada XT
I recently received a pair of RSL Nevada XT's from my brother in LA. They appear to be in great shape, except for the passive radiator. I found the disk down inside the enclosure, surround gone.
Am ordering the replacement pr's and am anxious to get these guys fired up. This is the model previously mentioned with the 12 and 8 inch woofer, and EV horn tweeter.
I recently received a pair of RSL Nevada XT's from my brother in LA. They appear to be in great shape, except for the passive radiator. I found the disk down inside the enclosure, surround gone.
Am ordering the replacement pr's and am anxious to get these guys fired up. This is the model previously mentioned with the 12 and 8 inch woofer, and EV horn tweeter.
Attachments
RSL Passive Radiators
My Nevadas sound wonderful and are very listenable at various volume levels unlike the similarly sized, emensely popular HPM-100's. You will enjoy yours.:thmbsp: I was wondering if you noticed whether or not the PR discs on the Nevadas are weight loaded on the back with a peice of styroform or cardboard. Most passive radiators I've seen are chassis-designs and have some sort of weight loading for bass tuning.
My Nevadas sound wonderful and are very listenable at various volume levels unlike the similarly sized, emensely popular HPM-100's. You will enjoy yours.:thmbsp: I was wondering if you noticed whether or not the PR discs on the Nevadas are weight loaded on the back with a peice of styroform or cardboard. Most passive radiators I've seen are chassis-designs and have some sort of weight loading for bass tuning.
FredC
Well-Known Member
Congratulations on your score. Nevada xt's are truly amazing speakers. The 1989 "Factory Direct" price on them was $400 each. In today's money that would be well in excess of $1,200 for the pair (...and that's equivalent of wholesale). Many of the recording studios in Hollywood swore by them back in the day. I run mine with a 31 band EQ which really brings out their potential.
I replaced the PR's on my Nevadas 2 months ago. Be sure to use a Hair Dryer and putty knife which will get all the old glue off instantly and completely. RSL used a type of hot glue to install them originally. Without the heat, you will be scraping all day.
Also, be mindful of the position of the metal screens before you remove them (label which is the top screw.. also label which cabinet they came from). These cabinets were built by hand one at a time, so many of the parts are not interchangeable. You might have also noticed that there is an actual "left" and "right" cabinet, with components configured alternately. Mine seem to sound best with the compression horn in the outermost position.
spacefox1138
New Member
RSL Passive Radiators
Thanks to Tubed and FredC for your comments and advice.
There are no weights of any kind on the radiator panel. Just a 1/8 inch thick cardboard disc, plain on the back, and decomposing foam on the front.
Have any of you re-capped the x-overs?
Thanks
Thanks to Tubed and FredC for your comments and advice.
There are no weights of any kind on the radiator panel. Just a 1/8 inch thick cardboard disc, plain on the back, and decomposing foam on the front.
Have any of you re-capped the x-overs?
Thanks
FredC
Well-Known Member
Not yet but its on my to-do list. Haven't decided which to go with.. Solen... Jantzen...? or I thought I'd give Crescendo a try.. I dunno. I think I'll ask Howard what he thinks. Anyone here have any recommendations?
stickman
Super Member
No Kby, you are not alone. I also have a pair of RSL 6600H's that I purchased from the Torrance Rogersound Labs store location in the late 1970's. By the late 80's I was working for RSL so when the foam surrounds on the woofers went bad I just bought replacement NOS woofers from RSL for cheap since they were no longer using that woofer. Unfortunately my "new" woofers still had "old" foam that didn't last very long so I took the four woofers to Speaker City in Burbank and had them put on butyl rubber surrounds that should hopefully last a long time. The Electro-voice T-35 style horn tweeter spits a tiny bit but apart from that I've always loved how they sound and will never sell them. I also have a pair of 3600's (the final production run) and two pairs of CG-6A's, but the 6600H's are my favorites by far and highly efficient to boot. There are some owners of Elan's here that love them and after the 6600H that was my next favorite late 70's RSL model. In the late 70's RSL also had a tall column "time aligned" model with an slightly rear-angled upper face that sounded superb, but I've never seen a used pair for sale......
kby
Active Member
Finally; think I mentioned them a few years ago when I joined and never heard anyone else comment!
Did they change from foam surrounded woofers at one point? The ones I have don't LOOK like they have foam surrounds (rubberized cloth?) I bought mine from the Van Nuys store, incidentally, and maybe talked to a salesman who actually mentioned (when I brought in my auditioning material) the Decca pressings of the Solti Ring Cycle were better than the London ones (he was right...).
Anyone the ones I have look like the later brochures; white cones with what looks like a black rubberizing/sealing coating on the edges.-kby
Did they change from foam surrounded woofers at one point? The ones I have don't LOOK like they have foam surrounds (rubberized cloth?) I bought mine from the Van Nuys store, incidentally, and maybe talked to a salesman who actually mentioned (when I brought in my auditioning material) the Decca pressings of the Solti Ring Cycle were better than the London ones (he was right...).
Anyone the ones I have look like the later brochures; white cones with what looks like a black rubberizing/sealing coating on the edges.-kby
vintageaudio
AK Member
I must be the only one to have what I believe to be a very early version of the Formula Forty's. They sound excellent! Recently had the mids refoamed by GordonW--he did a super job as usual.
Here are photos:
If anyone knows more about these...please share.
thanks
Bob
Here are photos:
If anyone knows more about these...please share.
thanks
Bob