One Week Reference Fidelity Rhapsody Loudspeaker Review

[User211]

Look what just turned up. Just a quick snap (excuse the flash glare) to show they are actually here as Paul just dropped them off. The Apogees were removed from the room to allow an uncoloured assessment of these fine looking, well made loudspeakers.



I'll jot down some thoughts later.

[julesd68]

Wish I was closer to RFC Towers to hear these - they look like 'proper' speakers to me ...

Looking forward to your thoughts Justin!

[Tarzan]

Look what just turned up. Just a quick snap (excuse the flash glare) to show they are actually here as Paul just dropped them off. The Apogees were removed from the room to allow an uncoloured assessment of these fine looking, well made loudspeakers.



I'll jot down some thoughts later.

Very nice Justin!

[User211]

There appear to be two review threads, LOL!

It is pretty obvious in the short time I've had them that they are very good.

Initially, we witnessed a high level of noise from both speakers. TBH I was pretty embarrassed. But after Paul left I remembered the power amp mains cable problem. I dunno what they pick up, but fiddling around with their position and coiling eradicates it. The 211 power amps themselves are incredibly quiet, and moving back to the new Raytheon 6414 tubes in the Lampi has noise levels right down to inaudible at the listening position with considerable gain and no music. Result!

The wife keeps admiring the cabinet work, finish and joining.

Here's a few points that can safely be said at this early stage.

1) The sweet spot is very wide - 30 degrees Paul claims to a couple of DB and they obviously are massively strong in this area. Move your head about quite a bit - not much change at all. Excellent.

2) They are very good at low volume. These would be an excellent choice for those in semi-detached or terraced housing. There's bags of res there and it sounds balanced somehow - I wasn't wishing for a loudness control I should theoretically need.

3) They are too close together in that shot above. They are now 12 inches further away from each other and I reckon that makes for a wider soundstage without compromise that I've noticed elsewhere.

4) Don't worry about the wide baffle - the imaging it great.

5) They go bloody loud without strain.

6) They don't have the bass extension of the Fidelios but what is there is very well controlled.

7) Scale is a good - a nice big open soundstage is created. Depth - forward and backward, and image height is all very good for the size of the speaker.

I'll come up with more later.

Here's a snap or two under lights. Excuse the wiring it is usually hidden by Duettas

[Audio Al]

There appear to be two review threads, LOL!

It is pretty obvious in the short time I've had them that they are very good.

Initially, we witnessed a high level of noise from both speakers. TBH I was pretty embarrassed. But after Paul left I remembered the power amp mains cable problem. I dunno what they pick up, but fiddling around with their position and coiling eradicates it. The 211 power amps themselves are incredibly quiet, and moving back to the new Raytheon 6414 tubes in the Lampi has noise levels right down to inaudible at the listening position with considerable gain and no music. Result!

The wife keeps admiring the cabinet work, finish and joining.

Here's a few points that can safely be said at this early stage.

1) The sweet spot is very wide - 30 degrees Paul claims to a couple of DB and they obviously are massively strong in this area. Move your head about quite a bit - not much change at all. Excellent.

2) They are very good at low volume. These would be an excellent choice for those in semi-detached or terraced housing. There's bags of res there and it sounds balanced somehow - I wasn't wishing for a loudness control I should theoretically need.

3) They are too close together in that shot above. They are now 12 inches further away from each other and I reckon that makes for a wider soundstage without compromise that I've noticed elsewhere.

4) Don't worry about the wide baffle - the imaging it great.

5) They go bloody loud without strain.

6) They don't have the bass extension of the Fidelios but what is there is very well controlled.

7) Scale is a good - a nice big open soundstage is created. Depth - forward and backward, and image height is all very good for the size of the speaker.

I'll come up with more later.

Here's a snap or two under lights. Excuse the wiring it is usually hidden by Duettas

Whats that item on the right floor that looks like a Nuclear power station glowing green

How about some close ups pf the speakers they look gorgeous

[Tarzan]

Whats that item on the right floor that looks like a Nuclear power station glowing green

How about some close ups pf the speakers they look gorgeous

Shouldn't you be "shunting" Mr Allen?

[User211]

Whats that item on the right floor that looks like a Nuclear power station glowing green

How about some close ups pf the speakers they look gorgeous

Dammit you've quoted by bad prose and typos! And I was going to come back and do a proper job...

Close ups? Which part of the speaker turns you on and what are you prepared to pay for it?

Taken when still too close to each other.

[Tarzan]

Looks like a Pink Floyd light show from the early days.

[Reffc]

Glad they've made a good first impression Justin. Hope you enjoy the week with them.

[User211]

I'll have no problem lasting the entire week without swapping the Apogees back in Paul. They're very enjoyable speakers