KEF versus Revel. Save me money ASR

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

Revel versus KEF Save me money?

Looking for some feedback on a from scratch home theater set up. It’s a large dedicated room. It is asymmetric the front wall is 20’, the left wall is 28’ and the right wall is 38’. The rear wall is 22’.

It will have a false wall and an acoustically transparent screen with the right and left mains and center behind it. There will be acoustic treatment.

I’ve priced out 4 options(sorta 5). I’m not sure anyone could hear the difference. It is opinion based but I’ve labeled them Ideal and Realistic for both manufacturers. I’d like some thoughts from everyone.

I followed ASR recommendations for my 2 channel set ups and am very happy with them. This is a knowledgeable and helpful community. I’ve followed for years but only started posting recently.

Revel Ideal
Center F328Be $8,800
R & L mains F228Be $11,000
R & L Surrounds F226Be $7,800
R & L Rear F208 $4,000
Total: $30,800

Revel Realistic
Center F228Be $5,500
R&L Mains F226Be $7,800
R&L Surround F208 $4,000
R&L Rear F206 $2,800
Total: $20,100

KEF Meta Ideal (reference 5 is so expensive I’ve done this with and without)
Center Refrence 5 $11,000, R11 $3,300
R&L Mains R11 $6,600
R&L Surrounds R11 $6,600
R&L Rear R7 $5,000
Total:Reference Center $29,200
R11 center $21,500

KEF Meta Realistic
Center R11 $3,300
R&L Mains R $6,600
R&L Surrounds R7 $5,000
R&L Rear R5 $4,000
Total:$18,900

I figure subs can be added if necessary.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I cannot give any useful idea if KEF will be better than Revel here.

I would say on the Revel realistic I might go Revel F228Be for R+L+C across the front. I think having the same exact speaker is a bit of an advantage there. Then I don't think you'll lose anything going with F206 for side and rear surrounds. $22,100 total on that.

From memory in surround the center carries the most power. 6 db more than front left and right or maybe that was 3 db more than R&L combined. The rears and surrounds were down several db (I think 9 db) on average. I do think you'll want some subs for evening out the low end. The speakers may have enough for the low end, but it may not be in the best place for smoothest response in the room.

 

[caioferrari]

Revel versus KEF Save me money?

Looking for some feedback on a from scratch home theater set up. It’s a large dedicated room. It is asymmetric the front wall is 20’, the left wall is 28’ and the right wall is 38’. The rear wall is 22’.

It will have a false wall and an acoustically transparent screen with the right and left mains and center behind it. There will be acoustic treatment.

I’ve priced out 4 options(sorta 5). I’m not sure anyone could hear the difference. It is opinion based but I’ve labeled them Ideal and Realistic for both manufacturers. I’d like some thoughts from everyone.

I followed ASR recommendations for my 2 channel set ups and am very happy with them. This is a knowledgeable and helpful community. I’ve followed for years but only started posting recently.

Revel Ideal
Center F328Be $8,800
R & L mains F228Be $11,000
R & L Surrounds F226Be $7,800
R & L Rear F208 $4,000
Total: $30,800

Revel Realistic
Center F228Be $5,500
R&L Mains F226Be $7,800
R&L Surround F208 $4,000
R&L Rear F206 $2,800
Total: $20,100

KEF Meta Ideal (reference 5 is so expensive I’ve done this with and without)
Center Refrence 5 $11,000, R11 $3,300
R&L Mains R11 $6,600
R&L Surrounds R11 $6,600
R&L Rear R7 $5,000
Total:Reference Center $29,200
R11 center $21,500

KEF Meta Realistic
Center R11 $3,300
R&L Mains R $6,600
R&L Surrounds R7 $5,000
R&L Rear R5 $4,000
Total:$18,900

I figure subs can be added if necessary.

Can’t tell anything about KEF but Revel has the greatest sound I ever heard below exotic speakers that costs over 100k.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

If I were you, I'd consider Reference 1 Metas across the front L-C-R, and 4 R3's for surrounds, together with 2-4 quality subs like SVS SB 3000's. Should come in at $25-28k.

 

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

If I were you, I'd consider Reference 1 Metas across the front L-C-R, and 4 R3's for surrounds, together with 2-4 quality subs like SVS SB 3000's. Should come in at $25-28k.

That doesn’t seem unreasonable. I’m a little worried about room size with the smaller speakers. I’m guessing you would recommend setting the cross over at a relatively high level? This would take off some of the load on the Reference 1s correct?

 

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

I cannot give any useful idea if KEF will be better than Revel here.

I would say on the Revel realistic I might go Revel F228Be for R+L+C across the front. I think having the same exact speaker is a bit of an advantage there. Then I don't think you'll lose anything going with F206 for side and rear surrounds. $22,100 total on that.

From memory in surround the center carries the most power. 6 db more than front left and right or maybe that was 3 db more than R&L combined. The rears and surrounds were down several db (I think 9 db) on average. I do think you'll want some subs for evening out the low end. The speakers may have enough for the low end, but it may not be in the best place for smoothest response in the room.

Thanks for a thoughtful reply.

You make a good point about considering the same for all three. The center channel is 90+% of dialog. I’ve purposely planned on a slightly more sensitive center channel. My thought is that will give a built in dialog boost. I’ve read multiple articles about how many people use subtitles now because of the way tv and movies are mixed. Interestingly a huge percentage of these people are young with good ears. I am not young and my ears are average for a 50 year old male.

That is my logic but it may be flawed.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I think with your room size the Reference 1 Meta is going to be too small. I have a room about 15% smaller than yours. Revel F208s will fill it nicely used in stereo. I don't know if the smaller Meta Reference 1 would manage that. Even with subs taking off the load on the bottom end. I use JBL LSR 308s for surrounds in the room and they aren't over-burdened. So that is why I think surrounds and rear don't need to be large speakers, but I believe the front three do need some size to them.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

That doesn’t seem unreasonable. I’m a little worried about room size with the smaller speakers. I’m guessing you would recommend setting the cross over at a relatively high level? This would take off some of the load on the Reference 1s correct?

Yes, perhaps around 100 hz. Use something like DLBC to get correct integration.

 

[Chrispy]

Those are new let alone specific series for each brand? I don't shop much, tho.

 

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

Those are new let alone specific series for each brand? I don't shop much, tho.

You are correct. I was trying to use audiogon and eBay to build something off of my Focal 2 channel system. Everything that would make sense was way too expensive. These choices all have great independent measurements.

 

[Chrispy]

You are correct. I was trying to use audiogon and eBay to build something off of my Focal 2 channel system. Everything that would make sense was way too expensive. These choices all have great independent measurements.

So new but not so specific as to details for various models or ? These passive or powered/active? Didn't go look particularly. What Focal do you have now? What are the goals, size of room, seating, etc

 

[quattro98]

I would use subwoofers (2 minimum to help with room modes). This lets you use smaller speakers too (within reason).

As an example, we have KEF Reference Meta 3 and 2 for LCR. You can pay for subs with the price difference to the 5 and 4. I have Rythmik. No need to stick the same brand as your speakers.

Due to location constraints, I have 1 pair of R3 Meta and 1 pair of LS50 Meta as surrounds. With subs, I don’t see a need for larger speakers as surrounds. If doing this now, I’d also see what the Q Concerto and Q7 Meta are like in reviews.

We used in-ceiling speakers for Atmos. If you can, try to at least run wire and you can add them later.

 

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

So new but not so specific as to details for various models or ? These passive or powered/active? Didn't go look particularly. What Focal do you have now? What are the goals, size of room, seating, etc

Room dimensions are above. Almost exclusively will be used for home theater movies/streaming. Looking to go passive. Narrowed things down to the above speakers really. The Focal 2 channel is Scala Utopia EVO with a benchmark chain. I’ve decided to keep it for 2 channel. Just adding a comparable or better focal center channel would cost about what these whole systems do.

 

[kemmler3D]

I haven't heard Revels, but my vague impression is they can do higher output, probably because they don't need to compromise on cone area to do the coaxial design.

I am a KEF fan (have LS60s and I think they're really up there) but given that you are doing acoustic treatment and have a large room, I'd probably lean Revel on this one.

 

[youpassbutter]

FWIW, I have had KEF R11s (non-meta) and Revel F226Bes. I much prefer the Revels. I think the delta between your Revel ideal and Revel realistic would be very small and not worth the 50% higher price.

 

[GXAlan]

That’s a big room. Out of curiosity, do you already have all the amplification you need? Starting from scratch, one option is to go with active speakers from Neumann or Genelec.

Not my ad, but this is a contender too…

Meyer Sound Acheron 100 + 2x 80 Loudspeakers + X-800C Linear Powered Subwoofers | eBay

<p>These speakers have been thoroughly tested and are in excellent working order and will come with a 30 day guarantee. </p> <p>Cosmetically in great condition showing just some minor scuffs / scratches / blemishes from previous use and moving.</p> <p>Includes:</p> <p>Qty 2 Meyer Sound X-800C...

www.ebay.com

 

[SDC]

I would go LCR 228be and surrounds 208.

But the price mentioned in the post is bit high.

Ask dealer for better price, with the money saved get more subwoofers. Nobody pays full price for almost anything in audio fr.

 

[mcdn]

If you want to save money, and the main use is home theatre, then put most of your cash into the great KEF centre. The L&R speakers are used for effects just as the surrounds are, so don’t waste money on anything more than basic quality there. Big centre, 2 subs, and decent surrounds.

 

[mcdn]

Specifically, KEF R4 meta for your centre, Revel f206 for all other speakers, and use the money saved for 2 SVS subs

 

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

Interesting the vote is overwhelmingly Revel Realistic but more discussion on the KEFs. I think this just means more people have KEFS ¯\_(ツ)_/¯