Revel F35 Speaker Review

[AVKS]

Can we get a technical definiton of "beefy"?

I will bet that none of you claiming the Denon is insufficient on F35's (especially if high-passed at 80Hz) could tell it from any other amp in a properly controlled blind test on music.

FWIW, when I had my F35s and shifted from running them off of an Onkyo NR656 to running them from a power amp (Outlaw 5000), there as a measurable gain of 1-1.5 dB via REW in certain bass frequencies. Was it perceptible? Perhaps, and crossing to a sub as this poster basically renders it moot. It was, however, still an objective change.

 

[Sal1950]

I will bet that none of you claiming the Denon is insufficient on F35's (especially if high-passed at 80Hz) could tell it from any other amp in a properly controlled blind test on music.

The Denon is fully capable of fully transparent music, to a point. But there is a limit to everything and the 1800 will certainly have its.
The number one thing you give up in budget AVR's is power supply muscle and thinking about using it for multich presentation with speakers that
have a fairly demanding impedance could definitely reveal it's limits. We haven't measured the 1800 but Amir did measure the more powerful 3700 with this conclusion.

"So buy the 3700H with peace of mind knowing that it performs quite well (for an AVR). Of course be mindful of what other features the units above it have which you may want, top of which is more power."

 

[MarkS]

I repeat: I will bet that none of you claiming the Denon is insufficient on F35's (especially if high-passed at 80Hz) could tell it from any other amp in a properly controlled blind test on music.

 

[kyuu]

FWIW, when I had my F35s and shifted from running them off of an Onkyo NR656 to running them from a power amp (Outlaw 5000), there as a measurable gain of 1-1.5 dB via REW in certain bass frequencies. Was it perceptible? Perhaps, and crossing to a sub as this poster basically renders it moot. It was, however, still an objective change.

Were you measuring max SPL with some obscenely loud test tones? There's no reason a different amp would have different gain at low frequencies, seems likely something else was causing the difference. It certainly wouldn't have anything to do with maximum power output (again, unless you were doing some sort of max SPL testing).

 

[Putter]

The Denon is fully capable of fully transparent music, to a point. But there is a limit to everything and the 1800 will certainly have its.
The number one thing you give up in budget AVR's is power supply muscle and thinking about using it for multich presentation with speakers that
have a fairly demanding impedance could definitely reveal it's limits. We haven't measured the 1800 but Amir did measure the more powerful 3700 with this conclusion.

"So buy the 3700H with peace of mind knowing that it performs quite well (for an AVR). Of course be mindful of what other features the units above it have which you may want, top of which is more power."

Let's start with the fact that OP is apparently has used the Denon receiver to power the Dali speakers which are 2db less efficient than the Revels and was satisfied. Next consider that he is using a subwoofer which substantially reduced the power needs in the bass frequencies. He could also change the crossover frequency for the sub to 100hz or higher to further reduce the X1800's load because the sub is located between the speakers reducing the audibility of any change in imaging. The OP is also using a 7 channel amp to power 3 speakers.

What hasn't been discussed is what volume in db he listens at and at what distance. Having made the case that an auxiliary amp is not needed, if the OP wants extra power if only for peace of mind, Denon is one of the few that has preamp outs on their low end AV receivers.

 

[MarkS]

FWIW, when I had my F35s and shifted from running them off of an Onkyo NR656 to running them from a power amp (Outlaw 5000), there as a measurable gain of 1-1.5 dB via REW in certain bass frequencies.

Small movements of the microphone can produce this much change.

 

[AVKS]

Were you measuring max SPL with some obscenely loud test tones? There's no reason a different amp would have different gain at low frequencies, seems likely something else was causing the difference. It certainly wouldn't have anything to do with maximum power output (again, unless you were doing some sort of max SPL testing).

No, it was usual 75 and 85 dB REW sweeps. I was genuinely curious if it would make a difference, and it did as I mentioned. I really only bought the amp because either was super cheap locally, like $300 or something, and figured why not. No real expectations, just a pure hobby purchase. I have since shifted back to a Denon X4800H with my PSA setup since I am space constrained and there was no need for that kind of amp with these speakers (not that there really was before either with the F35s...)

Small movements of the microphone can produce this much change.

Mic didn't move. I set it up, measured, then swapped gear and measured again without touching the mic.

Again, I'm not saying that these speakers need an amp other than an AVR, nor am I saying that bigger amps = more bass as a blanket statement. This is especially so for people with subwoofers who are offloading the bass frequencies. I'm simply saying I did observe a small but measurable, if also ultimately more or less inaudible, difference with my move from an AVR to an amp.