RBH’s WM-24 speakers use metal drivers, which are great for their rigidity, but can be difficult to drive due to their weight. These speakers get around that by using a pair of smaller drivers and a pair of passive radiators to boost bass response.

With all of that metal around, you might expect the WM-24s to produce a hard and aggressive in-your-face kind of a sound, but RBH has managed to avoid this by matching up the metal woofers with a soft dome tweeter. The resulting sound is actually quite easy on the ear and just a little laid-back, yet it can deliver an impressive sense of impact when required. The bass is tuneful and more extended than most speakers of this type, although to get the full impact from an action flick, you’ll still want to supplement it with a subwoofer.

While they are somewhat less sensitive than average, the WM-24s can still be driven effectively by just about any current A/V receiver or amplifier. I had no trouble getting plenty of output using a 35-watt Sharp SD-PX2 receiver, although a 100-watt Linn Chakra power amp introduced an additional dimension of control and dynamic capability. The MS 10.1 subwoofer actually uses two 10-inch aluminum drivers, but its built-in 250 amplifier ensures that there’s plenty of power on hand to keep them in check.

RBH’s WM-24 speakers are an excellent choice for everyday listening. Their smooth, easy-going sound allows you to keep listening over the long haul without becoming fatigued.

RATING: SOLID
Description: RBH WM-24 LCR speaker; MS-10.1 subwoofer
High Points: Smooth refined sound; beautifully built; choice of grille colors
Low Points: No tabletop or floor stands; speaker wire binding posts are fiddly to tighten
Contact: RBH Sound Inc., 800.543.2205, www.rbhsound.com
Price: WM-24 LCR, $449 each; MS-10.1, $800