RSL Speedwoofer 10

RSL Speedwoofer 10

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Home Theater Review Sound And Vision Review Electronic House Review Home Entertainment Review Positive Feedback Review
Compression Guide tuning makes this subwoofer live up to its name. The Speedwoofer™'s unrivaled speed creates smoother and faster bass than people are accustomed to from a subwoofer. The Speedwoofer™ 10 blends effortlessly with the most accurate speakers on the market (including electrostatics). Fast enough to sonically disappear, the Speedwoofer™'s bass will sound like its coming from your speakers; not a subwoofer.

Speed is crucial for accuracy. Live bass, from instruments or explosions, is fast and powerful. Subwoofers struggle to reproduce realistic bass because subs are naturally large, heavy, and slow. They are also the most susceptible to enclosure resonance which slows them down further and adds distortion. This is why subwoofers can sound sloppy, and often distort.

The Speedwoofer™ 10 is so fast because CG tuning drastically reduces enclosure resonance; allowing the woofer to move with greater agility. The result is cleaner, clearer, bass along with the exciting power you would expect from any top-notch subwoofer. You won't believe how good the Speedwoofer sounds until you're listening to it. Its performance cannot be matched for $750.

RSL Speedwoofer 10™
  • Frequency Response: 24-180 Hz ± 3db
  • Woofer: 10” Cast Aluminum Frame, Massive Ferrite Magnet Structure, rubber surround
  • Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
  • System resonance: 18 Hz
  • Weight: 64 lbs
  • Dimensions: H: 16 1/2” W: 16 1/2” D: 17 1/4” (Not including spikes)
  • Feet and Spikes: 4 spikes for carpeted floors and 4 plastic feet for hard floors supplied.
RSL Speedwoofer 10™ Amplifier
  • Power: 375 W RMS @ 4 ohms
  • Distortion: <1% at rated power
  • Class A/B Full analog amplifier and power supply
  • Volume and Crossover Frequency: 40-170 Hz-variable by wireless remote control
  • Crossover slope: 12 db
  • Crossover Low Level Out: 100 Hz 12 db/Octave
  • Crossover Hi Level Out: 100 Hz 6db/Octave
  • Auto On: Activated by audio signal, shuts off after 20 minutes with no signal
  • Phase control – 0o or 180 o Switchable
  • Power draw auto on (no signal input): 20 watts
  • Power draw standby mode: 14 watts
  • Power Input: 115V, 60Hz, 230V 50/60Hz AC
  • Fuse 115V: T8.0AL
  • Fuse 230V: T4.0AL
Home Theater Magazine Logo Top Picks Icon

Home Theater Magazine - All 5 Star Ratings

RSL 5.1 Theater Speaker System

Read the full review

Compact Speaker Reviews

By Mark Fleischmann, Home Theater Magazine • Posted: Dec 29, 2011

“The RSL CG4 and CG24 made a gratifying first impression that never wavered as they journeyed through content with the unflappability of an experienced traveler. They were coherent from top to bottom”

“The balance among midbass, midrange, upper midrange, and high frequencies was everything one could hope for.”

“Bass integration between satellites and sub was seamless.”

“…..the RSL system delivered the goods with as little listening fatigue as I’ve ever had with any high-resolution speakers delivering a noisy movie.”

“It was hard to believe I was listening to loudspeakers driven by an amplifier.”

“I fell in love with it from the first moments I listened to it.”

“…a product can achieve a five-star performance rating only if it is “reference quality.” This speaker handily qualifies.”

“It got the best out of everything I used to audition it. Wow, wow, and wow again.”

“…the price/performance ration for these compact speakers sold direct on the Internet is through the roof.”

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Sound And Vision Logo  Sound-Vision Certified & Recommended

Tested: RSL Speaker Systems 5.1 Theater System

The SoCal speaker kings are back — and performing above their size and price point once again

By Daniel Kumin, Sound & Vision Magazine | Posted September 20, 2011

“The RSL sats sounded tight and honest.”

“The CG4 was accurate and well defined on voices and instruments, without any distinct coloration or bias. I found its sound to be open, crisp, and perhaps just the tiniest shade “forward” over the top octaves, but still even and unforced, making for an airy, detailed presentation.”

“I was halfway through Harry Brown’s credits before I realized that the RSL system had simply delivered the cinema-sound goods, left, right, and center (and surround).”

“Whatever I played, the system continued to deliver clarity and unforced detail.”

“Listening to the Corigliano (and other music) in surround proved satisfying, too. The surround-channel CG4s did not “flashlight” ambient sounds, while the front pair locked up with the center CG24 to form a truly seamless front stage.”

“RSL has a very, very good small speaker system here. …..it performs, without fuss, at a level higher than most at this price point. disregard physical size; for this kind of performance, it’s a bargain.”

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Home Entertainment Magazine Logo

PRODUCT REVIEW: RSL COMPRESSION GUIDE SPEAKERS

AFTER TWO DECADES, THE NEW RSL CG SPEAKERS COME WITH A SURPRISE IN EVERY BOX

January 14, 2011 By Home Entertainment Editorial Staff - Mark Elson

“I was able to pick up subtleties I had not previously heard. If speakers are windows into the music, these windows were squeaky-clean.”

“James Taylor was present in the room with his characteristic vocal insinuations, accents and humor intact... outside the box.”

“with the RSL CG24 Studio Monitor, the ground rules of performance versus price are about to change.”

“At no time was the sound fatiguing nor was there any smear or lack of definition among all those layered sounds coming from the CG system.”

“All in all, this was pretty amazing performance from a $750 subwoofer (RSL Speedwoofer 10).”

“The system imaged wider than anyone had a right to expect, including vertically.”

“the Rogersound Labs Compression Guide speakers represent the same outstanding value and performance that they did decades earlier.”

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Electronic House Logo

Hands On: RSL Compression Guide Speakers

An old speaker company is reborn.

April 14, 2011 | by Grant Clauser, Electronic House Magazine

“The RSLs created a very rich, three-dimensional soundstage that seemed larger than such small speakers should be able produce.”

“On movie soundtracks, the system also performed well. Once again I was impressed with the fullness of the presentation.”

“After spending a couple of weeks tossing a wide variety of music and movies through the speakers, I packed them up very impressed with what a $2,075 sub/sat system could deliver.”

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Positive Feedback Logo

Rogersound Labs

Compression Guide (CG) Stereo System

Reviewed by Michael Wechsberg, Positive Feedback

"The first thing I noticed when I sat down for serious listening was that the speakers completely disappeared. This fundamental and sought-after characteristic of all music systems is hard to achieve, especially at this price range and often at much higher price ranges.”

“The speakers threw a wide and deep image with great definition throughout the soundstage. This has always been an advantage of small satellites but often falls apart when the subwoofer is added. Not so with the RSLs.”

“Vocal music, both male and female, was full with plenty of midrange detail.”

“I played some big symphony works and they sounded wonderful from the deepest bass to the highest highs. The system was especially good at portraying hall acoustics faithfully. I was very conscious of the acoustics in the silent spaces between cuts or movements.”

“But the best thing about this speaker system is the way music literally leapt out of the speakers. Its not that they had an exaggerated front and center perspective but the timing and pace of the music were so palpable it was hard to sit still. I found myself playing the RSLs much louder than I usually listen because the music just didn't want to stay inside the speakers. It wanted to come outside and boogie. At the same time slow and quiet songs and movements drew you inside to enjoy the terrific detail.”

“I really believe the star of the RSL CG system is the Speedwoofer™ 10. Once properly set up it delivered strong, deep and dynamic bass with truly excellent detail. In my main system I use a subwoofer that costs 3 times the RSL yet does not go as deep with the same level of detail.”

“RSL gets "it", that listening to music should be fun and you will have fun with these speakers.”

“Even if you are willing to spend twice as much you should listen to the CG Stereo System.”

“You are sure to enjoy all your old recordings more than ever before.”

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Average customer rating:




5 Most recent customer reviews (see all reviews):
Bobby
March 26, 2012
I have owned many high end subs over the years, and stumbling on the RSL Sub was the best thing that ever happened! I have almost given up on trying to match subs with just about any speaker as
getting it to blend was always difficult to get right. Now on my quest to find a sub to go with my Maggie 1.7's I bought and sold two other subwoofers I recently purchased with no real luck in blending with the 1.7.s I could always tell there was a sub in the mix muddying up the sound.
When I got the RSL sub I was shocked at how well it blended with the 1.7's. I almost thought something was wrong with it because it was not booming & drawing attention to itself like my other subs. But I soon realized it was just so fast, I could not hear it mucking up the sound. Just vibrant, fast & articulate sound. Exactly what the Maggies needed!
Now, I have since sold the Maggies and bought the ultimate test for the sub...A pair of Martin Logan CLS. The original full electrostat speaker, and I am happy to say the sub again is a perfect match. If it had not been (with either speaker) believe me I would have sent it back since RSL offers a no brainer money back guarantee.
A buddy of mine always tries to convince me to keep a good sub around as I go through speakers, but I always ended
up selling them simply because I was not happy enough with them to keep em.
Well' I passed my 30 day return, and the only thing RSL will get from me is probably a check for another Speedwoofer. But, I am not sure I will need another one as one is enough. This is a fantastic sub, and even though it is a "music first" sub, it does a great job on movies as well. A true Keeper!!!
Also, I do not wish to mention the other sub brands I have owned, but every one of them was more expensive than the RSL. They all ranged between $995-$3500.
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Robert C.
December 19, 2011
...Now for the icing on the cake, the sub. "WOW"!!! This is what brings every thing to life. This thing is unreal, phenomenal even, everything you could ever ask of a subwoofer and more for thousands less. Spot on RSL great job!!! Thank you for making it possible for us to have this kind of quality at such an affordable price.

Advantages:
Sound quality
Price
Craftsmanship
Customer service

Disadvantages:
None
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Stephen
December 11, 2011
I cannot adequately express how happy I am with the Speedwoofer 10. It has brought my Vandersteen speakers to life! The imaging is markedly improved as is the clarity of the instruments. The low tones are rich and appear to emanate from the Vandersteen speakers, not from the Speedwoofer. I don't see any need now to purchase a more expensive amplifier, so you could say purchasing the Speedwoofer has saved me money. Thank you for making a great audio product that people with a regular income can afford.
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Jerry
October 25, 2011
RSL, I have appreciated my nevada RSL speakers without any problems or decrease in quality for 30 years. So it was a clear and simple decision to purchase 6 CG24s and a Speedwoofer. If your priorities are incomparable durability, a great value, an honest company,and beautiful outstanding music you should purchase an RSL system! Very sincerely, Jerry
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Gordon
September 9, 2011
This is plenty of subwoofer for even a 20' by 30' room. What sets this one apart is the speed. For acoustic music, the bass just fits right in as in real life. There is no impression of there being a subwoofer. For electronica it almost sounds wrong. The big bass does not ooze and boom out after the beat as it does in every good dance club. Instead it is right there fast, crisp, and clean. I have never heard a subwoofer as fast and clear as this one. It is clearly more musical than my previous $2000, 1000W model.
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