Anyone know how the Revel Concerta2 S16 is?

[Bsmooth]

I really liked the M16 review, but the S16's look really good. I would be using them as my main speakers in my living room along with a small Dayton sub.
I would be mounting them on the walls, just not sure of the height, I know it says something about 10-15 degrees above the listener.
Also the listener would not be centered in the middle of the speakers which would be about 8 feet apart, probably being about 2 feet off center to the right.
Maybe angle the left one slightly?
I know there not cheap, but it would probably be a once in a lifetime buy.

 

[More Dynamics Please]

Given how other Revel speakers have measured there has been some speculation that the S16 just might be one of the best performing on-wall speakers available but so far no independent measurements that I'm aware of.

 

[More Dynamics Please]

After a quick search it turns out that Sound & Vision did make some measurements of the S16:

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/revel-concerta2-m16-speaker-system-review-test-bench

 

[aarons915]

The S16 was the 1st Revel speaker I tried a few years back and I was very impressed with them. They are sealed but had respectable bass output, plenty to blend with a subwoofer with an 80-100Hz crossover. They sounded neutral and well integrated like all Revel speakers and I thought they looked good in the piano black finish. If I had to have an on-wall setup I can't think of anything I'd rather have to be honest.

 

[Bsmooth]

That sounds great, any possible issues with vocal sibilance issues ? I was also considering The Dali Oberon 1's, but heard they were very harsh.

 

[Rednaxela]

Bit late to the party, but this may be of interest here.

https://www.avsforum.com/threads/revel-s16-vs-kef-ls50-audition.2954026/

 

[nathan]

After a quick search it turns out that Sound & Vision did make some measurements of the S16:

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/revel-concerta2-m16-speaker-system-review-test-bench

Great find. Too bad they don't share the impedance graph in full. I'd love to see what it is doing in the 10k to 20khz region, to see how it might play nicely (or not) with some of the less expensive Class D amps in the market.

If we take the M16 as a guide, the answer is "not real well" due to how high the impedance gets in that region.

 

[ATX]

Great find. Too bad they don't share the impedance graph in full. I'd love to see what it is doing in the 10k to 20khz region, to see how it might play nicely (or not) with some of the less expensive Class D amps in the market.

If we take the M16 as a guide, the answer is "not real well" due to how high the impedance gets in that region.

How would you amplify the Revel S16? I just ordered the Revel S16(replacing Linn Uniks) for our ‘wife friendly 5.2 Family Room System which is driven by an Arcam AVR31. TY

 

[nathan]

Arcam AVR31

Should be fine.

If you don't like it, you'll want to specify what your listening distance is, and what your budget is for an external amp.

 

[ATX]

Should be fine.

If you don't like it, you'll want to specify what your listening distance is, and what your budget is for an external amp.

TY for the response, Nathan.
The distance to the primary listening position is 6’. The Cable Distance from the AVR is SR-27’ & SL-35’. Minus the Surrounds, all System Speakers and SWs are Vandersteen.
I am upgrading the SR & SL because of a video by Terry Ellis in which he provided improvement tips for Arcam AVRs. TE recommended utilizing Arcam’s Multi-Channel Stereo setting which enables all(preferable calibrated) speakers for ‘Stereo’.

My Front Main On-Wall Speakers(16’ to LP) are partially blocked by the TV and the Multi-Channel Stereo was a decent improvement.

Budget for an Amp(s) is $2,000.00 & willing to increase if driving all channels with an external amp will improve the sound. I favor purchasing better ‘Used or B Stock” over ‘New’ but I am good either way.

FWIW An EE (who leads a Mark Levison National Service Center) conducted a Bench Test on the Arcam AVR 31:
Total Harmonic Distortion(THD): 2 Channels, 8Ω, 1K

• .0014% THD @ 10W
• .0011% THD @ 50W
• .0015% THD @ 120W

THD: 5 Channels, 8Ω, 1K

• .009% THD @ 120W
• Noise: -80.1 dBu
• Signal / Noise Ratio @ 100W Reference: -107.3 dB

Appreciate the advice…

 

[rynberg]

There's no reason to worry about amplification, these are relatively sensitive and you're only sitting 6' away. I'll refrain from commenting on a lot of the silliness in that video but IMO multi-stereo modes are purely for parties or some other similar situation and have no place in any kind of critical listening situation.

Further, I suspect there will be a pretty wild tonal difference between your Vandersteens and the S16s, as the Vandy's are not exactly neutral speakers -- even more reason you would not want to use Multi-Stereo.

 

[ATX]

There's no reason to worry about amplification, these are relatively sensitive and you're only sitting 6' away. I'll refrain from commenting on a lot of the silliness in that video but IMO multi-stereo modes are purely for parties or some other similar situation and have no place in any kind of critical listening situation.

Further, I suspect there will be a pretty wild tonal difference between your Vandersteens and the S16s, as the Vandy's are not exactly neutral speakers -- even more reason you would not want to use Multi-Stereo.

TY for the reply, Nathan. I am OK with differences of opinion and welcome your comments.

Considering the horrific Room Dynamics there will not be a critical anything and Multi-Channel Stereo is as good as it’s going to get. I have a second room for music perfection and that’s probably part of the problem…

The S16s are a test to see if the Multi-Channel Stereo experiment is worth pursuing. If it is worth pursuing then I will install a very good on-wall system: Alcons, Perlisten, Legacy Audio, RBH, Lyngdorf. The Revel S16s will eventually be added to a Revel based media room.

 

[nathan]

There's no reason to worry about amplification, these are relatively sensitive and you're only sitting 6' away. I'll refrain from commenting on a lot of the silliness in that video but IMO multi-stereo modes are purely for parties or some other similar situation and have no place in any kind of critical listening situation.

Further, I suspect there will be a pretty wild tonal difference between your Vandersteens and the S16s, as the Vandy's are not exactly neutral speakers -- even more reason you would not want to use Multi-Stereo.

I agree with rynberg. You are not likely to need amplification. And yes, that guy in the video wouldn't know a double blind listening test if he met one on the street.

But yes, if you like the all channel stereo effect, that's fine. Maybe Arcam does it better than everyone else. I prefer Dolby's approach.

His recommendations to get more power than you need, and to buy expensive cables (that have no basis in science and listening tests), and to use an external DAC to feed audio into the Arcam which then reconverts the audio to digital again (which again has no basis in double blind testing) but it is a great placebo effect, and I truly believe people who spend more money on their systems honestly believe they sound better.

I suspect the best solution would be to fix this: "My Front Main On-Wall Speakers(16’ to LP) are partially blocked by the TV"

My Front Main On-Wall Speakers(16’ to LP) are partially blocked by the TV

 

[ATX]

I agree with rynberg. You are not likely to need amplification. And yes, that guy in the video wouldn't know a double blind listening test if he met one on the street.

But yes, if you like the all channel stereo effect, that's fine. Maybe Arcam does it better than everyone else. I prefer Dolby's approach.

His recommendations to get more power than you need, and to buy expensive cables (that have no basis in science and listening tests), and to use an external DAC to feed audio into the Arcam which then reconverts the audio to digital again (which again has no basis in double blind testing) but it is a great placebo effect, and I truly believe people who spend more money on their systems honestly believe they sound better.

I suspect the best solution would be to fix this: "My Front Main On-Wall Speakers(16’ to LP) are partially blocked by the TV"

TY for the reply, Nathan.
You are correct, the Room Dynamics are the primary source of concern which is why I am seeking your advice and willing to try stupid shit like Multi-Channel Stereo. I am impressed both of you concluded increasing the amplification would have little affect(I have tried boosting the Mains) but may try an external amp for the rears. Am interested in your Amp recommendations regardless of distance.

 

[nathan]

Got a photo of the front of the room? There might be setup options to help things that you haven't considered yet?

 

[ATX]

Got a photo of the front of the room? There might be setup options to help things that you haven't considered yet?

Thank you for the help.
Notes:
In-wall, Floor and Ceiling Speakers are unfortunately not options.
The Wall Angle by the Front Right Speaker is 45 degrees.
Open to anything…

 

[nathan]

Can you put some 'tower' speakers on the floor flanking the fireplace? (Can you take another photo of the tv and fireplace, from you mean seating location. This angle is helpful for the room but hard for the detail up there)

Can you move the surround speakers to the side wall? It looks like the left surround would be fine on the wall by the window. But I cannot see the other side of course.

Can you move that mirror behind your head to somewhere else and put an absorption panel (perhaps a GIK art panel) there?

 

[ATX]

TY for the response, Nathan.
I used to have a pair of Treos flanking the Fireplace and my wife requested I move them. She’s been so cool about our AV at both residences that I accommodate her preferences as a matter of course. The basic parameters for this room is she decorated it and I can work around her decorations. You are correct in the Right Side of the Room is a cased opening to the Foyer.

 

[nathan]

TY for the response, Nathan.
I used to have a pair of Treos flanking the Fireplace and my wife requested I move them. She’s been so cool about our AV at both residences that I accommodate her preferences as a matter of course. The basic parameters for this room is she decorated it and I can work around her decorations. You are correct in the Right Side of the Room is a cased opening to the Foyer.
View attachment 420048

That’s tight. I’d consider a smaller screen or rearrange it a little:

In any event I don’t know that the revel speakers are going to make much difference on the rear wall.

 

[ATX]

That’s tight. I’d consider a smaller screen or rearrange it a little:

View attachment 420096

In any event I don’t know that the revel speakers are going to make much difference on the rear wall.

Thank you for the response, Nathan.

I have never considered moving the TV to the Left and I like the idea. It might look a little weird, but it’s a sensible solution to at least provide better speaker clearance. I never even considered moving the TV Mount because behind the Left Side Picture is 6 Iron pipes and large electrical conduits(this the reason in-wall is not an option). G

Another idea I have been kicking around is to utilize Legacy Audio Skyline 8 Speakers which can be corner mounted on the Left Side and I am not sure if the mount will work on the 45 degree angle of the Right Side. Legacy Audio Skyline 8 Link Not sure if the Horizontal and Vertical sound stage of the Skyline will work for this application.

I doubt the Revel S16 Surrounds will do much but it’s a theory worth testing. It’s a safe bet because I have a Revel based system which I can add them to if they don’t do much.