The RM5 are sealed enclosures featuring a 5 inch woofer and a ring-radiator tweeter, as well as side mounted twin passive radiators. The 300-watt total amplifiers (25+125 per side) are located in the right speaker, which also features all the controls and inputs (xlr/bal/unbal combos and 1/8" stereo). It also has bluetooth capability. They are designed AND made in Canada.
I bought the RM5 and found some small tv wall-mount VESA standard brackets. The installation is our living room one, with Roland FP-80 DP against a wall, mac mini computer and wireless mouse and keyboard, computer monitor on a home-made music rack (actually using the l-shape metal stands that the RM5 come with!). I have a splitter (with separate volume controls) at the mac minis's audio output, sending audio to both the FP-80 and the ART RM5. This way I can balance between the two in any ratio.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with the new set up.The sound is full and rich, without any harshness. The bass is incredibly deep and tight, not boomy or overwhelming. The proximity and spacing of the RM5 makes for a natural imaging, particularly for "player" type presets with close miking and little reverberation. The RM5 sound great on their own, but sometimes I add a little bit of the FP-80's built in speakers for a more enveloping sound. The RM5's 300 watt is, admittedly a little on the overkill side. However, sealed enclosures need more power than ported ones. Any which way, they sound great at any volume. And they come in handy when you need to fill the room with your favorite party music!. These monitors are not cheap ($600 CDN after the promotional rebate), but they feature exceptionally accurate, full frequency reproduction in a very small format. The ability to wall-mount clinched the deal for me. I love the uncluttered look. If you are still looking for great living room or studio monitors for your virtual piano, and have the budget, I strongly recommend the RM5.
DISCLAIMER: I am not associated in any way with ART or Yorkville. Just a happy owner.
]]>MrRoland wrote:I think it means they used the same paint as they used for the pianos
That is probably it.
I would like to hear what they are. I have two Nord-products and without being a Nord-fanboy, I am very impressed (one board I own since 10 years, still using extensively for what it is meant for). What they appear to be good at at Nord is, while giving you rather limited freedom, offering precisely what you need in the playroom they leave you. So, when they say "specifically designed for", I am actually tempted to think that that is true and that they put a lot of effort in adjusting the boxes until they sound the way you need them to sound, in particular for their piano and e-piano sounds.
But well, proof and pudding and stuff.
]]>I think it means they used the same paint as they used for the pianos
That is probably it.
]]>Greg
]]>I first compared Adam A5X and A7X, Yamaha HS5 and HS7 extensively.
Obviously, the larger versions of both brands have a fuller bass. Both Adams seemed to have more bass than their Yamaha counterparts. I realized, however, that what that told all 4 of them apart as concerns "pleasantness for the ears" was more the mid and high range. Here, both Adams sounded clearly nicer than both Yamahas.
After an hour comparing those, I concluded: The added bass that you gain of the size increase from 5 to 7 does not warrant two much larger objects in my living room. The Adam A5X sounded fuller and more detailed in the mid and high range than the Yamaha HS5.
Then, I decided to also try the Neumann KH120's. Sizewise in the same range as the A5x and HS5, but in a higher price range. HS5 are about 300 euros a pair, A5X about 700. The Neumann's are about 1200 a pair.
At first hearing, I was surprised how little difference there was between the Neumans and the Adams. Both appeared to have similar loudness/frequency-curve. So, I almost bought the Adams A5X. But then, I started listening carefully and more extensively (another hour, I think) and with every minute, the Neumans increased their lead until the point where I decided to spend much more than I planned when entering the shop. What really impressed me is how well you really still hear a pianostring swinging in the mid and high range when playing forte and fortissimo.
I have the Neumans now since a month or so and I am really, really happy with that decision. The sound is really beautiful; I enjoy playing more than ever. No ear-fatigue whatsoever. Also, they sound very good no matter how loud they are. Never tried them to the max; a realistic piano volume can be achieved at about 60% of the loudness, but I often play a bit quieter. It is amazing how much sound - also in the bass - these small boxes create, while still being very accurate.
So, the Adams are great, but if you want to invest some more, the Neumans are greater.
]]>Greg.
]]>The Lowther DX2 is an ideal full range driver which gives focus to the mid-range and makes instruments sound as though they are really "there".
The mid-range seems to be key. I've experimented with a range of drivers, from ATC, Volt, Scanspeak and Seas. I think the ATCs are my favourite for 'naked' definition, but Seas M15CH001 sound lovely and are relatively inexpensive. They've been superceded by M15CH002 (https://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/drive...eries.html), which I've not tried.
Re full-range units, I would like to try a pair of these when I can find the time https://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/drive...eries.html
I've heard they're good and, if so, would represent excellent value - something Seas are good at.
I've never tried a Lowther driver but would be interested to hear them. But I see that they're fairly costly.
]]>Yes - the piano doesn't produce a lot of high frequency sound, although brightness does require access to it.
Frequencies below 100Hz are non directional so a sub below that is fine.
The Lowther DX2 is an ideal full range driver which gives focus to the mid-range and makes instruments sound as though they are really "there".
Another possibility is
https://www.thomann.de/gb/visaton_ex_60_s.htm or
https://www.thomann.de/gb/visaton_ex_80_s.htm
https://www.audiomate.co.uk/proddetail....er-Speaker
https://www.soundimports.eu/en/daex25ct-4.html
are another approach and I believe are being used by companies attaching them to real piano soundboards.Best wishes
David P
One of my pianoteq setups is in a real baby grand shell. I removed the strings and metal frame and keyboard bed . I have been messing with various small enclosed speakers on the sound board and just above ... had 3 stereo pairs in there aimed in different directions. Fun and a lot of work but not great sounding.
Maybe the above mentioned exciters might be cool... maybe if attached to the sound board sound will come out the top and bottom of the piano.... Hmmmmmm....
Frequencies below 100Hz are non directional so a sub below that is fine.
The Lowther DX2 is an ideal full range driver which gives focus to the mid-range and makes instruments sound as though they are really "there".
Another possibility is
https://www.thomann.de/gb/visaton_ex_60_s.htm or
https://www.thomann.de/gb/visaton_ex_80_s.htm
https://www.audiomate.co.uk/proddetail....er-Speaker
https://www.soundimports.eu/en/daex25ct-4.html
are another approach and I believe are being used by companies attaching them to real piano soundboards.
Best wishes
David P
]]>