Warning for Revel lovers

Off topic, but does any other company make a better Android phone than Samsung?

For Samsung fridge owners with ice maker issues, you can also try turning down your freezer temp to -4 degrees, and there’s also a reset button for the ice maker that (once you find it) you hold down for a few seconds until it beeps.  Unplugging the fridge for a few minutes may also be something to try.  Sorry for going off topic. 

I have purchased three of their TV's, the first one 13 years ago and it's still going strong, and then this year an 85". That said, I believe what everyone has said about the service and it's a disgrace.

I guess the good folks over at ASR are crying into their stats now that Revel has shat the bed and screwed the pooch......lol!

I had been considering getting a pair of Salon2s myself, and was a bit concerned after reading this post. However, I just recently received my pair and felt like someone thinking about buying might benefit from hearing my experience. When I placed an order in late August 2022, my dealer said a delivery was expected in December. It was a long wait, to be sure, but the speakers did get delivered in December. Unfortunately there was shipping damage (someone in the delivery chain drove a forklift blade through the speakers) to the speakers - but Harman was actually quite prompt in replacing them. So overall, it was a long wait and some bad luck, but I am overall happy with how Harman handled the process. 

The speakers are superlative. Anyone getting them won’t be regretting the decision. 

Does anyone know of a brand whose products and customer support improved after the company was purchased by a larger company?

Thing is there is so much variability in product availability.  Service for high end gear by manufacturers is also highly variable.  So there are examples available at either extreme and everything in between.  I will definitely more strongly consider a company's service record than in the past when purchasing their product new or even on the used market.  A good experience I had was with PassLabs.  I had purchased one of their amps used and about 18 months later it quit powering up.  My first query was not answered but my second one was.  I got a box from them shipped it and they repaired it for next to nothing.  I did inquire as to what they fixed but got no response back.  Nevertheless, compared to my experience with some other reputable companies, I rate this a good experience.  Maybe I am grading on the curve.

I bought a demo pair of salon 2's from a dealer for an amazing price because they had done a show. Black with no blemishes for less than 1/2 list price, cash no tax!

The reason for my post is to say even at the price it was so much more than I was comfortable spending that I was emailing support with supply questions and nearly everything that kept me up at night. Not only was Revel service prompt with Emails and when 9 months later I decided to resell them a Revel tech actually called me on my phone and patiently answered all my questions. I was concerned about reselling a product that might be flawed in any way, so, this guy under the direction of KV took all the time I needed to look up the inventory of every driver, durability of the titanium drivers, he subjected them to every over the counter product with the intent of damaging them. I don't know what to say? How the mighty have fallen:(

I read KV and his brain trust are no longer part of samsung/revel so keep an eye out for their next start up. It is interesting to me that Revel was basically and independent under the HK umbrella that produced nothing of their own and with everything being outsourced margins are smaller and supply and demand aren't in the control of the parent company.  

The salon2 will need 500 watts per channel to operate as designed and don't be afraid to buy 'slightly used' as they're one of the more bulletproof models out there.

I wish you knew they stopped making Salon2 for years.  Obviously you did not know.  Glad you got your money back.  But waiting for over a year for nothing is no fun.  I sold my Salon2 just end of last year.  They are great speakers.  I called Revel last year to verify the date of manufacture with the serial numbers printed on the back of my Salon2.  They said they couldn't find the serial numbers in their system.  That told me they weren't serious about their products.  Revel was once very popular.  Sad.

This thread and the ever stranger saga of Revel (I say ever stranger due to the odd mix of Samsung corporate ownership, weirdly not “officially” discontinuing the Ultima line for so long and now the fact they seem to be calling the PerformaBe their flagship as if they’ve given up entirely) only makes me want a used pair of these alien looking things even more. Very very odd for me who is usually vehemently against anything that calls itself “high end” yet offshores manufacturing to China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

But *never* have I heard more glowing praise from owners on any single solitary speaker in my life than those who own Salon2s. Effusive praises like “end game speaker”, “my last speaker”, “I’ll never let these go”. Reviewers that swore by them as their reference for years etc etc. Best I can figure; the Salon2s are to the high end of speakers what Emotiva is to amplifiers. Are they pretty? No. Are they made of exquisite materials and designed like an art piece like Focal’s Utopia line? Not even close. But it’s like Kevin Voecks just smashed together damn near what seems like as many of the simplest car-audio looking aluminum drivers he could muster with one semi exotic tweeter material, made the case as inert as possible, said “phuk it” to aesthetics and created a masterpiece of audio. I have to audition these things if for nothing else to say I had been there and done that and have the t shirt.

I too have no local dealer to audition at. So I just hope that I am not building them up in my head only to be let down with a “never meet your heroes” moment. Time will tell. 

@audiowatchfreak - The Revel Salon 2 speakers are indeed an exceptional product that has stood the test of time. They're actually very nicely finished, not just thrown together by any means. Like with all high end audio products though they do have some specific needs when it comes to matching with supporting gear.

They thrive on high power and really come alive when driven by amps with several hundred watts, some claim 500 watts works well which I've heard Revel recommends themselves. They're also very revealing with that beryllium tweeter so the electronics need to be of suitable quality (not just any high power amp) or they can become harsh and glaring. With all due respect I don't think your comparison to Emotiva is valid, the Salons are in a much higher class of gear than that.

Since they've been available unchanged for so many years there are good deals to be had on the used market, just be sure to verify their condition.

It's true, for $12,000 used (give or take) you get a speaker that for some reason is a masterpiece of a product. Without a doubt still as good as current offerings. A total joy to listen to. 

@audiowatchfreak 

Emotiva the high end of amplifiers? You really must be kidding.

Audiowatchfreak,

I doubt the revel will wow you on first listen. They are a somewhat laid back speaker in room and are east to listen to with no real fault. I would curb your exceptions to be wowed but they could easily be a “last” speaker as they sound good and don’t wear on your over time with odd issues. For me I like a little more kick in the 60-80hz range. Revel’s house sound with subs has worked well for me.

bratscheboy,

I read your post and empathize with your situation. Your cautionary tale reminds me why I nearly always buy used. I like to buy locally so I can see what I'm buying and load it in the car as I exchange cash with the seller. You're very lucky to have a pair of the original Revel Salons to take away the sting of disappointment with the Salon 2. I'd like to feel sorry for you...but I just can't.