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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Joseph Audio RM25XL Speakers by dls123

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REVIEW: Joseph Audio RM25XL Speakers

23.16.194.199


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Model: RM25XL
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $4199
Description: 2-1/2 way floorstanding spaeker
Manufacturer URL: Joseph Audio
Model Picture: View

Review by dls123 on December 05, 2014 at 19:31:28
IP Address: 23.16.194.199
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for the RM25XL


Like Carbonman, I lived with a pair of Joseph Audio RM25si Mk2 speakers for years. I had mine for about a decade. I loved them. I rebuild vintage tube gear for most of my living. A long-time customer bought a pair of used RM25XL speakers because he knew I loved my Mk2 ones. He raved about them and thanked me. I always wanted to hear the updated version. I emailed Jeff Joseph and he said they were about 20% better, but changing all the drivers would be expensive. He suggested it would be more cost effective to sell mine and buy a used pair of the RM25XL. Well, lo and behold, about a year later my customer decided to move up the speaker food chain and offered me the used RM25XL speakers for a price I couldn’t pass up. So I sold my Mk2 to a local friend for a very good price and he is over the moon. So everyone is happy.

The RM25XL speakers in my living room system are driven by:
Computer (all FLAC or various hi-res samplers)
Schiit Audio Gungnir DAC using balanced outputs
Custom 6SN7 preamp based on Roy Mottram’s SP14 board, with Cinemag transformers to convert the balanced DAC outputs to single ended
My completely McShaned and tweaked Citation II (my specialty)

This may not be the most expensive system in the world, but it is very good, very neutral, and very revealing. Joseph Audio speakers are an easy load for a tube amp, and they love a Citation II. So I unboxed the new/used pair of RM25XL and put the requisite amount of sand in the bases. Sealed them up and put them right where the old ones were. The cabinets have identical dimensions. They look exactly the same. Just the drivers (and probably crossovers) are new. Even with a cold amp I could tell the difference from the first notes. I never thought the RM25si Mk2 were harsh in any way, but the XL is so smooth it is amazing. They make the old ones sound a bit bright. These are easily 20% better. They go lower, but what is stunning is the midrange and the smoothness of the new tweeters. They have even more detail than the old ones, but sound warmer and richer. My 16 year-old daughter said they “filled the room more”. I loved the old ones, but these are pretty amazing. In this system the detail is astounding. If the recording engineer dropped a pencil you hear it, but not in a bright way. It is never edgy or fatiguing. Just detailed. So if you can find a used pair of these in the $2000-$2200 range I would say that you are highly unlikely to find a better speaker at that price. Really. They do everything the RM25si Mk2 speakers do, but quite a bit better. They are very neutral, sounding exactly like what you feed them. They do not editorialize. They just sound like music, and boy do they image. JA speakers are noted for that. Plus, just like the old ones they are ported to the bottom and can happily live within a foot or two of the rear wall. So they will fit in most rooms. These will be in this room for a long time. Happy listening.








Product Weakness: None really. What you get for this price point is pretty amazing.
Product Strengths: Very neutral with great frequency response for a speaker this size. Easy load for a tube amp. Imaging is first rate.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Completely rebuilt and McShaned Citation II
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Custom 6SN7 based on Mottram's SP14
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Schiit Audio Gungnir DAC
Speakers: Joseph Audio RM25XL
Cables/Interconnects: Custom IC, DiMarzio speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Classical, Pop, Rock
Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 16 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition: one week
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Joseph Audio RM25XL Speakers - dls123 19:31:28 12/5/14 ( 0)