A very interesting outcome in any case. Knowing how hard Harman aims for a particular result from their design approach, I wonder how close the results would be if other speakers from their lines were plugged in? Say some options from the larger Performa3 or Concerta2 line. Just curious as to how far down in cost you would have to get before the the weaknesses would become very obvious?
That is a good question. The LSR305s convinced me the Harman design method was onto something. I later based upon that purchased Revel F12's for my video front channels. These were the least expensive Revel floorstander from 2004 till 2015. These are also very good. I think Amir commented at how surprised he is that Revel managed as much quality of sound as they did compared to more expensive Revels. There are plenty of oft recommended audiophile approved speakers that don't match up with the F12s. Vandersteen 2C variants are one of the first that come to mind. Plus the F12s are easy to drive requiring neither high power nor high current amplifiers. The F12 was designed like other Revels and in absolute terms are better than the LSR305s. The other Revels are better from my limited hearing of them, but the basic idea of flat response and smooth off-axis performance make for an intrinsically good speaker.
I also think of Thiel CS1.2 CS1.5 and CS2.0 speakers. Jim Thiel had the flat on axis response, but believed in 1st order crossovers. So his speakers had 1st order crossovers, quality components, very nice cabinets with time alignment. But they had large lobes of uneven response off axis. It usually made for a picky finicky bright sounding speaker. If only he'd gone with 4th order crossovers.
But despite getting always good reviews and good measurements the F12s aren't revered in audio circles. No audiophile marketing with some stand out feature like 1st order crossovers or anything goofy like that. Just a well designed and conceived simple monkey coffin.
KR reviewed them for Stereophile:
https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/706revel/index.html
JA's conclusion in the measurements section
Overall, the Revel Concerta F12's excellent measured performance gives no hint of the speaker's very affordable price. It raises the bar for what should be expected from a design in this very competitive price region.—John Atkinson
https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_3/revel-concerta-f12-speakers-8-2005.html
Another review that concluded:
The fact that I continued to make very favorable comparisons and distinctions with the PSB Stratus Gold i, which I regard as one of the best buys in audio at $2,599/pair, should clue you into how much I enjoyed the Revel Concerta F12s. At half the price, the Revel is an outstanding bargain.
.......the Revel F12s will not be leaving my home. Kevin Voecks has another hit on his hands, and I can't imagine how the arrival of Revel into this price category could have been more successful.
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/revel_concerta_f12.htm
Which is another good review and good measurement result.
Despite all this such speakers were never on my radar before. I knew the top of the line Revel's had a good rep, but never thought the lower models were anything other than filler for a complete line of speakers. A pity as they are good enough and affordable enough they should be an audiophile classic which sold in even larger numbers than whatever they did sell. All the reviews say something along the lines of whatever you feed the speaker is what you hear, that it is an honest portrayal. Sounds like a description of high fidelity to me.
I would like to know how Revel using their spin-o-rama results chooses just how much subjective benefit results in improved speakers. They've the listener results to know. It will never be like amps or DACs, but I wonder at what point exactly improved results no longer lead to perceived improvements in speakers.
I also think Harman is lousy at marketing. A counterpoint is the revered LS3/5a. I've heard many variants and they have their charms. There are multiple companies that still make versions of them. Based upon the BBC rep and accolades they still have a following. You have something like this version:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/falcon-acoustics-ls35a-loudspeaker
It sells for more than twice the F12s, is no where near the same quality sounding speaker which shows in the measurements too. But they'll still sell when if more people knew of the F12 and its successors these would be dead weight in the second hand market.
