Revel M106 Bookshelf Speaker Review

[Kayshot]

This is the way-especially with a surround setup. XT32 does a really good job at integration unless you have a sub array. You will want the app.

Hmmm I've got two subs, an 8" Definitive Technology and a 10" RSL Speedwoofer 10E. I run them quite low and feel the 8" does a nice job at rounding out the ~80hz region, while the 10" gets to focus on 60hz and below. Once room correction and bass management comes into play, will the 8" cause more harm than good? Maybe with proper integration of the 10" will cover the bases around ~80hz just fine by itself?

 

[Eldario]

Hi
Is this a good speaker for synth pop, rock , metal music and watching movies? I am a noob in hi-fi equipment but would like to upgrade my polks rt1000
Thank you

 

[norman bates]

Anyone need one ?

 

[Matt34]

I just rotated the M106 back into my main system and man do they still impress me. I've been running the JBL Studio 680 with the 665c center and they are fun for HT but the Revel is a noticeable improvement in just about everything except bass quantity. The only speakers I've heard at this price point that I would take over the m106 is the Ascend LX, but I would be completely happy with either.

I'm nowing running the Revels with a pair of KEF KF92 crossed over at 80hz with no center channel and it's sublime.

 

[Laserjock]

I just rotated the M106 back into my main system and man do they still impress me. I've been running the JBL Studio 680 with the 665c center and they are fun for HT but the Revel is a noticeable improvement in just about everything except bass quantity. The only speakers I've heard at this price point that I would take over the m106 is the Ascend LX, but I would be completely happy with either.

I'm nowing running the Revels with a pair of KEF KF92 crossed over at 80hz with no center channel and it's sublime.

Nice, what speaker stands and receiver/pre/pro?

 

[Matt34]

Nice, what speaker stands and receiver/pre/pro?

Just some 28" Pangea Audio LS300 from Amazon. Denon x3800h and Emotiva bas-X 3. Using OCA's EVO A1 EQ script over the XT32 calibration with great results.

 

[Bren Derlin]

View attachment 381156


Anyone need one ?

On a side note - just noticed the Revel M128Be are on sale for $1,350-$1,450 (depending on color) at Crutchfield.

So freaking happy I grabbed the M106 on sale a few years ago. I have no itch to upgrade - pairs beautifully with my Anthem MRX 540 8K.

 

[gino1961]

Good morning ! excellent test review as always
In particular one graph caught my attention This below

it is the instrumental evidence that a speaker can show levels of excellence in one part of the spectrum and be practically unusable in another
You have to know how to extract the best that a speaker can give and not ask impossible things
I wonder what they are waiting for to complete it with a serious sub
It would be a fantastic full range system

 

[MediumRare]

Good morning ! excellent test review as always
In particular one graph caught my attention This below

View attachment 395402

it is the instrumental evidence that a speaker can show levels of excellence in one part of the spectrum and be practically unusable in another
You have to know how to extract the best that a speaker can give and not ask impossible things
I wonder what they are waiting for to complete it with a serious sub
It would be a fantastic full range system

What do you figure is the threshold of hearing distortion below 200 hz? What level becomes “unusable “?

 

[gino1961]

What do you figure is the threshold of hearing distortion below 200 hz? What level becomes “unusable “?

Hi this is a very good basis of discussion
There is a magazine that gives class A, B, C and etc. to reviewed speakers on the basis of their opinion on their sound quality
They split speakers in full range and limited range if i remember well They are right They are two worlds apart
I am sure that this speaker cannot be used full range at realistic levels without issues
The evidence ? just play a track with low Hz instruments like pipe organ at good level and listen
There will be distortion for sure The distortion you see in the graph plus the IMD caused by low frequencies and mid frequencies playing at the same time
I have spent years listening to small speakers The first time i listened to a JBL monitor with a powerful 12" woofer i understand for the first time what music means It was a revelation I understood what i was missing And i was missing a lot indeed
Small speakers sound small
The silliest comment i read is ... great bass for their size
What bass ?

 

[MediumRare]

Hi this is a very good basis of discussion
There is a magazine that gives class A, B, C and etc. to reviewed speakers on the basis of their opinion on their sound quality
They split speakers in full range and limited range if i remember well They are right They are two worlds apart
I am sure that this speaker cannot be used full range at realistic levels without issues
The evidence ? just play a track with low Hz instruments like pipe organ at good level and listen
There will be distortion for sure The distortion you see in the graph plus the IMD caused by low frequencies and mid frequencies playing at the same time
I have spent years listening to small speakers The first time i listened to a JBL monitor with a powerful 12" woofer i understand for the first time what music means It was a revelation I understood what i was missing And i was missing a lot indeed
Small speakers sound small
The silliest comment i read is ... great bass for their size
What bass ?

Welcome to ASR. We are fact-based here. Stick around for a while, read more reviews and comments from the experienced folks and I guarantee you’ll learn a lot and be surprised at what you believed previously.

 

[Ageve]

In particular one graph caught my attention This below

96 dB SPL is quite loud, and it's a small speaker.

Distortion is mostly 2nd harmonic, usually the least audible, and bass distortion is less audible to begin with.

3rd harmonic is below 1% above 100 Hz.

If you want to play really loud, you should get floorstanding speakers, like F208.

 

[gino1961]

96 dB SPL is quite loud, and it's a small speaker.

Distortion is mostly 2nd harmonic, usually the least audible, and bass distortion is less audible to begin with.

3rd harmonic is below 1% above 100 Hz.

If you want to play really loud, you should get floorstanding speakers, like F208.

Thank you for the very kind and valuable advice
I prefer by far the two boxes solution
A head above a bass box mechanically decoupled
I don't like when the woofer is in the same box of the mid and high drivers like in towers
I like the Wilson audio Watt plus puppy concept
Many other brands have similar products
In the past kef an b&w introduced the concept with 105 and 801

 

[gino1961]

Welcome to ASR. We are fact-based here. Stick around for a while, read more reviews and comments from the experienced folks and I guarantee you’ll learn a lot and be surprised at what you believed previously.

Hi ! I joined at the end of 2018
I read a lot and still learning
I think that is always important to put things in the right context
Small monitors have their main use as desk monitors where size matters
I am sure this speaker excels at that
But for people who want to enjoy a realistic full range experience?
I would like to listen a Toccata e fuga at good SPLs
Or a big orchestra

 

[witwald]

it is the instrumental evidence that a speaker can show levels of excellence in one part of the spectrum and be practically unusable in another

It is an example of the relevance of the old saying: "Horses for courses."

You have to know how to extract the best that a speaker can give and not ask impossible things

Those who opt for small speakers have to live with the intrinsic limitations of small speakers.

I wonder what they are waiting for to complete it with a serious sub
It would be a fantastic full range system

Some listeners will simply add a subwoofer as a matter of course. And there are many to choose from.

 

[gino1961]

It is an example of the relevance of the old saying: "Horses for courses."

Those who opt for small speakers have to live with the intrinsic limitations of small speakers.

Some listeners will simply add a subwoofer as a matter of course. And there are many to choose from.

Hi thank you very much for your kind and very valuable advice
The sat plus sub solution is my ultimate goal for different reasons
One very practical A really full range one piece speaker must be necessarily big and heavy
Better to have a bass box and a small sat to move
Another important reason is that the structural requirements for the two cabinets are different
The main problem with cabinets are resonances
I have learned that the cabinet sporting woofers must be above all stiff in order to move the resonance frequencies above their working range
Instead for small sat cabinets the design goal is a heavy mass To move their resonances below their working range
I understand that the Revel speaker is quite heavy This is very good indeed

The M106 is one of the heaviest and densest speakers I have lifted for its size:

I could say that after playing with lead sheets on cheap and small speakers adding mass to them has always improved the cleaness of sound
In a very evident way Even surprising
At the point that i am quite confident that one fault of small speakers is that they are too light
Usually the ones heavier sound also better Quite better actually