I had a chance to hear these in person at the RBH headquarters with a side by side comparison to the 8’ tall SVRT/AX speakers. Both my son and really enjoyed these a lot and almost preferred them over their bigger brother speakers just because you get 95% of what they offer for a bit less and a smaller cabinet. The bass cannot be understated. I will be purchasing these shortly.
I too have heard these in person in the RBH demo room. The SVRT's are unparalleled for the money. If I had the space and money, I would never consider another system. But for the more manageable financial investment and space requirements, these SFTRs are amazing. Please invite me over when you get your speakers! :)
Thanks again Gene! Very informative and makes me excited for the future of loudspeaker design. This is like the move from column speakers with huge amp stacks to self-powered line arrays in Pro Audio. (We all laughed at the "small" line array modules in the early 2000s. Then, we saw how much time and weight was removed from load-ins by eliminating thousands of pounds of speaker cable.)
I'm quite sure these are over the top excellent. I hope there is more competition in lower price active systems. I'm running a pair of Bamberg audio series three three way active and i is a mini dsp shd as a digital pre amp. Phils filter design is outrageously great. I use the dirac for the low end and the parametric eq for the mids and highs to taste. There's a separate amp built in for each driver from hypex. I use a laptop and steam to my heart's content. They cost about 6500.00 for the package. I hope others will venture into active systems at a more mid fi set up. As for this system from rbh? It would be a dream come true. You basically need a laptop and your done. I encourage anyone who has not heard a well sorted active system to check it out.
Actives are the future, that much is clear. At 30k, those would be end game speakers for most. Considering you don't have to buy amplification or subs (though the addition of a sub always helps...) it's not as expensive as it seems at first glance, still still not inexpensive. I hope it sounds great!
@@Audioholics yes, I know that. Even if I did have that kind of money to spend, the most I would ever pay is ten grand! If I was going to spend 30, it would be for an entire system, not a pair of speakers. After a certain amount, their ears as well as mine won't be able to tell a difference. It becomes a status thing and eye candy at that point.
@@kirkcunningham6146 that's you're opinion not based on experience. No speaker at $10k/pair perform like theses, especially in the bass region. They absolutely destroy $16k Revel F328be which are on their own good speakers.
@@Audioholics I'm not picking a fight with you brother, I'm just being realistic. Noone is buying these except the wealthy period. I know you are all about this stuff now and that's great. For most of us who follow you, 30 grand on a pair of speakers is nuts. Active or passive...
I forsee a future, where active systems have become so ubiquitous that the defining characteristic of a system is the control package. Allowing users to customize their sound with subtle psychoacoustic preferences. Or automatic adjustments based on detected flaws in the source signal. Things like dynamic range expansion, tube harmonics, tape hiss filtering. The ability to precisely control the speaker will open many doors of control preferences. Being that the tech needed will already come standard in active systems as a ubiquitous technology it will have no barriers to entry, no barriers for companies to offer users expanded control options, and I feel these customer control packages will be major points of differentiation.
Hey Gene. I appreciate the improvements to production quality in your videos over time. Fixing your audio and getting better mics was a great choice. But I think it is time to look into improving your lighting. Using room lighting never looks great on video I'm afraid. You would want a key light on your face. And if you get fancy you can do edge lights from behind to separate you from the background. And you can add aesthetic colored light sources in the background too. You'd probably only need an LED video light with a large softbox to start. (The bigger the light source, the more flattering/soft it is.) Two might be better so you have better coverage and can accommodate more than one person. And you can get some flat panel lights for your streaming/desk setup. (don't get ring lights, they cost more and have less surface area. smaller light=less flattering) There are plenty tutorials on how to do this. Or maybe you could find a lighting expert and make content out of it. Good lighting not only improves production quality, but it has a psychological effect on the viewer. When something looks more professional, people tend to trust it more. Look at any MKBHD video and you might see what I mean. I love your videos either way. But taking things to the next level might help you attract some new subscribers. And you seem like me and have fun playing with new gadgets-so you'd have some new toys to figure out.
Yea I want to improve that as well but sadly even when I have highly produced videos w good audio and video quality, it doesn't improve viewership. The best views we get is when I sit at my desk and rant about audio topics with no production at all.
@@Audioholics Sorry for the late reply. I'm a content creator as well. In my experience, it takes time for production quality changes to provide noticeable results. I improved my photography skills for my content and it took quite a while to see meaningful gains. But eventually people started complimenting me on it and seemed to appreciate the effort. And there are some amazing things you can do with a simple desk setup. And the nice thing is, with a static location you can set up the lights one time and just flip them on whenever you do the video. Again, just a suggestion. I've become a lighting nerd since taking up photography and it's actually a lot of fun once you get the basics down. And the best part is, the camera doesn't matter. Good lighting looks good no matter what.
That would be great. Looking forward to seeing that video. I fall more on the objective side of the fence but I do own the SPTPC speaker cables and some of their XLRs. I think they are great and they look a lot better than my previous BJC 10 whites. By the way, we are neighbors. I’m in the Wiregrass area. Don was actually out to my house when I first started my theater project.
Hi Gene you need to get some stands for those LED lights. Putting them on the floor pointing up at your faces makes you look like evil masters. Plus the shadows from your arms are very distracting. Finally why does the intro music need to be 100db louder than your mic voice? Keep up the good work! I know its easy for people like me to sit at my keyboard and pontificate. Not trying to knock the work you put into these vids.
@ubacow7109 don't quite your day job bc your jokes aren't that funny. Just because the DACs are a few years old doesn't make them obsolete. Burr Browns have always measured SOTA and they decode all formats including SACD. Some of the best AV gear has used them and continues to use them.
@@Audioholics ... chill? All im saying is that state of the art just typically refers to modern products.... I've made no statements saying anything is obsolete just that theyre not the latest and greatest~ plz dont take things out of context~ Typically when people just say SOTA they mean things that are at the peak of technical prowess~ Its a good chip im sure, but its not like the most recent iteration of said technology, generally very modern or near futuristic. Plenty of modern products still use Ti DACs im well aware I have a few even, but I dont consider them to be the next best thing since sliced bread, theyre just sliced bread (and sliced bread is just dandy~)
Burr Browm DAC chips are super highly regarded and are in many super high end expensive DACs. PCM DAC chips haven’t really progressed in the past few years. You simply do NOT need -130db low noise. It’s overkill and pointless Not to mention the super upside you have in not having passive crossover components in a speaker.
I had a chance to hear these in person at the RBH headquarters with a side by side comparison to the 8’ tall SVRT/AX speakers.
Both my son and really enjoyed these a lot and almost preferred them over their bigger brother speakers just because you get 95% of what they offer for a bit less and a smaller cabinet.
The bass cannot be understated.
I will be purchasing these shortly.
I too have heard these in person in the RBH demo room. The SVRT's are unparalleled for the money. If I had the space and money, I would never consider another system. But for the more manageable financial investment and space requirements, these SFTRs are amazing. Please invite me over when you get your speakers! :)
Thanks again Gene! Very informative and makes me excited for the future of loudspeaker design. This is like the move from column speakers with huge amp stacks to self-powered line arrays in Pro Audio. (We all laughed at the "small" line array modules in the early 2000s. Then, we saw how much time and weight was removed from load-ins by eliminating thousands of pounds of speaker cable.)
Wow Gene, you do have your own personal speaker designer: Shane Rich 🎉
I'm quite sure these are over the top excellent. I hope there is more competition in lower price active systems.
I'm running a pair of Bamberg audio series three three way active and i is a mini dsp shd as a digital pre amp. Phils filter design is outrageously great. I use the dirac for the low end and the parametric eq for the mids and highs to taste. There's a separate amp built in for each driver from hypex. I use a laptop and steam to my heart's content. They cost about 6500.00 for the package. I hope others will venture into active systems at a more mid fi set up.
As for this system from rbh? It would be a dream come true. You basically need a laptop and your done. I encourage anyone who has not heard a well sorted active system to check it out.
Active speakers are kickass. Eliminate that passive crossover.
Reminds me a lot of the old NHT Evolution towers, T6s and T5s.
Actives are the future, that much is clear. At 30k, those would be end game speakers for most. Considering you don't have to buy amplification or subs (though the addition of a sub always helps...) it's not as expensive as it seems at first glance, still still not inexpensive. I hope it sounds great!
If I'm spending 30 grand?? It's on a car or a down payment on a house. Not speakers.
@kirkcunningham6146 everybody has different budgets. Someone shopping 30k speakers already had a house and a couple of 6-figure cars.
@@Audioholics yes, I know that. Even if I did have that kind of money to spend, the most I would ever pay is ten grand! If I was going to spend 30, it would be for an entire system, not a pair of speakers. After a certain amount, their ears as well as mine won't be able to tell a difference. It becomes a status thing and eye candy at that point.
@@kirkcunningham6146 that's you're opinion not based on experience. No speaker at $10k/pair perform like theses, especially in the bass region. They absolutely destroy $16k Revel F328be which are on their own good speakers.
@@Audioholics I'm not picking a fight with you brother, I'm just being realistic. Noone is buying these except the wealthy period. I know you are all about this stuff now and that's great. For most of us who follow you, 30 grand on a pair of speakers is nuts. Active or passive...
That's CRAZY!
I forsee a future, where active systems have become so ubiquitous that the defining characteristic of a system is the control package. Allowing users to customize their sound with subtle psychoacoustic preferences. Or automatic adjustments based on detected flaws in the source signal. Things like dynamic range expansion, tube harmonics, tape hiss filtering.
The ability to precisely control the speaker will open many doors of control preferences. Being that the tech needed will already come standard in active systems as a ubiquitous technology it will have no barriers to entry, no barriers for companies to offer users expanded control options, and I feel these customer control packages will be major points of differentiation.
Hey Gene. I appreciate the improvements to production quality in your videos over time. Fixing your audio and getting better mics was a great choice. But I think it is time to look into improving your lighting. Using room lighting never looks great on video I'm afraid. You would want a key light on your face. And if you get fancy you can do edge lights from behind to separate you from the background. And you can add aesthetic colored light sources in the background too. You'd probably only need an LED video light with a large softbox to start. (The bigger the light source, the more flattering/soft it is.) Two might be better so you have better coverage and can accommodate more than one person. And you can get some flat panel lights for your streaming/desk setup. (don't get ring lights, they cost more and have less surface area. smaller light=less flattering)
There are plenty tutorials on how to do this. Or maybe you could find a lighting expert and make content out of it. Good lighting not only improves production quality, but it has a psychological effect on the viewer. When something looks more professional, people tend to trust it more. Look at any MKBHD video and you might see what I mean. I love your videos either way. But taking things to the next level might help you attract some new subscribers. And you seem like me and have fun playing with new gadgets-so you'd have some new toys to figure out.
Yea I want to improve that as well but sadly even when I have highly produced videos w good audio and video quality, it doesn't improve viewership. The best views we get is when I sit at my desk and rant about audio topics with no production at all.
@@Audioholics Sorry for the late reply. I'm a content creator as well. In my experience, it takes time for production quality changes to provide noticeable results. I improved my photography skills for my content and it took quite a while to see meaningful gains. But eventually people started complimenting me on it and seemed to appreciate the effort. And there are some amazing things you can do with a simple desk setup. And the nice thing is, with a static location you can set up the lights one time and just flip them on whenever you do the video. Again, just a suggestion. I've become a lighting nerd since taking up photography and it's actually a lot of fun once you get the basics down. And the best part is, the camera doesn't matter. Good lighting looks good no matter what.
Only available through dealers? No direct ship? Why no prices on their website?
Our channel partner, Dreamedia, is an authorized dealer, and I included links in the video description.
@@Audioholics 👍
Awesome looking speakers. I was surprised to see you using what I think are Iconoclasts SPTPC cables. If I got that right, what did you think of them?
Very impressive cables. I need to measure them and do a video.
That would be great. Looking forward to seeing that video. I fall more on the objective side of the fence but I do own the SPTPC speaker cables and some of their XLRs. I think they are great and they look a lot better than my previous BJC 10 whites. By the way, we are neighbors. I’m in the Wiregrass area. Don was actually out to my house when I first started my theater project.
How would this compare against a Genelac 8361A with W371A sub system?
Gene, what source are you using to run these speakers?
@@wwolfram33 turntable, Tidal , Apple Music, SACD player
That purple light is kind of disturbing, just my opinion. Very interesting speaker though ✌🏼
Agreed it was too much. Sorry
Hi Gene you need to get some stands for those LED lights. Putting them on the floor pointing up at your faces makes you look like evil masters. Plus the shadows from your arms are very distracting. Finally why does the intro music need to be 100db louder than your mic voice?
Keep up the good work! I know its easy for people like me to sit at my keyboard and pontificate. Not trying to knock the work you put into these vids.
I hate how loud the intro music is as well. Someone designed that bumper for me and is no longer in contact. Will do about the stands for the lights.
Idk if you'd call burr brown dacs state of the art lol
Yes you do. They are some of the best measuring and more importantly best sounding DACs I've ever heard in products. LOL
@@Audioholics I typically call state of the art something a little more recent. Like released within the last 5 years~ maybe decade even lol
@ubacow7109 don't quite your day job bc your jokes aren't that funny. Just because the DACs are a few years old doesn't make them obsolete. Burr Browns have always measured SOTA and they decode all formats including SACD. Some of the best AV gear has used them and continues to use them.
@@Audioholics ... chill? All im saying is that state of the art just typically refers to modern products.... I've made no statements saying anything is obsolete just that theyre not the latest and greatest~ plz dont take things out of context~ Typically when people just say SOTA they mean things that are at the peak of technical prowess~
Its a good chip im sure, but its not like the most recent iteration of said technology, generally very modern or near futuristic. Plenty of modern products still use Ti DACs im well aware I have a few even, but I dont consider them to be the next best thing since sliced bread, theyre just sliced bread (and sliced bread is just dandy~)
Burr Browm DAC chips are super highly regarded and are in many super high end expensive DACs.
PCM DAC chips haven’t really progressed in the past few years. You simply do NOT need -130db low noise. It’s overkill and pointless
Not to mention the super upside you have in not having passive crossover components in a speaker.
Sounds like GADS is acting as a diaphragmatic absorbers.
😂 21:20
This is just a PR video.
You're just a troll