The American company Revel – one of the biggest players in the global market for High-End-acoustics. In just 19 years, the company has earned a solid reputation and has produced several generations of excellent sound system speakers. Performa said his is the third update, and most recently the band released its new flagship – sound system Revel Performa3 F208.
Our regular reader was able to form a general idea of the structure of most of the sound system High-End Hi-Fi and companies. As a rule, one or two enthusiasts who have organized their own business for the realization of ambitions in the field of the highest quality music playback. Therefore, each brand is unique in its own way reflects the attitude and character of its founders. But the history of other sound system Revel. This child of globalization audio video needs. While it is difficult to say whether this is good or bad, but many very decent brands were bought big players such as IAG, Armour Home, TC Group, etc. Selecting manufacturers in various fields, such groups provide complete coverage of all audio video need the wide variety of buyers. In the same way, it was formed a group of companies Harman. It contained a lot of brands, including Mark Levinson, who is known as a manufacturer of High-End-electronics premium. However, Harman was not a company that would produce columns corresponding class. And instead of buying third-party brand managers of the company decided to found his own company – sound system Revel.
The sound system Revel story begins in 1996. In order to develop sound system speakers, High-End-class gathered the best designers and engineers, such as Floyd Toole (Floyd Toole) and Kevin Voeks (Kevin Voecks). To achieve this goal, engineers seriously deepened in the scientific and engineering developments, repeatedly testing and verifying each component of future speakers. It is not surprising that the first line of Revel Ultima steel columns of the highest class is the flagship company until the present day. However, Ultima models proved very expensive, even for the sector High End, and in 1999, creates a more affordable line of Performa. The models of the new line have received a more modest design, but the sound quality remains a very high level. Over the next year, the range was supplemented by the center channel sound system speaker, surround speakers, and subwoofer. Thus took shape the use of theatrical production Revel. In 2003, the line has undergone significant changes in the structure and become more accessible than further improved its quality / price ratio. Last, the third update this line has received relatively recently, in 2012. There was a significantly improved design of columns and updated components. The structure Performa includes floor and shelf models, center speaker and surround and subwoofer. Now it is to build a full-fledged stereo speakers or a home theater system in a variety of configurations.
The sound system Revel F208 – a rather large floor speakers, made in a glossy lacquer finish. There are options with a black piano lacquer and varnished veneer. Specially hired Italian designers have developed a body with a curved wall made of several layers of wood. Such a design is good for increasing the strength of the body, and from an aesthetic point of view. The front panel is flat and does not contain fastening elements for the safety net – it is based on magnets. Therefore, speakers look great with both fixed mesh, and without it. At the bottom of the case, there is a massive black podium.
Model F208 sound system transmitter uses four 3-way design. Aluminum dome tweeter of the new development, with emphasis on increasing the transparency of sound. The acoustic lens and a speaker are developed using a new mathematical model. The basic idea – to provide a seamless transition from the midrange to the tweeter. In addition, the horn tweeter expands the radiation pattern at high frequencies, increasing the zone of comfortable listening to speakers. Significantly refined design of midrange and woofers. It managed to significantly reduce distortion through the mechanism of stabilizing the magnetic field system, even at high volume levels. Aluminum cone got ribs that bring nature of their move to the perfect piston and reduce resonances. Cast aluminum basket speakers also effectively reduce resonance phenomena midrange is acoustically isolated in a separate chamber. Two large 200-mm woofers in the bass reflex loaded. Its port is brought forward, the shape is optimized to reduce the dynamic compression and noise from air movement. Crossover 4th order is made from components made to order according to the strict specifications of sound system Revel. Their columns provided another interesting feature – adaptive to the acoustic characteristics of the room. Next to the two pairs of terminals on the rear panel are two switches: the level of the tweeter and low-frequency compensation. The first switch changes the sensitivity of the high level of -1 dB to 1 dB in 0.5 dB (useful for heavily muffled or, conversely, voiced rooms). The second switch lowers the returns in the bass approximately 5 dB at frequencies below 400 Hz (helps in the case where the speakers close to the wall). A little bass will also help reduce the foam plugs for a phase inverter. It should be noted that the ability to adapt to the room acoustics in the passive – a rare phenomenon and not useless.
Just the first couple of music tracks showed that we really speakers of very high class. All representatives of the sound system Hi-Fi and tangible part systems High End, without any doubt, remain far behind the possibilities F208, and it is quite clearly audible. Column sound system very effectively builds three-dimensional scene. Sound sources are localized accurately and completely detached from the speakers themselves. It felt so clearly that the artist is seen almost visually with his piano or guitar. Another noticeable feature – a very clean, clear music scene. Sometimes it even seems a tenuous atmosphere, but at the same time each tool is presented in all its glory it sounds. This indicates an extremely low signal distortion. These complex instruments like the piano or saxophone sound completely natural, without any signs of parasitic harmonics or intermodulation interference. With a wide dynamic range of speakers placed emphasis correctly and accurately convey the author’s intention. Ideal micro drivers do not afford to lose any of reverberation, or reverb. There are tools with a very long, but weak reverberation that are completely and very carefully practiced this model. Uppercase served in warm colors, pleasant hearing. It is very clean and legible. Low frequency and momentum eased slightly, but the bass is well defined and tonally very deep. The model did not hesitate to play loudly and forcefully when needed. And on the big and intelligibility at low volume remains at the highest level. Revel F208 are ideal for any classical acoustic music. Most contemporary repertoire also quite capable of these speakers. Is that for the most aggressive style may not have the multiple speed and pulse return, and that only the pickiest listener.
Conclusion of sound system from Revel
Flatness sound system speakers very low-frequency response behaves smoothly, predictably. The frequency balance is also smooth. It is worth noting a very smooth behavior of the upper register, which is maintained even at high angles of listening. The behavior of the frequency response in the bass is consistent with the size and power of the AU. The level of distortion models is below 1% up to 40 Hz – a great indicator. In addition, sound system high-volume SOI drops to hundredths of a percent in diapason frequency of 60 Hz – 20 kHz. It is notable for an extremely stable impedance speakers.
Source: Stereophile