Revel 126be

[kyuu]

Without even a rudimentary number of PEQ slots I can’t see how that’s particularly useful.

I agree that at least PEQ is necessary for proper bass management to address room modes. However, whether or not a subwoofer crossover is implemented is a separate issue to my mind. The OP would need a miniDSP for the PEQ (or just changing out the Bluesound for a Wiim), but they do not need the miniDSP for crossover duties. The only reason I can see to hold onto the Bluesound is if the OP plans to utilize the Dirac functionality which would allow them to EQ out the "glare" region in a roundabout way while also addressing room modes.

 

[Sde]

I agree that at least PEQ is necessary for proper bass management to address room modes. However, whether or not a subwoofer crossover is implemented is a separate issue to my mind. The OP would need a miniDSP for the PEQ (or just changing out the Bluesound for a Wiim), but they do not need the miniDSP for crossover duties. The only reason I can see to hold onto the Bluesound is if the OP plans to utilize the Dirac functionality which would allow them to EQ out the "glare" region in a roundabout way while also addressing room modes.

I did a quick test, connected the sub to the Bluesound, crossover at 60. Sounded terrible in general, but I did hear some detail from the Revels I did not hear before. Anyway, it seems impractical for volume control. As, of course I have also other devices connected to the Arcam. I will have the same issue with the MiniDSP since only a limited number of devices can be connected, a TV and the Bluesound would be possible I think but that’s it. It would also mean that volume control needs to be done with the MiniDSP. Correct? Other suggestions?

 

[kyuu]

Ah my mistake, I didn't take your setup into account properly. Yeah, it's not going to work if the subwoofer crossover is happening upstream of the device handling the volume control. Annoying that the Arcam doesn't have a subwoofer crossover built-in, should be a standard feature. For your setup, in order for the Arcam to be controlling the volume while still doing downstream crossover via a miniDSP seems like it would be problematic also.

I assume you're attached to your Bluesound + Arcam setup?

 

[Sde]

Ah my mistake, I didn't take your setup into account properly. Yeah, it's not going to work if the subwoofer crossover is happening upstream of the device handling the volume control. Annoying that the Arcam doesn't have a subwoofer crossover built-in, should be a standard feature. For your setup, in order for the Arcam to be controlling the volume while still doing downstream crossover via a miniDSP seems like it would be problematic also.

I assume you're attached to your Bluesound + Arcam setup?

I think the MiniDSPFlex might be a solution after all? It has an optional remote for volume control. It has EQ to ‘solve’ the glare and it has crossover for the sub. It also has two digital inputs for connection with Bluesound via coax and tv via fiber.

 

[Sde]

Ah my mistake, I didn't take your setup into account properly. Yeah, it's not going to work if the subwoofer crossover is happening upstream of the device handling the volume control. Annoying that the Arcam doesn't have a subwoofer crossover built-in, should be a standard feature. For your setup, in order for the Arcam to be controlling the volume while still doing downstream crossover via a miniDSP seems like it would be problematic also.

I assume you're attached to your Bluesound + Arcam setup?

I didn’t answer your question yet. Not really attached to the Arcam and Bluesound but both are a recent purchase, speakers also

 

[BobbyTimmons]

That particular speaker seems to have a slight distortion mode in the midrange, which Erin describes as a "glare". Maybe this is what you hear.
Have you ever considered the KEF R3 Meta?

That would only be audible at very high volumes if you look at the measurements, it should be inaudible even at the highest volumes. Erin is doing confirmation bias, probably hearing something from the frequency response or his room acoustics and then trying to read it onto small differences in unrelated measurements. While findings like that in Erin's measurements would be inaudible, the frequency response shows they have a relatively bright treble.

 

[BobbyTimmons]

Hi Everyone,

First time post. So, to start right away. I purchased the Revel M126Be some time ago, great speakers on many levels but I find them to be unbalanced in a certain way. Especially voices sound too metallic to me, also cymbals and claps - trying to explain - are too pronounced and not in balance.

Can this be corrected using drac or room acoustics or is this just me that needs to look for other speakers.

I have been searching for the perfect speaker for years but haven’t found it yet. Best I heard since a while were the Spendor A4.2, at least they were a more easy listen too

The M123Be has beryllium tweeters. These can have a timbre than other types of tweeters. They're best for classical chamber music. The frequency response of the speakers also has less treble drop off than many other speakers which could be the cause of the brightness you're hearing.

 

[Sde]

The M123Be has beryllium tweeters. These can have a timbre than other types of tweeters. They're best for classical chamber music. The frequency response of the speakers also has less treble drop off than many other speakers which could be the cause of the brightness you're hearing.

That would only be audible at very high volumes if you look at the measurements, it should be inaudible even at the highest volumes. Erin is doing confirmation bias, probably hearing something from the frequency response or his room acoustics and then trying to read it onto small differences in unrelated measurements. While findings like that in Erin's measurements would be inaudible, the frequency response shows they have a relatively bright treble.

I agree. I also watched the video and concluded the so called glare is probably not the issue

 

[Sde]

The M123Be has beryllium tweeters. These can have a timbre than other types of tweeters. They're best for classical chamber music. The frequency response of the speakers also has less treble drop off than many other speakers which could be the cause of the brightness you're hearing.

So I might have two issues. The beryllium which is what it is and can not be corrected. And the frequency response. Can I do something about that with a MiniDSP? Or should I just skip the effort and search for a different speaker….

 

[staticV3]

So I might have two issues. The beryllium which is what it is and can not be corrected. And the frequency response. Can I do something about that with a MiniDSP? Or should I just skip the effort and search for a different speaker….

You can test the frequency response correction I posted above, entirely for free using software like Equalizer APO, Mathaudio Headphone EQ for foobar2000, or directly in your browser.

Just copy the text in the Code block, paste it into e.g. Notepad and save it as .txt

With that you can load the preset into your EQ software with a single click.

At the start, I would change filters 1-4 from ON to OFF so that the only correction is the treble region.

Later on you can try setting them back to ON to see if you like the sound better with flat bass instead of shelved bass.

 

[Marc v E]

Can you show us your room?
And your listening postion?

 

[Sde]

You can test the frequency response correction I posted above, entirely for free using software like Equalizer APO, Mathaudio Headphone EQ for foobar2000, or directly in your browser.

Just copy the text in the Code block, paste it into e.g. Notepad and save it as .txt

With that you can load the preset into your EQ software with a single click.

At the start, I would change filters 1-4 from ON to OFF so that the only correction is the treble region.

Later on you can try setting them back to ON to see if you like the sound better with flat bass instead of shelved bass.

That would require a laptop that is also used as a source?

 

[Sde]

Can you show us your room?
And your listening postion?

Room is 6x6m

 

[Paul7777x]

Hard and harsh. 90% of your issue is likely there.

 

[Marc v E]

Setup is Arcam A25+, Bluesound Node N130, Revel M126Be. For the moment I haven not found speaker that beat my RMEDAC2FS with HD650

Use the RME dac for peq. Bluesound node digital out to rme in. Rme analogue out to arcam. Just make sure you use the rme as preamp (not only dac, ie not full volume).

 

[Sde]

Use the RME dac for peq. Bluesound node digital out to rme in. Rme analogue out to arcam. Just make sure you use the rme as preamp (not only dac, ie not full volume).

Interesting idea. I could indeed move it to the living room for peq testing. But it has no sub out

 

[Sde]

Hard and harsh. 90% of your issue is likely there.

A carpet on the floor would help

 

[kyuu]

You could also try pushing the speakers back closer to the wall to attenuate possible SBIR issues.

 

[staticV3]

That would require a laptop that is also used as a source?

That, or an Android phone or iPhone I think would work as well.

 

[Vergiliusma]

A carpet on the floor would help

And the coffee table is likely not doing you any favors.