Are Revel Salons too much?

I don't think it's a "too much" situation, because your room is certainly big enough. Either speakers are designed to go back against a rear wall comfortably, or they're not. Some great speakers, like the Eidolons, are intended to be as much as 6 feet from the back wall. My experience is certainly that B & W's work better away from the rear wall, and the Revels I've heard were placed pretty far from any walls (and sounded marvelous that way). If you're looking for a superb pair of speakers which ARE designed to go within 1.5-2 feet of the back wall, I suggest the Eggleston Andra II's. But they are also intended to be placed as far apart as possible in a normal room to take advantage of their sound front, and are really wasted if you don't separate them enough. You might give them a listen.

I have the Salons in a smaller room than yours. For awhile I had them sitting about 2 feet from the rear wall (measured from the back of the speaker) and 3 feet from the side wall, with a large screen TV in between and about 1 foot back. The speakers were not boomy in that position (you can also help this by the adjustments in the back of the speaker). Indeed the response was quite flat - I measured it using Stereophile's test cd and an SPL meter. The dealer had indicated that he keeps his pair even closer to the wall. The problem I had was with reflections off the TV screen, which really congested the sound and lessened the depth of soundstage. If your wall unit has a glass front, you may have the same problem, but perhaps not as bad, since I beleive part of the problems came from the viration of the screen and the speakers in the TV. Hope that is helpful.

This is all very helpful. Thx to all.

I can probably get 3 to 4 feet behind the speakers. The wall unit is oak, open faced where not filed with a projection TV or equipment--no glass.

What I am really hearing from you all is that, at least between F50's and Salons, I might as well stay with the Salons and work with them. I also appreciate the thoughts re: other speakers and I will ck those out.

I don't really have a base line yet, because the Salons are currently sealed in the box from Revel and I did not want to depreciate them further by installing them if the concensus from you all was to get rid of them. Also, my processor is an MC12B v.3. So I was hoping that the room EQ, when available, may help with any problems as well.

My current set up from which I am upgrading is Anthem AVM 20/MCA 50 and Mirage HDT speakers--which sound pretty good for what they are--and they are IN the wall unit. I know: mortal sin. Source is primarily a Marantz DV 8300 and Zenith HD 520.

Thx again.

seal the L shap off with a door and definalty do room treatment... where you can the revels need it.

the speakers with the mc-12 is great try to upgrade to a linn unidisk 1.1 and for the amps get an other 436 for the voice sell the 432 and get 2 431 for the side and rear.

should be a killer system....

I don't think, based on the room dimensions you listened that the speakers are too much. I have heard them sound unbelievable in a smaller room. I think you only need 24-26 feet for the bass to bloom properly which you excede.

Based on how good I heard the Salon's sound I would do what I can to hang on to those speakers anyway. The thing to worry about in a nondedicated listening room is getting the Salon's in the right place to get the best possible sound from them. It would really suck having a speaker capable of such fantastic midrange, but then not being able to hear it because they are stuck too close to the wall.

Good luck!