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Revel Owners Thread - Page 2

post #31 of 4122
9/22/06 at 9:45pm
Can't comment on the sound, but on looks alone those are one pair of sexy looking speakers! For 20k though you can sexyness for much cheaper in vegas
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post #32 of 4122
9/23/06 at 6:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alf010 View Post

(snip) you can sexyness for much cheaper in vegas

True, but the quality of output varies greatly, and it can be messy on occasion.

I'd guess the Revels to have consistent output, and the clean up factor is nil.
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post #33 of 4122
9/23/06 at 7:44pm
That was an excellent group of links. I was surprised that it was mentioned the new line was 6 db more efficient; as that didn't seem to be a priority to Revel before.

The new Studio costs almost as much as the old Salon did when it was first introduced. Gives it plenty of separation from the F52, I guess.

They sure look sweet. I hope to be able to hear them one day (my old Revel dealer seems to have lost interest in Revel as B&W became available; and I haven't been to see them much lately, partly as a result - There is another Revel dealer in the area, though).
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post #34 of 4122
9/24/06 at 5:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma View Post

The new Studio costs almost as much as the old Salon did when it was first introduced. Gives it plenty of separation from the F52, I guess.

True, but the original Ultima line certainly did increase in price over time since they were released. Additionally, they priced the new Gem2s at $10K a pair so the $16K price on the Studio2s gives it a clear separation from those as well. I will keep an eye out for the final MSRP number when the first units roll out in January. I say that because when the F52s were announced at CEDIA last year, they were said to have an MSRP of $8K. However, when they shipped a few months later, the price was $6500. Now, I don't know if the same thing would happen here since changing the price of one piece may have an effect on others but it's an example of Revel changing a price on a unit substantially after announcement. I have a feeling these prices are the final ones but I'll keep an eye out just the same.

Jeff
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post #35 of 4122
9/24/06 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgbyhkr View Post

I say that because when the F52s were announced at CEDIA last year, they were said to have an MSRP of $8K. However, when they shipped a few months later, the price was $6500.

I think that the pricing of the F52's has a lot to do with the stiff competition at the $8K level from B&W and Focal. These speakers have exotic tweeters where the F52 does not. If you include an center in the equation an F52 setup is $3K less than the Focal 1027 or B&W 802D. This makes a pretty good value story where at the higher price the story isn't so good.

I think you will see a similar approach with the Ultima2's - they will be priced to beat the competition.
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post #36 of 4122
9/24/06 at 6:24pm
Does anyone happen to know the other speakers that Mr. Voeck pitts the salon's against in his famous blind listening tests? That should make for some fine discussion in this thread if anyone were to get their hands on this speaker list.
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post #37 of 4122
9/25/06 at 4:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ehlarson View Post

I think that the pricing of the F52's has a lot to do with the stiff competition at the $8K level from B&W and Focal. These speakers have exotic tweeters where the F52 does not. If you include an center in the equation an F52 setup is $3K less than the Focal 1027 or B&W 802D. This makes a pretty good value story where at the higher price the story isn't so good.

I think you will see a similar approach with the Ultima2's - they will be priced to beat the competition.

I agree that the prices could trend lower, especially if Revel (read: Harman) needs to get some good sales numbers in the first six months to generate some market momentum. The Studios could come down a grand or two and keep decent separation from the Gems. There should be a lot more room with the Salons.

I would imagine that the original Salon sales are MIA at this point; there could be some downward price pressure from that alone.

Of course it's all speculation.
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post #38 of 4122
9/27/06 at 6:16am
Thread Starter 
I would expect that there are some really good deals on the original Ultimas available, especially in the used market. When the Ultima2's hit the dealers it might be a great way to get a very good speaker.
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post #39 of 4122
9/27/06 at 10:54am
I missed the opportunity to get a brand new in sealed box pair of Salons (V1) in platinum about a 3 hour drive from me for $5000.
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post #40 of 4122
9/27/06 at 11:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark russ View Post

I missed the opportunity to get a brand new in sealed box pair of Salons (V1) in platinum about a 3 hour drive from me for $5000.

Ouch, that's a helluva deal missed! My sympathies.
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post #41 of 4122
9/30/06 at 12:57pm
It'll be a question of getting a very good deal on a great old model that doesn't look good in many environments versus paying full or near-full retail on a new model that is very attractive and features all new engineering and a reputedly superior sound.

You know, I always rationalized the Ultima line as being good looking, but when I see it now (after viewing the Ultima2 line) it just looks goofy.
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post #42 of 4122
10/1/06 at 1:01am
I can't wait to audition the new Salon's, but ultimately may have to settle for a good deal on the version 1's. Goofy looking or not, they are still one of the best speakers I have ever heard, and I am really jonesing for a full Ultima 5.2 setup for my future dedicated theater.
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post #43 of 4122
10/1/06 at 2:04pm
I actually prefer the look of the old version but if the new Ultimate sounds much better then I will consider upgrading. I have preapproval from the wife so far. Now I just have to find the cash. If I were to upgrade, I may consider the Salon over the exisiting Studio. My main concern is that it's going to be a dedicated room of 24 x 16' and the Salon may be too big.
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post #44 of 4122
10/1/06 at 9:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rich wu View Post

I actually prefer the look of the old version but if the new Ultimate sounds much better then I will consider upgrading. I have preapproval from the wife so far. Now I just have to find the cash. If I were to upgrade, I may consider the Salon over the exisiting Studio. My main concern is that it's going to be a dedicated room of 24 x 16' and the Salon may be too big.

My room is slightly larger. I keep going back and forth between a pair of Ultima2 Salons and a pair of Ultima2 Studios with a SUB30. The latter would cost a couple grand less and give serious bottom end.
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post #45 of 4122
10/10/06 at 10:57am
Has anyone else experienced this?

I ordered the a pair of F12's and a C12 before the Labour Day long weekend, but I have yet to take delivery through the authorized Canadian dealer. Apparently the U.S dealers were made aware of a pending bump in price and they decided to stock up before the higher price went into effect. The unanticipated demand has caused their Mexico plant to be significantly backlogged with orders.

Thanks.
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post #46 of 4122
10/10/06 at 11:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by options View Post

Has anyone else experienced this?

I ordered the a pair of F12's and a C12 before the Labour Day long weekend, but I have yet to take delivery through the authorized Canadian dealer. Apparently the U.S dealers were made aware of a pending bump in price and they decided to stock up before the higher price went into effect. The unanticipated demand has caused their Mexico plant to be significantly backlogged with orders.

Thanks.

It took me about 2 weeks from order to delivery for a pair of F12s and that was a few months back. Apparently, even before the price increase notice went out, dealers were having a hard time keeping them in stock.

Hang in there...they're worth the wait.

Scott
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post #47 of 4122
10/10/06 at 1:51pm
Hmm, just ordered a C50a and S30 surrounds, dealer said should be about a week, hope they're not delayed also, movie watching is on hold until they come.
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post #48 of 4122
10/10/06 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma View Post

I have Revel F30's and C30, since 2001. The dealer I bought from had quite a few models on hand and availble for audition. Unfortuantly, since then, they've picked up B&W, and the last time I was there (been over a year now) they pretty much had no Revel stock on hand. There story was B&W's superior dealer support, supply availablity, etc (there were some issues for a while with backlogs and whatnot).

When the F32 came out it took me a while to even see one, but as it turns out when I finally did (in another town), the dealer there had a decent setup of Ultimas and All models of Performa (this was 2 yrs ago). They also had just opened (or bought) a branch in Tampa (where I live), though I don't know how it's done since.

I would have thought there would be much more talk out since the intro of the Concerta line (as many AVS members are looking for more "value priced speakers"), but I really haven't seen it.

I'm still happy with my Revels. I'm also looking forward to the rumored introduction of the replacements for the Ultima line sometime around the end of the year/beginning of next. They have been pretty much unchanged since coming out in 1999 (I think).

Besides being a nuetral, dynamic speaker, there are many things to appreciate about Revel. Among them is the large number of favorable reviews from reputable reviewers, including many with measurements.

This is a good thread; I hope we can keep it going.

Enigma, any thoughts on the F30 vs. F32? I'm considering a pair of F30s.
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post #49 of 4122
10/10/06 at 7:48pm
I've only breifly auditioned the F32. I think they have a similar midrange; not sure on the tweeter (the F32 may be just a bit smoother, but again, similar); the biggest difference to me in the bass. The F30 seems to go deeper and with more authority based on my limited audition of the F32. The F32 has been reported to be slightly more refined, but from my limited auition I couldn't confirm that. Both sound great, and pretty similar overall. The F32 has more conventional looks that a lot of people like (same with the new Ultima2's; while not conventional, they come closer than the old models).
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post #50 of 4122
10/11/06 at 3:14am
Thanks Hal.
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post #51 of 4122
10/11/06 at 4:24pm
I'm looking at getting the Concerta F12's, C12 and s12's. I still need to arrange for a demo with my local dealer. I know this is the budget line for Revel, but has anyone compared these to the Infinity Beta line? The specs on the cabinets and in comparing pictures, they seem very close. It seems like the cabinet structures are the same but the crossover and electronics are upgraded on the Revel.

Not that the comparison to the Infinity's have turned me away from the Revel, just wanted to know if any Concerta owners had considered the Betas, and what else you demo'd that came close in sound.
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post #52 of 4122
10/11/06 at 5:10pm
There are actually quite a few differences; see the review at Ultimate AV for a pretty good comparison.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably have gone for the F12s instead of the Beta 40s that I recently bought. Not that I'm unhappy with the 40s; I just like the idea of getting everything the Beta 40/50 design is capable of, and the F12 is just that--a good design freed from many of the compromises necessary to reach a fairly low price point.
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post #53 of 4122
10/12/06 at 7:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sobiloff View Post

There are actually quite a few differences; see the review at Ultimate AV for a pretty good comparison.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably have gone for the F12s instead of the Beta 40s that I recently bought. Not that I'm unhappy with the 40s; I just like the idea of getting everything the Beta 40/50 design is capable of, and the F12 is just that--a good design freed from many of the compromises necessary to reach a fairly low price point.

I concur. I bought the Beta 50's, C360, ES250's, and a CSW10 sub about a year and a half ago for my bedroom. In hind sight I wish I had gone with the Concerta's instead. As you say, I'm not unhappy with the Beta's, but I think the Revels are definitely a step up for a minimal cash outlay.
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post #54 of 4122
10/12/06 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMD123 View Post

I'm looking at getting the Concerta F12's, C12 and s12's. I still need to arrange for a demo with my local dealer. I know this is the budget line for Revel, but has anyone compared these to the Infinity Beta line? The specs on the cabinets and in comparing pictures, they seem very close. It seems like the cabinet structures are the same but the crossover and electronics are upgraded on the Revel.

Not that the comparison to the Infinity's have turned me away from the Revel, just wanted to know if any Concerta owners had considered the Betas, and what else you demo'd that came close in sound.

I didn't listen to the Betas, but I did listen to offerings from B&W, Paradigm, Totem, PSB and Dynaudio around that price point. They were all interesting comparisons...

But, you couldn't really go wrong with the F12's.


Scott
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post #55 of 4122
10/12/06 at 11:54am
Hey guys, Thanks for the info on the Beta's.

I did read the Ultimate AV reviews on both the Concerta and Beta systems and just walked away confused. The comparison to the speakers he made were to automobiles, Buick and Oldsmobile to be exact.

He concluded that for about $500 more you get a much more refined system. But with the Beta's now being had for so cheap on-line (authorized dealer only of course!), the gap in price is much bigger. I can get the Beta 50 refurbs with full warranty for $500 a pair and the 360 center for $200, that there is about $1000 cheaper than the Revel F12 and C12 combo. The Beta rear surrounds would have to be purchased new but are still about $300 a pair cheaper than the Revels (x2 for 7.1). So for me I would be talking about a $1600 difference in price.

The $1600 question is: Are the Revels worth that much more than the Beta's? Are they that much better?
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post #56 of 4122
10/12/06 at 12:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMD123 View Post

Hey guys, Thanks for the info on the Beta's.

I did read the Ultimate AV reviews on both the Concerta and Beta systems and just walked away confused. The comparison to the speakers he made were to automobiles, Buick and Oldsmobile to be exact.

He concluded that for about $500 more you get a much more refined system. But with the Beta's now being had for so cheap on-line (authorized dealer only of course!), the gap in price is much bigger. I can get the Beta 50 refurbs with full warranty for $500 a pair and the 360 center for $200, that there is about $1000 cheaper than the Revel F12 and C12 combo. The Beta rear surrounds would have to be purchased new but are still about $300 a pair cheaper than the Revels (x2 for 7.1). So for me I would be talking about a $1600 difference in price.

The $1600 question is: Are the Revels worth that much more than the Beta's? Are they that much better?

You may want to puruse this thread and read the posts by plhart. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...light=infinity
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post #57 of 4122
10/12/06 at 1:02pm
Thanks for the link, it had some good info.

I'm still going to listen to the Revels but I'm just wondering if $1600 more in price will justify the Revel over Beta. I have no place to demo the Beta's so I would be buying blind and returning them if I did not like them.
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post #58 of 4122
10/12/06 at 1:31pm
I'd rather not take this thread too far off topic. Perhaps you could start a new thread.
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post #59 of 4122
10/13/06 at 7:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dauod View Post

I think the Revels are definitely a step up for a minimal cash outlay.

I agree. I have Revel M12s both front and back, C12 center and B12. My brother had his Beta system shipped to my house when I got it for him. It was Beta 50s, C360, ES250s and SW12. We swapped between mine and his using my H/K 630. We both noticed the Revels were definately smoother than the Betas. Just didn't seem to draw attention to themselves as much as the Betas did. Especially the C12 compared to the C360. So much so that he wished he could have gotten those instead. But for the price he paid (around $800) for his setup, he said he'd stick with them. Though he did lay first dibs on my M12s if or when I plan to sell them. Also before I got mine I also listened to Energy, B&W, Dynaudio, Paradigm and Infinity. Do a search for Concerta and you can see some of the old posts.
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post #60 of 4122
10/13/06 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by options View Post

Has anyone else experienced this?

I ordered the a pair of F12's and a C12 before the Labour Day long weekend, but I have yet to take delivery through the authorized Canadian dealer. Apparently the U.S dealers were made aware of a pending bump in price and they decided to stock up before the higher price went into effect. The unanticipated demand has caused their Mexico plant to be significantly backlogged with orders.

Thanks.

I know when I first ordered my M12s, C12 and B12, the M12's came in 2 weeks. The C12 took 3 weeks and the B12 took 6 weeks. But the order was placed in June just as they started shipping. In talking to a local dealer, he recently said the F12s were still in high demand. His average wait was 4 weeks. But he lets his customers know that up front and they are fine waiting for the most part.
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