PRODUCT REVIEW: RSL COMPRESSION GUIDE SPEAKERS
AFTER TWO DECADES, THE NEW RSL CG SPEAKERS COME WITH A SURPRISE IN EVERY BOX
Back in the 70s and 80s, Southern California audio fans were familiar with RSL Speaker Systems, designed by Howard Rodgers and sold exclusively at Rogersound Labs' audio/video stores throughout the area. RSL speakers were known for their quality as well as their tremendous value, being available at factory-direct prices. The RSL Studio Monitors were a familiar sight in many of L.A.'s recording studios and radio stations and were owned by many of LA's top musicians. They still have a loyal following.
When asked why he decided to launch a new speaker line in today's crowded market, Rodgers said: "There are dozens of really fine speaker brands available today. The world doesn't need another brand, unless it has something unique to offer. We will be offering speaker sound quality that we're certain will impress picky audiophiles, at prices much lower than those found currently in the audiophile market." The premise is credible; RSL speakers were one of the best-selling lines back when Hi-Fi shops were crammed with dozens of brands.
For the past 3 years, Howard Rodgers and his son Joseph have been developing a new line of home theater speakers and studio monitors based upon RSL's patented Compression Guide (CG) technology. According to Rodgers, CG technology is a different approach to speaker tuning. "Without the boxy quality caused by cabinet resonance, the sound seems to break free of the enclosure and images in the room. The clarity of the voices and instruments is dramatically improved, as well as the soundstage. It also results in significant bass extension without the boominess and overhang." RSL's slogan is, "Hear Outside the Box". I was about to test RSL's premise.
Test Material and Perspective
On that note, I arranged for my second listening session. This reviewer comes with some particular advantages. First, as a musician and producer with many hours in the studio, I brought my performer's ears, focusing on the inner worlds of solo instruments and vocalists as well as presentation of small combos and large orchestral panoramas. Next, as an analytical listener and retailer of high-end audio gear, I also took my skeptic's ears along. I wasn't sure what I heard at that first audition would hold up to a second challenging session. Except for one test for the deepest bass using a tone generator, I didn't listen to frequency sweeps. People who would buy the RSL's would not be listening to boops and beeps coming from test equipment.
The first stop was the lab - a comfortable listening environment but not tricked out. The playback system included well-respected 2-channel components: an Audio Research SP14 preamp, a CD2 player, a Classic 60 hybrid tube-transistor amplifier. More costly electronics would have skewed the results.
