Revel Speakers

If your funds allow the solon 2 is the best overall speaker I have ever heard. It is better than the studio 2s in the ways that count, more warmth in the mids better bass and midbass punch. Since you are already a revel fan, the Solon 2s will not disappoint. I wish I could afford them. The new Revel f208 is better than the f52 in every way, and closer to the Salon 2 than the f52 could every hope to be, and is my next upgrade.

I've talked to a couple people that prefer F52s over F208s. It's my understanding that the F208s are a little more detailed, but the soundstage isn't as good...I'm trying to find a dealer close enough to me to let my own ears decide.

Having gone from the F52 to the Studio 2 I can speak from first hand experience.

While the F52 is an overachiever, the Studio 2 is much more transparent and provides a superior sound stage as others have said. The only speaker I've heard that is as detailed as the Studio 2, without any added harshness, is the Quad ESL 63. The upper midrange and treble of the Studio 2 is something special. The F52 isn't really warmer as such, it just isn't as transparent. This does take some of the edge off bright electronics/recordings, but it is a distortion.

I've seen comments over the years that the Ultima 2 series can be a little forward. I don't go along with that. Once I found the optimal room placement and treated my room to eliminate slap echo and sidewall reflections, well I've never heard anything like them. They do strings like no box speaker I've ever heard.

The upstream electronics are obviously a consideration, but the thing that really did it for me was to research room acoustics and determine exactly where to place the Revel's. AND where to place the listening chair. They need to be placed well away from back and side walls to image properly. My old room was 14' wide. My new room is 17'. The difference in imaging was astounding.

If you have a large room, say 400 sq ft or more, I'd go with the Salon 2. My room is 357 sq ft and the Studio 2's more than get the job done. Bring a beefy amp in either case.

Anyone that says the f208 is not as good as the f52 in the soundstage dept has to either be crazy or actually have not heard them. I have spent literally hundreds of hours over the years listening to f32s and f 52s and I can asure you the new f208 are better in every way, ESPECIALLY the sound staging.

I also agree with Egrady, revels are some of the most transparent speakers out there, garbage in garbage out, one must partner them with good electronics and proper room treatments and placement. I spent a little time on the AVS revel forum and was dismayed at the poor advise being thrown around there, cheap blue ray player, done ! Home theater receiver and zip cord, done !! "Because of their wide dispersion they are not sensitive to room placement" It blew my mind how many people that could afford Salon 2s will never hear their true potential . Sad, and a waste.