View Full Version : Reference Rhapsody review/focus group wanted
I'm inviting auditions from AoS members to come and have a listen to my new loudspeakers, the Reference Rhapsodys, whereby I'll supply the coffee and cake and you supply the ears!
The idea is that I can start getting some feedback on the build quality and sound quality of these from some of you enthusiasts, with the only request that you post your valued thoughts and opinions. It need only be a paragraph if that's all you'd like to post. For those who don't wish to post, your valued feedback is encouraged so that I can collate all comments from the review/focus group period and then decide if any minor tweaks are necessary to any part of the speakers. For those placing orders before this time, any minor upgrades or changes that are settled on will be offered free of charge to current owners.
If you're close to GL11 in Gloucestershire, the alternative is that I deliver them to your doorstep and you have them for a week to try, with the only requirement that a mini review is posted when you're done.
These are a very special set of speakers, engineered for high fidelity, wide stereo image (no tiny sweet spots hear) and a very flat response. IMHO, exceptionally un-coloured and very musical, even at very low levels thanks in part to high sensitivity:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/RFC%20Cables/_MG_7692_zpse0d7eea3.jpg
(Final) Specifications:
Sensitivity: 91dB/1w/1m
Frequency response: 34Hz-25KHz (-6dB)
Load:Nominally a 6.2 Ohm Load (very uniform impedance across the frequency range). Minimum impedance: 4.6Ohms. Maximum impedance: 8 Ohms
Dimensions: 680 x 420 x 290mm; 27Kg per speaker
Please PM me if interested in taking part or auditioning these speakers.
I am ready to start accepting auditions from now.
Would like to hear them Paul but I'm afraid you are just too far away.
Perhaps someone might be interested in using them in a system at the Scalford show in March?
If you have any friends/trade dealers who you know who are exhibiting at Bristol it would be easy enough to sneak them in a room for a closed door session after the show one night I would have thought?
If you have any friends/trade dealers who you know who are exhibiting at Bristol it would be easy enough to sneak them in a room for a closed door session after the show one night I would have thought?
Good idea David. I do know a few exhibitors so may well see if I can do that. A few are suppliers of parts to the speakers, so it'd be above board as they'd only be advertising use of their own products. I've seen this done before.
Would like to hear them Paul but I'm afraid you are just too far away.
Perhaps someone might be interested in using them in a system at the Scalford show in March?
Good Idea Mark. If there's anyone who fancies picking them up and using them at Scalford, you'd be welcome, as long as they come back in one piece!
Well if you want to do that Paul, as you have obviously thought about it now, I'll have them for a week, as we discussed.
You'd be more than welcome to Justin. I'll be in touch.
brian2957
10-01-2014, 17:10
Lucky boy . These look fantastic BTW.
Lucky boy . These look fantastic BTW.
thanks Brian, appreciated.
Indeed, they are utterly gorgeous. It's a shame I live so far from you Paul as I would be delighted to help out...
thanks Dave...you'll have to move closer! ;)
brian2957
10-01-2014, 18:16
I lived in Bristol years ago . Thinking of moving back down there :D
I'll give them a good workout chaps, even forgoing my Duettas for a week so they can have pride of place in the dedicated listening room.
I know they won't suck as I know Paul has a good ear. In fact it is much better than Jerry's bait bait:) Much, much better LOL!!!
I'll give them a good workout chaps, even forgoing my Duettas for a week so they can have pride of place in the dedicated listening room.
I know they won't suck as I know Paul has a good ear. In fact it is much better than Jerry's bait bait:) Much, much better LOL!!!
:lol: Jerry's ear can't be all that bad though Justin as he does (not even grudglingly) admit to liking the Tannoy based Fidelios :D
I think you'll like them Justin as they have plent enough wallop for the electronic music you like, which given the size of the drivers is testament to how far driver design has moved on. A maximum coil travel of 20mm may have something to do with it, as does that large port;)
Yeah we both liked the Fidelios - tis true.
+/- 20mm hey? Looking forward to hearing that - it's twice the excursion of my little M&Ds and the Duettas only manage about 6mm. Massive surface area being driven there though. Two ways to do bass. Be interesting to hear the punch behind 20mm!
Yeah we both liked the Fidelios - tis true.
+/- 20mm hey? Looking forward to hearing that - it's twice the excursion of my little M&Ds and the Duettas only manage about 6mm. Massive surface area being driven there though. Two ways to do bass. Be interesting to hear the punch behind 20mm!
It's 20mm p-p though Justin, not maximum. Linear travel is 8mm (ie the length over which the coil "engine" can do its thing) but the cone is free to carry on to the max limits. It's also a very low distortion design thanks to the rear bumped back plate, high temp voice coil, and copper ring (below pole piece). ie it can go loud cleanly if needs be (speaker system has generated close to 110dB here...hearing protection worn of course!).
I did think it seemed rather high...
Anyway, I'm not going to concentrate on comparing them to Duettas. They are an entirely different design that should, I think, be considered on its own merits.
jandl100
10-01-2014, 20:33
eh? pardon? - speak up there. :wheniwasaboy:
I might be up for this Paul. Whereabouts in the Shire of Gloucester are you? I might also want to bring down some 'speakers for you to fettle at the same time. Plus would love to hear those Fidelios.
rubber duck
10-01-2014, 22:37
Would love to hear these Paul, but alas too far. The speakers look nice and reasonably proportioned, and the 91dB/W and 6ohm specs sound perfect.
I might be up for this Paul. Whereabouts in the Shire of Gloucester are you? I might also want to bring down some 'speakers for you to fettle at the same time. Plus would love to hear those Fidelios.
Hi Martin. I'm close to Dursley about 15 minutes from J13 (M5). Have a buyer for the current Fidelio demo pair but another pair is being commissioned so may well have some if you visit ;)
Would love to hear these Paul, but alas too far. The speakers look nice and reasonably proportioned, and the 91dB/W and 6ohm specs sound perfect.
...only an hour away! :D.......(heavy-ish right foot involved perhaps)
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.