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Revel Ultima Studio 2??

I have my heart set on these speakers based on reviews and aesthetics but unfortunately up here in Portland Oregon there are no dealers that carry the Ultima 2 line. I am keeping my eye on Echo Audio hoping that a used pair shows up that I can actually listen to before dropping 8K plus on without hearing them first. I would be grateful if there is anyone in the area that has the Studios, Gems, or the Salons that would let me listen to their set up so I could hopefully confirm these are the next speaker for me and jump on the next piano black pair that shows up on Audiogon. Just for reference I currently have a 5.2 set up with Aperion Verus grands for the front three, jl f112 and svs sb 13 ultra for the subs, Emotiva XPA-2 and ERC-3, and Pioneer Elite SC-61 as the receiver. I feel like my set up sounds amazing but find myself with the upgrade bug and just wondering how much better things could really sound with the Revels. Any input would be greatly appreciated by this relatively new audiophile.

Scott
scottfields1979
10 responses Add your response
dayglow
1,893 posts
 
You need to upgrade your electronics before thinking about a near reference level loudspeaker.
m-db's avatar
m-db
971 posts
 
It's generally accepted to assemble an audio system around the speaker system? The Ultimas are highly regarded by many as a reference level speaker system which should be extremely helpful when auditioning everything else in your current and future system. I think many would agree that the Ultimas outclass the rest of your system.

IMO not being able to audition a pair of Ultimas wouldn't prevent me from passing on an attractive deal. You're about to jump into the big water, have fun!
rbstehno
1,431 posts
 
I would agree with Dayglow. Revel speakers require very good source equipment to get the best sound. The Emotiva and Pioneer equipment aren't up to the task. Once you upgrade, keep an eye out for the older Revel studio's, they are an excellent speaker. I listened to a pair at Echo a few years back.
elinor's avatar
elinor
275 posts
 
Hi Scott,

I have owned the first generation Revel Studios since 1999. I agree with the previous comments made by fellow Goners. The Revels are very resolving and will not reveal their full glory without good wires and electronics. You needn't spend a fortune but I would not try to drive them with less than 100 watts of amplification. I run mine on a tube preamp with a SS amp. A used Rogue preamp and a used Pass Labs stereo amp of about 150 watts would be a great match or if you want tubes all the way through get a pair of used Rogue M150s or 180s. I have heard that combo with the Revels a few years ago at RMAF in Robin Wyatts room and it was sublime. If you want SS all the way through by all means look at Pass Labs or Bryston. Good Luck!
scottfields1979 OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses guys, sorry I didn't even realize that anyone had posted otherwise I would have commented sooner. I now have the new emotiva XPA-1 monoblocks as opposed to the XPA-2. These should be sufficient for the Revels right? I truly realize the pioneer is the weak link but I am going to wait a year or so to upgrade that as I want something with true 4K ability (60fps/HDMI 2.0 HDCP 2.2 etc). There is a guy selling some nice looking studio 2's on here in the black I want for 8K but I am still hesitant without hearing them how much of an upgrade they would be over the Aperions considering I have near reference quality subwoofers handling 80hz and below. I am afraid of paying all that money for the bass ability of the studios when I will not even be using that ability due to the nice subs. Any further input would be greatly appreciated.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
I don't think going from a single chasis Emotiva amp to monoblocks is going to solve your issues. It's still an Emotiva amp. And as long as you insist on concentrating on mixing music with HT, you are never going to get quality two channel performance. My two cents.....

Shakey
frozentundra
207 posts
 
Great Speakers;

The delicacy-detail resolution of the tweeters is spectacular 
Electronic’s DO make a big difference 
Amp especially!!

I listened to Revel F208’s with my old Peachtree ICE amp and pre at home .
The pairing was very fatiguing and low on bass power
( darn near horrible)

Be prepared to spend some money on electronics after buying, but the Salon’s are capable of being the “final speakers you want to own”

Good luck in this strange hobby 

jeff
frozentundra
207 posts
 
Oops:

I run the Studio2 into the mid 90 dB with the Pass XA30.5 amp
I rarely see the needle move (30 watts class A ) and 130 Watts ab 

My guess if your amp is 150 Watts, you will have more than enough

The 200 Watt ICE amp would not play as loud as the Pass

Huge power reserves is somewhat overrated among our elitist audio group, unless you’re filling a concert auditorium.

jeff

ps: I’ve listened to Emotiva amps
      Pretty nice for price but the high end is not real delicate, more a digital type highs
     Just my opinion 
      Great speakers , though


jeffersondavis
31 posts
 
Compared to the Revel PerformaBe they have less "air" due to the tweeter's off-axis response brick walling past 8KHz. It's going to be a little dark for people who prefer a brighter speaker.
steve59's avatar
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steve59
1,760 posts
 
I had the salons and the salon2's and they're very good speakers with excellent support so fear not and buy used. I use a Hegel h360 now, b4 that was an anthem 225i and a parasound A21. The speakers both v1 and v2 let me hear the difference between amps. The gent I sold the A21 to replaced the emotiva's with it and loved the improvements, personally I find the Hegel to be more involving and better in the mids and the Mark Levinson 400watt mono's we're even better. I agree with others and suggest that you buy more affordable speakers if you plan on keeping the emotiva's. ATI has some high power class d amps that salon owners vouch for. Find a dealer that will let you bring home amps and when you find 'the one' offer him 50% for the demo, he'll say no but it will get things rolling. Your amps will sell fast.
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