Its true that the value equation is a different matter.
what’s the price differential in USA?
$7,000 vs $16,000 MSRP...
But is it?
The Salon2 has wider and more even dispersion, at least at the frequencies where dispersion matters. I'm not sure what difference smooth directivity would make above 10,000Hz. There's barely any content at that level, and frequencies that high rapidly decay and are absorbed by common materials.I would guess it probably is(and you can see it in the spin), but only if you’re running separate subs. Run full range, I would bet that the Salon’s superior bass would matter much more than the slightly better drivers and waveguide.
The Salon2 has wider and more even dispersion, at least at the frequencies where dispersion matters. I'm not sure what difference smooth directivity would make above 10,000Hz. There's barely any content at that level, and frequencies that high rapidly decay and are absorbed by common materials.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but there are multiple ways to interpret the data. I can say just owning speakers with narrow (Genelec 8351) and wide (Revel Salon2) dispersion and very good directivity control, I much prefer the acoustics of wide dispersion speakers.
That's what leads to me to question whether most of these speakers are really better than Revel's Ultima2 line. Some might have marginally better control over the directivity, but if that control comes at the expense of width is that really a good thing? My ears say no.
In scientific/objective terms- higher SPL, less power compression;; lower non-linear distortion (see attached)- in this -all- important range.
”I much prefer the acoustics of wide dispersion speakers.
That's what leads to me to question whether most of these speakers are really better than Revel's Ultima2 line. Some might have marginally better control over the directivity, but if that control comes at the expense of width is that really a good thing? My ears say no.
I think that is the big reason I prefer the BMRs in my room compared to anything else I have owned or auditioned. If you place them in a very wide/long room they throw a massive soundstage.
The Revel F226be did sound better to me in a different smaller room where side walls were closer.
I’m starting to think that basically, the less you hear the room, the better. So, wide dispersion works nicely when it’s well away from the front and side walls. And for a narrow space, narrow dispersion is better.
If 87 sensitivity is sufficient for you, it is cheaper and easier at that point to order the BMR tower from Dennis for $3700 and call it a day.I've been looking at a way to get the most speaker for my limited funds since I upgraded to one of your great amps.
The F328Be would be one of my dream speakers and if I had the money I'd simply order a pair and call it a day but alas, I will never again have THAT kind of money to spend unless I win the lottery.
After lots of reading, correspondence, etc.. I decided to take my meager funds and try my hand at a pretty high end DIY kit.
Assuming my stimulus check arrives so I can pay for it I'll be building a compact tower with Purifi 6.5" x 2 woofers + Satori dome midrange + Bliesma BE tweeter. DIY may be the last thing you want to deal with (considering the amp work you do) but then again.....
Best of luck choosing your pair
I considered one of Dennis's designs but the towers (r they even available yet?) are too much $$ for me. So they may be easier but not cheaper. The BMR stand mounts were an option and I was actually going to buy 2 kits, but after speaking with the designer himself and being told they "frankly aren't the best match for your preferred music genres" and being encouraged by him to look at other options (used revels etc which were a good suggestion btw) I scratched the BMR's off of my shortlist. There are better options at better prices (For My Needs) in towers and even though the stand mount BMR Kits are Very affordable I don't think they're a good fit as my mains.If 87 sensitivity is sufficient for you, it is cheaper and easier at that point to order the BMR tower from Dennis for $3700 and call it a day.
I considered one of Dennis's designs but the towers (r they even available yet?) are too much $$ for me. So they may be easier but not cheaper. The BMR stand mounts were an option and I was actually going to buy 2 kits, but after speaking with the designer himself and being told they "frankly aren't the best match for your preferred music genres" and being encouraged by him to look at other options (used revels etc which were a good suggestion btw) I scratched the BMR's off of my shortlist. There are better options at better prices (For My Needs) in towers and even though the stand mount BMR Kits are Very affordable I don't think they're a good fit as my mains.
I wonder if I could lay it down and use it for a center channelThe rule here is simple: if you can afford the more expensive speaker, get it. There is nothing that the F328Be does worse than its smaller brothers.
No, my motivation is not pure in what I said. I need to sell my review sample of F328Be! I will give you a killer price and order another matching one if someone is interested. Start a conversation with me if you are.
Do we have measurements of the BMR tower? How similar is the dispersion pattern to the BMR? Looking back at @hardisj's BMR review, and F226Be review, it's clear just how much wider the dispersion of the former is. Subjectively, Erin seemed more enthusiastic about the Revel. The Revel is a bit more neutral, but this was also true of the M2 in comparison to the Salon2, and the BMR has even wider dispersion than that. OP hasn't responded yet, but I would definitely be taking a look at the BMR tower. It also has better extension than the F226Be, and maybe even more than the F328Be.