My final two: Revel vs. Paradigm

[codexp3]

I need help with my final decision! Over the last two weeks I’ve listened to the following: Paradigm signature s8 and studio 100s, B&W 803D, Thiel 2.4, Dynaudio contour s5.4, PSB Platinum, Definitive 7000 STs, and Revel F52. I’m going to write my full reviews later this week. I’ve narrowed my choices to the following:

Paradigm Signature 5.1 System: S8s as my fronts, S4s as my rears, and a C5 center.
Revel Performa 5.1 System: F52s as my fronts, F32s as my rears, and a C52 center.

I cannot afford the .1 part at this time, because both system are 2K over my original budget, the sub will have to wait.

The paradigms, B&W, and dynaudios all sounded very similar. Of the three I preferred the paradigms by a slight margin. I felt the definitive speakers were decent in home theater applications, but lacked the fine details of their more expensive competitors. The Revels just had a different sound altogether.

The paradigms had more refined sounding high frequencies. The revels midrange had a tendency to overpower the highs. The revels however, had unlimited power handling. The revels were connected to 500w monoblocks and never flinched when the volume was turned up to deafening levels. The paradigms seem more about beauty and the revels seem more about authority and power. My problem is, I like both! I’m going to go back one more time before deciding. Both systems are being offered at the exact same price, so there’s no cost/performance issues to consider.

I haven’t heard many of the audioholics say much about Revel, what do you guys think about Revel overall as a brand? Has anyone else auditioned the S8s vs. the F52s?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I need help with my final decision! Over the last two weeks I’ve listened to the following: Paradigm signature s8 and studio 100s, B&W 803D, Thiel 2.4, Dynaudio contour s5.4, PSB Platinum, Definitive 7000 STs, and Revel F52. I’m going to write my full reviews later this week. I’ve narrowed my choices to the following:

Paradigm Signature 5.1 System: S8s as my fronts, S4s as my rears, and a C5 center.
Revel Performa 5.1 System: F52s as my fronts, F32s as my rears, and a C52 center.

I cannot afford the .1 part at this time, because both system are 2K over my original budget, the sub will have to wait.

The paradigms, B&W, and dynaudios all sounded very similar. Of the three I preferred the paradigms by a slight margin. I felt the definitive speakers were decent in home theater applications, but lacked the fine details of their more expensive competitors. The Revels just had a different sound altogether.

The paradigms had more refined sounding high frequencies. The revels midrange had a tendency to overpower the highs. The revels however, had unlimited power handling. The revels were connected to 500w monoblocks and never flinched when the volume was turned up to deafening levels. The paradigms seem more about beauty and the revels seem more about authority and power. My problem is, I like both! I’m going to go back one more time before deciding. Both systems are being offered at the exact same price, so there’s no cost/performance issues to consider.

I haven’t heard many of the audioholics say much about Revel, what do you guys think about Revel overall as a brand? Has anyone else auditioned the S8s vs. the F52s?

I have never listened to Revel speakers, but from what I've heard and read from other guys and professional critics, Revel is top notch.

I just can't say anything negative about Revel and Mark Levinson.
If I had the money, I would own all Mark Levinson amps & preamps and Revel Salon speakers.

I saw the frequency response graph on the F50, and it looks extremely smooth from 25Hz-20kHz +/-2dB and only +/-1dB from 200 Hz - 15 kHz.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

The fact that there is an audible defect (to your ears) should be enough to rule out the Revels. If the Paradigms sound better to your ears then get them. Both can handle tons of power and 500 Watts delivered to eaither speaker would be ear bleading SPL levels.

Don't worry too much about the esoteric gear that they are using at the dealer. Either speaker system will be excellent.

 

[haraldo]

Some humble advice......

• 
  Do trust your ears, and do not rush this, When I bought some Duntech speakers like 16 years ago I didn't like them at first listen becase they didn't sound of anything...... But that was the whole clue, they are so transparent and well designed that they just let through what there is. Whatever is impressive at first listen may be tiring in the long run....

• 
  I have not heard that many of the mentioned speakers, but I would pick the Dynaudio's before any B&W withouth any doubt. I have listened to both Dynaudio S3.4 and S5.4 and for some reason I found the S3.4 to be quicker and better, you can always pair them with a sub if you want (for later)

• 
  However, generally I believe in phase coherent speakers with first order X-overs..... I got two pairs of such speakers, and in my opiniton it makes a difference, which means, perhaps the Thiels would be a winner in a long run. I have never heard them though, so this is just a guess, but I can generally vouch for phase coherent speakers,,,,,

(Now running for cover)

Regards

Harald N

 

[Thaedium]

Yeah, I'd go with the Paradigms myself, but I guess I'm just a fanboy, lol. I've listened to a number of the speakers you've mentioned and ended up with the Studio 100's with the CC-690 centre, and I couldn't be happier.

However, just as a possible alteration to your final solution, you might consider getting the S6's as mains and then take the savings from that and throw in on the .1 for the system. You will almost certainly feel the difference having a dedicated sub added to your final product. On the other hand, the S8's are so damned pretty and big, its really hard passing up on that.

Either way, it sounds like you are going to have a real blast.

 

[codexp3]

Yeah, I'd go with the Paradigms myself, but I guess I'm just a fanboy, lol. I've listened to a number of the speakers you've mentioned and ended up with the Studio 100's with the CC-690 centre, and I couldn't be happier.

However, just as a possible alteration to your final solution, you might consider getting the S6's as mains and then take the savings from that and throw in on the .1 for the system. You will almost certainly feel the difference having a dedicated sub added to your final product. On the other hand, the S8's are so damned pretty and big, its really hard passing up on that.

Either way, it sounds like you are going to have a real blast.

I'm going to listen one more time on Tuesday, but I'm ready to pull the trigger on the Paradigms. I'll probably wait about two months for my new sub, I have a polk psw1000 on my current system that I can use for now. After hearing that JL Gotham sub, I'm going to be disappointed no matter which sub I get. Talk about a beast! Worth every penny of the 11k sticker, If only...

 

[haraldo]

I'm going to listen one more time on Tuesday, but I'm ready to pull the trigger on the Paradigms. I'll probably wait about two months for my new sub, I have a polk psw1000 on my current system that I can use for now. After hearing that JL Gotham sub, I'm going to be disappointed no matter which sub I get. Talk about a beast! Worth every penny of the 11k sticker, If only...

Martin Logan got some pretty well performing sub's.......

 

[rmk]

I need help with my final decision! Over the last two weeks I’ve listened to the following: Paradigm signature s8 and studio 100s, B&W 803D, Thiel 2.4, Dynaudio contour s5.4, PSB Platinum, Definitive 7000 STs, and Revel F52. I’m going to write my full reviews later this week. I’ve narrowed my choices to the following:

Paradigm Signature 5.1 System: S8s as my fronts, S4s as my rears, and a C5 center.
Revel Performa 5.1 System: F52s as my fronts, F32s as my rears, and a C52 center.

I cannot afford the .1 part at this time, because both system are 2K over my original budget, the sub will have to wait.

The paradigms, B&W, and dynaudios all sounded very similar. Of the three I preferred the paradigms by a slight margin. I felt the definitive speakers were decent in home theater applications, but lacked the fine details of their more expensive competitors. The Revels just had a different sound altogether.

The paradigms had more refined sounding high frequencies. The revels midrange had a tendency to overpower the highs. The revels however, had unlimited power handling. The revels were connected to 500w monoblocks and never flinched when the volume was turned up to deafening levels. The paradigms seem more about beauty and the revels seem more about authority and power. My problem is, I like both! I’m going to go back one more time before deciding. Both systems are being offered at the exact same price, so there’s no cost/performance issues to consider.

I haven’t heard many of the audioholics say much about Revel, what do you guys think about Revel overall as a brand? Has anyone else auditioned the S8s vs. the F52s?

So much depends on your room and listening habits/preferences it is difficult for anyone to help you with this decision. I owned that exact Revel config (F52's,32's and the C52) and now have an Ultima 7.1 setup. I compared S8's vs Monitor Audio Gold GR60's several years ago and liked them but prefered the MA's. A very under rated speaker IMHO. The C5 looks very impressive although I have never heard it. I'm sure you will enjoy the Paradigm's but I think your comment in blue above was very telling. Good luck with your decision. Most here would love to have your problem.

 

[codexp3]

So much depends on your room and listening habits/preferences it is difficult for anyone to help you with this decision. I owned that exact Revel config (F52's,32's and the C52) and now have an Ultima 7.1 setup. I compared S8's vs Monitor Audio Gold GR60's several years ago and liked them but prefered the MA's. A very under rated speaker IMHO. The C5 looks very im impressive although I have never heard it. I'm sure you will enjoy the Paradigm's but I think your comment in blue above was very telling. Good luck with your decision. Most here would love to have your problem.

I love the Ultimas! Did you get the studios or the salons? The 36k price tag is too much for me to swallow, maybe in a few more years...

 

[rmk]

I love the Ultimas! Did you get the studios or the salons? The 36k price tag is too much for me to swallow, maybe in a few more years...

I have the Studio1's, Voice2, Embrace surrounds and the I30 in-walls. Actually, kind of a mismash of Revel but they sound great together. Of course it helps to have good subs.

 

[gus6464]

Go with what sounds best to your ears. We can all sit here and discuss specs and graphs but at the end of the day what you hear is what matters.

 

[haraldo]

Go with what sounds best to your ears. We can all sit here and discuss specs and graphs but at the end of the day what you hear is what matters.

Couldn't agree more, and........ You shouldn't forget the amplifier

I reckon it's difficult to discuss speakers without bringing the power amplifiers into the loop.

If you're auditioning speakers, perhaps you should also bring your own amplifier, if possible. It's a significant factor in the equation....

I bought speakers 15 years ago realizing afterwards that I didn't have the amplifiers to run them properly, that's not much fun.....

I'm not suggesting that anything like this may be the case here, just that the amp is important when auditioning.......

Regards

Harald N

 

[Mark1983]

I'm curious as to how the Studio 100's and S8's compared. I heard them both a few months ago, in different rooms, and I actually preferred the Studio 100's. I have a feeling the S8's were not set up correctly because they had absolutely no bottom end. The fact that only bookshelf speakers sounded reasonable good in the room the S8's were in leads be to believe it was a room/setup problem with the S8's.

 

[Warpdrv]

I would suggest that you have the dealer take the S8's into the same room as the 100's, after all he is profiting a great deal if he sells you either of those speakers... lugging them around a bit shouldn't be too much to ask, most dealers are more then happy to do that for you...

I would also like to hear your thoughts on the comparison of the two.

I will be doing a shootout between the S4's .v1 and Studio 100's .v4 in the upcoming week or so. I haven't had the pleasure of hearing the .v2 Sig series yet...

If the 100's sounded good in that room, thats where you should do the A/B of the 2... Also remember that the S8's are front and rear ported, and could benefit from being away from the wall, or you might lose some bass extension, just something to think about...

Good luck on your hunt...