Revel Speaker Thread

[SeaNile]

The Studio 2 is on my short list. I'd narrowed it down to Aerial 7T, Salk SoundScape 8, Focal 1038be and the Studio2's.

Going on Friday to finally hear the Studio2 in person. Thinking of pairing the speakers with a Hegel H300.

[Biggar]

Next Wednesday, I'm taking delivery a pair of Ultima 2s. Only seven more sleeps to go! Of course, I have high hopes for the match between my Ayre preamp/amp combo and the Revels.

I'm replacing a pair of Paradigm Signature S8s with the Revels. Notwithstanding the opinion that I've read that the Paradigms can do battle with the Revels, I'm hoping for a significant uptick in SQ.

[Alki]

Originally Posted by Biggar

Next Wednesday, I'm taking delivery a pair of Ultima 2s. Only seven more sleeps to go! Of course, I have high hopes for the match between my Ayre preamp/amp combo and the Revels.

I'm replacing a pair of Paradigm Signature S8s with the Revels. Notwithstanding the opinion that I've read that the Paradigms can do battle with the Revels, I'm hoping for a significant uptick in SQ.

Congrats on the new Revels.

A few yeas ago I heard in the same room and with the same components; the Paradigm S8 and the Revel F52. They were both very good at that price point but I preferred the F52s.

The Salon 2 is better in every way and a great speaker. I am personally a fan of the Revel sound. There is a reason this speaker has not been changed in 8 or so years.

Even if Revel does replace this speaker in the near future I am not sure it will be an upgrade if they stay along the route of the F208. IMO this was not an upgrade to the F52s. It was to many, just not to me. Not using the ceramic drivers was a down grade to me. The bottom end also suffered on the new line.

The Ultima 2's will be a very large step up from the Paradigms.

[Biggar]

Originally Posted by Alki

Congrats on the new Revels.

A few yeas ago I heard in the same room and with the same components; the Paradigm S8 and the Revel F52. They were both very good at that price point but I preferred the F52s.

The Salon 2 is better in every way and a great speaker. I am personally a fan of the Revel sound. There is a reason this speaker has not been changed in 8 or so years.

Even if Revel does replace this speaker in the near future I am not sure it will be an upgrade if they stay along the route of the F208. IMO this was not an upgrade to the F52s. It was to many, just not to me. Not using the ceramic drivers was a down grade to me. The bottom end also suffered on the new line.

The Ultima 2's will be a very large step up from the Paradigms.

Christmas came early. I got my speakers today and boy, oh boy, are you right. The Paradigms are good speakers but these Revels are on another planet. I've only been listening to them for three hours but, my gosh, on the first record, my wife - always the sceptic said - and I quote, "you're right, these are very good, it's like being at the concert".

There is one thing that I would like others to consider. My Revels are paired with an Ayre preamp/amp combo and an Acoustic Research DAC. while I have nothing to compare it with, this combination seems like a match made in heaven.

[Masterlu]

Congrats... Got Pics!

[Alki]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Congrats... Got Pics!

I would like to see pictures of your set up as well.

[Art Vandelay]

Thought I would add some timely comments and revive the thread.

I very much enjoyed listening to Salon 2's recently, in a good room and driven by sensational Gyphon Evo power + Pandora pre.

It really was audio nirvana and highlights just how good the Salon's are when driven by world class amplification.

The owner of this particular system was all set to pull the trigger on a pair of Vivid G1's, to replace the Salon's, but he bailed out at the 11th hour after fearing that it might not be a leap forward in all respects.

After hearing his system, and having heard Vivid G2's a few times now in various high end systems, I'm very confident that the Salon's are very close to being as good through the mids, are possibly more extended at the very bottom, and equally resolving. But significantly, they are definitely superior in the treble. They present exquisite detail, dynamic contrasts, sweetness, resolution, and extension, better than anything else I've heard, including the Vivid's, which are pretty good in the treble, but not outstanding like the Revel's.

In terms of imaging, they're actually similar to the Vivid's too, although Vivid owners will probably say that the Vivid's are slightly better at separating instruments and defining them in their own space.

However, in terms of sheer enjoyment and emotional connection, it's very hard to go past Revel Salons.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Thought I would add some timely comments and revive the thread.

I very much enjoyed listening to Salon 2's recently, in a good room and driven by sensational Gyphon Evo power + Pandora pre.

It really was audio nirvana and highlights just how good the Salon's are when driven by world class amplification.

The owner of this particular system was all set to pull the trigger on a pair of Vivid G1's, to replace the Salon's, but he bailed out at the 11th hour after fearing that it might not be a leap forward in all respects.

After hearing his system, and having heard Vivid G2's a few times now in various high end systems, I'm very confident that the Salon's are very close to being as good through the mids, are possibly more extended at the very bottom, and equally resolving. But significantly, they are definitely superior in the treble. They present exquisite detail, dynamic contrasts, sweetness, resolution, and extension, better than anything else I've heard, including the Vivid's, which are pretty good in the treble, but not outstanding like the Revel's.

In terms of imaging, they're actually similar to the Vivid's too, although Vivid owners will probably say that the Vivid's are slightly better at separating instruments and defining them in their own space.

However, in terms of sheer enjoyment and emotional connection, it's very hard to go past Revel Salons.

Hi Art,

I totally agree with your post. There is no limit on how great the Salon 2's can sound, driven by the best components. They are extremely transparent and provide a clear window to the music.

Ken

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Art,

I totally agree with your post. There is no limit on how great the Salon 2's can sound, driven by the best components. They are extremely transparent and provide a clear window to the music.

Ken

Hi Ken.

Yes, I've had the pleasure of hearing quite a few great systems recently, and some of those included Vivid's, Wilson Alexia's and Gryphon Trident II's, and although those speakers are more expensive and arguably better in some areas, I don't believe that any are better all-round speakers for a normal domestic listening space, and I'm sure than none possesses a better and more accurate upper mid and treble.

However, the caveat is ancillaries. Like all great speakers they need great amplification. I've heard them driven by Levinson, Pass Labs (XA160.8)
and a few other brands and they sounded outstanding but not sublime in every respect as they do with the latest Gryphon amps.

Price is perhaps their enemy in some ways because pretty much nobody is going to spend twice or three times as much on amplification as they've spent on speakers, so most will be blissfully unaware of the remaining potential that exists.

It will be interesting to see what Kevin Voeks can do to improve upon the existing Salon for its next iteration. Perhaps an ounce more sensitivity would be nice, and a slightly more inert cabinet for that last ounce of bass resolution, but with the Salon as it is he's made it very difficult for himself to make a real subjective improvement that doesn't add significantly to the cost, and of course their low relative cost is also their greatest attribute.

Cheers,
Art

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Hi Ken.

Yes, I've had the pleasure of hearing quite a few great systems recently, and some of those included Vivid's, Wilson Alexia's and Gryphon Trident II's, and although those speakers are more expensive and arguably better in some areas, I don't believe that any are better all-round speakers for a normal domestic listening space, and I'm sure than none possesses a better and more accurate upper mid and treble.

However, the caveat is ancillaries. Like all great speakers they need great amplification. I've heard them driven by Levinson, Pass Labs (XA160.8)
and a few other brands and they sounded outstanding but not sublime in every respect as they do with the latest Gryphon amps.

Price is perhaps their enemy in some ways because pretty much nobody is going to spend twice or three times as much on amplification as they've spent on speakers, so most will be blissfully unaware of the remaining potential that exists.

It will be interesting to see what Kevin Voeks can do to improve upon the existing Salon for its next iteration. Perhaps an ounce more sensitivity would be nice, and a slightly more inert cabinet for that last ounce of bass resolution, but with the Salon as it is he's made it very difficult for himself to make a real subjective improvement that doesn't add significantly to the cost, and of course their low relative cost is also their greatest attribute.

Cheers,
Art

Art,

I ran the Salon 2's with the Esoteric K-01, Pass XP-30 and Pass XA-100.5. The organic quality of the XP-30 combined with the tube-like presentation of the XA-100.5 provided perfect synergy with neutrality of the Salon 2's. IMO, the Salon 2's need some warmth interjected into the equation.

According to Revel, they have some ideas for the Salon 3 but there is nothing in the pipeline or even on their radar. The only changes I would make would be a more inert cabinet (as you mentioned) and a diamond coating on their beryllium tweeter to improve its frequency range before breakup.

Best,
Ken