I asked the clerk how much they wanted for the Ultima Studios. I blanched when he told me their price ($10,799/pair when first reviewed in 2000; $15,000/pair when last listed in "Recommended Components") and began walking out of the shop, bummed that I'd never be able to afford speakers that sounded as good. As I slunk out the door, the clerk stopped me and asked if I'd heard any speakers from Revel's Performa line. I had not.
He escorted me to another listening room, where I spent the rest of the afternoon listening to the Performa F30s. These full-range speakers had much of the openness and low distortion of the Studios, were handsomely made, and cost an approachable $3500/pair. Within a year I had bought my own pair, and for the 14 years since they have been my references. Although I've heard many other fine speakers, none has made me want to part with my money or my Performa F30s. And although, over the years, I came to understand that the F30 has faults, I grew accustomed to them.
Revel updated the Performa line around 2007, replacing the F30 with the Performa2 F32 and F52; I spent a lot of time with both models. I liked the refinements Revel made with the line, but thought my original F30s still did a few things better than the F32 and F52. So it was with great interest and anticipation that I saw that Revel was revealing a third generation of Performa models. Without hesitation, I signed up to review the new Performa3 F208.
Revealing the Revel
The Performa3 F208 is a three-way design: two ported 8" aluminum-cone woofers, a 5.25" aluminum-cone midrange unit, and a 1" aluminum-dome tweeter. The tweeter features new waveguide technology developed for Revel's latest line of flagship models, the Ultima2s. The waveguide is said to properly control the tweeter's dispersion, to both increase the coverage in the driver's highest octave and to allow the tweeter's output to properly integrate with that of the midrange driver throughout the crossover region. All drivers are made to Revel's specifications and have cast-aluminum baskets. The front plate of each driver is molded of plastic and blends seamlessly into the F208's front baffle. The flared port is mounted on the front of the speaker, directly below the woofers, and can be blocked with a supplied foam plug (more about this later). The speaker's claimed nominal impedance is 8 ohms, its sensitivity 88.5dB.
Unlike the F206 and the other Performa3 models, the F208 is biwirable: on the lower part of its rear panel are two pairs of high-quality binding posts surrounded by lots of space. Also on the rear, and again unique to the F208, is a tweeter control that can change the tweeter level by ±1dB in 0.5dB increments. Next to that is a bass control: Each F208 can be set to Boundary, for placement near a rear or side wall; or Normal, when used farther out into the room.
The Performa3 F208's cabinet is quite different from that of the Performa F30. At 46.1", the F208 is noticeably taller, but because the F208 is only 11.8" wide and the entire rear panel curves around in a parabola, its appearance is far less imposing than the boxy, Volvo-like F30. The F208 is available in Piano Black or High Gloss Walnut (I got the latter). Though I'm not always a fan of walnut furniture, I really liked the F208's finish. It looks far more expensive than the speaker's $5000/pair price suggests.
The cabinets of Revel Performa speakers are no longer made in the US; I thought the F208's fit and finish absolutely excellent, and really loved the speaker's overall styling. The most persnickety might balk at the plastic surrounding the drivers, but I thought these functional moldings blended well with the rest of the speaker's looks. In fact, I like the look of the Performa3 models' driver moldings far more than on the Ultima2s. Your mileage may vary. Each speaker is outfitted with floor spikes and magnetic snap-on grilles; I didn't use the grilles.
Boom in the Room
After removing the Performa3 F208s from their boxes, I placed them close to where the Performa F30s had worked well and screwed in their floor spikes, which I then used to easily level the speaker. I removed the terminals' shorting straps and connected my Kimber Kable BiFocal speaker cables. Because the F208 is specified to provide a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, I began their break-in by connecting them to the 8 ohm taps of my Rogue M-180 tubed monoblock power amps. I hadn't used those taps before, and wanted to be sure they got a good break-in as well. I let the speakers play continuously for about a week before trying to dial them in to my room.
After a week or so, I began my listening by switching between the Rogues' 8 and 4 ohm taps. In every way, the F208s were happier being driven from the 4 ohm taps: the treble was smoother and a bit more laid-back, the imaging was better; and the overall coherence of the sound was better. I left the F208s hooked up to the 4 ohm taps for the rest of my listening. The F208s eventually took about 500 hours of play before achieving their ultimate sound.
My room is quite small, and I thought that the bass switches and port plugs might be useful in getting the best sound from the speakers. But, lo and behold, even when placed near my sidewalls, the Revel F208s delivered deep, taut, and tuneful bass. When I brought the speakers a little closer together and pushed them a little closer to the front wall, I got some of the best bass I've heard in my room.
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COMMENTS
I’m considering purchasing the F208, my concern about the bass response in a 13sqm room, I am in the process of renovations and the speakers will be relocated into a room between 20-25sqm. Should I purchase the F206 instead?
I always wanted to read a Stereophile review comparing the second gen Performa models with the old ones. So this review really was a treat. It makes up for never officially reviewing the second gen, with the three-way comparison between the F30, F52 and the current F208.
Since this is your new reference, does that mean you'll be replacing your F30s? :)
What's the deal? Analogplanet.com is currently a parking lot for GoDaddy.
What's the deal? Analogplanet.com is currently a parking lot for GoDaddy.
Due to an oversight, the domain registration wasn't renewed in a timely manner. AnalogPlanet.com is now back up again.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
I would like to see a review of the Performa3 M105s as it would highlight how special the whole line is. Additionally, those M105s are very attainable and provide a nice alternative to the B&W CM5s.
I would like to see a review of the Performa3 M105s as it would highlight how special the whole line is.
Bob Reina reviews the M106 in our September issue.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
You've got a keen eye. Most of Harman's loudspeaker production is being outsourced these days. They design it, somebody else builds it.
When is Stereophile going to review the new B&W 685s2?
This product has been reviewed without delay by a peer publication in Europe, to much acclaim, and a couple of months after the product's introduction.
If I am right on my facts, the also much-acclaimed B&W 685 (series 1), an eminently popular speaker, was never tested by Stereophile.
I hope that Stereophile will test the B&W 685s2. It is the "most followed" new product on a peer website.
Also, I await a long-overdue testing of the Amphion Argon3. This product has been tested by a publication in North America. This is a somewhat expensive product. It would be interesting to know how Stereophile views the cost-to-performance ratio. Amphion, if you refer to their site, has 8 dealers in the US.
Finally, I would advocate for a full re-publication, on Stereophile's online edition, of the Dynaudio Focus 160. I know I can ask for a reprint edition. Given the attention the Focus 160 garners in the online world, Stereophile would serve its community well by chiming-in, again, with a full re-publication of its review.
Another, final, thought. I believe that Stereophile, again lagging its European peers, has yet to issue a review of the B&W PM1.
You do a great job. There are many products to review, and only 24 hours in a day. Still, these are four stand-out, stand-mounters that deserve a review, or re-publication for the online readers of Stereophile.
I hope that Stereophile will test the B&W 685s2...Also, I await a long-overdue testing of the Amphion Argon3.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I would advocate for a full re-publication, on Stereophile's online edition, of the Dynaudio Focus 160.
Sam Tellig's January 2012 review will be posted in our free on-line archives next week.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
havent seen a focal review in a while. Will there be any in the future?
Bob Deutsch will be reviewing the Focal 936 loudspeaker in the October or November issue.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
It's really unfortunate what Harman has done to all of the old Madrigal Audio Labs brands but I suppose that's the "new global marketplace" excuse for sending manufacturing overseas while raising prices. Cannondale Bicycles did the same thing. They were the last of the American "mass market" brands that still manufactured on American soil, just as Harman with their luxury brands. I guess I'm just an old sentimental fool to pretend that the Average Joe can buy an American made product that is better than average.
As I wish Proceed still existed ....... It's bad enough that Harman abandoned the separates market.
And really, who is going to drive a $5000 pair of speakers with a 16lb AV receiver with a switch-mode power supply?
I used to be a Harman fanboy, but (and especially after killing Infinity) they sure make it difficult to respect their company.
>> And really, who is going to drive a $5000 pair of speakers with a 16lb AV receiver with a switch-mode power supply?
Obviously the same people that would put that equipment rack and TV set between the speakers.
Having owned the F52's for over 4 years, driving them with a PASS X250.5 amp and have auditioned the F208, I can confidently say they are not in the same league. The F52 crush the F208 in all areas of performance.
You own the F52's and are obviously stuck with them. That could be the only reason for that type of comment. My dealer in Chicago had the 52's, I passed and I'm glad I did after hearing the F208's.
Good review as usual Erick.
"...because the F208 is only 11.8" wide and the entire rear panel curves around in a parabola, its appearance is far less imposing than the boxy, Volvo-like F30."
Um, Erick, have you acutally taken a look at any Volvos recently? It's been quite a while since they were really boxy (not that there's anything wrong with that), and these days are decidedly anti-boxy. (And for those who think this means they don't look like Volvos anymore, it should also be noted that classic Volvos of the 60's weren't boxy either -- that's a rep they earned only in the 70's and 80's.)
wish you had done some in room measurments
Revel is very good @ in room balance an the F208 measurments should show that
Very interesting review! You inserted a lot of details and your explanation is very clear and well-written. This loudspeaker reminds me of some products by Sonus faber (this is the official website: http://www.sonusfaber.com/en-US/home-page/) ...am I the only one?
These speakers are just as fabulous as the review. However I wanted to point out one audio myth: The quote from the review: "The F208s eventually took about 500 hours of play before achieving their ultimate sound."
I called Harman about "speaker burn in" or different "coloration" after they've been played awhile. Harman/Revel said "THIS IS AN AUDIO MYTH WITH NO TRUTH." I'm assuming propagated by speaker salespeople; the subtext being "these babies will just get better over time!" I can attest after 2 years, the F208's sound the same to me, but I do enjoy them more everyday.
In the review Mr. Lichte notes his room is rather small. I'm curious to know the approximate size, as well as how far away he was sitting from the speakers. Thank you!
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