Revel F208 Tower Speaker Review

[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.

 

[amper42]

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?

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.

 

[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.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Crutchfield is again showing inventory of the Revel Performa3 F208 tower loudspeaker in Piano Black and High Gloss Walnut for $1,925 each:

Revel Performa3 F208 (High Gloss Walnut)

Floor-standing speaker

www.crutchfield.com

 

[REK2575]

How adequate would a 130W/channel (8ohm) amp be for driving these? Asking for a friend...

I drive a pair of Revel M106s with that amp (Rotel RB1552), and it's more than enough power in that case. The F208 are slightly lower sensitivity, in addition to being an altogether huger speaker.

EDIT: I'm mistaken; the F208 is slightly higher sensitivity than the M106; 88.5 vs. 87

 

[Dgob]

Crutchfield is again showing inventory of the Revel Performa3 F208 tower loudspeaker in Piano Black and High Gloss Walnut for $1,925 each:

Revel Performa3 F208 (High Gloss Walnut)

Floor-standing speaker

www.crutchfield.com

A bargain!!

 

[testp]

How adequate would a 130W/channel (8ohm) amp be for driving these? Asking for a friend...

I drive a pair of Revel M106s with that amp (Rotel RB1552), and it's more than enough power in that case. The F208 are slightly lower sensitivity, in addition to being an altogether huger speaker.

EDIT: I'm mistaken; the F208 is slightly higher sensitivity than the M106; 88.5 vs. 87

...also generally the bigger the speaker is, more efficient they are.
usually with bigger speakers, if designed well then (worst case) -> if sensitivity is low then impedance is high and vice-versa. which should make most amplifiers good enough

 

[Sal1950]

How adequate would a 130W/channel (8ohm) amp be for driving these? Asking for a friend...

I would say "adequate" would be a good description.
Without knowing more about the amp and it's level of comfort into fairly low impedance and
with Amir measured the sensitivity at 87-88 db I'd rate it as "just" adequate.
"Impedance test shows dipping to 3.5 ohm so you better have a high current amplifier that doesn't mind such loads:"
As long as his room isn't too large and his musical tastes doesn't lean to loud heavy metal it should mostly be fine.
But for a 4 driver - 3 way tower I personally would prefer a little more muscle.
YMMV

 

[amper42]

How adequate would a 130W/channel (8ohm) amp be for driving these? Asking for a friend...

I drive a pair of Revel M106s with that amp (Rotel RB1552), and it's more than enough power in that case. The F208 are slightly lower sensitivity, in addition to being an altogether huger speaker.

EDIT: I'm mistaken; the F208 is slightly higher sensitivity than the M106; 88.5 vs. 87

Get the Buckeye NC502MP $695 if funds are limited or the Boxem A 4216/E2 Purifi for the F208 should you have a few extra dollars. You won't regret it. They will sound fantastic with these speakers.

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

boXem - A 4216/E2

Stereo HiFi power amplifier, Purifi 1ET6525SA power stage. Designed and proudly built in Luxembourg.

boxem-audio.eu

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

 

[REK2575]

Appreciate the feedback. "Adequate" would be fine in my case, honestly. I'm not someone who listens to music (predominantly classical/opera/jazz) at very high volumes. 90dB+ is generally too loud for my enjoyment (with the rare exception!). So an amp that can push my speakers into the high 80/low 90dB range suits my needs. I quite like my Rotel and am not in the market for a replacement anytime soon.

 

[Jimd]

Are the 208's still a good choice for a 2 chanel system ?
Amp is nad c298

 

[kma100]

Yes. What are your concerns?

 

[Jimd]

I am about to buy a pair, used at a quite nice price (for europe that is)..