RTR HPR-12 Magnum

RTR made some exceptional speakers back in the 70's. I have a pair of 600D's I am rehabbing and a local friend has a pair of 100D's that he refurbished and those sound incredible. He also has owned/sold a few other RTR models from that time period and they all sounded fantastic. The models that came later were nothing special unfortunately. RTR was also famous for their electrostatic panels which they employed in a few of their own models, as well as being used in other brands like ESS and Crown to name a few.
 
So -- the RTR HPR-12 Magnums are on the truck heading my way (or maybe sitting in a storage locker halfway across the country). They look gorgeous and the foam looks fine. They were not connected so I couldn't listen to them. The move wasn't cheap but there was no extra charge to throw in the speakers, which was nice. And I am dealing with a little "You're kidding, right?!?" action at home, but that's beside the point. Assuming the speakers survive the move and make it through the front door, can someone indulge me for a really dumb question? I have a mid-level receiver -- Pioneer VSX-9140TXH (see: http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/POCEN/Home/AV-Receivers/FutureShop/VSX-9140TXH). I think it's 150 watts per channel in either 2-channel or 7-channel configuration. Would this be appropriate for these speakers? And if I were to buy a dedicated receiver for just these speakers for use in a separate room, are there any considerations I should factor in? Thanks!
 
Glad you decided to pursue them. They are really easy to drive, you won`t have a problem driving them with your AV receiver. As for getting a dedicated receiver, there`s tons of options. Someone else can speak to the specifics of those options as I`m not that experienced in vintage receivers. I like my SX1250, but they`re getting pricy lately...
 
I have a pair of RTR EXP-8 that I am quite happy with, even though they are out of the loop right now. Great build quality, and beautiful blonde walnut veneer cabinetry. I have been impressed with their overall sound and am going to hook them up again this week. They were from California, and apparently RTR was the initials of the guys who owned the company. I believe they were acquired by B.I.C. and at that point the dynamics changed. Please correct me if I am wrong. Regardless, a very impressive speaker.
 
Mine have a different set of drivers (pic attached), and a different set of caps in the xovers — two 6µF in parallel and one 3µF. Interesting... the one pictured also has a the serial # of 00473; I wonder if they were an earlier iteration than the ones you guys have...

The good/bad news is that these things are built like tanks, and the crossover is glued to the back. There's pink fiberglass *glued* all over the inside of the enclosure, and you'll have to slice it open to get to the crossover (behind the bass driver) to recap. The good news is that the xover is very simple, even with the reset switch (which someone recommended to be disabled), and though you'll have to work inside the cab to do the recap, you should have enough room to work because of the size of the opening. The drivers are sealed-in with putty, so you'll have to pry them up to remove them, but it's do-able.
 

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ihmark said:
Anyone have any experience or knowledge about these speakers ? I found a set at a thrift a few weeks ago and they look like some pretty well built, heavy,walnut veneer cabinets and it looks like all the speakers are original or at least, both sides match. I think the bottom speaker is a 12" passive radiator. Went back today and they`re still sitting there and they marked the price down for the 2nd time. Just wondering if anyone ever listened to a pair
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Why did such a good brand go out of buisiness ? I blaime reptile aliens !!
 
i bought these in 1976. Wanted the JBL-100's but they had just came out with the JBL-110's. They didn't sound as good as the 100's to me. Went to a new audio store to buy my new stereo & the salesman told me to turn around & listen. I ended up buying these & a Nikko tuner & intergrated amp w/ a Dual turntable. Kept them for over 20yrs. until I upgraded to new B&W's w/a subwoofer etc... Gave them to my 16 yro daughter.They still sounded great!!. Indestructable.
 
ihmark said:
Anyone have any experience or knowledge about these speakers ? I found a set at a thrift a few weeks ago and they look like some pretty well built, heavy,walnut veneer cabinets and it looks like all the speakers are original or at least, both sides match. I think the bottom speaker is a 12" passive radiator. Went back today and they`re still sitting there and they marked the price down for the 2nd time. Just wondering if anyone ever listened to a pair
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extreme necrothread! picked up a pair on my local cl, 140$. cabs are solid and refinishable. i just recapped (daytons) and bypassed the breakers. big difference. sweet detailed sounds that let me focus on the music, not the speakers...classic!
 
optoguitar said:
extreme necrothread! picked up a pair on my local cl, 140$. cabs are solid and refinishable. i just recapped (daytons) and bypassed the breakers. big difference. sweet detailed sounds that let me focus on the music, not the speakers...classic!
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They are outstanding speakers. I have two pair. One pair is beat up a little, but the other pair is perfect. I run the nicer pair with a Sherwood S5000 tube integrated and RTR electrostatic tweeters. They sound fantastic and the HPR-12’s do okay with the lower damping factor of the tube amp.
They are sensitive speakers and can get real loud in 30 watts and insanely loud with higher power.
The treble is nice with the peerless cones and piezoelectric, but the become much more refined with the electrostatics. They really add air and open up the soundstage. Very fast speakers.

I can’t understand why these speakers sell for nothing. They use the same woofers as the Fulton J Modulars, the cabinets are tanks with good veneer, and the tweeters were the best cones of the day. Overall, they remind me of JBL L112’s as far as voicing, but a tad more low frequency extension.
 
I’ve always wanted to hear these speakers, there was a pair local to me but we’re not for sale at the time. After reading this thread makes me want to reach out to the guy and see if he still has them.
 
A23gt said:
They are outstanding speakers. I have two pair. One pair is beat up a little, but the other pair is perfect. I run the nicer pair with a Sherwood S5000 tube integrated and RTR electrostatic tweeters. They sound fantastic and the HPR-12’s do okay with the lower damping factor of the tube amp.
They are sensitive speakers and can get real loud in 30 watts and insanely loud with higher power.
The treble is nice with the peerless cones and piezoelectric, but the become much more refined with the electrostatics. They really add air and open up the soundstage. Very fast speakers.

I can’t understand why these speakers sell for nothing. They use the same woofers as the Fulton J Modulars, the cabinets are tanks with good veneer, and the tweeters were the best cones of the day. Overall, they remind me of JBL L112’s as far as voicing, but a tad more low frequency extension.
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excellent. definitely sound better without the upper grill. nice depth and image. i can live with these! driving them with a cronus magnum 2.
 
Chris cannon said:
I finally found a pair of RTR hpr 12m's.they sound damn good inmo.im using a denon poa 2200 amplifier and bk mc101 preamp.
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That would be a good combination too. Plenty of clean power. May be a little tighter in the bass that with tubes or low wattage solid state.
 
I am looking at purchasing a pair of pre-magnum HPR-12. (the ones with the 2 drivers above the 12")
I was wondering if anyone had heard them and what your opinions are on them?
 
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