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Of course it also goes quietly but the pressurized clear and abysmal low bass only kicks in fully when accompanied by a physical body response. If you chase ultimate speed and transient rise times across the audible spectrum, Horns & Co. might remain your ultimate destination. For a ported three-way with conventional drivers and long-throw woofers however the Revel leave nothing to be desired. The brightly tuned snare of the Sneaker Pimps cracked like a whip, the drum solo of "Bouncin' with Bud" of Chick Corea's 1997 Remembering Bud Powell whacked away at live SPL. Dynamically the F208 don't seem to know limits as long as they're supplied with adequate power reserves. I feel sorry for renters getting blacklisted by their upset neighbors. But then nobody buys this type of speaker to enjoy string quartets past midnight – though one could.
One of three internal cross braces and a magnetically fixed grill.
Everything considered, the Revel Performa F208 exceeded my expectations for a big heavy multi-way of this caliber that can go loud without wincing and never hits any macrodynamic stops. Big orchestral and massive electronica attacks explode with such nonchalance from these hi-tech drivers that one can't help but guffaw. Even in this not inconsiderable price class that's far from a given and would do even far costlier specimens proud. That this would come with equally ever-green staging and tonality I did expect given the fiscal R&D resources of Harman and my experience with earlier models. What did surprise again were nuances and the ability to acoustically disappear so the ever-present potential for sonic violence won't exceed and thus dominate what might be appropriate for a given music genre. I also took pleased note how compared to earlier generations this latter-day Revel had advanced in matters of agility and micro precision. Here they still might not lead the class but nonetheless perform quite upfront.
That all of it stays put when the volume progresses clockwise makes the big Performa the perfect box for fans of big orchestral, electronica freaks and Manowar acolytes. True sonic weaknesses weren't to be found. Of course one has to accept their physical presence but given such first-rate performance, that ought to come easy.
Psych profile for Revel's Performa F208...
• Nicely finished sound furniture that actually integrates better than its dimensions might suggest. • Seemingly free of macrodynamic limits when suitably powered. • Always subservient to the music signal to turn neutrality into job #1. • Plays with intellectual oversight and clarity but doesn't shy away from violent sound attacks. • Applies a thick-tipped brush on tone color without going overboard. Dry drums remain dry, hard metallic sound are hard and metallic. •
The treble's high resolve errs on the side of silkiness, not hyper-analytical illumination. These tweeters never get toxic but invite extended sessions. •
Stages generously yet highly focused and precise to generate the impression of plenty of space around performers. The highly tacit deep-relief modeling of voices and instruments however is less of its thing. •
Passive trim pots make for limited in-room voicing options. •
Despite bass cut won't be ideal for rooms below 20sqm where the smaller F206 with 16cm rather than 20cm woofers would be preferable.
Facts • Concept: passive bass-reflex 3-way floorstander • Dimensions and weight: 118.2 x 30 x 37.5cm HwWxD, 36kg/ea. • Nominal impedance: 8 ohms • Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 88.5dB • Trim: Piano-gloss black or high-gloss Walnut • Other: Biwire terminals, 'boundary' switch to adapt bass response, treble trim pot • Warranty: 5 years
