Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Revel Performa F30 Speakers by jonbee

Model:	Performa F30
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$3500
Description:	Full range 3 way floor stander
Manufacturer URL:	Revel
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee ( A ) on April 01, 2006 at 12:19:56
IP Address: 24.19.38.53

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for the Performa F30

This was the launch product for Revel's Performa line, which is their debut into "affordable" high end speakers. The F30 has been replaced with the F32.
Kal Rubinson did areview of these back in 2000, and I think he got the sound down pretty well (although I thought the tone of the review was not as positive as I am on them).
These are block shaped, very heavy and solidly built speakers, with very nice attention to detail and finishing, as you would hope for in a nearly $4k (inc. top grills) speaker.
These use an aluminum dome tweeter (may be mfr'd by scanspeak) a magnesium cone mid, and a very heavy 10" aluminum cone woofer in a rear ported design. The port is tuned to 24 hz.
The first impression of the sound is that they are very transparent, fast, and upfront sounding, with very deep but tightly defined bass. The detail and imaging are very fine indeed; I found them notably better than the M20 in disappearing in the room, despite their large size. On soundtracks I was getting effects from 20-30 degrees outside the speakers; both my wife and I were startled by this.
The top end is very extended and detailed; there is a trace of emphasis at the very top; not objectionable in my system, but this could be a problem in other systems.
The bottom end is very tight, powerful and solid into the mid-high 20s; I would never need a sub with these, but bass freaks or those with very large rooms might.
The real glory of these is the mids; while not as transparent and dynamic as ribbons, 'stats or horns, the mids are very natural and convincing.
There are only 4 or 5 real-world speakers which I've had extensive experience with that I could happily live with, and these join that party. There is very little to criticise, and the imaging, dynamics, and range of these is breathtaking.
Another aspect of the sound to be considered is a slight dropout in the upper bass to lower mids. Large horns have a bit less body to them than ideal, as do male voices.
This is not a serious flaw, imo, but as in all things taste will dictate satisfaction.
At nearly $4k new, there is some serious competition. I really admire the Joseph 25si, VMPS RM30, and my own Thiel 3.6. I think the F30 is competitive with these; each has its own personality.
After a few a-b rounds against my bybee'd 3.6s, I've decided to keep the Thiels. The F30s put the performers in front of the speakers; the 3.6s behind. The 3.6s offer more of the venue space and blackness around instruments, and have the best total tonal balance of any speaker I've ever heard. The 3.6s have a bit more refined sound. These differences are all small; my wife could barely distinguish between them, and couldn't pick a favorite. The 3.6s are also larger and are much pickier about amplification. I think the f30s are easier to match up.
Currently used F30s in good condition are selling for $12-1800. At that price, it's hard to think of a better value for such a beautifully made full range floorstander.

Product Weakness: not pretty to look at; slight thinness in lower mids; slight top end emphasis.
Product Strengths: Imaging; full range power; very low coloration; very dynamic beautifully engineered and constructed

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	modded PS Audio hca2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	psaudio pca2
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Modwright sig truth/sony 999 player
Speakers:	see rev
Cables/Interconnects:	Goertz TQ silver ics, .99999 silver/teflon braided spkr. cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	varied
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 19 x 8
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	not pretty to look at; slight thinness in lower mids; slight top end emphasis.
Product Strengths:	Imaging; full range power; very low coloration; very dynamic beautifully engineered and constructed