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RevelStudio2 really special or I need to hear more

I have long been a panel fan, whether 'stat or ribbon. I am therefore very sensitive to the boxiness and disintegration of drivers in box speakers. I have been auditioning some box speakers as of late, as I feel I do not hear the boxiness and the disintegration of drivers in the upper range offering. Coming across the Revel Studio2 the other day, driven by all out ML gear, I was quite impress. Although I am never a fan of ML gears, and I could clearly hear the ML sound through the Revel, I was nevertheless impressed with these speakers for their coherency and the correctness of portraying the musical instruments. I have listened to Harbeths, Rockport, ATC etc. and yet I still feel something special about the Revel. Question is, do you yourself find these speakers special, or is it me who have not heard enough of the good offerings? For the latter case, what other box speakers would you recommend that are extremely coherent, natural and boxless sonically? All inputs appreciated.
asturias00
fin1bxn
140 posts
 
Your hearing what I do. I currently own the Revel F52 with a PASS x250 amp. These speakers disapear, have and excelelnt sound stage, stagering bass response and very smooth high end. (I do have my room treated). I found the best cabel to be Radio shack Mega #14 bi wired. (I have tried many expensive cables)

This speaker has given me everything These speakers couldnt:
Magnepan MG3.6 with My stands
B&W 801 Matrix III
Spendor SP1/2e
Audio Physics Virgo III
Eminent Tech LFT8a
Usher CP8361 (Forgiot nunber)
Van Shcwekert VR4rj

Others I'v demod
Vandersteen 3a
Harbeth HL5
Wilson Sophia
Piega 10

I cant speak for the Solon but the F52 is in a whole new legue for me
irvrobinson
295 posts
 
The Studio 2s are indeed pretty special. Most speakers that sound nearly as good, to me, cost more. Like the KEF 207/2, anything YG, anything Magico. I like the B&W 800D/802D for smoothness and definition, but I've never heard them image well. YMMV. But there are so many brands of speakers these days, who can hear them all?

What is the "ML sound"?
asturias00 OP
23 posts
 
What is the "ML sound"?

IMHO, it is a well implemented op-amp sound. Fun to listen to, but a bit artificial and lack of body. This is only my interpretation though.
yyz
98 posts
 
I have owned the Revel Salons and I have audtioned the Studio2's. I would recommend you check out the Thiel 3.7 at the 10-12K price range.
egrady
137 posts
 
The Revel Studio 2 is truly a great speaker. I went from Quad ESL 63'a to Wilson 5.1's. The Quad was smooth, transparent, had great imaging and resolved low level detail even at low volumes. The Wilson was vastly superior in dynamics and slam, but ultimately was musically unacceptable as it focused on the flaws in the recording and not the music.

The Revel is close to the best qualities of the Quad with the dynamics and slam of the Wilson. In short, the best of both worlds. I suggest a high current amp that doubles it's output from 8 to 4 to 2 ohms. The Studio 2 likes lots of power. I've been an audiophile a long time and can say without reservation the Revel Studio 2 can to toe to toe with ANY speaker except for output below 30hz.

Comparing speakers of this quality by listening in a showroom is nearly worthless. You must listen with your equipment in your room. That said, if the feed the Studio 2 enough juice, experiment with placement and treat the room as needed, it will shock you. The way the drivers blend together into one equals a very large sweet spot. Live music doesn't force you to sit in one narrow position to enjoy it and neither does the Revel. The tweeter is revealing and glare free.

Read the review of the Salon 2 in the Absolute Sound. Other than a bit less very low bass, that is what I hear with the Studio 2. If you have a big room and want to flap your pants with a low C organ note, get the Salon 2. Otherwise, the Studio 2 is the one to get. I continue to be amazed that I hear detail in my reference recordings I've never noticed before, while at the same time I can listen to lessor recordings that formerly drove me from the room. The tweeter is magic.
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