Next speaker to get after Revel F206?

[starfly]

I currently have a pair of Revel F206 (Performa3) floorstanders, along with a C206 center channel, and 2x 10" RSL Speedwoofers. Upstairs in the office I have a Neumann KH150 setup + KH750 sub. All in all I realize I have two very good systems in my house.

Yet lately the F206 just doesn't grab me anymore, maybe I've just gotten so used to very good sound and I take it for granted now.

What does the upgrade path look like from a F206 setup? I know the Performa4 is out now, but that would if anything be a minor upgrade - and I wouldn't want to buy another set of speakers that look exactly the same as my current ones either (which also kinda rules out the Be series from Revel). Still don't want to spend more than $10k for a pair of floorstanders.

And is it even worth upgrading? I am about to move into a different house, maybe that'll change how they sound a bit (though I'll of course apply RoomEQ).

 

[Oddball]

I currently have a pair of Revel F206 (Performa3) floorstanders, along with a C206 center channel, and 2x 10" RSL Speedwoofers. Upstairs in the office I have a Neumann KH150 setup + KH750 sub. All in all I realize I have two very good systems in my house.

Yet lately the F206 just doesn't grab me anymore, maybe I've just gotten so used to very good sound and I take it for granted now.

What does the upgrade path look like from a F206 setup? I know the Performa4 is out now, but that would if anything be a minor upgrade - and I wouldn't want to buy another set of speakers that look exactly the same as my current ones either (which also kinda rules out the Be series from Revel). Still don't want to spend more than $10k for a pair of floorstanders.

And is it even worth upgrading? I am about to move into a different house, maybe that'll change how they sound a bit (though I'll of course apply RoomEQ).

Well certainly a nice system. What would you like to "upgrade"? Any particular areas of performance like SPL or mids/highs? Also, what are you using for room correction and bass management. Sometimes changing that will have significant impact on the system.

 

[robh36062]

What does the upgrade path look like from a F206 setup? I know the Performa4 is out now, but that would if anything be a minor upgrade - and I wouldn't want to buy another set of speakers that look exactly the same as my current ones either (which also kinda rules out the Be series from Revel). Still don't want to spend more than $10k for a pair of floorstanders.

And is it even worth upgrading? I am about to move into a different house, maybe that'll change how they sound a bit (though I'll of course apply RoomEQ).

I have a pair as well in with living room with a JBL sub. They are only as spectacular as the source material so yeah I can see you getting "use" to them. Not sure what an upgrade path would be. The 4's and the Beryllium seem a bit pricey and I would expect them to be very similar as well.

Since you are moving I would wait. You don't know what room you will end up in. Could be larger and no idea what the acoustics will be. You may upgrade now and regret it after because you would have done something different in a new room

Good Luck on the move.

Rob

 

[Redacted]

+1

Move first. Try and then decide.

 

[DanielT]

I currently have a pair of Revel F206 (Performa3) floorstanders, along with a C206 center channel, and 2x 10" RSL Speedwoofers. Upstairs in the office I have a Neumann KH150 setup + KH750 sub. All in all I realize I have two very good systems in my house.

Yet lately the F206 just doesn't grab me anymore, maybe I've just gotten so used to very good sound and I take it for granted now.

What does the upgrade path look like from a F206 setup? I know the Performa4 is out now, but that would if anything be a minor upgrade - and I wouldn't want to buy another set of speakers that look exactly the same as my current ones either (which also kinda rules out the Be series from Revel). Still don't want to spend more than $10k for a pair of floorstanders.

And is it even worth upgrading? I am about to move into a different house, maybe that'll change how they sound a bit (though I'll of course apply RoomEQ).

New speakers, you say. These have been written about today so they are top of mind right now. On the verge of your budget. They are undeniably a bit different than your Revel. Are they better? Will you experience new excitement and desire to listen to music? Do you like their appearance? Will they fit in your room? Will they grab you? To those questions I answer; I don't know.
All provided that you can get them where you live.

Superwax Mini - Active loudspeaker — Pitt & Giblin

The Superwax Mini - A compact active Loudspeaker featuring a 15" Driver, on-board amplification and our signature bronze Waveguide. Cabinets constructed of Burch Wood available in a variety of different finishes from Tasmanian Oak to Australian Blackwood. Made in Australia. Designed in Tasmania

www.pittandgiblin.com.au

Ascilab C8C vs. Pitt & Giblin Superwax Mini

I've been aware of the many positive attributes of powered speakers since I heard a prototype of the powered Large Advent speaker over 50 years ago. They have finally come of age with the new generation of Hypex/DSP powered speakers, and I've decided to take the plunge. These 2 are at the top of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Pitt & Giblin speakers (Spinorama available)

I was looking at 2-way speakers with a compression and checked Pitt & Giblin's website for specs. To my serendipitous satisfaction, they have provided what looks to be spinoramas for some of their models. Those measurements indicate very well performing models within the limitations of their...

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Some manufacturers active here on ASR and their speakers are really nice, for example:

Introduction of Vera Audio Coherence 12 - a high quality speaker many can afford

We're looking at adding a grill to the speaker as an option. With magnets. One way is only covering the drivers plus the midsection for a seamless look. Please disregard the finish of the speaker here. Or we could cover more of the whole front which likely would be acoustically better...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Cadentia 3 Product Development thread / Audio First Designs

It ties in the horizontal plane, vertically not so much :D Indeed, and that's a good point. We can see that the Fidelia model from the same designer stand out in this respect. Check attached file

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[starfly]

Well certainly a nice system. What would you like to "upgrade"? Any particular areas of performance like SPL or mids/highs? Also, what are you using for room correction and bass management. Sometimes changing that will have significant impact on the system.

I just want to feel it more, get goosebumps when listening to music. When I first got the Revels I got that goosebump sensation.

For music listening I use two systems: these days mostly through a Denon X4800 (paired with a 2ch purifi amp I built) with Audyssey room correction. I mostly like it because of the dynamic eq as I don’t often listen at reference levels, which then boosts the bass a bit at lower volumes.

I have a second system that’s through a custom built streamer box with a Raspberry Pi running Volumio, that goes into a minidsp flex (as an active crossover between speakers and sub). Implemented room eq through REW and MSO. Haven’t been using this system as much as I couldn’t figure out how to get some sort of dynamic eq / loudness correction working until very recently and was waiting to really start using again until I moved as I’d have to recalibrate everything anyway, at which point I’ll really try to tweak it until it’s just right.

So yes the new house might bring some renewed music pleasure, but I was still wondering about what’s better out there. I know Ascilab will release floorstanders at some point, so those could be interesting.

 

[Oddball]

I just want to feel it more, get goosebumps when listening to music. When I first got the Revels I got that goosebump sensation.

For music listening I use two systems: these days mostly through a Denon X4800 (paired with a 2ch purifi amp I built) with Audyssey room correction. I mostly like it because of the dynamic eq as I don’t often listen at reference levels, which then boosts the bass a bit at lower volumes.

I have a second system that’s through a custom built streamer box with a Raspberry Pi running Volumio, that goes into a minidsp flex (as an active crossover between speakers and sub). Implemented room eq through REW and MSO. Haven’t been using this system as much as I couldn’t figure out how to get some sort of dynamic eq / loudness correction working until very recently and was waiting to really start using again until I moved as I’d have to recalibrate everything anyway, at which point I’ll really try to tweak it until it’s just right.

So yes the new house might bring some renewed music pleasure, but I was still wondering about what’s better out there. I know Ascilab will release floorstanders at some point, so those could be interesting.

I get it. Grass always looks greener on the neighbour's plot.

There are certainly great speakers within your budget, but before thinking about speakers I would try Dirac room correction first. Not sure what exactly is pricing right now, but full package with ART included is probably around $800. If that does not bring those goosebumps back, you can return in within 30 days (but you have to buy first and then ask for refund which is not an issue), and then think about the speakers.

Arendals 1528 and 1610 lines are really good and will play loud. If paired with ART, then you can go with smaller models that don't dig that low as you have subs already.

 

[BobbyTimmons]

It's diminishing returns at your point. If you don't want to go up to the PerformaBe line then it would be better to upgrade the room acoustics.

 

[CDMC]

My two cents. You are very high on the performance curve. Any “better” speaker is going to cost a lot of money for very small improvements. If you listened at higher levels, I would say bigger to limit distortion and compression, but you don’t. Move and spend your time and money on your new room. The biggest gains you will get are from carefully dialing in your system to the new room and some room treatments if needed.

 

[pdfield34]

Just for fun (because, yes, any "improvements" will be small):

* Philharmonic BMR - slightly wider dispersion, and you may have a better bass experience as the towers wouldn't require subs (no integration, etc)

* Kef - you may experience more focus with point source (as a different experience from the Revels).

I have the Revel Be 228, Philharmonic BMR monitors, and Kef LS50 meta - I do believe the differences are there, but the differences are not great.
The Revels and even the Philharmonics along with Dirac enabled me to give up trying to integrate subs. Hated trying to do that.

 

[Looneybomber]

I have the F206s and upgraded to the F228Be. I have them in an untreated, asymmetrical living room. While I like the upgrade from F206 to F228 in identical locations, a bigger difference/improvement is repositioning the F206 speakers to very WAF unfriendly locations and placing various acoustic absorbers in strategic locations to balance out some of the asymmetry and kill some of the reverb. I have to return everything back to normal when she gets home.

In summation, the weak point in my system is not the F206, it’s the room. Improving the weakest link provides the greatest improvement.

The Wilson Sasha V sounded good for the 10-15 min I listened to them, but that’s not exactly in the same conversation as Revel F206. Perhaps look at the KEF Blade 2’s (used) as a potential upgrade?

 

[TimF]

I have been alternating between a set of Revel Performa F208 and a pr. of Neumann KH150. I will listen to one set for three to five months. There is nothing inadequate about the Ravel speakers, but the Neumann offer a particular sound stage and stereo imaging that I enjoy that is different than the Revel. I appreciate each presentation, but I wouldn't want to change on a daily or weekly basis. It takes my head some time to accommodate what the speaker is doing.

 

[starfly]

I have been alternating between a set of Revel Performa F208 and a pr. of Neumann KH150. I will listen to one set for three to five months. There is nothing inadequate about the Ravel speakers, but the Neumann offer a particular sound stage and stereo imaging that I enjoy that is different than the Revel. I appreciate each presentation, but I wouldn't want to change on a daily or weekly basis. It takes my head some time to accommodate what the speaker is doing.

Yes the imaging and detail on the KH150 is really a step up from the Revel. Really next level.

Which is why anytime I’m listening to it in my office I’m still blown away.

It’s too bad my minidsp Flex doesn’t support Dirac ART. I need to see if there are other DSPs that do.

 

[test1223]

I currently have a pair of Revel F206 (Performa3) floorstanders, along with a C206 center channel, and 2x 10" RSL Speedwoofers. Upstairs in the office I have a Neumann KH150 setup + KH750 sub. All in all I realize I have two very good systems in my house.

Yet lately the F206 just doesn't grab me anymore, maybe I've just gotten so used to very good sound and I take it for granted now.

What does the upgrade path look like from a F206 setup? I know the Performa4 is out now, but that would if anything be a minor upgrade - and I wouldn't want to buy another set of speakers that look exactly the same as my current ones either (which also kinda rules out the Be series from Revel). Still don't want to spend more than $10k for a pair of floorstanders.

And is it even worth upgrading? I am about to move into a different house, maybe that'll change how they sound a bit (though I'll of course apply RoomEQ).

Big horn speakers or similar big speakers.

This is the typical upgrade path, since you will realize that the typical hifi speaker or small monitor at some distance is more or less a "toy speaker".

Typical smaller speakers can perform well with compressed (lower dynamic range) recordings with no clean impulses.
Listening to something like

Jim Keltner - Jim Keltner: Basic Drummer Free Improvisation

Listen to Jim Keltner: Basic Drummer Free Improvisation on TIDAL

tidal.com

with a good PA system or similar will make you realize that you need much more clean spl. And that home speakers can't put out realistic impulses anyway since e.g. the hit of a high head doesn't sound realistic. If you hear the difference one time there is most of the times no way back and you hear the "toy character" of almost all "small" tweeter mids and bass.

A speaker which combines the strong part of your Revel with much higher spl capabilities and less impulse distortions won't be cheap at all.
So a slight forward side step is a more reasonable scenario.

 

[Thighsofsteel]

If you are about to move house, I suggest you wait.

 

[dasherzx]

Only thing I see lacking is the low end so dual 15 subs…
I have the 888, can go low too.

 

[starfly]

Only thing I see lacking is the low end so dual 15 subs…
I have the 888, can go low too.

Maybe - I feel like my dual 10" subs already provide plenty low-end. Main thing 12" or 15" subs would add is probably the ability to reach a few db lower, and be louder with less distortion. But I rarely listen at very loud reference levels, and music rarely goes super deep anyway. For movies I care a bit less.

And, 15" subs are huge. I just don't think I want such giant boxes in my living room. The 10" subs already take up plenty of space.

I actually started off with a single 12" Hsu sub, and then swapped that for dual 10" subs which overall gave me a more even bass response.

 

[starfly]

If you are about to move house, I suggest you wait.

Yeah that's definitely the plan right now. I'm going to have to recalibrate everything and will spend an evening focused on just that, moving speakers and subs around until it's as perfect as can be from the main listening position.

Maybe I'll get a trial of Dirac ART for the Denon (I had tried the regular Dirac Live once on the Denon and didn't feel it generated better results than Audyssey did, so it wasn't worth the $800 to me at the time - but haven't tried ART yet).

Just too bad I can't get ART on the Minidsp Flex (only way would be to get their new 16ch AV processor, but that's way too expensive for me at this point), so I'll need to create some manual corrections there using REW.

 

[mps]

Try listening to some dipoles and see if they are what you are looking for. I still experience an exciting liveness from my ESL57s over 30 years after I got them

 

[Mr. Widget]

In summation, the weak point in my system is not the F206, it’s the room. Improving the weakest link provides the greatest improvement.

If you are about to move house, I suggest you wait.

I recently moved and my system which previously was stunning is now only acceptable. No amount of EQ or Dirac ART will help, only room treatment will cure this highly reflective glass box. Unfortunately room treatment isn't really an option. I am considering a listening room ADU as my best option.