Each listening area in my home has different speaker systems. I use my Sound Dynamic Towers in my media room for the front speakers, and have added a Yamaha Sub-Woofer, mainly for movie viewing. I use an Infinity center channel speaker & 2 Polk rear speakers. When I play what a call stereo-only listening which I enjoy most with music, I don't need the sub. Sound Dynamics equal my Martin-Logans, Cambridge, Klipsch, Polk, ELAC & Energy speakers as well as my classic Technics from the 70's which have a wonderfully nostalgic sound unequaled by many modern speakers. My go-to speakers when I want "perfect-for-my-taste stereo sound are my Leak, Concert Speakers I bought in Europe in 1968. Since this is a review of Sound Dynamics, let me say they play the music as close to how it was recorded without any coloration or cover-up "nonsense." They show any problem with substandard recordings, but "explode" with audiophile "soft-ware." The love vinyl and Analog to Digital CDs, and streaming is awesome. These are serious speakers with serious sound quality. I highly recommend them for any "high-end" system.

I used to own a pair of Mirage 760 towers that I could kick myself for getting rid of. My wife thought they were too big and I replaced them with some Paradigm Minis V1. To my eyes the Minis were not in the same league. I have been keeping my eyes out for something comparable to my beloved Mirages and recently found a pair of Sound Dynamics R-616s for only $100 Canadian. These speakers really remind me of the Mirages in terms of fantastic imaging, room filling capability, smooth highs and excellent, heavy build quality. I believe the 760s, with twin eight-inch woofers, might have been a little better in the bass, but since I am using a powered Mirage sub with the Sound Dynamics, bass is not a concern. These are the best-sounding speakers I have had in years and for the cost of dinner for two out, I have to pinch myself.

Bass, clarity at high level and price.

Break-in time.

I have had these speakers for many years now and I have yet to hear other speakers in the same class that are compairable.
Of course if you want to spend over $1500, you could buy B & W's which I have heard, but are not that much better.

great rhytm, pleasant sound balance

A very sensetive to position and room acoustic

Nice deal. See mine opinion lower:

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Pioneer, NAD speakers

Midrange excellent, highs are detailed but not fatiguing.

Sometimes loose on bass

Having owned a pair of Spica TC-50's midrange quality and imaging is very important to me. On a lark I bought a pair of R-616s. I was surprised how good they sounded. I'm using a Parasound PLD-2000 preamp and Musical Fidelity X-50s mono amps to drive them. Speaker Cables are Synergistic Research Alpha Speaker Cables. Interconnects are Synergistic Research Alpha Sterling. The midrange takes a while to break in. It's kinda strange, it happens all of a sudden too. One day the midrange is a bit muddled, then poof! They are fine! Source is from a Marantz CD-67SE CD player as well a Panasonic DVD player DVD-120 (which has better sound than the Marantz for CD audio believe it or not!) Bass is deep. Having listened to my Spica's I forgot how much bass these R-616s can produce. At times, the bass is a bit loose though, distracting, but not unpleasant. These speakers are also very revealing. If you have any weaknesses in your system, you will notice them more. Sound is natural well balanced. If you can get them on sale, they are equivalent in value to probally a $1000 pair. My next set will be the Legacy classics...

Similar Products Used:

Spica TC-50

Great all round performance

Took a long time to get them broken in

Great bass. Have been able to hang in there and not get a sub yet. Neighbours can tell what movie/music I am playing.
No distortion of sound when really loud. Which is suprising given the size of the speakers.

Great sound on all types of music. Price. Looks.

Long break in period.

I Bought the R-616s less than 2 years ago. I am
extremely happy with them. I bought them through
Audio Advisor for $400.00. It took about 200 hrs
of break in for them to sound their best, that is
even after using a burn in CD. After that they
really come alive. Great highs & midrange, last
poster is right, midrange is weak before break in.
Dynamics also improve greatly after break in. Bass
is very good also, goes pretty low but sometimes a
little loose. I bi-wire them & use the spikes, this
helps the bass alot. I also added a Mirage FRx-8
powered sub which helps even more, great match for
the R-616s.

These speakers tell it like it is, if a recording is
bad it will sound bad, they also make great recordings
sound really great. I listen to mostly Rock & Jazz plus
alot of acoustic music.

They can handle alot of power also. I power them with
a 200 watt per chan. Forte' Model 3 designed by Nelson
Pass. I run a highly modified Sony ES CD directly to
the Forte'. I also tried them with a few other lower
powered receivers, a 35 watt per chan. vintage Marantz
2230 & a 60 watt per chan. Onkyo TX-SV454, the R-616s
sounded great with these also.

I highly recommend them if you can find them, if not
the RTS-9s are a little better. Great value.

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Energy Pro 22

Highs, Lows

Midrange

I've had these speakers since the fall of 1997 and I love them. My dad has a pair of high end B&W speakers and these puppies are just good for way less money. I also use them for my HT system and they are great. I don't have a sub but these take care of the bass quite nicely. I also have a pair of Sound Dynamics RTS-3's for the rears. They are also amazing. I highly reccomend these speakers... for the price, there is nothing better out there.

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B&W

I had these before getting a pair of RTS-11'sThese speakers have a serious lack for mid-range. They have a tweeter, and two woofers but both woofers are strictly for bass output.
The RTS-11's have 3 woofers: one of which is dedicated for mid-frequencies. Thus, vocals are much better on the 11's.
Of couse, for $270 USD, the R-616's are no question amazing for the value.

I just replaced my old speakers with a pair of R-616's, and they sound awesome! They can handle loads of power, and the bass is outstanding from such small woofers (my old speakers had 12" woofers). There's no sacrifice in the midrange or high end either...on some tracks I've listened to many times before, I'm hearing far more detail. Now I want a pair of RTS-3s as rear speakers.A Great product for a great price!