Revel Salon2 vs F328Be: Which Speaker is Better?

[gene]

In this article and related YouTube video, we discuss the similarities and differences between the Revel Salon2 and F328Be speakers. The Salon2's retail for $22k/pair and have been around for 12+ years whereas the F328Be retail for $16k/pair and are only a little over a year old. Does the new tech outperform the old or is the old design so good that it's timeless? We look at speaker sensitivity, bass response, driver tech and aesthetics to help answer that question. We also hear directly from Harman on their take to this question.

Read: Revel Salon2 vs F328 Floorstanding Speaker Comparison: Which One is Better?

 

[gene]

 

[paulgyro]

Are we ever going to see a complete formal review of the F328Be as the article alludes to? Also there has been talk of a Perlisten s7t vs F328Be in various forums but hasn't materialized. I'd love to see a detailed comparison or at least a YouTube video. Gene has both! Lucky guy.

 

[biggarthomas]

I’m very late to the party and, frankly, I have not had the pleasure of comparing these two speakers. I have owned Ultima Salon2 speakers for 12 years. I run the speakers in our main listening environment, our living room. When I purchased the Salons I had a sense that I might not ever replace them - I have not. Over the past 12 years, I’ve heard lots of other speakers, sometimes (largely because of the environment) hard to compare, other times quite easy to compare. Rarely do I hear speakers that arouse my envy gene. I’ve probably got my forever speakers and congrats to all who own the new Revel range, you too have probably bought into a lifetime experience.

 

[Mikado463]

I feel the same with Studio 2's, after 8 years I have no 'itch' to replace them ........

 

[gene]

Are we ever going to see a complete formal review of the F328Be as the article alludes to? Also there has been talk of a Perlisten s7t vs F328Be in various forums but hasn't materialized. I'd love to see a detailed comparison or at least a YouTube video. Gene has both! Lucky guy.

I did a shootout between the Revel F328Be and Perlisten S7t on Youtube:

The Perlisten is the superior speaker and now that Revel raised their prices, I'd recommend the Perlistens. The Revels are still a good speaker but not compelling at $19k+/pair, IMO.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The Revels are still a good speaker but not compelling at $19k+/pair, IMO.

Wow. $19K+ for a pair of Revel 328Be.

They look more like $10K/pair.

So thanks to Samsung, they got rid of the much prettier Salon2 and now have the F328Be.

 

[gene]

Wow. $19K+ for a pair of Revel 328Be.

They look more like $10K/pair.

So thanks to Samsung, they got rid of the much prettier Salon2 and now have the F328Be.

Agreed, build quality is not commensurate with a pair of $19k speakers.

 

[TLS Guy]

Agreed, build quality is not commensurate with a pair of $19k speakers.

So, worse than what AcuDefTechGuy calls my "garage speakers."

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So, worse than what AcuDefTechGuy calls my "garage speakers."

Well, I assumed you didn’t build your DIY speakers in your LIVING ROOM or BEDROOM.

 

[Mikado463]

and I suspect the Arendal big towers would be a better bang for the buck as well ..........

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

and I suspect the Arendal big towers would be a better bang for the buck as well ..........

I bet there are a few brand new speakers at street prices that offer better bang for the buck.

Besides Arendal (1” tweeter, 5” mid, 8” woofer x 4), another example is the RBH SFTR tower with 5” tweeter, dual 8” Midrange, dual 12” woofers) for under $10K/pair.

The RBH SVT towers (5” tweeter, three 8” Mids, dual 12” woofers) for under $12K/pair.

 

[Mikado463]

Well, I assumed you didn’t build your DIY speakers in your LIVING ROOM or BEDROOM.

Dinning room table I thought ...........

 

[everettT]

I bet there are a few brand new speakers at street prices that offer better bang for the buck.

Besides Arendal (1” tweeter, 5” mid, 8” woofer x 4), another example is the RBH SFTR tower with 5” tweeter, dual 8” Midrange, dual 12” woofers) for under $10K/pair.

The RBH SVT towers (5” tweeter, three 8” Mids, dual 12” woofers) for under $12K/pair.

How do those 8" woofers do at a 2k crossover? They have to start beaming but are they audibly noticeable compared to a 5" mid-range?