Ryan R610 Review

Ron from www.newrecordda... reviews the Ryan R610s.
The R610’s are a bookshelf speaker that needs no excuses when it comes to providing a complete picture of hifi at a reasonable price. This is a speaker designed in-house and not being slammed together in some factory while Todd and Trevor are sipping Mai-Thais in the Bahamas. The fit and finish is second to none and no corners are being cut on materials, even down to the fine details you can’t see. All of these aspects have led me to declare the Ryan R610’s as my official reference bookshelf here at New Record Day. As such, I am awarding the The R610’s with the very first Golden Record Award. From this day forward I will compare any other bookshelf with the Ryans and you better believe me, they better bring their big boy boots if they wanna pick a fight with the R610’s.

[@willbrink]

Don't know how/why more don't know about that company. The R610s are better then anything out there for the price, if nor 2-3x it.

[@MichaelGarner]

Well done Ron. Ryan is one of the industry's best kept secrets. But not for long...

[@psychojeremy]

I love your review, it kind of reminds me of Chritian Bale's album reviews in "American Psycho".

[@rtimmins7212]

Ron is Hip to be square

[@BasementShopGuy]

ROn, it didn't surprise me that the "greatest" position was the closest. When designing my studio control room, all research says that forming an equalateral triangle between the cone and listener's ears. Obviously, that's the best case scenario and often can't be possible in a listening room.

[@rssarma]

Very intrigued by this review Ron! These speakers look great, and your review has piqued my curiosity!

[@ericjensen9091]

These are good looking speakers, in an understated un-trumpian way.

[@lorielagares439]

These speakers look like winners... thanks for the awesome review... love your enthusiasm and approach

[@grogers717]

Excellent review. I really got a good impression of how good these speakers are in a real world environment.

[@grogers717]

The written review. I think it was described pretty well. Of course I am not judging sound from a you tube demo.

[@markandrews6613]

I live in the San Francisco bay area, and went to a number of stores looking around for speakers in the under $ 2K range. Checked out Triangle Titus, KEF LS50, Polk, Dali, Dynaudio excite, and several others. The good folks at Audio Vision SF sold me the Ryan 610's and to my ears, they are flat out wonderful for the money. I found the very low end drops off, but certainly no more than comparable price range bookshelf/stand speakers I listened to. Still, I'm bi-amping - a marchand xm9 active crossover to a powered subwoofer and the 610's powered by a NAD C326bee, so not high end by any stretch, but an outstanding way to go if you're on a budget. At one point I was doing A/B on the KEF LS50 (one of their big sellers these days, I was told) the LS50's were quite nice, but in comparison it was night and day. The timing and soundstage are really something for the price. I've played all kinds of music on the 610's for about 4 months now and continue to be really, really pleased. I saw this review - (thanks for the effort to put it out there) - after buying the 610's, and I'm in agreement with New Record Day. if you are in the market for speakers, let your ears decide, not anyone's review. That said, if Ryan 610's are within your price range, do yourself a favor and check these out before buying.

[@mikeleahy5283]

I have the 326BEE vary nice underrated amp.

[@oluhamilton2121]

I wonder how they would sound with my Sunfire sub?

[@kilove1]

other very good one Ron.. i am looking forward to seeing them @ Capital Audio .this year..i like the R-620'S

[@gasolin75]

WHY not bi wiring or speaker jumpers?

[@oluhamilton2121]

These speakers have a retro, no nonsense look about them. Giving these a LONG look

[@Newrecordday2013]

Great speakers!

[@rfry200]

Thank you for the review. What do the speakers sound like? We never heard them.

[@Quanswagger]

Can you do an in-depth review on the Rogue Audio 99 Super Magnum Plz

[@rikardekvall3433]

Hos about the XL-S Encores vs Ryan R-610?? Which reference 2-way speaker do you prefer?

[@ralex3697]

Beautiful set up

[@Newrecordday2013]

Thank you!

[@gryphongryph]

Like your channel, will you be testing out any speakers from Harbeth, or classic Spendors in the future ?

[@Newrecordday2013]

+gryphongryph I would LOVE to!

[@scottdavis0801]

How would the Ryan r610s sound with the Rogue audio sphinx v2. Elac uni5 ub5 sound great, and so do my NSM Model 10 speakers. But some others not so much.

[@seangray3730]

R610's and Sphinx was way better than the cost would suggest. The R610's really fill a room.

[@markjones6007]

Ryan's are simply stupid good for the money, I love them.

[@ebaysnipa]

Would you mind sharing what you have compared them to?

[@brianvportugal1155]

Great review. What amp and preamp were you driving the Ryan 610s with for your reviewing?

[@James7995]

Great review

[@jt79]

Gorgeous speakers

[@yngve6640]

Hello, nice review. I like your videos. Is it SEAS who make the Ryans midbasses ? They look like SEAS, and the use of Nomex cones, is also a material used in some of SEAS hi end midbasses. The Ryan speakers looks like hi quality, and fine workmanship speakers, with much better build, and parts quality then much more expensive speakers. I would love to hear them perform. Thank you Ryan, nice work.(i like your taste in review music,i found a lot of good music i have not heard before, from watching your videos)

[@bumblesby]

At 15:18 is that Carpenters: A Song For You way in the background? The red album with the heart on it. I just say thank you. I am a huge fan and rarely see them in the Vinyl Community. A speaker that I heard on YT from an audio show review was a set of open baffle speakers by Hawthorne Audio. Even through YT compression these speakers "got out of the way" of the performance - they just disappeared. Now that blew me away. So much so I commented on the video and sent them an email. Much to my surprise they too were quite affordable. They just may be my next speaker purchase. This review reminded me of that experience in that affordable speakers that sound great do exist. Thanks.

[@cybergod77]

love your reviews but could you :- 1. list your system components 2. incorporate a sound demo clip. Thks

[@angelcastro4793]

Been meaning to ask, what equipment stand is that you're using now?

[@killeradios5]

How likely would these pair well with the Parasound HINT?

[@mario620]

Can we get a list of music that was used for this review?

[@anjin_x]

I like your reviews but I've never had a good pair of speakers require placement so far in the room. Nor have I seen that placement in shows or in stores. I tried it with my 802 Diamonds last night and I lost more than I gained.

[@Newrecordday2013]

+anjinsan1977 Thats one of the cool things about audio - their is no right way of doing things and we all have different ideas on great sound. I will always sacrifice extended bass and midbass to gain a larger soundstage. Have fun.

[@mikeday62]

Welcome to the skyscrapers of Treble Town.......I can dig it.

[@kimbalxyz2]

I like the speakers stands ! It amazes me that there are very few good choices of high quality speaker stands, maybe two in the US. How about taking orders for these ? I bet you could sell quite a few !!

[@Newrecordday2013]

+kimbalxyz2 They were a tough build but its not a bad idea!

[@scottcarlon6318]

Mabe the s610’s might have been a better choice for your ear.

[@austinnguyen8313]

Great review, just curious where do you get those stands for the Ryans 610?

[@Newrecordday2013]

+Austin Nguyen My brother and I built them.

[@NawMan357]

Where did you get those speak stands?

[@dzavelion]

I was thinking about purchasing the spatial m3's but space and price doesn't allow. If you had a choice of a budget conscience consumer with the Ryan's and my VPI scout master setup what amps, preamps and the like would you choose my listening room is just a bit Smaller than yours.

[@Newrecordday2013]

+David Zavelion Boy o boy... thats a loaded question! Shoot me an email with more info...

[@eddievega1100]

Nice stands .

[@gasolin75]

Again try Buchardt S300

[@brianvportugal1155]

What electronics are you using?

[@mikecees815]

Rob, You're driving me nuts with all these rave reviews of obscure gear. Most of the stuff is near impossible for me to audition here in Canada. Wish you were within driving distance - I'd be inviting myself over everyday. If I was in the US I'd order a pair of these right away but I find the idea of having to return something as large as speakers cross-border a bit annoying($$$). FWIW I got an idea of what they sound like on another KZbin review channel. Of course, as usual, it was with nauseating audiophile female jazz vocals drivel. Everything sounds good with that type of ''music''. So how do the Ryans sound when the going gets rough? Are they versatile or are they ruthlessly unforgiving with crappy rock recordings? Can they be shouty at times? I'm currently using Naim gear which tends to be forward sounding so shouty speakers are a no no. Right now I'm getting away with some front ported (room friendly) Proac monitors which can be a bit un-exiting at times but work with pretty much everything. Since I'm more music lover than audiophile that's important for me.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Mike Cees I freaking love the Ryans for all styles of music. Cant go wrong with them. Just make sure you can pull them apart or those tweeters can get a little picky.

[@time4tradin]

+New Record Day not sure if you know this already but most tweeters have break in periods where before that they are usually too harsh and have higher sibilance. After this break in ( pretty long amounts of high volume for high efficiency tweeters like cd's but for soft domes such as the ryans it shouldnt take too long) the tweeter begins to smooth out and sound amazing. YMMV

[@oluhamilton2121]

You can't go wrong with silk dome tweeters.

[@utubecomment21]

*"When a speaker is braced correctly"* This is the disjoint between reviewers and engineers. What is "braced correctly", and how would you measure for whether or not its the bracing that's having a positive or negative effect?

[@Newrecordday2013]

+utubecomment21 Thanks for the comment. To answer your question, vibrations on a speaker cabinet can be analyzed with a laser vibrometer. This is what the Ryan brothers used in there R&D in developing there speaker lineup. If the speaker is not vibrating under stress, the speaker is braced, minimizing the effect of the internal pressure. Now, given your point - "correctly" could be subjective to the listener. Meaning, do you want to hear the cabinet or not? I prefer to hear the speakers myself, which is why I agreed with their design approach. Thanks for watching!

[@utubecomment21]

***** I don't need a lecture in how to measure vibrations, I've been doing this since before the Ryan brothers were born .. literally! However, what is "Correct bracing" as mentioned in your video, because from window brace to dowel bracing, each have their advantages and disadvantages? For the most part, bracing in-place of a well designed speaker or implemented in a well designed enclosure can be totally unnecessary, just like car audio subwoofer enclosures and kerfing!

[@Newrecordday2013]

Cool, sounds like you have a handle on things.

[@utubecomment21]

***** Forgive my harshness ... I truly don't need to be so rude, however I like to pass on good acoustical engineering information ... for which there seems to be a distinct lack of online. I've yet to see, test or hear bracing becoming an major consideration for a well designed speaker .. unless your; building them out of paper! It's one of those self perpetuating audio fantasies that seems to excite some people ... goodness knows why! .

[@utubecomment21]

***** And if one truly has to include bracing at this level, then i seriously question ones capabilities at enclosure design! Again, sorry to be so harsh!

[@kkield]

What brand are the rack in this video?

[@Newrecordday2013]

+Kenneth Kiel Daugaard The rack is DIY

[@raffiequler7510]

There is no way these speakers can sound better than my PSB Image 4T speakers I bought 16 years ago. No way in hell. Only one woofer and that small? No way in hell.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Cool?

[@joecharpentier6636]

They do. I have the 4T. And the Ryan's. The Ryan's sound better. Sucks for the ol budget but it's true. And they sound a LOT better.

[@watchingwatches2785]

That crossover looks like something made in my garage with leftover parts

[@chgofirefighter]

lol, probably it was done in some Chinese garage...

[@joecharpentier6636]

Wow. Ignorance is bliss I guess. Have you zero idea what goes into a good crossover. Oh wait, that's right, if it has super shiny red coils that Danny sold ya then it's good. Ahhhhh. Know what you're talking about please.

[@svalbard01]

Are these guys still in business? Their "news" section of their website has a last update 4 years ago.

[@Newrecordday2013]

I don’t know to be honest with you. I hope so, phenomenal speakers.

[@kceateva]

You ever get to listen to jbl 530?

[@Newrecordday2013]

kceateva No, never had the chance!

[@kceateva]

***** I would love if you could some how get to review those. It probably wont be on the same level of these speakers, but would be intresting to hear your thoughts of the strenths and weakness of them, also they look like they belong to Darth Vader.

[@ebaysnipa]

+New Record Day it would be awesome if you could. These have been labeled as "best speakers ever" or something to that extend, by a popular youtuber

[@benmiller388]

Ryan vs KEF. 620 vs r700. Help me man. Jolida amp. Help me dude.

[@Newrecordday2013]

+Ben MIller Kef is gonna have a more midrange forward sound with a little more "barry white" in male vocals. Ryans will be more linear and depending on source, can be more detailed on top.

[@oluhamilton2121]

They look very unpretentious. Giving them a long look.

[@jumbosilverette]

celli

[@vicg5323]

Without listening to them fully it's not much of a review. I am better off listening to the product on someone else's youtube video than listening to your description of it.

[@Newrecordday2013]

+Vic G Thats cool, AV showrooms is probably a better fit for you. No problem and thanks for taking the time to watch. Not everyone like my style and thats ok.

[@LorenzoNW]

+Vic G It's really a waste of time listening to music through these speakers on KZbin. It's not going to give you ANY idea what they sound like with good, commensurate electronics and cables. I'd much rather listen to the reviewer's impressions.

[@Newrecordday2013]

LorenzoNW Yup. With that being said, Im working on something... stay tuned.

[@vicg5323]

LorenzoNW, that is a common fallacy. Most PC's have descent sound that is most appreciated with a good pair of studio monitor headsets. It is no substitute for being there, but much better than someone's description of what they heard or how it sounded. A good headset will clearly show you the difference between one speaker and another.

[@jackprick9797]

Vic G - I am the opposite. I appreciate a review that DOES NOT have me listen to an audition through KZbin. I think it's a waste of time. Consider that listening to audio on KZbin, by the time the audio hits your ears, it's been through too many devices to make any sort of accurate judgment on sound quality. If grade A is to audition equipment in YOUR room, auditioning equipment in a hifi shop is a C, auditioning equipment on KZbin is not just an F, it's a MFF...low teens.

[@macoygunida]

bla bla bla disliked.

[@roveism]

they may sound amazing, but they look like something from a garage sale. You can tell engineers designed this, because its atrocious to look at.

[@ericjensen9091]

I disagree. They are handsome in very understated way. Too many gloss black speakers out there.

[@oluhamilton2121]

In my mind, they have a pleasing retro look about them.

[@joecharpentier6636]

They were designed and built from the floor up in house. They stand under 17" tall, under 9" wide and exactly 12.1" deep and weigh 33LBS. EACH!! That right there tells you what went into these design and build wise. Best sounding speakers I've ever heard under $4K. And I sold audio for 14 years. I've heard thousands of standmounts. These are in another league.

[@garth56]

And there's no sound just your voice..NOT GOOD..Oh ProAc I bet these are better :-)

[@jondonnelly4831]

I don't see anything special about these speakers fit and finish! They are par for the course.

[@utubecomment21]

+Jon Donnelly and since when did looks and a nice piano finish factor into acoustics? That's as ridiculous as people commentating that; weight is somehow a gauge for quality!

[@jondonnelly4831]

it dosn't and nor is that my point, but since the reviewer mentions fit and an finish of these speakers as a positive quality, we can suggest at least for the money they are only average in this regard

[@jondonnelly4831]

Further his review, is skewed to list every small positive trait, zero bad ones and not one suggestion of any improvements that manufacturer could make. To take your comment, yes I believe that a gloss finish option and a real wood baffle (not veneer) with option for matching stands would be an option many audiophiles would pay for, and elevate this product above just some good driver matching and a quality crossover.

[@Newrecordday2013]

+Jon Donnelly Good for you? Im not really sure what you are trolling for here. I love the looks and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the speakers. If they showed up with a crappy veneer job, I would expect people would want to know that?

[@jondonnelly4831]

no troll, just different opinion to you. It is much more timing consuming to do a really good gloss finish than a veneer. For the money these cost I would want an automotive finish and a baffle that incorporates that tweeter surround rather than something that looks stuck on.