Rotel RSX-1065 vs. B&K Reference 50/AV125.7 combo
polkatese
Posts: 6,767
Folks,
here are my first attempt to compare these two systems, remember that the 1065 has been around much longer, so breaking in has been somewhat complete. Basically I hot swapped the speaker wires back and forth, going through several cd/sacd/dvd-a that I am most familiar with, put through several songs, swap the cables, repeat the song, over several hours (Saturday and Sunday this past weekend.) - you get the ideas
Two-channels:
Low: Both are very solid, well defined, and warm. But I will give the edge to B&K, could be because the combo has a bit more power, bass drum is more realistic. You almost can feel the short vibration as it hits. Low is interestingly enough to be very comparable, to a degree, I credited this to REL for smoothing the low and making them almost identical
Mid: vocals are clear and detailed on both, very pleasing and warm, more similarity than differences. There is a slight hint of veiled mid in Rotel, very slight that I really have to concentrate on a specific note in a song. All in all, they are both comparable and equally sweet
High: Rotel has a slight more brightness compared to B&K, both are very detailed and accurate. But, if I have to choose, I would say Rotel 's brightness might cause it to be a bit over-emphasized, especially when it's paired with the vifa tweeter.
Channel separation is one of the area that B&K shines, I can immediately picked up the improvement. It is not subtle at all. Instrument differences are more profound on the B&K.
Verdict: for 2 channel listening, I will give a slight edge to B&K, although the Rotel is very nice too (the Rotel will actually spend more time on two-channels)
For multi-channel listening they are very close, tonal quality wise. But, the B&K features outshine the Rotel by a wide margin. For instance, on ref50 I can adjust DVD-A to use music 7 or discrete 5.1 What it does, the surroundback acts as an extension to the surround level. So, it increases the soundstage by quite a bit. It's an enjoyable experience, to feel the music surrounded you.
Verdict: it's a toss, with the exception that the Rotel is handicapped by the lack of surroundback amp. So, I use a straight 5.1 for this purpose.
HT/Movies: They both performed superbly, both on DD and DTS. The additional 6.1 features are again only used on B&K for the same reason as above. It's extremely hard to draw a conclusion that one is better than the other. Perhaps over time.
Verdict: I would give B&K the edge, simply because it is designed to do a complete HT, with all its features around filter, THX Ultra/2, etc. Btw, still an apprentice around its features (there are so many damned tweaks that I can play with)
So, overall verdict goes in favor of B&K by a narrow margin. In terms of enjoyment scale, both are highly addictive...
In terms of look and presentation, B&K has a clear edge, and the silver faceplate make them look more profound. Having said that, the Rotel by itself looks very "macho" (with the heat-sink and all) both have its own "charisma."
here are my first attempt to compare these two systems, remember that the 1065 has been around much longer, so breaking in has been somewhat complete. Basically I hot swapped the speaker wires back and forth, going through several cd/sacd/dvd-a that I am most familiar with, put through several songs, swap the cables, repeat the song, over several hours (Saturday and Sunday this past weekend.) - you get the ideas
Two-channels:
Low: Both are very solid, well defined, and warm. But I will give the edge to B&K, could be because the combo has a bit more power, bass drum is more realistic. You almost can feel the short vibration as it hits. Low is interestingly enough to be very comparable, to a degree, I credited this to REL for smoothing the low and making them almost identical
Mid: vocals are clear and detailed on both, very pleasing and warm, more similarity than differences. There is a slight hint of veiled mid in Rotel, very slight that I really have to concentrate on a specific note in a song. All in all, they are both comparable and equally sweet
High: Rotel has a slight more brightness compared to B&K, both are very detailed and accurate. But, if I have to choose, I would say Rotel 's brightness might cause it to be a bit over-emphasized, especially when it's paired with the vifa tweeter.
Channel separation is one of the area that B&K shines, I can immediately picked up the improvement. It is not subtle at all. Instrument differences are more profound on the B&K.
Verdict: for 2 channel listening, I will give a slight edge to B&K, although the Rotel is very nice too (the Rotel will actually spend more time on two-channels)
For multi-channel listening they are very close, tonal quality wise. But, the B&K features outshine the Rotel by a wide margin. For instance, on ref50 I can adjust DVD-A to use music 7 or discrete 5.1 What it does, the surroundback acts as an extension to the surround level. So, it increases the soundstage by quite a bit. It's an enjoyable experience, to feel the music surrounded you.
Verdict: it's a toss, with the exception that the Rotel is handicapped by the lack of surroundback amp. So, I use a straight 5.1 for this purpose.
HT/Movies: They both performed superbly, both on DD and DTS. The additional 6.1 features are again only used on B&K for the same reason as above. It's extremely hard to draw a conclusion that one is better than the other. Perhaps over time.
Verdict: I would give B&K the edge, simply because it is designed to do a complete HT, with all its features around filter, THX Ultra/2, etc. Btw, still an apprentice around its features (there are so many damned tweaks that I can play with)
So, overall verdict goes in favor of B&K by a narrow margin. In terms of enjoyment scale, both are highly addictive...
In terms of look and presentation, B&K has a clear edge, and the silver faceplate make them look more profound. Having said that, the Rotel by itself looks very "macho" (with the heat-sink and all) both have its own "charisma."
I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
Post edited by polkatese on
Comments
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polkatese,
Thanks for the review..nice job. The REF's DVD-A adjustment..real interesting. Would be great to see a review of the B&K seperates reviewed here vs. the Rotel seperates also. Me being a novice I love to read most of the posts on this forum. Learning a hell of a lot from all you guys, although some of it flies right by.
Highly Addictive...Absolutely!!
Gregsuds, suds and more suds! -
thanks for the complement, Greg! I tried to give back to the community, I too benefit a lot from this forum, unfortunately, frequenting this forum made my upgraditis acuitis syndrome (UAS) gets worse.....:-)I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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Excellent review. Great information contained within for the undecided searcher
CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
polkatese,
I had to read your review twice.
The only thing I see is that you should have ran 5.1 vs 5.1 since you don't have surroundback amps for the Rotel.
I have forund Rotel to be almost as good as seperates.As your review states,it was very close.Rotel makes high quality products for a really good price.WHo would have thought that 4800.00 seperates would be almost matched by a 2000.00 receiver.I feel Only Rotel can make this stand.There sound quality vs price is remarkable.
B&K.....you get what you pay for.They aren't the cheapest on the block but the give and give.The system you built will perform almost exactly like the avr507.......strangely enough.
Next time you do the demo,I would leave the REL out of the picture for 2 channel compare.This will allow the ability to hear the differences between the 2 amps.Using the Rel adds deep low extention and can somewhat mask performance of the 2.....Just a thought.
Nicely done man I enjoyed the read.I'm am however suprised that you got silver and actully are really digging it.I wasn't going to say it buy...I TOLD YOU SO....WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Well seems like you have a long road ahead of yeah to learn all about the B&K.I know it takes time to get involved with it....well have fun man and keep the reviews coming.......Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Dan,
One thing that I am still amazed till today, on how REL managed to make the low shines along with the front speakers. Not just deep bass, it's DETAILED deep bass!
I know you told me about the silver, and everybody else besides you that I talk to, think the silver would make a big difference on how the overall gears going to look. I also had two silvers in the rack already, so I did it! and extremely happy with it!I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie. -
Originally posted by polkatese
Dan,
One thing that I am still amazed till today, on how REL managed to make the low shines along with the front speakers. Not just deep bass, it's DETAILED deep bass!
I know you told me about the silver, and everybody else besides you that I talk to, think the silver would make a big difference on how the overall gears going to look. I also had two silvers in the rack already, so I did it! and extremely happy with it!
One of the very reasons I want to use a REL in my home theater.I never heard such clean and clear detailed bass in my life.REL is the most musical sub's I have ever heard.They do home theater really well.REL subs also go to 20hz and some behond.Thats impressive.They stay really tight all the way down with a freq sweep.I was so Impressed when I conducted my test of the REL subs. I Install them alot as they sell really well.The Q series flies out the door.
I 'm glad your enjoying your system.You becoming as nuts as I,or you might suppass me ther....who knows.... Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Dan,
Polka's HT comparison was 5.1 to 5.1 the way I read his post.
Nice write up Polka. Agree with your assessement of the power difference being the driver for what you heard. Many people just don't beleive it can make such a difference at moderate listening levels.
Y'all's last segment discussing the REL made me wonder 'bout something. See you over in the bass/ subwoofer area.More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
Tour2ma,
REL is a very unique designed sub bass system.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
