RSL speakers, am I alone?

[RSL Speakers]

Cabinet material

Did the breakdown today, pics to follow. Case looks like chipboard with veneer, not vinyl, unless veneer is made out of vinyl. Is it?

Yes, I was referring to the veneer. At that time, pretty much all cabinets were made out of particle board with either genuine veneer like walnut and oak or vinyl. Sorry for not being clear.

Howard

 

[RSL Speakers]

Thanks for your reply. Based on what you explained, I think they indeed are Alnico. I will get some pictures of what I have, and send them to you. Sorry for disparaging your speakers, that's what I get for talking before I know the facts. :nono:

Hey, no problem. Over the years we made a lot of models that varied in price.
Howard

 

[Holy_Cow!]

I have been living with my RSL6600h's for a few weeks now. They are behind my work desk area (computer, mixer, etc) and spaced with only 2 feet between them, it's as far apart as they can be. For my mixing needs at present they are not so good as I really need a small pair of nearfields setup in the equi-triangle setup. But for just cranking up the music, WOW! I'm tempted to put them in our living room/HT area and see what they do but at over 90 lbs apiece maybe not today (I have ADS M-12's as mains, Advent Heritage towers for surround, Klipsch C-5 center, and an Infinity PS-12 sub right now). I know I've turned the RSL6600h's up far louder than I would ever listen to them and they were extremely clean and shook our house. I suppose if they were installed in a large theater or studio they would really shine. The previous original owner bought them new and they are in absolutely perfect condition they are keepers for sure. I will treasure them as a piece of recording studio history as I'm sure there were probably many records mixed with RSL6600h's. I'm investigating other RSL models now to see if something would fit my need for smaller near-field monitors since I'm rather impressed with the RSL's I own. I'll try to post pics of these things when I can.

 

[stickman]

I bought some 6600H's new from RSL probably about 1980 and they are still my main speakers. The woofers had foam surrounds and after they disintegrated I had Speaker City in Burbank install butyl rubber surrounds and they've been good to go ever since. They are not a super accurate speaker like say top of the line ADS models, but they can play extremely loud on very little wattage. Also I really like the midrange reproduction of this model and their overall sound suits me to a T.

For small vintage RSL models for a studio of mixing room I'd recommend the single woofer Compression Guide CG models (5, 6 & 8) or "The Magnificent" 8 inch two way model. Magnificents did not have that name anywhere on them, but they had good quality dome tweeters and real wood veneered cabinets typically with rounded edges (the cheaper models like the VS-8 used vinyl wraps and had square edges) and are easy to spot when they come up for sale.

 

[RSL Speakers]

Rsl 6600h

I bought some 6600H's new from RSL probably about 1980 and they are still my main speakers. The woofers had foam surrounds and after they disintegrated I had Speaker City in Burbank install butyl rubber surrounds and they've been good to go ever since. They are not a super accurate speaker like say top of the line ADS models, but they can play extremely loud on very little wattage. Also I really like the midrange reproduction of this model and their overall sound suits me to a T.

For small vintage RSL models for a studio of mixing room I'd recommend the single woofer Compression Guide CG models (5, 6 & 8) or "The Magnificent" 8 inch two way model. Magnificents did not have that name anywhere on them, but they had good quality dome tweeters and real wood veneered cabinets typically with rounded edges (the cheaper models like the VS-8 used vinyl wraps and had square edges) and are easy to spot when they come up for sale.

Hi,
Thanks for all the comments about the 6600Hs. I'm thrilled to hear that after all this time, they are still in service and being enjoyed. We designed these back in the late 70's to conform to we felt the studio people were looking for at that time. For laughs I can email you a copy of an old brochure if you fill out a contact request on our website.

We recently introduced a new line of speakers after a 20 year hiatus. Our focus on this line is accuracy. So far, we've had two reviews that have been really good.

Thanks again for the comments.

Howard

 

[halo71]

I didn't read all the way through this thread. But wasn't RSL that made the speed screen model? Not sure if thats what they were called now.:scratch2:

 

[RSL Speakers]

Yes we did. If you'd like a copy of an old brochure, just go to our website and send us a contact request.
Howard

 

[Holy_Cow!]

I just passed up a set of RSL Grande's (huge speakers with a slanted top?). They were on Orange County Craigs List, or Los Angeles, I don't remember). They were I think $125 but I can't have any more big speakers and it was too far too drive. I don't see them listed right now tho. I mention these because I now hear they were rare.

 

[Holy_Cow!]

I looked up the RSL CG24's on the RSL website and they look like they might be the answer to my recording studio near-field monitoring needs. I figure I can mix on them and then check the mix on my 6600h's. I'm getting used to those huge things now. I hope the CG24's will be similar to AR-18's or Yamaha NS-10's for translating well to other speaker systems?

 

[RSL Speakers]

Rsl cg24

I looked up the RSL CG24's on the RSL website and they look like they might be the answer to my recording studio near-field monitoring needs. I figure I can mix on them and then check the mix on my 6600h's. I'm getting used to those huge things now. I hope the CG24's will be similar to AR-18's or Yamaha NS-10's for translating well to other speaker systems?

Thanks for your interest. They work best in a 2.1 configuration with our sub.

Have a great weekend!

Howard

 

[SFaudio]

More fun

Got down to work on the cabinets this week. Pulled the speakers and crossovers out, dumped the insulation and gave 'em a good scrubbing, plus extra cleaning for the mildew.
This is how the tops looked when I got them:

Now they're looking like this:

Banged up plenty, but they're cleaning up nicely. On the right is the stained speaker, on the left is stained and re-sealed. Should have a nice old-bartop patina when I'm done.
I realize I'm putting a lot of time and effort into some not-high-end speakers, but I love the old gear and it'll be worth it to me when I get to play some records through them.

 

[Holy_Cow!]

A studio icon is here?

Thanks for your interest. They work best in a 2.1 configuration with our sub.

Have a great weekend!

Howard

Are you the Howard Rodgers that started RSL? Wow, pretty cool and thanks for all the info. I'm hoping to "re-arrange" funds to buy some of your CG-24 monitors. How will they be for using without a sub just for mixing (I use Sonar 8.5 DAW and record 70's type rock/pop)? I wouldn't be able to buy a sub for some time so I'm wondering if the sound mix capabilities would be as good as the Yamaha NS-10's (terrible sounding to my ears but they do translate well) or even the cheaper Behringer 2030 passive (6.5" woofer and a tweeter).

 

[RSL Speakers]

Got down to work on the cabinets this week. Pulled the speakers and crossovers out, dumped the insulation and gave 'em a good scrubbing, plus extra cleaning for the mildew.
This is how the tops looked when I got them:

Now they're looking like this:

Banged up plenty, but they're cleaning up nicely. On the right is the stained speaker, on the left is stained and re-sealed. Should have a nice old-bartop patina when I'm done.
I realize I'm putting a lot of time and effort into some not-high-end speakers, but I love the old gear and it'll be worth it to me when I get to play some records through them.

Nice job! Wish I could that.

Best,
Howard

 

[Tonamp51]

RSL ebay find

I recently picked these up on the 'bay for cheap. In the photos it looked like a real wood veneer but when I unboxed them its a vinyl cover (I think). Anyways I don't know the model #, but these are a nice sounding speaker. I'll try and post some pics and see if anyone can identify the model. BTW - there is another very similar RSL that has rounded corners and not front ported. Here goes;

 

[RSL Speakers]

The look like VS-8a (if they have an 8") woofer. I don't know much about them, because they were produced under the new owners of the company after I sold it and left. (I'm back and steering the ship now). From what I understand, they were in a low-priced series. I do have a simple spec sheet that I would be happy to email you, if you do send a note in a contact request at our website.
Howard

 

[Holy_Cow!]

Ooops! I just picked up another pair of Advent Heritage tower speakers (two 8" drivers and a tweeter per cabinet, with beautiful pecan wood, these are sealed design by Henry Kloss). They were much closer to my house than the RSL 3300's I had my eye on. I guess I really needed a stereo system in our bedroom. Oh well, soon.

 

[SFaudio]

Thanks Howard! I've looked at your site and see some stuff I plan on getting when I'm in a better financial position. In the meantime, having much fun with your old gear.

 

[RSL Speakers]

RSL CG24 Monitors for mixing

Are you the Howard Rodgers that started RSL? Wow, pretty cool and thanks for all the info. I'm hoping to "re-arrange" funds to buy some of your CG-24 monitors. How will they be for using without a sub just for mixing (I use Sonar 8.5 DAW and record 70's type rock/pop)? I wouldn't be able to buy a sub for some time so I'm wondering if the sound mix capabilities would be as good as the Yamaha NS-10's (terrible sounding to my ears but they do translate well) or even the cheaper Behringer 2030 passive (6.5" woofer and a tweeter).

Hi,
Yes, and you even spelled my name correctly! First, let me apologize for this late reply. It's been difficult staying current on these forums. Regarding your question, yes you can use the CG24s without the sub for mixing. You will be missing the lowest bass frequencies, although you miss them with the other 2 speakers you mentioned. The Yamaha may actually go lower in the bass, but I feel that everything else will be cleaner on the 24 and you could wind up with a better mix.

Best regards,
Howard

 

[FredC]

Ooops! I just picked up another pair of Advent Heritage tower speakers (two 8" drivers and a tweeter per cabinet, with beautiful pecan wood, these are sealed design by Henry Kloss). They were much closer to my house than the RSL 3300's I had my eye on. I guess I really needed a stereo system in our bedroom. Oh well, soon.

Wow. You really should have 'gone the extra mile' so to speak. The RSL 3300's are amazing. They're 'monitor-class' and were used in recording studios and radio stations all over Los Angeles. Acoustic Suspension woofer and VERY loud and clear. Just nutty sounding - better than L-100's I think. Howard and I were just discussing a pair that I picked up recently. A set of RSL's would have to be more than 100 miles away before I would think twice about jumping in the car.

PS, If anyone needs to replace the tweeter dispersion foam on these or similar, this is a great source and they fit perfectly: http://www.reconingspeakers.com/products-page/tweeters/jbl-le25-tweeter-front-plate-foam/

 

[FredC]

OK I'm ducking lol...