BobbyR

Thanks for the reply and thoughts, much appreciated and I will investigate. I ended up returning the RB 61's just today. Hated to let them go, but the highs often literally hurt my ears. Piercing. I had to back off the treble for most music. I played mostly records using a Yamaha RX300u receiver. On the plus side, the base was more solid as they broke in. Yes, indeed, they were used in a room with a laminate wood flooring over concrete with a thin foam vapor barrier first placed over the concrete. Room is about 15' x 25' with very high ceilings. Perhaps it intensified the highs as you say. As a note, I put them in a carpeted living room test for movies and indeed the highs not nearly as intense. Thanks again.

Purchased the RB 61's. Quality great. No complaints there. The highs are remarkable, but sometimes they are actually painful, e.g. electric guitar. Now and then, the bass seems strangely absent. Some music is the best I ever heard it. Other music is disappointing; just lacking. What's going on here? Expecting too much? I need a warmer speaker? Any comments or similar experiences?

I didn't realize there might be deals out there ( I don't shop too much). So, if I could find a deal on the RB 81 is the Rb 81 II massively better than the RB 61 II ? Or just moderately better for a room about 12 x 18? It would sure nice to have 8" woofers like the old days!!

I'm in Syracuse, NY. No stores. Checked website and also priced at $329. But thanks!

Well, ok; it sounds like there is enough to work with here to put together a good system. Thanks!

Much appreciated. The one criticism I sometimes read, though much less on the RB-61, is "fatiguing" highs / treble. Any truth to this or nice balance? I have no demo to listen to where I live.

I'm looking to purchase a set of bookshelf speakers. I'll be using them primarily for records and in time CD or MP3. Rock, Folk, Classical. Largest room will be maybe 15' x 20'. I enjoy distinct treble & bass, clear sound. From reading reviews, I'm a bit worried about "fatiguing" treble, especially in the RM-15. I can't afford the RB-81--at least not a pair. Any opinions about how these speakers compare? Qualities of either?