K5SS Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 (edited) I am about ready to dig my RB-5's out of storage and I am wondering how they would stack up against RB-75's? I am moving into a tiny house and I am probably going to sell my RF-63's;( I am thinking about just using the RB-5's and a RC-7 up front but I am not opposed to buying RB-75's and using my RC-62 ii instead. I might even just run them in "phantom center mode" or stereo to eliminate some equipment. The house I am buying is only 550 SF. Haha! I really like the look of the 75's over the RB-5's but they are roughly the same size. Who here has been fortunate enough to hear both these models? Edited April 14, 2015 by K5SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The History Kid Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 I haven't had the luxury of hearing either...I'm working out a potential deal for a pair of 5's...but my assumption would be that the 75's would be better based on the specs on paper. Bigger horn, same size woofer, bigger cab... I personally like the looks of the 5's better, but that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 I like RB-5's but I choose RB-75's all day long. They are big(as bookshelf speakers go) and sound big. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K5SS Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 RB-75's 20.2" (51.3cm) x 10" (25.4cm) x 11.75" (29.9cm) RB-5's 17" (43.2cm) x 9" (22.9cm) x 12.2" (30.9cm) Looks like you guys are right, the RB-75's are a little larger. And to think I thought the RB-5's were big.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 I've compared both side by side and would go with the 75s. Not by a crazy huge margin, though. RB-5s are a great bookshelf. The 75's are closer in sound to the Reference floor standers of the same line (Reference IV, right?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 When I first got my 75's, instead of hooking them up to a 2-channel rig, I unplugged the 63's and placed the 75's right next to them on stands. A few music and movie demos later, and all I can say is that I was more than impressed. As you know I love my 63's but if I had to, I "could" sell them(never going to happen) and be very happy with the 75's in that system. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K5SS Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Yeah, the 63's are basically my favorite speakers. In 550 SF, space is at a premium. They are probably also a little overkill.. Haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vital Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 (edited) It depends on the room you have them in. I owned the RB-5 ll, RB-81 ll and RB-75 all at the same time. I did a lot of comparing in my office which is about 11 x 13 or so using a 4 way speaker selector. In my office the RB-5 ll was hands down better than the others. It was much smoother sounding and more laid back. In my theater room which is long and narrow, like 23 x 14 the RB-75 was able to run with my dual Epik Empires without missing a beat. They sounded a lot like my RF-7's when blended into the HT mix. So if it's any type of near field listening the RB-5's do a lot better IMO. In a theater size room, the RB-75's will sound better than a lot of tower speakers out there if you're running subs. Edited April 14, 2015 by Vital Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjptkd Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 I've had both together and sold the 75's, only because I knew I could get 4x's the price for them over the 5's. In my opinion there just wasn't enough of a difference with my room and setup to justify the extra cost of the 75's. Cost no object I'd say grab a pair of 75's though as they'll probably match up better with the RC-7 anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K5SS Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Thanks for all the input guys. I am fond on the 5's, just never heard the 75's. This thread helps me eliminate my impulses to buy 75's. The room they are going in is only 10' x 10', RB-5's should put out plenty of sound, especially when my SB-13Ultra artives;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Sell em all and buy some real bookshelves from me. Ill cut you a hell of a deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K5SS Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Those are some real beauties Scrap, I would love to have them. Problem is that the tiny house I am buying needs a new kitchen and roof. Trying to keep my spending down at the moment. I am still hoping the 63's will fit.. I would hate selling another pair of my dream speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Keep the 63's. They are sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 The room they are going in is only 10' x 10', RB-5's should put out plenty of sound The 5's will be just fine in that room. I had mine in a 13L x 13W x 10H bedroom and they surprisingly filled the room without much effort. I love the real wood veneers but just never grew fond of the grills. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Keep the 63's. They are sweet. Yep. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasDom Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 (edited) I have both currently and much prefer the RB75's but the RB-5's are no slouch. I gave the RB-5s to my son but they are back here right now while he transitions into his new house. They sound great in my bedroom with the RC-3 center. My 75's are currently being used as height speakers (I know Bill ) and do a great job with my 11 ft. ceilings in a 15 x 30 room. Here's a couple of pics of both side by side for reference Edited April 15, 2015 by Tasdom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K5SS Posted April 15, 2015 Author Share Posted April 15, 2015 Thank you for those pictures. That is very helpful. I teally like the looks of those 75's. They would liik great flanking my 64. Hmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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