Revel F208 Tower Speaker Review

[Robbo99999]

60 years ago I was informed by a well informed source that 2% harmonic distortion of 30Hz, being 60Hz, sounds louder than the fundamental 30Hz.

No wonder that there seems to be no audible difference since all are hearing the harmonics and not the fundamental bass.

There have been speakers (e.g. the 15" Karlson) that could reproduce at very low distortion - it was not heard but only felt.

That's a very interesting idea, if true. Would be useful to have some sort of graphical representation of balance in terms of at which % distortion amounts at which frequencies in the bass that the harmonics sound louder than the fundamental, so it would be somekind of Fletcher Munson normalisation.

 

[HFGeoff]

Is there harmonic distortion data for the F208 at SPL less than 96 dB?

 

[sandeep_s300]

Did anyone listened to the current Performa3 F208 vs M126BE or PerformaBE F228BE and compared if there are significant difference due to the Beryllium tweeter on the laters? One of in country dealer have store demo of the F208 for the price of M126BE. F228BE will be a stretch but can consider and go into negotiation. Dealer is in another state, so can't audition .

 

[Lsc]

Did anyone listened to the current Performa3 F208 vs M126BE or PerformaBE F228BE and compared if there are significant difference due to the Beryllium tweeter on the laters? One of in country dealer have store demo of the F208 for the price of M126BE. F228BE will be a stretch but can consider and go into negotiation. Dealer is in another state, so can't audition .

I had the F208 and F228Be. Yes the beryllium tweeter has lower distortion (per Revel) and sounds smoother. The other differences were the better midrange and bass. All not day and night differences but combined to make it a clearly better speaker.

The F228Be I felt was as good a speaker as I ever needed but eventually got the salons due to an opportunity.

F208 vs M126Be is an interesting battle because the midrange that makes the F228Be is not in the F126Be so I’m not clear on which would win. I tend to go for the towers and 3 or 4 way speakers.

 

[sandeep_s300]

I had the F208 and F228Be. Yes the beryllium tweeter has lower distortion (per Revel) and sounds smoother. The other differences were the better midrange and bass. All not day and night differences but combined to make it a clearly better speaker.

The F228Be I felt was as good a speaker as I ever needed but eventually got the salons due to an opportunity.

F208 vs M126Be is an interesting battle because the midrange that makes the F228Be is not in the F126Be so I’m not clear on which would win. I tend to go for the towers and 3 or 4 way speakers.

Thanks for sharing. I wonder if the m126be paired with fast sub such as my m&k x12 pair of subs will compensate the low end that both the f208 and f228 brings .

 

[DonH56]

"Fast" subs is fairly meaningless.

Every time I have had bookshelf speakers I have gone back to towers. The lower midrange and upper bass has always sounded much better, and sub integration much easier/smoother, with the extra octave or so a tower usually offers for about the same floor space.

 

[Sal1950]

Every time I have had bookshelf speakers I have gone back to towers. The lower midrange and upper bass has always sounded much better, and sub integration much easier/smoother, with the extra octave or so a tower usually offers for about the same floor space.

Same here, agree 100%

 

[al2002]

Thanks for sharing. I wonder if the m126be paired with fast sub such as my m&k x12 pair of subs will compensate the low end that both the f208 and f228 brings .

I’ve never understood the appeal of Stand mounted shoebox sized speakers. The footprint is the same whether it’s a floor stander or a stand mount bookshelf, so what’s the advantage?

Some years ago, when JBL’s Madison Avenue showroom in New York City was being closed , ex dem stock was being cleared at very good prices, I was able to compare - in a very well treated listing room - the 106 and the 208. No contest. I don’t see the case for a 105/106/126 with or without subwoofer if you can afford to accommodate a 208 or 228.

Also properly integrating a sub with small speakers is not a trivial matter.

FYI, I needed up getting salon 2s, but could easily have lived with 328s or even 208s

 

[sandeep_s300]

I’ve never understood the appeal of Stand mounted shoebox sized speakers. The footprint is the same whether it’s a floor stander or a stand mount bookshelf, so what’s the advantage?

Some years ago, when JBL’s Madison Avenue showroom in New York City was being closed , ex dem stock was being cleared at very good prices, I was able to compare - in a very well treated listing room - the 106 and the 208. No contest. I don’t see the case for a 105/106/126 with or without subwoofer if you can afford to accommodate a 208 or 228.

Also properly integrating a sub with small speakers is not a trivial matter.

FYI, I needed up getting salon 2s, but could easily have lived with 328s or even 208s

Thanks . True on small speakers - they are only good if someone can really put inside a bookshelf

I have the m&k s300 kit which is designed by manufacturer to work together - we cut off all at 80hz . This is also my first ever small speakers . I had Kef q90 I believe long time ago, then the paradigm studio 100, sig s6, Martin Logan summit and now the s300 which is for movies , however they are very good with music too, but I feel it’s missing something .

I will probably go with the 208 then and slowly replace the m&k with revel matching surrounds and center and use it both for moves and music. I am 60% movie and 40% music .

 

[sandeep_s300]

I had the F208 and F228Be. Yes the beryllium tweeter has lower distortion (per Revel) and sounds smoother. The other differences were the better midrange and bass. All not day and night differences but combined to make it a clearly better speaker.

The F228Be I felt was as good a speaker as I ever needed but eventually got the salons due to an opportunity.

F208 vs M126Be is an interesting battle because the midrange that makes the F228Be is not in the F126Be so I’m not clear on which would win. I tend to go for the towers and 3 or 4 way speakers.

Dealer working on a better price for 228be . F208 demo model is at the price of m126be retail now as performa is now been discontinued. Performa4 coming Q1 in USA next year as per the latest update from them. he might be able to bring either the 226BE or 228BE for above $4k extra. I guess either will worth the extra few grand over the F208.

 

[sandeep_s300]

With patience you should be able to get a new pair of Revel F228Be in the $6500 range. They were on sale in June for $3475 each. That sale is probably coming back and you should be able to negotiate even lower.

Revel F228Be Floorstanding Loudspeaker (single)

The Revel Performa F228Be is a powerful and elegant 3-way, dual 8-inch floorstanding loudspeaker that sets a new world standard in performance.

theaudiosolutions.com

I have been offered $10k for 228be pair and the 426br center - good offer ?

 

[Ageve]

Did anyone listened to the current Performa3 F208 vs M126BE or PerformaBE F228BE and compared if there are significant difference due to the Beryllium tweeter on the laters? One of in country dealer have store demo of the F208 for the price of M126BE. F228BE will be a stretch but can consider and go into negotiation. Dealer is in another state, so can't audition .

I have F208, C208 and C426Be. Tonality is *very* similar, but there is a difference in resolution/detail. It manages this without ever sounding bright or harsh.

Sensitivity is also higher compared to C208, but I don't know if that's true for F228Be.

F208 + C426Be is a great combination.

 

[Lsc]

I have been offered $10k for 228be pair and the 426br center - good offer ?

Are you going to pull the trigger or wait for a sale? When a sale happens talk to a retailer to see if they will come down on the sale price.

 

[sandeep_s300]

Are you going to pull the trigger or wait for a sale? When a sale happens talk to a retailer to see if they will come down on the sale price.

In USA there is sale - will order and ship it off to AU

 

[Dgob]

I have F208, C208 and C426Be. Tonality is *very* similar, but there is a difference in resolution/detail. It manages this without ever sounding bright or harsh.

Sensitivity is also higher compared to C208, but I don't know if that's true for F228Be.

F208 + C426Be is a great combination.

I've said this before, but: the F208's linked to a pair of the Benchmark AHB2 amps joined using Speakon speaker cables is simply magnificent. The frequency range is wider and very much worth an audition if your listening space allows.

 

[sandeep_s300]

I've said this before, but: the F208's linked to a pair of the Benchmark AHB2 amps joined using Speakon speaker cables is simply magnificent. The frequency range is wider and very much worth an audition if your listening space allows.

That is a very good power amp. I couldn't' afford at the time and ended up getting the second best- hypex ncx500

 

[sandeep_s300]

I had the F208 and F228Be. Yes the beryllium tweeter has lower distortion (per Revel) and sounds smoother. The other differences were the better midrange and bass. All not day and night differences but combined to make it a clearly better speaker.

The F228Be I felt was as good a speaker as I ever needed but eventually got the salons due to an opportunity.

F208 vs M126Be is an interesting battle because the midrange that makes the F228Be is not in the F126Be so I’m not clear on which would win. I tend to go for the towers and 3 or 4 way speakers.

Did you hear the F226BE ? Wonder how does it compares to the 228BE. Both 226be with 426be centre and 228be with 426be centre fits the budget. I wonder if the few grand extra on the 228BE will be beneficial in a 13x18ft / 4x5.5 m room.

 

[Lsc]

Did you hear the F226BE ? Wonder how does it compares to the 228BE. Both 226be with 426be centre and 228be with 426be centre fits the budget. I wonder if the few grand extra on the 228BE will be beneficial in a 13x18ft / 4x5.5 m room.

I never heard the F226Be but it’s supposed to be very close to the F228Be in performance and exceeds it in imaging. It’s a much smaller speaker though - I remember the F206 and F208 side by side and the F208 was much larger (as large as the studio2). I honestly don’t think it’s worth the additional cost for the F228Be except for the looks. The F228Be is slightly compromised with it being a little smaller than the F208 depth wise. I think Revel did this to not cannibalize the studio2 so the bass is a little less than it could have been. The F226Be is exactly the same size as the F206 so no holding back there. That’s why they are closer in performance from what I recall (it was a while back).

 

[sandeep_s300]

I never heard the F226Be but it’s supposed to be very close to the F228Be in performance and exceeds it in imaging. It’s a much smaller speaker though - I remember the F206 and F208 side by side and the F208 was much larger (as large as the studio2). I honestly don’t think it’s worth the additional cost for the F228Be except for the looks. The F228Be is slightly compromised with it being a little smaller than the F208 depth wise. I think Revel did this to not cannibalize the studio2 so the bass is a little less than it could have been. The F226Be is exactly the same size as the F206 so no holding back there. That’s why they are closer in performance from what I recall (it was a while back).

So, today I heard the m126BE and got the taste of Revel . The details and instrument separation in compared to my s300 were much better . Ordered the 228be with 426be in walnut as price was good for that color.

 

[Lsc]

So, today I heard the m126BE and got the taste of Revel . The details and instrument separation in compared to my s300 were much better . Ordered the 228be with 426be in walnut as price was good for that color.

That’s a great combo. That center I heard was phenomenal! I never got to experience it because I went from the C208 to the Voice2. Nice work!