Revel Performa M126Be

[botrytis]

After discussion with the better half, I was able to purchase a demo version of the above speakers. I am really looking forward to then they come in as I am dying to see how they sounds compared to KEF LS50's. The ones I bought are in Piano black finish.

 

What do people think of these speakers?

[botrytis]

The new speakers will be here tomorrow. My wife is excited and so am I. The speakers are coming in separate boxes weighing just over 25 lbs a piece. Now mind you, these speaker are the same size and KEF LS50's so there does seem to be some serious kit coming in. 

 

I will write more when I have them hooked up.

[botrytis]

They are here! The pics do not do them justice at all.

[botrytis]

19 hours ago, MarkusBarkus said:

You need another tree on the other side for balance @botrytis! Nice looking gear. Love that Revel sound! Have fun.

 

NAH, the tree will come down soon.

 

So far these speakers are stellar. OK the bottom end is not there, like on bigger speakers, but I really don't miss it. They are detailed without being annoying (for me that is Magico speakers). I am so impressed.

[botrytis]

Right now, not sure. It depends on where these speakers ultimately land.

 

Now to cull the heard of small speakers I have 😁

[botrytis]

My wife is actually talking about adding a subwoofer or two, surprisingly. But for right now, still in break in mode, since they were not listened to, they were just an open box sale. They were completely wrapped but one of the plastic  sheets covering the woofer had a finger poke in it (it didn't touch the mid-woofer).

 

So far they are eerily amazing.

[botrytis]

We have been listening and bad recordings sound bad!

 

My wife loves the Mario Biondi 'Just what You Are' and it is one that is recoded very mediocre. We heard it on some S-F Guarneri Homage floorstanders and sounded great. She has been trying to get the same sound, w/o any luck. On the Revels, you can hear what the mistakes were but doesn't make them unpalatable just shows them off. I like that fact.

[botrytis]

The bass on all but the S-F speakers sounds flat and sometimes some of the background instruments can get lost. On my Revels all the but the bass is spot on.

[botrytis]

So listening to the Revels on my Bow Tech Wazoo integrated. It is another level of refinement that I didn't expect.

 

 

Currently playing a 96/24 version of this LP - the 12 string just sounds so sublime.....

[botrytis]

The ELAC's (I have the UB5's) there is no comparison. The ELACs are really thumpy and bloated in the bass compared to the Revels AND the LS50's. The LS50's can be shouty on top (why the LS50 meta's were made) and that my be due to the Al dome and where is has resonance at. The Revels are sooth and detailed on top. The Revels and the LS50's are smoother on the bottom with the extension in bass going slightly to the LS50's. But over all the Revels are my favorites so far. No fatigue at all.

[botrytis]

Listening more and more to the Revels with my Bow Tech Wazoo - what a match made in heaven, in my small room. I am currently listening to The Beatles Revolver LP from the Beatles Apple USB drive - it is amazing with the details and instrument sounds. It is so amazing.

 

My wife wants the Revels back in the main room. She liked them that much.

[botrytis]

I have now just purchased 2 - REL T/7i subs, in gloss black, to go with the Revel speakers. Both Revel and REL suggested the same pairing. So, the subs should get in when I get home and I can plug them in with the Revels and dial it in.

[botrytis]

Well, spring is here - remove the Pioneer M-22 (I don't need to heat my room anymore 😁 ) and installed  some Kenwood L-07M monoblocks (that were totally rebuilt). Playing them currently.

[botrytis]

Well, sub one came in today. I am currently tweaking it in my system.

 

I also switched from my ARC SP-16 to a Parasound P5 (since it has sub out with a crossover built in).

 

 

[botrytis]

So, I still have not placed both subwoofers into my system. I need to get one more cable to connect it (as I only had one cable long enough). I am currently using the subwoofer crossover, in the Parasound P5 to to control output to my Revels at 120 Hz and am using the 0.1 input for the sub (that is set at 120 Hz). So far, one sub has really added to the sound quality. It is amazing.

 

All those Piano Black boxes too.

 

 

[botrytis]

Well, hooked both subs in and working on dialing them in. What a HUGE difference in sound and imaging.

[botrytis]

The tweaking continues and here is the latest video - B.B. King no vocals just instrumental...

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/smyjlsoqzy1l84v/20210416_091721.mp4?dl=0

 

The cut is 'Blues Boy Tune' from Down on the Bayou and it is a 44.1/16 quality.

[botrytis]

It does. That was was just CD quality too, a ripped one.

[botrytis]

The Lintons are in the living room. Other speakers are in storage. I am eventually going to cull the herd.

 

Although I have some speaker that would be hard to sell because people don't know about them.

 

Example, a set of Akroyd 7L's - 100 pairs were made. They were a design trial by the speaker designer Joe Akroyd. Yes, the front and back panels are connected through a Steel tube welded to the back of the midwoofer.

 

 

[botrytis]

I have a chance to get a pair of Mark Levinson Nos. 436 monoblocks and wonder how they would pair with my Rotel Pre-amp.

[botrytis]

Well, I decided to try the Benchmark AHB2 amplifier. For my room that will be more than adequate power for my needs.

[botrytis]

I finally have the Benchmark amp plumbed in and it is everything I wanted and more.