2. speakers
  3. 1429094333

Why so underwhelmed by Revel F208 audition???

After much reading my local dealer finally got in a pair of Revel F208 speakers to audition. After playing my usual demo songs I was sorely disappointed with the sound.
They simply had no life. The strings that sparkled on other systems sounded like cardboard (ok, bad description but you get my point). They bass did not move me at all.

Was it because:
1) I wouldn't know good music if it slapped my in the face?
2) I was actually auditioning the electronics more that the speakers?
3) I've become a music snob and only the best will do?
4) They are not properly broken in?
5) The speakers really are cr@p?

After reading that 3 different reviewers use the performa's (f206 or f208) as their reference speakers, it's really hard for me to believe number 5 - that the speakers suck

I've been a severe critic of bad sound and a conosour of fine music my whole life so I hope number 1 isn't true:(

The sound from my main system is breathtakingly beautiful. It consists of a Metrum Hex Dac, Benchmark DAC2 Pre preamp, Bryston 3B Sst2 power amp, PMC 22 speakers flanked by 2 Rythmik F12 Subs. The DAC is very rich and analog sounding and the rest of the system is very transparent. Stunning sound. So I have very high standards to reference these speakers against. Maybe I am just expecting too much from the Revels? So number 3 might be somewhat true???

The F208 speakers where being fed by an arcam CD player and an arcam a39 integrated amp. Perhaps this can not compete with my home system? Is number 2 correct and I am really just auditioning the electronics?

Break in can make a big difference in speakers. Maybe they need hundreds of more hours through them? I need to check on number 4.

Or maybe they really are that bad and everyone who has reviewed them is a big fat liar?

Who has heard these and can make a comment???
earlxtr

Showing 6 responses by steve59

steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
I auditioned a pair of f 32's along  with f 208's and they were being driven by a relatively cheap Anthem 225I and I spent the afternoon enjoying good music. The salesman told me the Revels were power hungry speakers and I was really surprised how well a $1995. integrated  drove them. now comparing the two F-32 were good speakers that could easily pull me into the music but the sound was still coming from different drivers that weren't perfectly integrated, things like "wow powerful bass" or doesn't her voice sound incredible". The f 208's make music, they need gobs of power but I just sat there trying to hear anything they did exceptional, like, 'excellent midrange, or feel the bass, but all I got was music with an open soundstage. I love them. My reference are Kef 105/3, 107/2, beethoven mk2, revel f 52.
 component matching is the holy grail and getting it right is trial and error if you don't have your own shop to mix and match.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
I just reread the OP and this thread's 5 years old... We just have to pull these speakers out to beat them down every once in awhile lol.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
While HK should be able to make their own drivers The F208 have been admittedly outsourced. When I inquired about availability for my salon 1's the reply was worded in a way that made me believe they also were outsourced and you can find that expensive front firing tweeter on madisound. As for any of the other models I have no idea. I've read the arguments for single speaker comparison tests and how their speakers always beat the competition, but I still think that test should be followed up with a stereo pair if they really want to hear whats going on.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
Most modern speakers are well designed and meet the goals of the engineering team so to dismiss, focal or b&w or kef or revel is likely dependant on many variables. The f208 are neutral sounding full range and have excellent driver integration, they don't have the sizzle of focal's but if you like rock or just enjoy music on older poor quality recordings they will shine just strap 200 wpc to them.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
Audiogod I played flesh on flesh. I don't usually do carnival music and that song put me off though not because my ported speakers couldn't handle it and actually the rest of the cd is Stanley Jordan Esq. Not a bad lead. I have a benefit disc, stairway to heaven highway to hell with 3 drum kits playing Moby dick, Jason Bonham and a couple of others will put a system to the test
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
Very strange that the f52’s soundstage and image as good as any and the f208 that replaces it doesn’t. 

The op’s speakers should be out of the closet by now I wonder if his opinion has changed?
More to discover