Revel M105 Bookshelf Speaker Review

[Beave]

If you want to continue, start a new thread or take this to one of the many existing threads about whether or not amps sound the same when operating within their limits. This is not the place, and I will not respond here any more.

 

[sarumbear]

Yes I have. I like and agree with a lot of stuff here, however there is a lot of evidence what I am saying is true as well. This is not the only forum or group I learn from.

However, would you say the Aiyima A07 sounds the same as a McIntosh? Just a simple yes or no.

I’m sure they won’t sound the same but which one is the correct one?

 

[Narnian]

If you want to continue, start a new thread or take this to one of the many existing threads about whether or not amps sound the same when operating within their limits. This is not the place, and I will not respond here any more.

Thank you. I am not going to pursue anything further.

 

[MarkS]

Level matching with a phone SPL meter isn't good enough, if you want to be truly accurate about your comparison. Those differences that were "very, very small" were probably due to small level differences or other factors as you described.

Matching with a voltmeter at the speaker terminals is best practice, but here's another protocol that doesn't require matching at all:

Start with the volume at zero after every switch, and turn it up by ear only; do not look at the level indicator on the amp or preamp.

This precludes rapid switching, and makes it harder to hear any difference that might actually be there, but is much more in line with standard audiophile subjective judgments, which emphasize long-term listening over rapid switching.

 

[Narnian]

I’m sure they won’t sound the same but which one is the correct one?

I suspect the primary reason will be affordability to the purchaser (plus ego, cool factor, impress fiends, etc.) between these two. I did have an Aiyima and though much better than I thought it would be it clearly felt a bit flat compared to a Denon I tried at the time.

 

[Tim Link]

Crossing at 250 is a disaster.

Not necessarily. It's likely to be a disaster.

 

[Tangband]

This depends on your definition of "best placement." I have dual subs under my M105's as well in my near field setup. I can hear where my subs are located with an 80 Hz crossover when listening to music. Having the subs anywhere other than under/inline with the mains in my near field setup sounds worse, because the lower bass is not coming from the same space as the mid/upper bass, and I can hear it. Measurements mean nothing here, because it's a subjective human experience. It's not just frequency, it's location as well. I think that subs that are balanced in line with the stereo image sound better and more natural when listening to music, even if you could get the frequency response to measure "better" somewhere else in the room.

This is very true. And this is the problem of integration subwoofers with a small standmount speaker. This m105 has one of the best 5 inch drivers one can buy, but its not the best below 150 Hz.

The only way to gain overall soundquality with this m105 speakers, combining them with two subwoofers, is to have the crossover between 100-250 Hz ( both LP and HP ) . To do this, you need:

1. DIY two subwoofers as a 60 - 70 cm high stand below each m105. Each subwooferdriver will then be close to each m105 woofer. The subwoofer drivers should be placed at the top of each stand, pointing forward. Two 6 1/2 or 8 inch subwoofers can be used in each stand.

2. The two subwoofer stands should be connected in stereo, using both LP and HP crossover.

3. The m105 bass port should be plugged.

With this approach, you get very near the bigger Revel 208 speakers using the m105 bassdriver only as a midrange - as it was ment to be, in a threeway.

—————

Edit:
However - theres often a certain magic in the stereoimage of a small standmount speaker , and If you want to stick with the m105 as a freestanding speaker with ordinary stands, one can gain massive in bass quality If the speakers are optimaly integrated in the room for best perceived bass pitch - this is done by ear.
Here is how to do it:

Setting up loudspeakers for the best tune -

 

[Dave147]

Would the la 90 discrete drive these speakers ?

 

[MediumRare]

Would the la 90 discrete drive these speakers ?

Yes, they would, but...
- With 86 dB sensitivity, the M105s are not especially loud
- My preference is to have 10x the power needed for regular listening to handle dynamics, so IMO the 40 W into 8 ohms of the LA90 Discrete is low in general
- So the answer for you will depend on your listening situation: for near field, 100% yes, for far field in a large room, perhaps no.

 

[milosz]

Yes I have. I like and agree with a lot of stuff here, however there is a lot of evidence what I am saying is true as well. This is not the only forum or group I learn from.

However, would you say the Aiyima A07 sounds the same as a McIntosh? Just a simple yes or no.

Please provide the data for this "evidence" - I'd like to see some statistics and analysis. Anything else is just opinion which has no objective value.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Would the la 90 discrete drive these speakers ?

Revel suggests 50-120 watts on these. So you'd be on the lower end. These also have a moderately challenging impedance curve so something with some extra current capability would be a good idea. The LA 90 would probably do it, but like MediumRare said okay in a small room, in a bigger room maybe marginal. The LA 90 is 40 watts into 8 ohms and 70 into 4 ohms. If you already have one, you can give it a try and see for yourself. A bridged pair would do the job, but then you are in a price range with lots of options.

 

[Pudik]

I am not clear on your request. Rescan of what? An EQ? What good would that do other than show the simple effect of the EQ?

Thank you, Amir for the analysis. I wonder what could happen if distortions were measured at a harmonic where 2 or 3 fundamentals meet. For example, you have a superposition of the fundamentals in a chord.

Example: A flat 51.9Hz, C 61.7Hz, and E flat 38.9Hz from the first or second bass octave (depending on whether one is counting from octave 0) or mid bass, the fundamentals that are one octave higher. All three meet on the C in the fifth octave, that is, 987.8 Hz. When music is played on any of my systems, there's high level resonance in my room. However, the resonance is as pronounced in my 4 good headphones as well.

Any comment would be highly appreciated. P.

 

[Ngower]

How would folks say these speakers fare with a 70wpc into 8 amp? Seems to be on the lower side of their recommended power range.

 

[anotherhobby]

How would folks say these speakers fare with a 70wpc into 8 amp? Seems to be on the lower side of their recommended power range.

I use a Topping PA5 (48w @8Ω / 83w @4Ω). Works like a charm!

 

[Narnian]

How would folks say these speakers fare with a 70wpc into 8 amp? Seems to be on the lower side of their recommended power range.

It depends a lot on how loud you like to listen to music, will you have a powered sub for the low bass, what is the handling characteristics of the amp. The odds are 70WPC should be more than adequate.

I have an Arcam SA20 @ 90WPC and have tested the speakers on an 80WPC Cambridge CX81, a 75WPC Marantz NR1200 @ 75WPC and for grins, an Aiyima A07 amp (50ish WPC) and there was not any substantial difference as to volume ability. I likes the Arcam sound the best but I attribute that to their Class G amp design.

Do you have a specific amp in mind?

 

[Ngower]

It depends a lot on how loud you like to listen to music, will you have a powered sub for the low bass, what is the handling characteristics of the amp. The odds are 70WPC should be more than adequate.

I have an Arcam SA20 @ 90WPC and have tested the speakers on an 80WPC Cambridge CX81, a 75WPC Marantz NR1200 @ 75WPC and for grins, an Aiyima A07 amp (50ish WPC) and there was not any substantial difference as to volume ability. I likes the Arcam sound the best but I attribute that to their Class G amp design.

Do you have a specific amp in mind?

No subs and no plans for one, listening in the 60-70db range. I have the Denon PMA1700NE.

 

[Narnian]

No subs and no plans for one, listening in the 60-70db range. I have the Denon PMA1700NE.

Very nice amp - should be able to handle those speakers just fine IMO.

 

[street19]

Bump... another happy Revel M105 customer here. Dont mind the denon AVR with the stickers still on... That got returned when I learned about FIR filter generation & convolution with Audiolense and HLC

 

[Falco]

Hi all,

I have the opportunity to buy a pair of M105s or M106s in very good used condition. I would be driving these with a Peachtree Audio decco65. Currently I have Q acoustics 2020s connected to this amplifier.

Would a pair of M105s or M106s be a sensible upgrade to the 2020s, and would there be a big (audible) difference between the M105s and the M106s?

 

[MediumRare]

Hi all,

I have the opportunity to buy a pair of M105s or M106s in very good used condition. I would be driving these with a Peachtree Audio decco65. Currently I have Q acoustics 2020s connected to this amplifier.

Would a pair of M105s or M106s be a sensible upgrade to the 2020s, and would there be a big (audible) difference between the M105s and the M106s?

Yes, there would be a big difference upgrading to either the M105s or the M106s. Your choice between the two of those in my opinion is based on the size of your room and how close you will be to the speakers. The 105s are also quite a bit smaller, but there is only a few hertz difference in the bottom end. I have three sets of the M105s, and I actually plugged the ports (with the proper included foam plugs) because I have to place them only a few inches from the wall and there was too much bass!