Ok, let's do it here rather than start a potentially inflammatory thread titled "B&W vs. Revel."
My thinking was inspired by your comments in post 47.
I didn't have brand loyalty or preconceived notions in mind when the idea of a new system popped into my head. I just wanted to take advantage of our newly acquired house's dedicated room. My prejudices, if we can call them that, were to stick with solid state electronics and get a rig I could live with for the long term.
In my shopping which was very enjoyable, there were a number of waypoints that made me think "I could be happy with that." Having my work experience, I didn't start out thinking making the decisions would be nearly as perplexing as it turned out to be.
As I did my homework and poured over reviews, I was reminded several times of the research and personnel at Harman with whom I'd worked or been aware of. I'm referring to Floyd Toole, Shawn Olive, Tod Welte and the Revel team (who I don't personally know) all of whom are instrumental in respect to the fundamental philosophy that now guides many of Harman's efforts.
If I had any prejudices, it was to not buy a Harman product since my contract had been terminated by the president of the Pro division in 2010. Still, I felt I shouldn't bite off my nose to spite my face so I decided to give Revel a fair chance along with the others. That was around the same time I discovered my proposed budget was inadequate to the task in 2016 dollars. I allocated more. You know the story.
I decided that the F206 and F208 might suit my criteria and I should seek them out. The dealer who provided this opportunity also carries B&W so I could audition both side by side. The F206 was nice but it didn't meet the full range requirement I had in my head. We moved to the money room where the Revels were represented by F208s and Salons and the range of B&W 800 series were also parked.
F208s were up first, McIntosh driven They were fine but not initially exciting, more like "competent." The Salons were more rousing, still somewhat unassuming, but clean, commanding and in control. I asked to hear the B&W 800D2s. Big sound, crystal clear presentation, wall to wall soundstage, but perhaps more forward and just a bit bright to my ears? Still, I/we were extremely impressed. I wanted them! Yet even as I listened, while the B&Ws seemed very exciting, they did have a certain edge, a brightness, that was not present in the Revels. After some time we (wife was with me) decided we had taken enough of our salesman's time and thanked him for his attention. I went home excited by the B&Ws but still in doubt.
After I got home and started to think about it I thought despite my inclination towards the B&Ws that both Revel models had something I thought worth exploring. Actually, it was what they didn't have. No tilt. No special detail or peaks, no effort to impress, they just were right there. They were satisfying in an understated way (except for very glossy veneer
).
I revisited the shop and auditioned the Salon2s/F208s against the B&W (803 and 800s) a second time without my wife. The second listening was revealing. I decided that while the B&Ws were exciting, the Revels might have a balance more to my liking. Demoed with the Mc stuff, they struck a sweet balance, even in the showroom.
The B&Ws are great bold statements and I'm sure I'd love them if they were here, but I like Revel's smoother sound better. They're easy to listen to but not dark or veiled. They are revealing and detailed with good extension. I'm not sure I'd feel the same about the B&Ws. Surprisingly, in this case the American speakers have the smoother voice and the Brits have the excitement. I know from experience that I grow tired of a balance on the lively side, and your comments hinted at that in respect to your ownership experience. Ownership has reinforced my sentiments.
As I said, I wasn't considering Revels when I started out. I was much more inclined to something like Raidho, ProAc, Harbeth, B&W or KEF based on my prior experiences but the Revels won me over. It wasn't immediately obvious and I suspect other people comparison shopping for products at this level might have the same initial responses I did. That is, that the B&Ws are obvious choices. But for me, the Revel's charms grow greatly with familiarity.