FINALLY - Revel Performa Series 3

[Ajani]

Ajani and frenchmon

if you have heard the Paradigm Studio 100V2 then you have pretty much heard the S8. It's a 100V2 in nicer cabinetry - with only slight sonic differences. The big Paradigm dealer in my town in Canada sent the Sig line back because it wasn't better enough over the 100s and nobody bought them at 4 times the list price.

I wouldn't be too surprised. The S6 really didn't sound special to me.

I am not exactly sure what the fuss is over the looks of these speakers - they look like every other multi-way skinny box from a dozen other makers - not special in the least in the looks department. JMO.

Fair enough. I like the look, but truth is that it isn't really unique. Though I think that's the aim - to look more like what people expect. The old line was regarded by many as being too rectangular and boring. The new one is more like what people will expect

Rotel - depends on the Rotel - they're hardly bright in the Bryston or Anthem (which Paradigm owns) sense of the word. Rotel often tends to be a little less bright than your average SS amp maker - at least these days (they did go through some design changes the last 3-4 years (for the better).

I've never heard Bryston, but I always got the impression they had a more boring sound like NAD.

I don't regard Rotel as bright, just exciting. Changing from NAD to Rotel gave my previous setup the kick it needed to be fun to listen to.


P.S. I know you detest the sound of the Revels you've heard, but you might want to check out the M106. It's a Simply 2 way and the initial feedback from the reviewers has been very positive. Seems to have good dynamics.

When I heard the $1700-per-pair M106 bookshelf, I was taken aback by the slam and dynamics that these little speakers were capable of. They pumped out the bass of Seal’s “Killer” with gut-wrenching authority and they played extremely loud without breakup or other obvious distortions. The whistling and vocals on Livingston Taylor’s cover of “Isn’t She Lovely” were about as pure and uncolored as I have heard from any speaker at anywhere near this price.

Roger's Revel-ation

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I heard the new Revel Performa3 M106 standmount speaker shown at CES that costs a mere $1700 per pair sound simply amazing -- a true budget reference. Therefore, for many, many times the Revel's cost, all of these Superspeakers should blow these cheap Revels away. Do they?

Superspeakers 2012: Surprising Results