[Master Splinter 007]

Hello all,

I’ve pretty much narrowed my LCR front stage down to the HTD Level 3 bookshelf speakers and a HTD Level 3 center or three CG-25 speakers from RSL.

A little history....

I own the RSL speed woofer 10 and really enjoy it very much for music and movies.

I also own the HTD speaker stands and I think they are very good speaker stands and are of high quality.

For movies I enjoy clear dialogue and a speaker that can play loud.

For music I like a slight forward live fun sounding speaker.

I believe both of these speakers check all of these boxes.

The RSL seems to have a higher quality crossover that will provide many years of quality sound. I’m not sure of the crossover quality in the HTD speakers.

The HTD price for the LCR setup is half the cost of the RSL LCR setup.

HTD come in at $650 and the RSL’s come in at $1,250.

Both seem to have a nice build quality for the price.

HTD sound demo:
https://youtu.be/U0VvhTJtFQ0

RSL CG-23 sound demo “I couldn’t find any sound demos for the bigger CG-25’s”
https://youtu.be/M56716vvOdY


Also three CG-23’s would be about the same cost of the HTD Level 3 speakers for a fairer cost comparison.

Three CG-23’s come in at $600

Has anyone auditioned both of the RSL or the HTD Level 3 speakers.

We watch and listen to about 50/50 music and movies.

Room size is 15x13x8’ ceilings

Subwoofer is a RSL Speedwoofer 10.

Many thanks for your time....!!!!

 

[Lp85253]

Hello all,

I’ve pretty much narrowed my LCR front stage down to the HTD Level 3 bookshelf speakers and a HTD Level 3 center or three CG-25 speakers from RSL.

A little history....

I own the RSL speed woofer 10 and really enjoy it very much for music and movies.

I also own the HTD speaker stands and I think they are very good speaker stands and are of high quality.

For movies I enjoy clear dialogue and a speaker that can play loud.

For music I like a slight forward live fun sounding speaker.

I believe both of these speakers check all of these boxes.

The RSL seems to have a higher quality crossover that will provide many years of quality sound. I’m not sure of the crossover quality in the HTD speakers.

The HTD price for the LCR setup is half the cost of the RSL LCR setup.

HTD come in at $650 and the RSL’s come in at $1,250.

Both seem to have a nice build quality for the price.

HTD sound demo:
https://youtu.be/U0VvhTJtFQ0

RSL CG-23 sound demo “I couldn’t find any sound demos for the bigger CG-25’s”
https://youtu.be/M56716vvOdY


Also three CG-23’s would be about the same cost of the HTD Level 3 speakers for a fairer cost comparison.

Three CG-23’s come in at $600

Has anyone auditioned both of the RSL or the HTD Level 3 speakers.

We watch and listen to about 50/50 music and movies.

Room size is 15x13x8’ ceilings

Subwoofer is a RSL Speedwoofer 10.

Many thanks for your time....!!!!

I think rsl has "b" stock ... The cg 25 i think are the best , but not knowing your taste in speakers it's just a guess.. My point about b stock is that the cg 25 would be a much greater value at just a bit lower price..

 

[gajCA]

Many thanks for your time....!!!!

Thank you for volunteering to do a shootout as both offer free returns.

HTD is for first time customers only though.

Both solid choices.

 

[Zorba922]

The HTD price for the LCR setup is half the cost of the RSL LCR setup.

HTD come in at $650 and the RSL’s come in at $1,250.

Also three CG-23’s would be about the same cost of the HTD Level 3 speakers for a fairer cost comparison. Three CG-23’s come in at $600.

We watch and listen to about 50/50 music and movies.

Room size is 15x13x8’ ceilings

Subwoofer is a RSL Speedwoofer 10.

CG23 have 4" woofers, so they'd do poorly against the other 2. I'd remove them from consideration.

Since both HTD and RSL provide free return shipping, obvious thing to do is home demo both.

There are a number of other MTM options like Chane A2.4, Ascend 340SE, and Hsu HC-1 but none of them come with free return shipping.

Personally, if your budget extends all the way up to $1250, I'd do 3 x Ascend Sierra 1 if you're set on bookshelves over towers.

 

[rhelliott2]

I have never owned a RSL product, I hear their products are great. I have owned some level three and was extremely impressed with the build quality. In the end I sent the HTD back for some chane speakers.

I would strongly recommend chane A2.4 or their newer 700 series that will drop soon.

I'd also recommend some 340se

 

[Master Splinter 007]

Zorba....

Thanks for the recommendations of the Chane A2.4.
I just listened to the A1.5 sound demo and they are impressive.

I sold my JBL studio 230 to my buddy. They were nice but a little muddy in the mid range. I’m sure I could have kept them and upgraded the crossover or added some more sound panels but I wanted to try something new.

 

[Zorba922]

but I wanted to try something new.

Well, if you're able to do towers, Emotiva T-Z or T1+ with C2+ center would run you just $800-1100 (maybe a little less, somebody on another thread found an online discount code on the C2) and would likely trounce all of these 3 x MTM options.

 

[Jason Merrick]

@Master Splinter 007 what did you end up getting? I’m this close to ordering the CG25 x3 L/C/R and CG5 x2 surrounds.

 

[Lp85253]

@Master Splinter 007 what did you end up getting? I’m this close to ordering the CG25 x3 L/C/R and CG5 x2 surrounds.

Your going sideways from the 530s

 

[Zorba922]

Your going sideways from the 530s

Well, the CG25 have TWO 5.25" woofers vs a single 5.25" on the 530s ... so at the very least he's assured of getting more headroom than with the 530s and esp. with the 520C.

If his focus is on HT/TV/gaming not music and he likes things on the loud side, it might be a good idea.

Especially if WAF is a factor at all...

 

[Jason Merrick]

I fully expected to love the 530s, but... I don’t. They sound fine, just not special in any way. Their looks are a big negative, though. I like the looks of my speakers without grilles, and the 530s look terrible without their grilles. Hopefully the RSLs sound good to my ears and I’ll be happy with them, but if not, they can go back just like the JBLs are going to.

 

[Jason Merrick]

Well, the CG25 have TWO 5.25" woofers vs a single 5.25" on the 530s ... so at the very least he's assured of getting more headroom than with the 530s and esp. with the 520C.

If his focus is on HT/TV/gaming not music and he likes things on the loud side, it might be a good idea.

Especially if WAF is a factor at all...

95% TV and Movies, usually running quite loud (for movies, at least) and WAF is definitely a factor. I mentioned elsewhere on this site that when I told my wife I was going to return the JBLs, she revealed to me that she was glad since to her they look like female anatomy.

 

[Jason Merrick]

Your going sideways from the 530s

Would you feel the same way if I was looking at SVS Ultra Bookshelves/Center for my LCR? I’m not sure if I’d step all the way down to the Prime Satellites for the rears, or just the Prime Bookshelves. I love my SVS sub and was initially planning to go this route, but found several reviews indicating the Ultras were not all that special.

Then I found RSL and realized they are like 10 minutes from my house. Read up on their history a bit, and really started leaning their way. Especially after the founder’s son responded to my e-mail inquiries and continued a conversation over e-mail that told me all I need to know about their level of service.

 

[Zorba922]

95% TV and Movies, usually running quite loud (for movies, at least) and WAF is definitely a factor. I mentioned elsewhere on this site that when I told my wife I was going to return the JBLs, she revealed to me that she was glad since to her they look like female anatomy.

I'd look at the JBL Stage speakers sold at Crutchfield, esp. if you can do towers. They look much less controversial than the Studio series and I'd expect them to be of comparable HT performance as the RSL speakers for less money.

 

[Jason Merrick]

I'd look at the JBL Stage speakers sold at Crutchfield, esp. if you can do towers. They look much less controversial than the Studio series and I'd expect them to be of comparable HT performance as the RSL speakers for less money.

Can’t do towers, this is my master bedroom system.

 

[Jason Merrick]

I'd look at the JBL Stage speakers sold at Crutchfield, esp. if you can do towers. They look much less controversial than the Studio series and I'd expect them to be of comparable HT performance as the RSL speakers for less money.

Oh, and I’m getting a great deal on the RSLs due to their blemish sale. They marked down an entire shipment due to a few flaws they found on inspection. I’ve been assured they’re very minor and most won’t notice them. Still returnable, though, if I find otherwise. The three CG25s and two CG5s will run me right around $1500 delivered.

 

[sigpig]

95% TV and Movies, usually running quite loud (for movies, at least) and WAF is definitely a factor. I mentioned elsewhere on this site that when I told my wife I was going to return the JBLs, she revealed to me that she was glad since to her they look like female anatomy.

You're far from the first to mention that...

 

[jaybo666]

I'm jealous. That RSL system is going to amaze you in a 15' x 13' room. Enjoy!!!

 

[luvnhateSony]

Well, the CG25 have TWO 5.25" woofers vs a single 5.25" on the 530s ... so at the very least he's assured of getting more headroom than with the 530s and esp. with the 520C.

If his focus is on HT/TV/gaming not music and he likes things on the loud side, it might be a good idea.

Especially if WAF is a factor at all...

Yes. Having experienced both the RSL CG25/5s and the 530s there’s NOTHING sideways about this move in my view. RSLs are both excellent for Music and Movies and I personally enjoyed them more than the 530. The RSLs definitely Imaged better and were easier to drive providing to your point, added headroom. The CG25/5s are Beautifully balanced and engaging speakers.

 

[Jason Merrick]

Yes. Having experienced both the RSL CG25/5s and the 530s there’s NOTHING sideways about this move in my view. RSLs are both excellent for Music and Movies and I personally enjoyed them more than the 530. The RSLs definitely Imaged better and were easier to drive providing to your point, added headroom. The CG25/5s are Beautifully balanced and engaging speakers.

Thank you for this response! Really glad to hear a positive direct comparison.