Revel F208 Tower Speaker Review

[middlemarch]

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!

Not to go too far off topic, but how would you characterize going from the C208 to the Voice2? Reason I ask is because I use the C208 with a set of Studio 2s with Gem2 surrounds. I listen to a lot of Atmos music as well as up mixed stereo using both Dolby Surround as well as Auro3D. I'm very happy with the sound as things stand but often wonder if I should be on the lookout for a Voice2 or perhaps consider the 426be given the prominence of the center.

 

[Lsc]

Not to go too far off topic, but how would you characterize going from the C208 to the Voice2? Reason I ask is because I use the C208 with a set of Studio 2s with Gem2 surrounds. I listen to a lot of Atmos music as well as up mixed stereo using both Dolby Surround as well as Auro3D. I'm very happy with the sound as things stand but often wonder if I should be on the lookout for a Voice2 or perhaps consider the 426be given the prominence of the center.

Like you I was very happy with the C208. I planned on never upgrading to the voice2. I mainly did it for the aesthetics but yes there is a little difference since the voice2 is the studio2 rearranged. If you can get a nice deal then I’d say go for it but it’s not necessary. It’s actually a little narrower than the C208 so at first glance you might think it’s a downgrade .

 

[Ageve]

Here are near-field measurements of F208:

(I forgot to measure the port)

Looks very similar to F228Be, as expected:

Revel F228Be Review (Speaker)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Revel F228Be floor-standing speaker. This speaker was purchased new and drop shipped to me for testing. Alas, the customer can no longer afford them so if you are interested, let me know. The retail cost US $5,000 each but discounts have...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Kblade]

My story is that I walked into my local dealer to buy M106s after doing all the research. I demoed them and then asked to demo the F206 just in case. The difference was striking. I'll avoid using all of the run-of-the-mill adjectives, but suffice it to say that the bookshelves sounded very small in comparison. I believe the issue was that the bookshelves couldn't put out enough mid-lows to create the density that I like. Both the M106s and F206s were crossed over to an SVS SB16. So I decided to buy the F206s. But I wasn't impressed by the matching center, the C205. I walked out and did more research and the consensus was that the C208 was worth the upgrade over the C205. Well, if I was getting the C208, then I can't have F206s, now could I? Amir's measurements of the F208s, plus the commentators in this thread, plus finding them used on Craigslist for a great price sold me on the F208s. I thought I might regret getting towers this big, but I don't at all. They are going to put a smile on my face for years to come. Now I'm just working on integrating my subs...

I know this is an old thread, but do you still have your F208
Thank you

 

[Kblade]

I absolutely love my F208s, they replaced my old B&W 802D2 which costed 3xs as much and the Revels sound (to my ear) so much better / balanced. It is the best bargain in speakers I have encountered in 30+ years. They’re excellent!

Just out of curiosity do you still use the f208
Thanks

 

[Pio]

Just out of curiosity do you still use the f208
Thanks

Hi, yes, I do. Love em!

 

[Kblade]

Hi, yes, I do. Love em!

Thank you for the reply. That’s great news as I ordered a pair this weekend. It seems some people prefer the f206 because of price and that the f208 does not perform that much better, especially in the lower octaves. What is your opinion on the two speakers in performance. I’ve learned a lot from this site, so much information it’s like reading a good book you just can’t put it down. All the best

 

[Kblade]

Typically, Harmon offers free shipping with speakers. They did on all mine from M105 to F228Be. That makes me think you may be buying used/demo inventory. I would suggest getting a quote from @amirm by sending him private mail here and see if he can't offer you a price that works well for you.

Thank you will do

 

[MoreWatts]

The Revel Performa3 line of speakers is end-of-line and is discontinued. Revel has had close-out prices on this line for most of the last 2 years. The Revel msrp close-out price was $1950 each or $3900 a pair. Many dealers (and Revel) would include shipping in this price.

Dealers can no longer order these speakers from Revel, but some may have remaining stock. The price you've been quoted is ~ the close-out prices. Dealers may not have stock to 'exchange' speakers with problems.

Revel says they are working on a replacement Performa3 line, which may be announced in 2025. The pricier PerformaBe line, with the expensive Beryllium tweeters, is a current Revel line.

If you can get them, jump on them soon, before they are all gone. The F208s are a very good value at ~$4K.

 

[Kblade]

The Revel Performa line of speakers is end-of-line and is discontinued. Revel has had close-out prices on this line for most of the last 2 years. The Revel msrp close-out price was $1950 each or $3900 a pair. Many dealers (and Revel) would include shipping in this price.

Dealers can no longer order these speakers from Revel, but some may have remaining stock. The price you've been quoted is ~ the close-out prices. Dealers may not have stock to 'exchange' speakers with problems.

Revel says they are working on a replacement Performa line, which may be announced in 2025. The pricier PerformaBe line, with the expensive Beryllium tweeters, is a current Revel line.

If you can get them, jump on them soon, before they are all gone. The F208s are a very good value at ~$4K.

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it.

 

[Kblade]

Gosh, if I was going to pay $4,000 for a pair of F208 with limited replacement issues, I would serious look at trying to find a pair of F228Be for $6,000. That deal was awesome! To be honest, I can't imagine replacing my F228Be with anything else even at 4x the price. They are that good!

Aren’t they at least required to have warranty parts if they’re selling me these pair under warranty. I mean, I’ve never had a problem with a busted driver or blown driver, but you never know. I wouldn’t think they would continue to sell speakers and not be able to warranty drivers if something were to fail, or am I wrong?

 

[MarkS]

Revel says they are working on a replacement Performa line

Do you have a source for this info? I've seen nothing official.

 

[Doodski]

I’ve never had a problem with a busted driver or blown driver, but you never know.

I provided warranty service for KEF and ENERGY for some years. Things go great until they don't. Then drivers are required. I would expect parts support.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Regarding warranty I replaced some tweeters in Revel F12's something like 4 years after they were discontinued. They had them in stock in California, and reasonably priced. I had them in a week. I would note this is prior to the purchase by Samsung. I don't know how that effects warranty issues. People's experience with Samsung appliances and other things not phones is pretty abysmal.

 

[Kblade]

Revel provides a limited warranty for their products purchased from authorized dealers in the United States:

• The warranty period for the F208 speakers is five years from the date of purchase
• This warranty is only valid for products purchased from authorized Revel dealers in the United States and Canada

Maybe what @MoreWatts was disclosing was unit availability is very limited? If that's the case, what happens if there are damages in shipping or the finish is poor? It might be hard to provide a swap? But the 5 year warranty is advertised under the conditions above. You would expect it to be honored. In some cases, with Denon they chose to offer a newer replacement in a warranty service claim where the repair team said the receiver was not fixable and the product was no longer available. It's hard to know the future.

They are an authorized dealer and they said if they couldn’t make me happy they would just give me my money back. Obviously within the warranty time. He also said they were the third biggest Harmon dealer in the nation, which I believe seeing their stockroom full of the Be series of speakers

 

[MoreWatts]

Do you have a source for this info? I've seen nothing official.

A dealer who posts regularly on the AVSForum 'Revel Owners Thread' mentioned this in January 2024. Here is a link to a post I made in the 'Master Deals' thread, where you can find a link to the post on AVSForum.

 

[Doodski]

Regarding warranty I replaced some tweeters in Revel F12's something like 4 years after they were discontinued. They had them in stock in California, and reasonably priced. I had them in a week. I would note this is prior to the purchase by Samsung. I don't know how that effects warranty issues. People's experience with Samsung appliances and other things not phones is pretty abysmal.

I will back that up wholeheartedly. Terrible Bluetooth earbuds for breakdowns and then no warranty after 2 breakdowns in-warranty. Never again will I purchase another Samsung anything. /rant_over.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Do you have a source for this info? I've seen nothing official.

Madrona Digital told me in April 2024 that Revel had confirmed there would be a line of loudspeakers to replace the Performa3 line of loudspeakers. Madrona Digital said at that time that Revel did not confirm when they would be available.

 

[Kblade]

Again, I want to thank everybody for their help. I went ahead and got the 208’s I will be using a Pathos Logos MK2 and a Classe CP-60 with Ayre-3 Amp that I just got back from Ayre Acoutics completely restored. I’m really excited. I haven’t had new speakers in 24 years! Now back to learning more from all the great people on the site. So much information!!!!

 

[Sal1950]

Regarding warranty I replaced some tweeters in Revel F12's something like 4 years after they were discontinued.

And you wonder why your having hearing problems.