Revel f208 or Salk SongTower for Large Room

[Trvlngnrs]

Hi, I'd appreciate some help from those wiser than me.....

I'm looking at used speakers (budget) for my main listing area/home theater.

The room is approx 24'x25' with high ceilings (roughly 6'000 cubic feet).

Currently I have a 90w Denon AVR 1912 and Hsu 15" sub. My current speakers, which I bought new about 25+ years ago, are Bose 10.2's. I'd like to upgrade them and I've narrowed it down to two 5 year old Salk SongTowers + SongCenter or two 2 year old Revel f208's. Both choices are around $1,900. The Salk's will have to be shipped (additional cost), the Revel's are 7 hours away. I'll eventually get a Revel center also.

The Revel's have some damage on the top edge of one speaker - the veneer is chipped. It's not noticeable in my sitting arrangement but is a reason for the lower price.

What are your thoughts concerning these speakers and the room size they need to fill.

Blessings,
Trvlngnrs

 

[shadyJ]

You can't go wrong with either. If it were me, I might just go with the Songtowers only because you don't have to go out and get a center speaker later.

 

[Swerd]

You can't go wrong with either. If it were me, I might just go with the Songtowers only because you don't have to go out and get a center speaker later.

I have to agree with shady. Once you hear the SongTowers, you know you're going to want that SongCenter. The price is right.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

+2. Both good choices, but I'd agree with Swerd - Salk would be better value due to lack of damage and included center. One thing I keep in mind is your 1912 doesn't have pre-outs and both speakers are not most efficient options. In your large space you MIGHT need more power - it really heavily depends on how loud you like to listen. I suggest - keep 1912 for now and try it - for lower volumes it should be fine with either speaker you decide to go with.

 

[Trvlngnrs]

Thanks for the advice so far!

Any concern with the Salk's only having two 5" drivers trying to fill a large volume room, or is my room not big enough to be concerned with that?

I'm already planning on getting a new receiver/amp/pre-amp/whatever in the future - don't know what yet. Trying to figure out the speakers first.

 

[Swerd]

Any concern with the Salk's only having two 5" drivers trying to fill a large volume room, or is my room not big enough to be concerned with that?

Both SongTower and F208 have similar sensitivity, about 88-89 dB. I know the SongTowers are easy to drive. I wouldn't know about the F208s.

Edit: The F208 is a 3-way speaker with two 8" woofers, one 5" mid range, and one 1" dome tweeter. Crossover frequencies are at 270 and 2200 Hz. So above 270 Hz, the F208 has a single 5" driver, and the SongTowers have two 5" drivers that handle all sound below ~2500 Hz. That they both have similar sensitivity is the important part, not how many drivers.

The distance between the listeners and the speakers matters more than the overall room volume. So I wouldn't worry. Room volume does matter more in the low bass range. Use a powered sub woofer for that.

I'm already planning on getting a new receiver/amp/pre-amp/whatever in the future - don't know what yet. Trying to figure out the speakers first.

If you get a new AVR be sure to get one with pre-amp output jacks. That allows you to add an external amp (2 channel or more) while keeping the AVR.

 

[Trvlngnrs]

Edit: The F208 is a 3-way speaker with two 8" woofers, one 5" mid range, and one 1" dome tweeter. Crossover frequencies are at 270 and 2200 Hz. So above 270 Hz, the F208 has a single 5" driver, and the SongTowers have two 5" drivers that handle all sound below ~2500 Hz. That they both have similar sensitivity is the important part, not how many drivers.

The distance between the listeners and the speakers matters more than the overall room volume. So I wouldn't worry. Room volume does matter more in the low bass range. Use a powered sub woofer for that.
If you get a new AVR be sure to get one with pre-amp output jacks. That allows you to add an external amp (2 channel or more) while keeping the AVR.

Thanks, I already have a Hsu sub. When I upgrade my AVR I'll get something with the pre-amp output capability for sure.

Sounds like everyone likes the Salk's. I have read reviews on the Revel's that the highs can be fatiguing. Haven't read anything bad about the SongTowers. I'll be talking to the owner of the SongTowers tomorrow.

Trvlngnrs

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The Revel's have some damage on the top edge of one speaker - the veneer is chipped.

Can't have that.

It may not bother you at first. But it may cause you to keep looking at it and thinking about it.

As for the sound quality, I think it's a toss up.

 

[Trvlngnrs]

I got a photo of the damaged F208. My thinking is I could get him down to $1,700 and drive to pick the two speakers up. I called Revel to get some info regarding a repair but couldn't speak to anyone so I called two of their warranty companies - neither do cabinets.

What I would like to know is what the final coating on the cabinets are. Lacquer, polyurethane, etc? I could likely get a local cabinet guy to repair if it bothers me. I don't think it will since it'll go on the left side of my room, where the Bose 10.2 is now (since I took this photo I did some learning from this forum and have pulled the speakers a couple feet out from the wall). I could also put a piece of fabric or something over the top, etc. One of the reasons I like the Revel's is because they are front ported and have an boundary compensation switch that can be used to adjust them to allow closer placement to a wall.

I also got a Fed Ex estimate of shipping the 3 Salk's: $200

With this new info.... 2 Revel F208's for $1,700 vs 2 SongTowers and a SongCenter for $2,100 would you mind telling me your thoughts again?

 

[everettT]

You definitely should consider the philharmonic BMR
http://philharmonicaudio.com/BMR Philharmonitor.html
Since your using a sub , the large room is no issue, however for 2ch I think you would be surprised that under normal listening levels you wouldn't need it.

The off axis response is incredible

 

[Irvrobinson]

I got a photo of the damaged F208. My thinking is I could get him down to $1,700 and drive to pick the two speakers up. I called Revel to get some info regarding a repair but couldn't speak to anyone so I called two of their warranty companies - neither do cabinets.

What I would like to know is what the final coating on the cabinets are. Lacquer, polyurethane, etc? I could likely get a local cabinet guy to repair if it bothers me. I don't think it will since it'll go on the left side of my room, where the Bose 10.2 is now (since I took this photo I did some learning from this forum and have pulled the speakers a couple feet out from the wall). I could also put a piece of fabric or something over the top, etc. One of the reasons I like the Revel's is because they are front ported and have an boundary compensation switch that can be used to adjust them to allow closer placement to a wall.

I also got a Fed Ex estimate of shipping the 3 Salk's: $200

With this new info.... 2 Revel F208's for $1,700 vs 2 SongTowers and a SongCenter for $2,100 would you mind telling me your thoughts again?

View attachment 19716View attachment 19717

That damage is quite extensive. I'd forget about the Revels. They might have structural issues too.

 

[Swerd]

That damage is quite extensive. I'd forget about the Revels. They might have structural issues too.

I agree. From the photo, it could be either a cracked veneer or finish, or something deeper, structural. Did they fall over?

I got a photo of the damaged F208. My thinking is I could get him down to $1,700 and drive to pick the two speakers up. I called Revel to get some info regarding a repair but couldn't speak to anyone so I called two of their warranty companies - neither do cabinets.

One of the reasons I like the Revel's is because they are front ported and have a boundary compensation switch that can be used to adjust them to allow closer placement to a wall.

I had mentioned previously that my SongTowers, with their rear port, are easily placed close to the wall behind them. I tested from 4" to 24" between the backs of the speaker to the wall behind them, and I found no loss of bass sound quality. The extended plinth of the STs don't allow them to be placed closer to the wall than 4" away. Other SongTower owners, as well as their designer agree. Something about the transmission line design allows that to happen. I don't how clear I made that comment, but I repeat it because you mentioned it here.

Usually boundary compensation is required as the front of speakers get close to the wall behind them. The cabinet depth of the SongTower (and probably the F208 too) places the fronts of those speakers far enough away from the wall behind them to make boundary compensation a minor issue.

I also got a Fed Ex estimate of shipping the 3 Salk's: $200

With this new info.... 2 Revel F208's for $1,700 vs 2 SongTowers and a SongCenter for $2,100 would you mind telling me your thoughts again?

I would still recommend the Salks.

With new speakers from Salk, Fed Ex shipping from Michigan to where you live is always added to the price. Revel speakers are usually (always?) sold by dealers through a distribution network, so shipping costs, and dealer mark up, are included in the dealer's price.

Even if you do get the Revel owner to sell at $1,700, that doesn't include repair to damage, nor does it include a center channel speaker.

 

[Trvlngnrs]

Thank you for your thoughts. I will stay away from the Revel and move towards the Salk's. The Salk owner was supposed to call me yesterday. He didn't but last night I got an email apology from him and he said he will call today.

Swerd, thanks for the tip on placement of the SongTowers, great to know!

I believe the Revel's were dropped when moving.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

View attachment 19716

No way I would take that damage for any amount.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I believe the Revel's were dropped when moving.

That should a complete deal-killer. There could be all sorts of internal damage. The seller really only has one F208, and probably the only way to get another one is to buy a new one, which will likely run ~$2000 + sales tax (in most places). The seller would have to sell you the undamaged one for about $700-800 for the deal to make sense.

Good choice to stick with the Salks.

 

[Audiot]

I've owned F208s and they are excellent speakers but I agree with everyone else that the damage on that speaker is too severe to allow it any great value beyond the used parts value. The cabinet is a loser, even if it's structurally sound. That particular deal has been around for a while and it's no surprise there have been few takers. I've seen plenty of used F208s in excellent condition selling for under $3000 asking, and as low as $2600 for good looking pairs.

If you wanted a pair of Revels, you should wait for a clean pair or offer the guy $1300 ( or similarly low price of a single F208) for the beater pair he has with the hope it all works. If it doesn't, you're on the hook for another F208 but worse things have happened.

Or buy the Salks.

 

[Trvlngnrs]

After reading your reply's I'm not going to go after the Revel's.

I came here for wisdom and I got it!

Thank you
Trvlngnrs