When it comes to watching a show or movie, the picture is
only half of the experience. The sound is the other half. And a big part of the
sound is the bass. Without the bass, the sound is just…lacking. That’s why a
subwoofer is needed. Up for review is the RBH Sound Impression 12-i. MSRP is a
fair $900.
Features and specs:
SERIES: Impression
3rd Gen
SYSTEM TYPE: Sealed,
Powered Subwoofer 350 watts RMS, 500 watts max
DRIVE UNITS: (1)
12" (305mm) Polypropylene (PP) Cone driver. (1) 12" PP Passive
Radiator
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 29Hz-150Hz
± 3dB
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY: 40Hz-150Hz
(variable)
CROSSOVER SLOPE: 12dB/Octave
CABINET DETAILS: High
Density Fiberboard (HDF), Satin Black or White Paint
GRILLE DETAILS: Magnetic
Grille (black or white fabric)
FINISHED DIMENSIONS: 15-3/4
W x 15-11/16” H x 16-7/8” D (400W x 398H x 429D mm)
WEIGHT: 36 lbs.
(16.33 kg.)
WARRANTY: *10
year/amp 3 year limited
The RBH Sound Impression 12-i came in a standard brown box,
and was packaged very well, double boxed. Materials used in the constriction was mostly
HDF for the enclosure, polypropylene and foam for the woofers and surrounds,
and metal for the built-in amplifier. Quality of materials used, as well as the
fit and finish was excellent. Also included was the magnetic cloth grill, power
cord, and user manual.
I love the design of the RBH Sound Impression 12-i. Most
subwoofers use either a sealed or ported enclosure design. A sealed enclosure
is nicer on space, as it doesn’t require as much internal airspace. But it does
not have as much output or volume as a ported enclosure design. It also generally
plays deeper, as the volume decline curve goes down more gradual as the
frequency declines. Ported enclosure designs have a port that is tuned to a
specific frequency. It has a higher output or volume at the port frequency, yet
it also has a steeper decline curve for the volume, as the frequency drops
below the port tune frequency. But the RBH Sound Impression 12-i uses a hybrid
sealed design with a passive radiator.
Using a hybrid enclosure design with a passive radiator, you
get the best of both worlds. It’s a sealed design. This gives you the benefit
of a smaller enclosure, as well as nice tight bass when music or movie
soundtrack calls for it. The passive radiator acts as a port. So while you get
a smaller enclosure due to it being sealed, you also get more output thanks to
the passive radiator.
The built-in amplifier gives you a lot of control. There are
adjustment knobs for volume, crossover and phase. There are RCA line-ins and
RCA line-outs. It even has XLR connectors, which is not usual at this price
point. It’s also really easy to control and tune to your liking. Just adjust
the knobs for volume, crossover, and phase.
The RBH Sound Impression 12-i has a great look, being part of
the Impression Series. On the front is the active driver, covered by a cloth
grill held in place by magnets. Really cool! The passive radiator is down
firing. And while it comes in a standard black cabinet, I love the option of it
in a satin white. The satin white definitely leaves an impression!
One feature that I really love is that it’s made here in the
US. Different parts may come from global sources, but the cabinets are made
locally, close to RBH’s headquarters. And it is all assembled in the US as
well. So you get that feel good, knowing that you are supporting fellow
American workers. Now that it’s hooked
up, let’s see how it sounds.
Movies:
Ready Player One: Race Scene – From the very beginning the
exploding firework to start the race was both really dynamic and had good low-end
extension. The scene is full of mayhem with car crashes and explosions, that
was close to life like with the level of output and punch to the chest impacts.
I could even feel it in the floor and in my chair on the other side of the
room.
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: final battle scene –
When the giant elephants showed up, things went up to a whole new level. The
stomping of the elephants was epically seismic! And when one elephant crashes
into the other, and they both fall to the ground, it was room shaking. And when
the troll was pounding on the city door with a massive hammer, the depth and
dynamics of the impact on the wood yielded a better than expected sense of
realism.
Also Sprac Zarathustra, performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
– The beginning with the constant rumble from the contra basses had my windows
rattling a bit. The impact of the mallets on the timpani could also be heard.
The resolution of the players working their bows on the contra basses, and the
drummer striking the tympani with the mallet, could be heard and was a pleasant
surprise. It wasn’t to the level of realism heard on RBH’s Signature Reference
subs that we have previously reviewed, but it was better than it should have
been at this price point.
Brandon Beal: Drop that Booty Down Low – The bass here was
really clean, played really deep, and with a ton of authority. And when he
drops the booty down low, it was like an earthquake, filling more than just my
family room! It typically requires a good
amount of power to get the best out of a driver: a cone that is well controlled
by the motor structure, and thanks to the power also gives great
resolution. It was more musical than I
was expecting with only 350 watts.
I love the design of the RBH Sound Impression 12-i subwoofer.
RBH’s use of an active 12-inch driver
with a 12-inch passive radiator in a sealed enclosure for a small size was
brilliant. Here, you can get some of the attributes of both a sealed and ported
enclosure. You get tight bass when the source materials calls for it. Yet
thanks to the passive radiator you get much more output than you would from a
sealed enclosure. However you still get a small enclosure size, thanks to a
sealed design. The amplifier also did a good job controlling the motor for
sufficiently clean output, especially considering it’s only using 350 watts
RMS! The price point did have its limitations, as a couple times I manage to
push the driver to its limit and get it to the bottom out- something I didn’t
manage to do to its big brother Signature Reference Series. Yet the performance
for the RBH Sound Impression 12-i for only $900 is a huge bang for the buck!
Especially since at its price you’re still getting a product assembled
here in the US!
RBH Sound has been making excellent products for decades.
And it’s not just top-of-the-line level products. They are a one stop shop that
you can trust to get great quality products at all price points. And the RBH
Sound Impression 12-i proves it. The RBH Sound Impression
12-i proved to be a great budget performer. It can play really deep, going
down into the 20’s. Just don’t try to go too loud playing that deep. The Impression
12-i does not employ their Signature Reference driver and amp, so it does have its
limitations. A combination of volume and crossover adjustment on the subs amp can
help against that.
If you’re in the market for a home
subwoofer, the RBH Sound Impression 12-i is a great little subwoofer, thanks to its
sealed design. Yet thanks to its passive radiator, you get better performance.
The bass it provides was very deep, with a lot of authority and resolution. Equally impressive was how musical it was. It’s
well made, assembled here in the US, to provide years of use. It even looks
great as well! It’s priced very well at only $900 and should be on your short
list. Based on its design, features, quality and performance, the RBH Sound Impression
12-i has earned our Highly Recommended Award. For more info and complete specs,
check out their website at www.RBHsound.com.
