Would the Revel F35/F36 be a significant upgrade from the 590? Or more of a lateral/incremental upgrade?
I've read conflicting reports saying how the 530 is on the same level as the M16 (comparing the bookshelf speakers in the same line as the towers) and some saying it's a significant step up going to the Revels. Thinking about the upgrade path from the Studio 5 but want to make sure it would be worth it.
I moved from F35s to Studio 590s, in one of the same spaces where I had the 530s and M16s as well, and am much happier. IMO no, it is another lateral move and even a downgrade in some ways. The Revels have a slight edge in mids and JBL slightly leaner out of the box, plainly seen in the measurements, but I find the 580s (I have in my living room) and 590s to be much more dynamic and holographic in my spaces.
Theater-like dynamics were the big reason I tried the 590s in the first place and even 2 years later now I'm still in the 'honeymoon phase'; the 590s were absolutely transformational to my home theater experience. I've also been listening to more music on them of late and greatly enjoy that as well, easily just as much as the Revels. Again, there are differences as seen in measurements, but it's ultimately nominal IMO. Also, cost was never a factor in my decisions, as I got both my M16s and F35s for 60% off of retail at the time, which was 10% lower than it is now, brand new from a dealer.
Long story short, I enjoy the JBLs significantly more in my spaces then I did the F35s, which are no slouches in their own right. If you listen to primarily music then you may end up leaning Revel, but IME it will be way more alike than different vs 590s. If you already have 590s you will need to spend much more to get something clearly and markedly better, and even then it may not be much better in every specific way.