Poll: Revel 226Be + sub or Revel 228Be (no sub)

[radix]

I have an SHD + 2x AHB2 + F228be. My room is about 3.5m (11 ft) wide and 10m (33 ft) long. The listening position is normally 3m (10 ft) from the speakers (triangle leg length) and the speakers are about 2.7m (8.8 ft) apart. Here's what REW shows for my frequency response. This is the first time I measured the FR after doing the Dirac correction. It looks like I need to fix up those 55 Hz and 90 Hz dips a bit, if I can. These measurements were done with REW connected driving the miniDSP USB port and the source and mic set to 24-bit 48 kHz.

Personally, I think I have plenty of bass (maybe even a little much).

Marc

 

[Steve Dallas]

My Revel F206s as measured with REW using the MMM, taking ~60 samples without DSP:

As you can see, meaningful bass extends down to 32Hz.


With Dirac correction to 600Hz:

Many, if not most, listeners will not benefit from lower extension than that, unless they are into organs or music with a lot of electronic content.

IMHO, YMMV.

With dual subs and Audyssey showing only the bass frequencies (left only):

Stereo showing full FR with subs and Audyssey to 600 Hz:

Great for movies. Not really needed for stereo music in my application.

[I don't seem to have used consistent smoothing when I took those snapshots. Apologies for that.]

 

[Lsc]

I don't quite understand all the arguments that the 228's would be "too big" for the room, then saying the 226's with a Sub or two would be a better fit. If the issue is loading the room with too much sound pressure or low frequency, than using a sub puts you back in the same situation of being "too big". I understand the arguments that multiple subs can help with room nodes, but it also makes setup more complicated. Plus, it greatly compounds the placement issues, in a room that is already floor space limited. I think the decision comes down to whether the OP can live happily with the limited low frequency of the 226's (which may be enough). If so, run with them. If however, he really wants deeper low frequencies than get the 228's, install some acoustic treatment and use DCR to help tame the LF room node you will have. With DCR cutting the peaks off the LF, I think you would be very happy with the bass response of just the stereo pair of 228's. Realize that both the 226 & 228 will have lower/stronger in-room response then the anechoic measurements suggest. Also, DCR will be required if you go the sub route, as well.

When I say the F228Be is too big for a small room it’s that physically the F228Be is a fairly large speaker and placing them in the room away from the side and back walls is a challenge. The F226Be is significantly smaller.

I’m not talking from a bass loading standpoint as the F228Be doesn’t dig a whole lot deeper than the F226Be. In fact, if you look at the cabinet dimensions, it sure looks like the F228Be was purposely made smaller than the F208. Probably didn’t want to cannibalize the Studio2 too much at the time.

The F226Be is a better value and potentially images better too. The F228Be (I used to own a pair) is not the Goldilocks of the group. It’s more like get the F328Be if you can and if not, get the F226Be.

 

[sandeep_s300]

I ordered the f228be and will pair with two M&K x12 subs.

 

[sandeep_s300]

One suggestion.
You might try the F228Be without subs first. I was amazed how much bass they offer. Have fun!

will do. It's just that they have steep slope below 60hz. I can cross over m&K on their standard 80hz aneholic music settings or manually at 60hz.

 

[robh36062]

It depends I had a choice to purchase either F-208's or F-206's. I chose the F-206's for size reasons already had a preamp with a built in sub crossover so just added a sub.

Sounds great! Also more flexibility to positioning the sub for smoother low end response.

Rob

 

[sandeep_s300]

For HT application, two subs placed on side walls , middle of the room, facing each other got my best frequency response . For HT, I will get audessey to cross over at 60hz for the f228be and 426be.
For 2ch, my DAC can output XLR and RCA both, so the subs can be on RCA and XLRs to power amp driving the f228be.

 

[Lsc]

One suggestion.
You might try the F228Be without subs first. I was amazed how much bass they offer. Have fun!

I understand what you mean. I go back and forth even with my salons and the pair of Gothams I have for subs. The bass from the towers itself is tremendous but having subs when integrated correctly, smoothes out the bass in the room and gives it a little more oomph.

Integration is key and I don’t have all the tools needed in my situation ie I need to get my hands on the JL CR-1. But until then it’s usually program dependent to run towers by itself or add subs (and add Dirac).

 

[sandeep_s300]

Today , I added a Martin Logan balanced force sub212 to my eversolo A8, which is also the source component in the chain. Finally some bass in the room which was lacking big time. I crossed over the sub at 40hz . Even though f228be can go down low to 40hz , it’s not that powerful like full range speakers with active sub, such as, the paradigm persona 9H or Martin Logan’s electrostatic with active sub .. the passive drivers can do so much and is not enough . One will not feel what is missing until a sub is added and then there is no going back.


Yet to do arc and setup the sub properly . I just hooked it an hour back.

 

[GXAlan]

I added a Martin Logan balanced force sub212 today with my f228be. Finally some base in the room which was lacking big time. I crossed over the sub at 40hz . Even though f228be can go down low to 40hz , it’s not powerful as it doesn’t have active subs like the paradigm persona or Martin Logan’s .. the passive drivers can do so much . One will not feel what missing until it’s been compared with f228be + sub.


Yet to do arc and setup the sub properly . I just hooked it an hour back.

+1

The sub is good for filling in the last Octave *and* for you can put your subwoofer in a location of the room that may be more ideal for your listening position.

 

[Rsauditt]

Get the 226be’s over the 228be’s for that size of a room. I have that same size room and the 226’s performed much better, both without subs. As for the 206’s/208’s, a much lower class than the BE series, I have the 206’s in a 3rd system and they are no match for the 226be’s.
As for subs in this room, I wouldn’t go with anything bigger than an 8” subwoofer, especially for this size of room. Anything bigger, the sub will be slower than the 226’s plus you don’t need that big a woofer to get a better lower end. I would look at the rel t5x or maybe the rel t7x.

 

[Mort]

F328Be

No way to get these used within budget? If not, get the 226be with a sub or two. Two smaller will be better I think.