Hello All,
First time poster, longtime lurker. I too am looking at new speakers for my front 3. I currently have Monitor Audio RS6 & RS LCR. I am interested in stepping up to either the Gold range , GX300 & GX350 or maybe even Platinum PL200 & PL350, I can go audition these both, but am reading great things on the Revel Performa 3 range (F208 & C208). I am not able to audition these as there are no dealers nearby in Calgary. My electronics are listed in my profile and my room is acoustically treated, I do have a preference for a warm forward sound avoiding brightness. Do you have any recommendations/experiences to share?
In general, all the Revel speakers are excellent speakers. I have previously heard the Performa 2 series and I've had the opportunity to hear the Ultima2 series. The Ultima2 series won speaker of the year from several trade publications when first released in the 2007/08 time-frame. The Performa3 speakers have been publicly available for just under a year.
I would tend to characterize Revel speakers as accurate, neutral, and open with a midrange to die for. You do indeed get a dead-accurate sound. They won't euphonize the sound or make it warmer, as some speakers will tend to do. So source is vitally important with Revels.
Generally speaking, Revels are also detailed with amazing off-axis response and superlative dynamics. The center image and the timbre of the speakers is remarkable stable as you shift off axis.
From what I've heard from peers and already read in the trade publications, the Performa3 speakers are amazing. Though I personally can't vouch for it, some individuals who have auditioned the Performa3s say they are much closer to the Ultima2 than the previous Performa generation. That's pretty high praise, let me tell you.
Let me emphasize:
The Revels are power-hungry and need good amplification. In one of the reviews I just finished and will be posted at some point soon, you'll have a chance to see that first hand. For that review, had a chance to spend quite a bit of time with a pair of Revels and a 500w 4ohm and 1000w 4 ohm series of amps. The more power you put behind the Revels, the more incredible the sound. I would say you need a minimum of 200wpc to get them to start to open up. And, make sure the amp you pair them with can handle the load the Revels present. You'll need a good amp stable into 2ohm loads.
Though I've had the pleasure of listening to many, many speakers over the years, Monitor Audio speakers have unfortunately escaped me so I can't authoritatively tell you what different flavors between the speakers you'll get where.
I'm not sure if I specifically hit all parts of your question, but I hope it helps.
