RX Reels’ premium tape reels have been something of a runaway success since their launch in early 2021. In response to customer requests, their creator Kevin Root has just added a new ‘Studio’ reel to the range. It offers all of the performance of the premium reels but with a more industrial aesthetic – and a lower price tag.
The new Studio reel is designed with both professional studio engineers and home audiophiles in mind. While Root’s original premium reels are crafted with a focus on looks as well as on high performance, this one “is all business” he says. Here’s what you can expect…
Strength and durability
RX Reels are designed to last a lifetime under the most demanding conditions. Their flanges are constructed from 12-ply, aviation-grade carbon fibre, a material stronger than steel and yet lighter than aluminium. The new Studio reel’s clear satin finish reveals the material’s stunning 3K 2×2 weave. These tough 2.3mm thick flanges are scratch-resistant and will not warp or bend.
Precision
Twelve screws (six per side) fix the flange firmly to the hub – three to four times the number found in most reels. The custom-built, solid aluminium NAB hub is precision-made to tolerances below two thousands of an inch. Every specification is tested and measured to 100% accuracy in order to ensure hub balance, which in turn improves tape alignment and packing, including at high speeds.
Function-first design
With ease of use in mind, while most flange cut-outs (or ‘windows’) tend to narrow near the hub, RX Reels have cleverly crafted a space large enough for three fingers so that, when threading, holding the tape end against the hub is simply done. What’s more, the hub features a nano-machined textured surface designed to gently grip the end of the tape, making it far less prone to slipping so that threading is quick, easy and minus the risk of damage to the delicate tape – important details for those of us who regularly handle tape spools.
Each 10.5-inch, ¼-inch reel is handmade in the Pacific Northwest, USA and is laser-etched with an individual serial number. A laser-etched RX Reels logo on one side can easily be replaced on request with a studio, band or client logo. Delivery includes a durable custom-made storage box with foam insert to protect the reel for years.
The RX Studio carbon fibre 10.5-inch tape reel with ¼-inch spool is available now, priced at US $198 per reel.
Original RX premium reels, with the same specifications and the addition of a choice of six finishes, are priced at US $239 each.
Find out more and buy online at www.rxreels.com
Dave Denyer: The Reel-to-Reel Rambler 