The Decware RL-2 Radial Loudspeaker is one of the more unconventional designs to come out of the company's early years, and nearly everything about it was conceived around creating a more open, room-filling presentation than a conventional forward-firing speaker. Produced from 2002 to 2004, the RL-2 uses Decware's extremely lightweight radial driver to disperse sound broadly around the cabinet, complemented by a floating planar/ribbon tweeter for the upper frequencies and a passive woofer incorporated into the base. The result, according to Decware's original design notes and listening evaluations, is exceptionally spacious imaging, high levels of detail and coherency, and a presentation that remains convincing across a much wider listening area than the traditional narrow sweet spot. The RL-2 also brought greater weight to the bass than Decware's original RL-1 design, while its upgraded tweeter was praised for a smooth, natural transition through the midrange and treble. Finished in Decware's standard cherry veneer with clear lacquer, these tall cylindrical cabinets are every bit as distinctive visually as they are acoustically—a rare early Decware design built around a genuinely different way of presenting music in the room.
- Production
- 2002-2004
- Condition
- 9/10
- Serial No.
- N/A
- Orig. MSRP
- $1500
- Factory Specs
CABINET
We had a steel die machined to the inside diameter we needed by a large US manufacturer who wrap the die with pulp under high pressure to effect a thickness to within 0.030 of an inch. These high density cardboard cylinders are then cut to length and sealed inside and out. Rings are machined out of MDF and installed into each end to receive the driver and base assembly.
VENEERING
The next step in the main cylinder is the veneering. We use a rather expensive solid cherry veneer as the default finish. We do make many other woods available such as walnut, mahogany, maple, birch, and some exotics for custom orders.
ASSEMBLY
Damping is accomplished by using combinations of different densities of foam inside the cylinder. Every step of the assembly process is done by hand using jigs for accuracy and consistency.
FINISHES
The final result is then finished with clear lacquer and allowed to cure for between 1 and 2 weeks. These enclosures have tremendous strength and are considerably more inert than an equivalent 3/4 MDF cabinet.
CROSSOVER
The tweeter is crossed with a high grade polypropylene cap and attenuated by the user via interchangeable resistors installed on the top set of binding posts. This was done to allow the greatest flexibility in dialing in the tweeter for any given room without the fidelity robbing side effects of an L-Pad. There is no crossover on the Radial Driver.
- Documentation
- Declare RL-2 Info
- Liner Notes
Dear Audiophile,
It is important to understand that there are many things that make the Radial Loudspeakers superior to conventional box and even planar type speakers.
The Radial Loudspeaker (based on an inverted 4 gram paper cone) is a project that has evolved through well over 100 variations. It became obvious about half-way through the development why no other manufactures have built one. It was a problematic concept. With exhaustive R&D we were able to overcome these obstacles and make the dream a reality.
How many other inverted cone drivers exist today ... NONE.
I designed these speakers for serious audiophiles who want something that sounds obviously superior to conventional box speakers. Spoiled by well designed horns and panel speakers I myself have become allergic to the slow & muddy sound of what I used to think were killer audiophile speakers.
The problem is that both panels and horns require significant setup hassles to get a coherent sound stage. Even when your room acoustics don't prevent success you still have to listen with your head in a vise to get the 3D effect. The radials solve these problems and are my new reference speakers for imaging.
- Steve Deckert
- Shipping
- To ensure safe arrival, we often use private couriers. These are transporters in Sprinter Vans or pulling covered trailers often moving art and antiques across the country. Absolutely the safest way to ship short of you picking it up yourself. This piece ships to the contiguous United States for a flat rate of $300, which includes our packaging and our insurance. Of course, we'll ship anywhere in the world, just drop us a line and we'll give you an estimate – even if you're just curious.
- Stock No.
- 9676832604381
The Decware RL-2 Radial Loudspeaker is one of the more unconventional designs to come out of the company's early years, and nearly everything about it was conceived around creating a more open, room-filling presentation than a conventional forward-firing speaker. Produced from 2002 to 2004, the RL-2 uses Decware's extremely lightweight radial driver to disperse sound broadly around the cabinet, complemented by a floating planar/ribbon tweeter for the upper frequencies and a passive woofer incorporated into the base. The result, according to Decware's original design notes and listening evaluations, is exceptionally spacious imaging, high levels of detail and coherency, and a presentation that remains convincing across a much wider listening area than the traditional narrow sweet spot. The RL-2 also brought greater weight to the bass than Decware's original RL-1 design, while its upgraded tweeter was praised for a smooth, natural transition through the midrange and treble. Finished in Decware's standard cherry veneer with clear lacquer, these tall cylindrical cabinets are every bit as distinctive visually as they are acoustically—a rare early Decware design built around a genuinely different way of presenting music in the room.
Production
2002-2004
Condition
9/10
Serial No.
N/A
Orig. MSRP
$1500
Factory Specs
CABINET
We had a steel die machined to the inside diameter we needed by a large US manufacturer who wrap the die with pulp under high pressure to effect a thickness to within 0.030 of an inch. These high density cardboard cylinders are then cut to length and sealed inside and out. Rings are machined out of MDF and installed into each end to receive the driver and base assembly.
VENEERING
The next step in the main cylinder is the veneering. We use a rather expensive solid cherry veneer as the default finish. We do make many other woods available such as walnut, mahogany, maple, birch, and some exotics for custom orders.
ASSEMBLY
Damping is accomplished by using combinations of different densities of foam inside the cylinder. Every step of the assembly process is done by hand using jigs for accuracy and consistency.
FINISHES
The final result is then finished with clear lacquer and allowed to cure for between 1 and 2 weeks. These enclosures have tremendous strength and are considerably more inert than an equivalent 3/4 MDF cabinet.
CROSSOVER
The tweeter is crossed with a high grade polypropylene cap and attenuated by the user via interchangeable resistors installed on the top set of binding posts. This was done to allow the greatest flexibility in dialing in the tweeter for any given room without the fidelity robbing side effects of an L-Pad. There is no crossover on the Radial Driver.
Documentation
Declare RL-2 Info
Liner Notes
Dear Audiophile,
It is important to understand that there are many things that make the Radial Loudspeakers superior to conventional box and even planar type speakers.
The Radial Loudspeaker (based on an inverted 4 gram paper cone) is a project that has evolved through well over 100 variations. It became obvious about half-way through the development why no other manufactures have built one. It was a problematic concept. With exhaustive R&D we were able to overcome these obstacles and make the dream a reality.
How many other inverted cone drivers exist today ... NONE.
I designed these speakers for serious audiophiles who want something that sounds obviously superior to conventional box speakers. Spoiled by well designed horns and panel speakers I myself have become allergic to the slow & muddy sound of what I used to think were killer audiophile speakers.
The problem is that both panels and horns require significant setup hassles to get a coherent sound stage. Even when your room acoustics don't prevent success you still have to listen with your head in a vise to get the 3D effect. The radials solve these problems and are my new reference speakers for imaging.
- Steve Deckert
Shipping
To ensure safe arrival, we often use private couriers. These are transporters in Sprinter Vans or pulling covered trailers often moving art and antiques across the country. Absolutely the safest way to ship short of you picking it up yourself. This piece ships to the contiguous United States for a flat rate of $300, which includes our packaging and our insurance. Of course, we'll ship anywhere in the world, just drop us a line and we'll give you an estimate – even if you're just curious.
Stock No.
9676832604381
