First, I strongly believe that certain integrated amps, especially the super high-end, high-quality, high powered/current integrated amps, such as Hegel, Gryphon, etc., offer performance excellence at such high levels of proficiency and power, they practically negate the need for separates (and that applies to sound quality as well), especially for those of us who prioritize simplicity, minimalism and efficiency. As for comparing between my beloved Revel Salon 2 speakers and the incredible KEK Blade One Meta speakers, I would say that, after all these years, the Revel Salon 2 speakers are s still very much comparable to, and competitive with any of todays contemporary world-class speakers within their class, price point, and well beyond!!! For one, the Salon 2’s have greater bass extension than the KEF’s. However, the KEF’s may have a slight advantage in dynamics over the Salons, and this may still be subjective. For me, the beauty of the Revel Salon 2 speakers is that, they leave me just not having to want for anything else/more. Annually, I attend a couple Audio Shows out here on the West Coast, and I get to hear all of the greatest gear on the market today (including my several local high-end audio dealers), and after having the opportunity to hear so many excellent speakers locally and at the shows, nothing I ever hear makes me want to run out and sell my Salon 2’s for something else (and that included the KEK Blade One Meta). I call the Revel Salon 2 speakers in todays market of super duper expensive speaker "The Great Equalizers," especially considering how much they can be had for on the used market (price to performance). Again, when I compare price to performance, for my money, there isn’t a single other pair of speakers (new or used), that I can think of, at this time, that I would trade my Revel Salon 2’s in for. I strongly believe that a preowned pair of Revel Salon 2 speakers are one of the greatest bargains in high-end audio!!! Also, the sound quality of my Hegel H590 integrated amp and Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Streaming DAC rivals any separates I've ever owned in 30 years(I'm extremely happy with it!!!). Needless to say, my Salon 2’s are my end-game speakers. A little long-winded, but I hope that I answered your question. Happy listening
"Blown away by KEF/Hegel combo!!!!"
The other day, I visited my local Magnolia Home Theater at Best Buy. At the far end of a large room, was a very simplified audio system, which consisted of only one component and a pair of speakers. The speakers were KEF Blade One Meta, and the lone component was the newer Hegel H600 integrated amp. I have owned a Hegel H590 integrated for several years now (I us an outboard DAC with it), which drives an incredible pair of Revel Salon 2 speakers, with phenomenal effect, so I was fully aware of how wonderful Hegel products are capable of sounding. But now, I got the chance to hear the H600 (as an all-in-one using it’s internal DAC) with a pair of the world-class, IMHO, KEF Blade One Meta speakers, and I was extremely excited about it. The source was Roon/Tidal. As I sat there and the music of my choosing began to play, all I can tell you is that this was one of the most incredible sounding audio systems I’ve ever heard, and I've heard quite a few in my day!!!! The sound was super dynamic, wonderfully detailed and transparent, the bass was phenomenal, the soundstage was tall and wide with much depth and separation and coherency, beautifully natural, smooth, lush and full sounding, and it was also easy on the ears, and not in any way bright sounding. For me, it was pure heaven!!! I could’ve sat there all day long and listened to that incredible system. I was absolutely blown away by that simple (but expensive) audio system!!!! Happy listening.
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- 55 posts total
- 55 posts total