Salon2 vs F328Be

[richard12511]

Just saw this pop up. About to watch it

*Edit: Didn't know the extension difference was so large. Salon2 definitely wins a full range blind test with that much more extension. Also, I had already seen most of the video .

 

[Sancus]

Lol this is a bit silly but first thing I noticed is what is up with the screws in the wave guide of the $16000 speaker pair, top left is painted(?) and the others are not? Looks like they are normally supposed to be painted.

 

[richard12511]

Lol this is a bit silly but first thing I noticed is what is up with the screws in the wave guide of the $16000 speaker pair, top left is painted(?) and the others are not? Looks like they are normally supposed to be painted.

Ha! Didn't notice that.

 

[jonfitch]

Get out the white out.

Yeah it's kinda jarring looking at the transition...kind of like looking at a Panda or something

But it's funny how depending on who you ask at Revel, everybody's got a different opinion on PerformaBE vs Ultima2.

 

[richard12511]

Yeah it's kinda jarring looking at the transition...kind of like looking at a Panda or something

But it's funny how depending on who you ask at Revel, everybody's got a different opinion on PerformaBE vs Ultima2.

My guess is Jim is likely looking at it as a Salon2 + subs vs F328Be + subs comparison. Sean is likely basing his decision on blind tests results, which are usually run full range. I think both guys are probably correct.

F328Be has slightly better midrange and treble performance(looking at spins). Difference is likely audible, but small.
Salon2 has much better bass performance. Difference is very audible, and large.

I'd bet money that the 12Hz of extra extension matters more than the slightly smoother FR/dispersion in their full range blind listening tests.

 

[Senior NEET Engineer]

This is the same guy that said Arcam has the best HDMI and jitter in the business.

 

[Beave]

Yeah it's kinda jarring looking at the transition...kind of like looking at a Panda or something

But it's funny how depending on who you ask at Revel, everybody's got a different opinion on PerformaBE vs Ultima2.

I think even the same guy at Revel has given two totally contradictory opinions on which is best, depending on which he was pushing at that exact moment.

 

[Pharos]

I find that, and this often applies to videos on audio, the speakers are inarticulate, they mumble, and it seems they do not care abut the audio quality of what they are presenting.

I expect, especially from professionals, clearly stated and reasoned explanations, rather than self important and confusing noise.

 

[nerdoldnerdith]

Based on the opinion expressed in the video the F328Be may sound better with a sub than the Salon2. Which begs the question how much better does the F328Be sound than the F228Be with a great pair of subs crossed over at 80Hz? Is it really worth paying 6K-12K more for 12 to 20Hz of bass extension in the low end when you plan to use subs anyway?

Or even just the F226Be, which measures just as well. Or even the M126Be.

In answer to the latter part, though, you're going to have to use some pretty good subs to get bass of the same caliber as Revel's flagship stuff. The bass they provide is not easy to replicate unless you're willing to spend some cash. So as for whether it's worth it, the answer is maybe.

 

[FrankF]

The Salon2 was designed during the glory days of Revel. No expense was spared to create the best. With Samsung's purchase of Harman the glory days are gone. They basically purchased the company for the car audio business. I never heard the Be series in the Performa line but I suspect ultimate performance took a back seat to cost. Why else would they use the same speaker cabinets as the regular F series? A Harman executive is not going to come out and say the old one better when they need to sell the new one. In this case you need to do your own research and listening tests.
Also, the bass performance looks worse than the f228Be.

 

[hardisj]

I'd buy the f226Be and get a couple awesome subwoofers and call it a day. But if someone is wanting strictly 2 speakers then I guess the Salon is the better choice with the LFE comparison vs all the other Performa models.

 

[richard12511]

I'd buy the f226Be and get a couple awesome subwoofers and call it a day. But if someone is wanting strictly 2 speakers then I guess the Salon is the better choice with the LFE comparison vs all the other Performa models.

Given you've heard the F226Be, I'm looking forward to how you judge the 8C. Obviously the 8C has better bass, but I'm curious how they compare above that.

 

[amirm]

The most impressive thing about Salon 2 is its bass. I feel no need to add a sub to it. It is done, ready to go as a full-range speaker. F328Be doesn't get there.

When I have asked point blank which is better from Harman, I get an indirect answer that the F328Be is great. Same is repeated in the video.

That said, I have yet to compare my Salon 2 to F328Be side by side (have tested them in different setups) so maybe if I do, something superior may pop out that is not top of mind for me right now.

 

[richard12511]

The most impressive thing about Salon 2 is its bass. I feel no need to add a sub to it. It is done, ready to go as a full-range speaker. F328Be doesn't get there.

When I have asked point blank which is better from Harman, I get an indirect answer that the F328Be is great. Same is repeated in the video.

That said, I have yet to compare my Salon 2 to F328Be side by side (have tested them in different setups) so maybe if I do, something superior may pop out that is not top of mind for me right now.

What I get from this is that the F328Be has maybe slightly better midrange and treble, but much worse bass. 35Hz vs 23Hz is a huge difference. I'd bet that the Salon2 still wins their full range blind comparisons, which is where Sean's opinion is coming from.

 

[nerdoldnerdith]

The most impressive thing about Salon 2 is its bass. I feel no need to add a sub to it. It is done, ready to go as a full-range speaker. F328Be doesn't get there.

When I have asked point blank which is better from Harman, I get an indirect answer that the F328Be is great. Same is repeated in the video.

That said, I have yet to compare my Salon 2 to F328Be side by side (have tested them in different setups) so maybe if I do, something superior may pop out that is not top of mind for me right now.

Do you still have the F328Be you tested?

 

[amirm]

Do you still have the F328Be you tested?

I do. I have to sell it though. It is taking massive amount of space since it comes in a touring box larger than a two-person coffin!

 

[napilopez]

What I get from this is that the F328Be has maybe slightly better midrange and treble, but much worse bass. 35Hz vs 23Hz is a huge difference. I'd bet that the Salon2 still wins their full range blind comparisons, which is where Sean's opinion is coming from.

Yep, some might think "oh it's only 12 Hz" but that last bit of extension makes all the difference for the physical tangibility of music/effects and sense of scale imo.

 

[infinitesymphony]

I do. I have to sell it though. It is taking massive amount of space since it comes in a touring box larger than a two-person coffin!

Depending on where you are in Seattle, you could probably rent that space out.

 

[MZKM]

The F328Be has the better Spin, so since distortion and max SPL likely aren’t the issues, that does leave the bass. Cabinet diffraction was brought up as a pro for the Salon, but as diffraction is something that disappears off-axis, I don’t really see that with the F328Be (there is the dip at 7kHz, but that likely a consequence of the waveguide.

 

[Chromatischism]

For my money it's F226be + Subs.

For someone wanting maximum output it's F328be + Subs.

For someone wanting only 2 speakers, it's the Salon2.