Revel Performa 206, PSB T-2, Focal Aria 936: Which offers the best overall sound?

Revel is solid, but could use a sub. Great soundstage width but only good imaging.

PSB is solid, but needs an amp capable of handling 2ohm (or at least rated to be stable at 2ohm), acoustic panels behind the speakers would help too as they have some port leakage ~800Hz. Really great soundstage width and great imaging.

Focal is solid, but could use a sub. Good soundstage width and great imaging. 
 
So, unless the room is tiny and/or they have to really close to the side-walls, the PSB’s are the best.

Do they have to be new?

Focal 948, I heard it in the store but with zero pressure and over longer session, are impressive to me. They are $5000 new and have all that you may ever need. I do not look back, but if I did they would be the only contender to Revel F 208 I do have. They were really good. I know you did not ask about them, but on a slightly used market they may be worth the upgrade. Again, I did not listen to 936 and cannot comment about the difference.

I listened to Revel 206 a lot (they were a contender when I was deciding) and found them to be a nice complete package. Soundstaging was really great and I thought that overall sound was truly balanced and non-intruding. I understand why mofojo felt Revels were a bit boring. They really do not jump at you in any way and at any price point. You could say they are "not exciting". However, you may start appreciating that after a while. They will not tire you after a while. I did not find Revels lacking bass (nor did I find bigger model Focal 948 lacking it) but bass is not that important to me so they may lack it if someone is particular about it.

I suggest you give Revel F208 a listen. Not because I have them but because they may also be worth the upgrade. They show up on Audiogon regularly for $3000, even less, in really good condition. They have bass for sure, you just have to turn the volume up. Classical, rock, vocals, they can do it.

I know, I only said "go the step above what you asked about if you can and you will surely have no regret" so I am not that helpful, but it may really be worth it after all.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis979ee-focal-aria-948-3-way-floorstanding-loudspeakers-excellent...

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis978b5-revel-performa3-f208-full-range

I have had the Focal 948's for a couple of months now and do not regret my buy. I did complain with the 936. Bothe were good but the 948 were well worth the extra. The are also a good bit bigger so that could play into your decision if available space is a factor.

The first thing you can do is drag your amp to each salon and listen odds are the retailer will know your serious and let you take the speakers home. None of your picks are turds so it really will come down to your room and personal preference. The revel has the least personality, focal generally has fatter bass and psb is usually bang for the buck good. I really like Vienna Acoustics Beethoven's at the price, but they are not for everyone