Why didn't I like my Revel Performa 3 F206 Towers?

[Drew456]

I've read one or two comments, in one of the Revel threads here, about preferring the presentation of the cheaper F35 or F36 over the F206. It's a shame that it's not always easy or possible to audition certain speakers at home, depending on where you live.

I'm just curious what your opinion might be. I just sold my Revel Performa 3 F206

 

[ahofer]

Dynamic Loudness control, as in the RME DACs and some PC streaming programs, is such a boon.

But yeah, a little EQ might have solved this. Nonetheless, great that the Lintons are doing the job.

 

[kma100]

Amir has measured both the F208 and F206. The F208 do not exhibit this. Look at the picture above with the F206, F208 and Salon 2. See how the sides of the F206 waveguide reach almost to the sides of the cabinet but the F208 has a lot of space around the tweeter waveguide? i suspect that is why the F206 has this issue.

I have a pair of F206, but I have them angled to point at a spot that is about 10 ft behind my couch. I don't hear this issue. But I do EQ up the treble a bit at 2.15 khz as I get a little but of a crossover dip here and the EQ gives it more presence.

Thanks. I will see what I can do with the Bluesound Node I use.

 

[dcberti]

Sensitivity has nothing to with the ability to play at low volumes.

Ok, thanks

 

[dcberti]

Looking at the measurements, Revels have a bass bump at 140hz or so, Wharfedales have a bit of a dip at 1k and more treble extension. The Revels have a bit of a dip at 2khz.

So I am guessing the dip at 2k and the earlier roll off on the high end are the cause of the "missing" detail you experienced.

I'm glad you found something you like! That's what really matters.

Thanks! I like the Super Lintons a lot better. I can't imagine wanting anything different for a long time.

 

[dcberti]

I had the Salon2, F208 & F206 in the same room, at the same time to compare. It was an insightful, though subjective experience. In short, there were no surprises as to good, better, best, the Salon2's were everything that they are said to be. However, the cost of diminishing returns was eye opening. I paid $12k for the Salons, $2500 for the 208's and $1200 for the 206's, all used. I kept the 206's for the great sound and superior value and sold the others. They are the mains in both my 2 channel and HT setups. They have become my surprise end game speakers, when I bought the Salons to fit that bill. It may be your room, it's not the speakers... imho.
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Thanks...I hear you, but I don't think its my room. I think I have it treated pretty well. I guess the good part is that we both found surprising (possible) endgame speakers for our tastes. Happy listening!

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

My post was a bit sarcastic, but should have been understandable. As I got older, higher frequencies dropped out at low volume. Turn the volume up, more detail. Hearing aids turn up the volume, but are crap for music.

Try airpod pro 2 hearing aid function

 

[Snoopy]

Thanks! I like the Super Lintons a lot better. I can't imagine wanting anything different for a long time.

Im Also very happy with my Super Lintons I paid 1800 USD with the stands. (All new)

I’m in the EU and the Revel Brand is not really a economic alternative.

I used „HouseCurve“ for room correction along with Roon music server to run Convolution Filters.
They just sound insane.

I’m considering now getting a Yamaha A-S2200 amp because I want a nice Vintage Looking amp with Tone Controls.

 

[AVKS]

Thanks...I hear you, but I don't think its my room. I think I have it treated pretty well. I guess the good part is that we both found surprising (possible) endgame speakers for our tastes. Happy listening!

It's not just you. I've owned/extensively demo's many Revel models (M16, F35, F36, F208, C32) and while they sound good I just find their sound overall boring and dull in every listening scenario - on my desk in nearfield (no room interactions), measured flat in my room, in other similar rooms, etc. It's not a measurement thing since my Ascend Sierra LXs measure essentially the same but just sound significantly better to me in every way - more bass (objectively measured) but also more life and perceived vibrancy even with the bass EQd down, which I do. It's a subjective thing but is what it is.

I also much prefer the "poorly measuring" PSA speakers in my home theater vs the Revels and JBLs I had there before. Their dynamics and clarity are unmatched in the setting even off of just an AVR, whereas I had dedicated amps for the Revels and JBLs. The room measurements aren't that different through the midrange and the Revels and JBLs even measured with more upper treble, so would theoretically sound clearer and more detailed since I can still hear that high, but they didn't and I just don't care for the sound.

Bottom line is that the objective route is very informative but hardly definitive in every case. There are lots of great speakers out there and something for everyone.

 

[rynberg]

The Revels seemed to need a lot volume to bring out detail. They seemed very "reserved".

I'm not one to criticize someone's personal decisions -- for example, the Kef R Meta series are fantastically engineered speakers, but they have a much narrower radiation pattern than I PERSONALLY prefer. However, your take on the F206 just doesn't seem to match any objective part of Revel's response. I've never heard anyone before describing the Performa3s as reserved or needing a lot of volume to bring out "detail", and the measurements don't support that finding. Further, I don't see anything in the objective behavior of the Super Lintons in comparison to the F206 that would result in you not liking one and thinking the other is "endgame".

That shouldn't be construed as a personal attack or insult, just an observation. I'm legitimately curious as to your findings. But hey, if you have found something that you consider "endgame", that's great!

 

[kyuu]

Agree with the above. The OP's take on the Revel F206 doesn't jive with anything I've ever heard about it (or any Revel) or the measurements. Doesn't make the OP wrong, just makes me scratch my head.

I do wonder since they described their room as treated "pretty well", if perhaps that might an explanation. Revels are generally designed with the early reflections in mind to combine with the on-axis for a very nice in-room response. Making the room too dead or just absorbing too much early reflection might be detrimental.

Regardless, if they've found another speaker that they're very happy with (and the Super Lintons are objectively quite good) then that's what ultimately matters.

 

[rynberg]

Agree with the above. The OP's take on the Revel F206 doesn't jive with anything I've ever heard about it (or any Revel) or the measurements. Doesn't make the OP wrong, just makes me scratch my head.

I do wonder since they described their room as treated "pretty well", if perhaps that might an explanation. Revels are generally designed with the early reflections in mind to combine with the on-axis for a very nice in-room response. Making the room too dead or just absorbing too much early reflection might be detrimental.

Regardless, if they've found another speaker that they're very happy with (and the Super Lintons are objectively quite good) then that's what ultimately matters.

Good point, heavy absorption in the room would alter the Revel's intended in-room balance. I auditioned 4 neutral speakers in my home before picking the Revel Performa3 series and they were the most "alive" of the four (Kef R, JBL HDI, Ascend Acoustics Sierra were the others).

 

[Bleib]

I have only experience with F36 and found that they only work with quite a bit distance from the back wall. Big sound, but not didn't really feel like the bass was going that deep at all..