TC Electronic RH450, RS210, RS212 Review Thread

[T-Funk]

For me, this has been an very informative thread.

Next year, I am planning to upgrade (and down size) my present amp setup with a 2 x 12" cab and a new amp head.

I am seriously considering whether to purchase an Aguilar GS212 cab, but the TC Electronic RS212, which I did not consider before, might suit my needs better.

I am especially excited about the weight of the RS212. Based on the clips I heard, the RS212 cab sounds nice, too.

Although it is probably a great combo with the RS212, the TC Electronic RH450 amp head is a little too pricey, in my opinion. If I do purchase the RS212 next year, I will more than likely purchase a amp head from another company. However, I must admit that owning both products would be pretty cool.

 

[engedi1]

For me, this has been an very informative thread.

Next year, I am planning to upgrade (and down size) my present amp setup with a 2 x 12" cab and a new amp head.

I am seriously considering whether to purchase an Aguilar GS212 cab, but the TC Electronic RS212, which I did not consider before, might suit my needs better.

I am especially excited about the weight of the RS212. Based on the clips I heard, the RS212 cab sounds nice, too.

Although it is probably a great combo with the RS212, the TC Electronic RH450 amp head is a little too pricey, in my opinion. If I do purchase the RS212 next year, I will more than likely purchase a amp head from another company. However, I must admit that owning both products would be pretty cool.

+1 I have a few auctions on ebay, and when those close, I'll be ordering a Rh 450 and a RS212. If I get enough, I'll get the 210 as well.
I currently use two Aguilar gs 112s, (which I am not selling) I love the idea of a 212 that is only 10 lb's more than my GS. The RS 212 looks like it has enough power to handle most club gigs on it's own so I am pretty stoked! 2 cabs down to 1, no need to carry a rack anymore, since the RH 450 will fit in my gig bag. Can't wait!

 

[bthrem]

Just got back from my first rehearsal with the RH450 and I'm sold! I think I'm ready to go "all in" and get a pair of matching cabinets.

I play modern and classic and have to compete with 2 guitars, keys and a Neanderthal drummer. I'd love to stick with two RS210's because of their convenient form factor and weight, but I wonder if a RS210 / RS212 configuration would give me more "presence". We never perform without PA support, so my rig is more or less a personal monitoring system for me.

Appreciate any feedback from the folks in this thread who have experimented with the different RS cabinet configurations. Thanks!

 

[engedi1]

Hey Y'all. I just placed my order for my TC Rh 450! I am very stoked to get it sometime next week. I am just waiting for a few payments to clear on ebay, and then I'll order the 212 and 210 to match! I'll be sure to let everyone know what I think. I also plan to offer a little shootout VS my Aggie Gs 112's that I currently use.

 

[clarksouter]

I owned and toured with the GS112s quite a bit and they are the 112 to beat for sure.. I think the RS210s are definitely in my top three of the best 10's cabs. So I will be curious about your 212 experience. Just have to tweak them for your live punch and cut with good EQ. Just the way any 12' speaker combo has been for me with a variety of amp's.

Cheers

 

[engedi1]

My main motivation in trying out the RS 2x12 is I want one cab with enough oomp to keep up with the average club gig.
I have heard the RS 212 is a darker cab, but then, I play a really bright bass (sadowsky m5-24 with maple fingerboard) I am looking for a full, punchy, room filling tone without nasally highs. For the most part, this is the tone that using 2 GS 112's have gotten, and I hoping to find that tone with 1 Rs 212.
I'll be sure to let everybody know.

 

[clarksouter]

definitely stack them in the array style for the best sound. They are designed to stack like that. Gets you the best "bass into the body" monitoring with them behind you.

 

[engedi1]

That is what I am after. Hearing myself better, less "bass too loud" complaints..

 

[Eublet]

That is what I am after. Hearing myself better, less "bass too loud" complaints..

I'd still recommend dual 210's over a single 212 or dual 212's. The cabinets are smaller and let you fit in tighter spaces. The dual 210's will not be lacking in punch or low-end if you are playing indoors.

 

[onkelpo]

I think your right about that for sure Jason.

I have my preset 2 with the same frequency centers that Rocco uses in the Staccato 51.
This RH450 just screams Ampeg to me coloration wise. I can hear why all the Ampeg endorsers are jumping ship to TC though.

Hi Dr Funk, how did you get info on the centre frequencies of the Staccato and apply that to the 450 ?
Thanks.

 

[Dr Funk]

Hi Dr Funk, how did you get info on the centre frequencies of the Staccato and apply that to the 450 ?
Thanks.

I researched the TC website and from the RH450 owners manual and the Staccato 51 addendum. This is a copy and paste...

S51
Level: min 12 o’clock pos max
Bass -24dB 0dB 15dB
LoMid -15dB 0dB 15dB
HiMid -15dB 0dB 15dB
Treble -24dB 0dB 12dB

Freq: min 12 o’clock pos max
Bass 71Hz 125Hz 1.12kHz
LoMid 100Hz 224Hz 1.6kHz
HiMid 200Hz 630Hz 3.25kHz
Treble 400Hz 6.3kHz 10kHz

RH450
Gain and Frequency Ranges
Bass Freq range: 71 Hz to 1120 Hz (default: 280)
Bass Gain range: -24 dB to +15 dB
(Shelving type)
Low Mid Freq range: 100 Hz to 1600 Hz (default: 400)
Low Mid Gain range: -24 dB to +15 dB
(Fixed 2.1 oct.)
High Mid Freq range: 200 Hz to 3150 Hz (default: 800)
High Mid Gain range: -24 dB to +15 dB
(Fixed 2.1 oct.)
Treble Freq range: 400 Hz to 6300 Hz (default: 1600)
Treble Gain range: -24 dB to +12 dB
(Shelving type)

 

[geewhizpat]

Subscribed!

 

[geewhizpat]

Subscribed!

 

[Eublet]

Had the RH450 on an outdoor gig last night. Played it through a UL2-410 4 ohm. Sorry to say I was totally unimpressed. I really wanted it to work it out because the feature set is great. I put the Shuttle 9.0 on top 3rd show and finished the night. The power just didn't cut it. To be honest the power just didn't compare to the Shuttle 9.0 or the LMT800 which to my direct comparison is the king of the power micros. I've read the posts about how loud the RH450 is but obviously those haven't done a direct ABC comparison with these three. When TC releases a high power version I will be inline for it. Until then enjoy your RH450s gang.

Not to argue your experience, but several people here have posted that the RH450 doesn't match up well with the UL410. Te wide, deep voicing of the Epi combined with the low voicing on the RH450 really creates a vacuum that suck a lot of power with providing much of a volume increase. The Genz on the other hand tends to provide a volume advantage with wide-deep cabs like the UL since it has a lot of upper-mid articulation built into the cab, combined with the upper-mid presence of the Shuttle. There's a bit of a compound volume advantage there.

Of course, the Shuttle 9.0 and the LMT800 SHOULD have a slight volume advantage over the RH450. No one is going to tell you otherwise. How much is the question. I have done a direct AB with the RH450 and a Genz GBE 1200, which is 1000 watts at 4 ohms. By my ear, the RH450 is around 800-900 of those "Genz" watts, meaning it's every bit as loud, but not as punchy at full volume.

 

[Dr Funk]

Not to argue your experience,
For the record 40+ years
but several people here have posted that the RH450 doesn't match up well with the UL410. Te wide, deep voicing of the Epi combined with the low voicing on the RH450 really creates a vacuum that suck a lot of power with providing much of a volume increase.
Agreed, but it's the best 57 lb. 410 available for my use, purpose and tone goals. Besides I tend to listen to my own ears on the gig and give that more credence than any opinions that come third party even though I may respect them.
The Genz on the other hand tends to provide a volume advantage with wide-deep cabs like the UL since it has a lot of upper-mid articulation built into the cab, combined with the upper-mid presence of the Shuttle.
I agree with you, that's why the RH450 is a#3 choice for me.
There's a bit of a compound volume advantage there.
I agree again and when I tried them with my pair of Eden 210XLT 8 ohm cabs. The power difference was even more evident to me.
Of course, the Shuttle 9.0 and the LMT800 SHOULD have a slight volume advantage over the RH450. No one is going to tell you otherwise.
This is where I disagree. It's not slight at all to me it's significant. It's the difference between an appropriate blend on the gig and not being heard.
How much is the question. I have done a direct AB with the RH450 and a Genz GBE 1200, which is 1000 watts at 4 ohms. By my ear, the RH450 is around 800-900 of those "Genz" watts, meaning it's every bit as loud, but not as punchy at full volume.
I'm only referring to sub 10 lb micro amps, not sure how the GBE1200 reference applies, micro amps to led sleds, completely apples and oranges don't you think.

All of this is IMHO and IMHE based on my first hand use of these.
"Just when I think I'm getting out... they keep pulling me back in"

 

[Eublet]

All of this is IMHO and IMHE.
"Just when I think I'm getting out... they keep pulling me back in"

I'm just suggesting that your experience with that pairing is in step with what others have observed. Not really trying to convince you of anything. I only offered the GBE 1200 reference as it has a similar power spec to the Shuttle 9.0, and many other Genz users have reported the two are on par with each other in terms of output. If the RH450 doesn't do it for you, then that's the only bottom line that matters.

 

[Dr Funk]

I'm just suggesting that your experience with that pairing is in step with what others have observed. Not really trying to convince you of anything. I only offered the GBE 1200 reference as it has a similar power spec to the Shuttle 9.0, and many other Genz users have reported the two are on par with each other in terms of output. If the RH450 doesn't do it for you, then that's the only bottom line that matters.

Cool, I'm just callin' it as I'm hearin' it.

 

[Big String]

Just to add, when I had the Epi 410UL S1 it sounded and performed good/bad with the following:

Good: LMII, B1500
Bad: DB750, SD800

 

[oddio]

I had a chance to use my RS210s this weekend. It's a bit too early for a "review", but I can add my impressions.

I've been using the RH450 with a single Acme B2 in relatively quiet venues. I have four 4ohm Acmes and sadly can only use a single one with the RH450. Some folks would clearly not be able to get by with this combination volume-wise. The Acmes do sound great and go down low.

The RS210s are WAY more efficient than the Acmes. This is not a scientific measurement in any way but merely my own guess-timate: more than a 3db volume increase due to speaker efficiency ; likely closer 6db. Add another 3db to that for the second cabinet. The RH450+2xRS210 combination is louder than what I need for 85% of the gigs I'm playing these days. This amp has plenty of volume with a pair of RS210 cabinets.

The RS210s have a definite low-mid and high-mid focus with a nice warm low end and clear highs. They do not have the extension of the Acmes down to the lowest frequencies or the zingy highest notes that a small horn provides, but these are not really missed due to the great sounding coax. I wouldn't use "glassy" here though. The cabinets sound very "natural" and "musical" (sorry for the descriptive adjectives).

These particular cabinet characteristics are very well suited to the RH450. As mentioned there's plenty of volume and a wide range of tones I was not able to coax from the Acmes. Also, this pairing seems to do a more convincing job of the "old school" tones that most reviews credit this amp with. In my vocabulary I would say this combination has rich midrange harmonic content that is well suited to the tube emulation, but for now I am going to leave these types of descriptions to others.

In short - a big "thumbs up" to the RH450 plus two RS210 cabinets. I'm now thinking about picking up an RS212 for those "3-cabinet" gigs.

 

[engedi1]

I'd still recommend dual 210's over a single 212 or dual 212's. The cabinets are smaller and let you fit in tighter spaces. The dual 210's will not be lacking in punch or low-end if you are playing indoors.

I know, and I want to follow this advice, it is just that I have used only twelves for years now and I can't get my head around the thought that 2x10 would sound as good. Although I do hear amazing reviews of the RS 210.

I am still waiting for my funds to clear (later this week or early next) before I can buy the Rs 210s. This will allow me to give the RH 450 a thorough going over with my GS 112's. I may be happy with that sound and not need to order any TC Cabs.

I love other 212's I have heard, and that is why I really want to hear the rs 212.