Revel F328Be vs Salon2 Floorstanding Speaker Comparison - Which is Better?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Revel is the premium loudspeaker brand of Harman. For over a decade, the Salon2 (MSRP: $22k/pair). Recently, Revel released the F328Be ($16k/pair) flagship speaker from their PerformaBe line. The F328Be has three (3) 8" bass drivers just like the Salon2, but a single 5" mid instead of a mid/bass array in the Salon2. Both speakers boast a Beryllium 1" dome tweeter but the F328Be has Harman's latest waveguide geometry. With both speakers in the Revel lineup, we couldn'thelp but wonder which is the "better" speaker? I offer my impressions on this topic and put Jim Garret, Product Development Manager of Harman Luxuries brands, on the spot to get his take.
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Well, over 20 years ago, I owned and loved the Salon 1s, sold them after a couple years, and then owned several different other brands of speakers over the years until just a few months age when I purchased a pair of Salon 2's. Before purchasing my Salon 2s, I did have an opportunity to do an extensive audition of the F328Be at my local dealer. Long story short, I purchased the Salon 2 speakers. It was no contest for me. The Salon 2 is still one of the most remarkable and best value speakers on the market today, hands down. The F328Be was outstanding, too, of course. But I did not think the F328Be was better than the Salon 2s. If you can afford the Salons, then you should be able to afford an amp powerful enough to drive them. How difficult is that? I believe that the Salon 2s are on a different level than the F328Be. I thought that the Salon 2s had a more refined presentation, had deeper bass, had higher resolution, was more dynamic, and was just on another level in terms of build quality and construction. I was also able to audition several other very high end speaker brands before purchasing the Salon 2 speakers, some of which were much pricier than the Salons. In the end, the Salons won me over again. I am now off the speaker merry-go-round for the foreseeable and distant future.
And here I am happy with all 9 of my Infinity P363s lol
I agree that the age difference is not a factor. I have some very old, re-foamed, AR9LS speakers that can trounce my 206 towers depending on the track or how critically I am listening to a particularly complex selection. Point is, in a blind comparison most people would easily choose the AR. It's a fair comparison given the current speakers being contemplated. Additionally, consumers drive and mostly dictate technology updates, and in many cases performance has nothing to do with it. If the flavor of the year is Be and consumers have been told it's better, then manufacturers better make sure they include for the specs or they will remove themselves from consideration (even if there is no measurable improvement). I can say this, If I was offered the 328 or Salon 2 there is no question I would emphatically choose the Salon - no brainer. It is much more speaker in every way, period.
Looks wise, I would go with the Salon2. The white cones on the 328Be don't do it for me. I can't recall ever seeing white cones used by any speaker manufacturer throughout history and for good reason.
In terms of performance, I would never buy a speaker that only plays down to 35Hz (-3dB) whether I use a sub or not. To me that's just a matter of principle. I am not paying anyone for an incomplete speaker.
Finally, I would much rather hear what James and Matthew have to say about the specs and the measurements of both speakers. After your interview with Jim regarding the JBL synthesis SDP-75 line of pre-amps and then looking at actual owner complaints on the forums, his credibility is not very high with me right now. It seems to me JG might have incentive to state newer products are better than older products because if they weren't his product development management skills would be called in to question, and that hurts Jim's bonus and job security. James and Matthew have an incentive to give Audioholic fans the truth and I appreciate and value that much more than any salesman.
You've never in your entire life seen a Yamaha speaker? You sound a little bit hysterical.
@@mattsch21 No I haven't seen one. I would be hysterical if I bought a $18k pair of speakers and one of the kids decided to use the nice white cone to play with their crayons or put their dirty hands on them.
It's all personal preference of course but I like to use speakers to serve the dual purpose of listening to music and for home theater, and for me, white in a home theater is definitely out. Gene is using them in a music room, so that is not a factor for him.
I don’t understand why there are so many review videos of speakers without so much as a sound demo? It’s like talking about a new car without turning the engine on or test driving it. Pointless.
Sony speakers rule.
Hahahaha
I wouldn't be surprised if the Salon2 still won in blind testing.
They certainly look cooler to my eyes, I feel there's some inherent advantages to the smooth concave diaphragms too. They honestly look like they have regressed going back to dome dustcaps, but I trust they put allot of effort into refining those classic dust cap drivers. I suspect, it's a "Less Cabinets, More Magnets" approach.
@@SwirlingDragonMist They are beautiful and image like crazy. I'm listening to Yello's Zebra album right now and the imaging and dynamics are absolutely incredible. Love these speakers!
Potentially yes. The Salon 2 has a much smoother and wider dispersion up to 9 kHz. According to Stereophiles measurements the Salon ( compared to the 228be but I hastily assume the dispersion will be almost like the 328be) puts out 8 dB more energy at 90 degrees angel at 8 kHz. The Salon doesn’t sag at all dispersion wise between 500 to 1500 Hz, which the smaller brother does. The narrow baffle and small high midrange drive of the Salon definitely carries some advantages. And then there is the extra extension of the bass 🤔 My dream would be something like a 328be with a narrow sculpted baffle and a 2 inch driver to cover the range between 1 kHz and 3kHz. From there a small sixth generation beryllium driver could bring the the treble into infinity. Up up and away.
I'm sure they would.
The Harmon gentleman says that they haven't produced a Solon 3 because it is a challenge to produce a better speaker than the Salon 2, however later in the interview he asserts that the F328 is better than the Salon2.That is a blatant contradiction.
F328Be may be a GREAT speaker but not the same fit, finish and level as the Salon2. The cabinet is not the same quality, one can see cost cutting on the F328Be.
I know it's silly, but we all choose on how things sound, but also how they appeal to us aesthetically, and to my eye, the PerformaBe line look like something you would buy at a big box store for $300, and the Salon's are quite attractive. Visually, I can't get with the PerformaBe line. But that's what makes horse racing as they say...
I feel the exact opposite actually. I bought the 228 in part because their aesthetic. I could have gotten the salon 2 on closeout for about the same but the design was such a turn off to me I wouldn't consider it.
I have the walnut finish. They look gorgeous.
Salon2 looks great, no comparison to F328Be. . I recently did a blind test between both with a local dealer, I found Salon 2 was more fuller and spatial compared to F328Be. I am keeping my Salon2 until Salon3 is launched.
Agreed. Salon2 has superior bass to the F328be too.
From my salesman at The Screening Room written on 1/14/2020: "Both the F328Be and the Salon2 are optimized systems. The fact the F328Be has a different waveguide just means it was optimized for that speaker. The Salon2 waveguide is optimized for it. The job is to produce a seamless transition to the midrange driver below it. The motor structures for all of the drivers in the Salon2 are huge, massive and can handle higher power levels. Again, look at the weight difference between the two: 146 pounds vs 90 pounds. Some of it is cabinet weight, the rest is the drivers. And yes, having the extra 4" high frequency driver is an advantage. Dr. Toole chose the Salon2 and stated he felt it handled the critical midrange band better than the Studio2."
It's interesting that in your recent interview with Jim Garret, he did not mention the advantages of the Salon2, namely the sculpted baffle and 4-way design. He pointed out the sculpted baffle of the Salon2 when you interviewed him in 2019. th-cam.com/video/0DL-PSh-He8/w-d-xo.html
In the 13-14 years since the Salon2 came out, Revel increased the price to keep up with inflation and manufacturing costs exactly 0 times (correct me if I'm wrong). Manufacturers tend to make the largest profit from their flagship, but I doubt that's the case with the Salon2 in 2021.
Love my Salon2's probably my last speaker. They are a bit on the power hungry side. But no problem for the Krell or Rowlands I have used with them.
My Salon2 & Voice2 on ML #536 is my last system. 20-30 years from now is hearing aids.
I like the Salon2 more. I still would put my Legacy Focus SE against them both though.
Did you listen to each Revel in the same room on the same day with the same backend?
Or are you referring to their looks.
I would also put my Rockport Atria II up against either of these any day of thr week.
@@klewja Rockport is on a another level.
Legacy Focus SE is a great speakers. I think it is better than Salon 2 on Jazz, especially on horn instruments.
My main issue with this interview is the confidence with which a marketing guy insists the 328s are better than the Salon2's. It has to be more nuanced than that. KV stated 2-3 years ago that the Salon2 was superior to the Studio2 (before it was discontinued) because of its being 4 way versus 3 way, allowing lower distortion esp in the critical midrange and more headroom. Setting aside the addition LF extension and headroom, I'm not sure why the same argument would not apply to Salon2 versus 328. I don't buy the newer tech argument either. Is the 328 tweeter better than the Salon2s? Probably so, but what is the audible impact to most listeners? The thing that bothers me the most is the continual obsession with the nth generation WG being superior to the n-1st generation WG. How acoustic waves couple to the impedance of the air in the room has not changed in 13 years. Nor has the science of geometry or the ability to manufacture a WG to the particular geometry needed with adequate precision. This is like arguing our 6th generation wheel is better than our 5th generation wheel because it's rounder. At the end of the day I suspect most listeners would be able to tell little difference between the two systems unless they're using a modest amplifier with each or program material with lots of content below 40 Hz. I don't see how the Salon2 can't sound more transparent and seamless with better LF extension to the trained listener's ears.
The Harmon guy says they haven't produced a Salon3 because it is a challenge to make a better speaker than the Salon2 yet a few minutes later he completely forgets himself and declares that the 328 is better than the Salon 2. Really ??!!. The waveguide and acoustic lense simply allows the tweeter to work well on a flat and fairly wide baffle which doesn't provide the mechanical advantage provided by the complex and expensive curved baffle of the Salon2.I concede that the 328 tweeter is possibly a bit better on its own than the Salon 2 tweeter due to technology advance.
Spoken like a true salesman. Of course he’s gonna promote the new speaker and say it’s better. No surprise there.🤷♂️
Exactly. I'm pretty angry about his marketing speech to Audioholics at the trade show prior to Covid, on the SDP-75 pre-amps. I was in the market for one and thank God I waited. Shane from SpareChange, who reviews a lot of pre-amps for Audioholics said it's trash and owner complaints on the forums confirm the headaches and disappointment of ownership, especially for the price that JBL commanded. Screw that guy.
@@Adream-lf3mw You probably know that the SDP-75 is a rebadged Trinnov Alttude 32 made by Trinnov in France. You can look into the JBL SDP-55 with Dirac Live room correction but Amir from AudioScienceReview.com reviewed it and it didn't measure as well as most people were hoping for, although it's much cheaper at $6K. Still not spare change either. It's disappointing how little care and effort these companies sometimes put into the development of these processors considering the asking prices like you said.
@@JesusMartinez-mk6fc Thank you. Yes, Shane explained that their are 3 pre-amps rebadged. The owner's forum that I visited had post after post complaining about JBL's lack of support. I guess that may be one of the reasons the Trinnov's cost so much more? You pre-paying for support and payrolls cost big $$$
Aren't the Salon2 still being made? I believe they are, so if it really was salesman's talk, I'd expect him to promote the much more expensive Salon2.
@@ASJC27 No a salesman thinks logically smartly promotes whats best for the business they work for.
The newer more recent products need more sales to recoup justify the expensive research and design costs.
The much older Revel Salon2s have already sold enough from launch to presently to have made some profit.
At the time it was a very important speaker that put Revel on the map.
I have heard the F228's and the Salon2's and the Salon2's were in a different league... Way better sound. The Salon2's are some the best speakers I have ever heard. Their is truly something special going on when you hear them. Hopefully I can listen to the F328's soon though.
Salon may be better. But, at what cost for amplifiers and everything else? F228 is much easier to drive.
@@stevec3537 Can't afford 2 decent mono amps if buying salon2? Benchmark AHB2 ($3K) in mono mode can do very well.
@@QQ-td9id never said I couldn’t afford them. I could. But I’m happy with what I have- F228Be with Primaluna HP tubes. To move up to Salon I’d have to change everything, and that makes no sense.
Salon2 owner here. I dont have chance to listen to F328Be but I dont think it would be much better than F228BE, slightly better maybe. I compared the Salon2s vs F228BE side by side on Mark Levinson gears and Salon2s were the much better one, cleaner, clearer and smoother from top to bottom.
Can you show all the measurements side by side? It's hard to believe the 328Be's are better. I will believe it when I see it. I think Harman simply want to increase their sales, like every other company. So it makes sense for them to say that these are even better than the Salon2s, even though it seems almost obvious to me that they are not. Higher sensitivity etc doesn't mean it's a better sounding speaker. That simply means it's a more practical and more inexpensive speaker (less expensive amp required). These are not the Salon3s. It's a budget option that takes you close to the real deal. /Studio2 owner
I have a pair of Revel F208 and had listen the Salon 2 at the same room and in others. The Salon 2 is something incredible in imaging and recreating a realistic sound of voices and every single instrument. The coherence is so good that you have the illusion that the sound is not coming from them, it is exactly like they had disappeared. The F208 mimics everything the Salon2 but it lacks some energy in the bass area. Even with a lot of investment in the front end, cables and interconnects at the warm side you feel you need a little bit more in the bass area. The integration with subs always brings the problems with phase and cancelations. Anyone would advise to wait to the “Salon3” before upgrading from F208 or the 328Be would be a step up in the bass even knowing that it looses to Salon2?
Love my Revels! Wish I had the BE series but $$$
if loudspeakers were treated as sound reproducing instruments constructed based on scientific knowledge then they would not be completely redesigned from one iteration to another.
With solid understanding the same design conclusions would be reached on each iteration, with minor optimizations.
As it is now, they basically admit they were completely wrong and had to redesign everything from scratch. Shooting in the dark from the get go.
Is this how professional loudspeaker designers work or is it a marketing scam to earn money.
I think it's both :)
Exactly.
Have you ever read the marketing copy on the contours built into the front baffle of the Salon2? If any of that were true, how could they ever build a better speaker without it?
Great video as always, I honestly found Gene's comparison is more in details and more fair to me than Jim's one,and I totally understand that. it's always nice to have people from harman talking about speaker's science. IMHO my take on Jim's comparison is that he little bit emphesized giving the edge to the F328 by saying it's 13 years newer technology I think it's more like a refinment as Gene said . 13 years in speakers technology isn't like 13 years in car industry for example. Yes DACs of today are far better than the ones in the 90s for example, but not exactly the case when it comes to speakers, it's more the will of implementing the science in a given budget . The JBL k2 S9900 for example which was produced in 2009 is still considered one of the finest and greatest in terms of the drivers technology without having the latest generation waveguide and it still outperforms most of today's speakers in the same price range . Going back to the comparison between salon 2 and F328 the latter might have even smoother off axis and little wider sweet spot but on the other side I think the sculpted baffle design surrounding the mid range and the tweeter has a reason for it, adding to that the 6.5' lower mid range driver, the lower bass extension gives it the edge over the F328 in my opinion . I also can't disagree with Dr. Sean's opinion , he's a truely science guy 😎
Both are great speakers from a great company .
Gene makes a fantastic point about the power requirements to drive each speaker respectively. Salon 2 will not only require more power to produce a specific db level, but you’ll want to have additional head room on your amp which will determine a specific size (most likely a very capable amplifier) to drive salon 2’s, especially if anyone wants their Salons to reach reference levels in cinematic settings
It also makes it easier to use EQ for room correction and additional low end
If the will is there it shouldn't be all that difficult to endow the Ultima Salon2 with a suitable version of the F328 tweeter designed to mate with the Ultima's curved baffle to realize even better performance .The F 328 is a stunning achievement but the Salon's beauty , commanding presence and futuristic design of cabinet and drivers simply trounce the F328.
F328Be has a better Spinorama. So the only way for the Salon2 to be better would be in max SPL, distortion, and bass extension.
Outstanding video. I was agonizing over a similar choice (F228Be vs Ultima Studio 2 cause my room is small and the Salons/F328Be are a bit too much for it). I suppose my choice was very similar . Too bad I found this video just now. Ended up buying the F228be at a significant discount brand new. Glad I mad the right choice as this video proves.
I have had the F328Be's in my main system for just over a year now. I LOVE THEM. I have only heard the Salon2's at a dealer & not in my own house so I can't compare the 328Be's fairly against them. The F328's replaced a pair of KEF R11's & while I personally think the R11's are an amazing value at their price point & an awesome speaker, the 328Be's are another level entirely...as they should be based on the price & the design. I am using them for my 2-channel system & I am not using a sub (they just don't need it & I love bass!). I have a very large room to fill (26'x13') with a 22' slanted ceiling and the 328's dig deep & are superb in every aspect, they are smooth as silk in the higher frequencies & mids but will also bust your ribs with brute force on the low end when they need to. The only slight gripe I have with them is I keep the grills on because I'm not thrilled with their look. I would definitely give the nod to the Salon's from an appearance standpoint, so I keep the grills on and they look very nice with their sculpted cabinet...but I'm not a fan of the white drivers that seem to stand out too much. I don't know how else to explain them other than to say they are beasts that are impressively powerful but can also reveal every tiny delicate detail at the same time. A very special speaker that I don't see myself parting with for a long time.
Glad to hear of your great experience with the F328Be's. I definitely have work to do on the acoustics in my office to reach their full potential. I actually really like the white drivers. They look stunning in the Ferrari red finish but they also like nice in the walnut finish that I have. Enjoy my friend.
Trying to decide between Revel 228 be and Wharfdale Elysian for $10k/pair. Or should I save up and get the 328be?
Can't afford either, but I have a soft spot for the Salon 2s. Then again, I'm an old bastard.
Love my Salon 2.
You can probably get a secondhand pair of Studio2s for 30% of the original price ($16,000). The sound quality of those are "dangerously close" to the Salon2s to quote Floyd Toole (yes, I spoke with him about it directly, and that's what he said)
@Audioholics - I'm looking to upgrade my living room home theater setup and trying to decide between the Revel F208/C208 and surrounds combo, or the F226Be/C426Be and older surrounds option. (Using a full Klipsch RP-8000f setup now) Both setups would be using quality dual subs. Price is definitely a concern, so going used will probably be the route I choose. Finally, I'll be using only my Marantz SR7015 AVR for now, and possibly upgrade to separates later down the road. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
If you shop carefully, you can find specials on the F228Be for close to the price of the F226Be. That would be the way to go. Look for clearance on overstock... that's how I got mine.
With the Performa 3 line Revel outsourced manufacturing to Indonesia. The Americans rejoiced: finally good speakers they could afford. With the Performa 3 Be line Revel outsourced manufacturing to China and doubled the price. The Chinese rejoiced: finally great speakers they could afford.
Why am I watching this?
I can't afford to buy these,
I just build my own, lots cheaper.
Once you heard the new IO DESIGN NAKED RS Loudspeakers your done for life ! They have dealers here in the USA now !!
I would think if these speakers are so great that would put more emphasis on the overall vs so much focus on the plastic waveguide. Seems a bit odd, maybe they are good but the talk is fluffy.
I wanted the f328be, but not at $16k a pair. Luckily for me I was able to listen to them side by side with several other towers in a listening room. I’ll just say trust your ears and listen to as many speakers in person as you can!
You can get them 20% off without too much effort.
Looks => Salon2
By a mile! The F328Be is bland by comparison. The Salon2 is one of my all time fav’s in the looks department.👌
@2:25, The impedance dips to 3ohm around 200Hz.
I don’t see how they rated it as 8ohm. The entirety of the region from 60Hz-2kHz is below 6ohm.
I will measure and confirm
@@Audioholics Amir measured them too if you want to compare your results to confirm (also to check sample variation).
@@homeboi808 I'm sure Amir's measurements are accurate. 3 12ohm woofers in parallel = 4 ohm, now add in the midrange even with HPF explains the dip into 3 ohms. This is really a 4 ohm speaker if rated per IEC standard.
Out of my league.
Good to know. Thanx
New Revel because newer is better! Newer waveguide benefits from further fine tuning
Not sure I agree. There are many audiophiles out there who prefer older gear. I have zero complaints about the Salon2's. Some of the newer products can sound too analytic and etched. Getting into subjective territory.
isnt that ceramic coating much like the famous ceramic coating of the infinity C.M.M.D (interludes) ?
Most respectfully,I am happy with my speakers/monitors. I have absolutely no interest in humongous speakers. I never read anything about monitors etc here. I have learned a lot here but these speak in this video are just not for everyone. Not everyone has the space to do this. I DO NOT have a dedicated home theater/music room and $$. I feel like we have been completely forgotten and left in the dust. Maybe some thoughts for some of us who can only do up to 7.1.
Audioholics covers monitors. Here you go pal... th-cam.com/video/HvBIosVIMeM/w-d-xo.html
The sensitivity differences are really significant. Persons buying either of these probably aren't too worried about the amp budget but I'd want something capable of at least 200 wpc continuous for the Salons.
Nice to see Revels mentioned on YT. I have the original M20s and F50s and have never seen much mention of Revels online.
Both are excellent speakers. However for $17k I prefer Paradigm Persona 5f. I've listen to the Salon 2, the Persona 5F and 7F. The persona are more transparent and image better.
This is exactly my own experience as well!
Better yet get a pair of Legacy Aeris would be 19k and blow both of these away. I got the Focus SE and I am confident mine would beat these too.
Mr. DellaSala,
I’m using the F328Be in a home theater application. Their ability to accurately reproduce sound is spectacular. However, they lack low end punch as you stated.
I would greatly appreciate your opinion on a sub woofer that can nicely complement these speakers.
Yes their lack of low end is a bit tragic for a speaker of this size and price. I'd highly recommend a pair of quality subs from the likes of: Arendal Sound, PerListen, or JL Audio to name a few. Also, the new RBH Sound S-1212p is an incredible value if you get them with the 1000 watt amplifier. Cheers.
I just upgraded from gem2 to salon2, can’t wait to here them tomorrow - I will be bi-amping three Emotiva XPR-2 to drive them and the Voice2. I’ve read driving highs to both salon2’s with one XPR-2 and the lows with the second XPR-2 - I think that term is horizontal bi-amping. Is that the best way? I have two XPR-5 running 4 gem2 (I hear I bought the last 4 from harmin) and x4 revel in ceiling atmos. Thought?
Need good crossover and two lows takes a lot more juice than two highs. Vertical bi-amping might be better.
Out of my price range. Gene are you going to review the monolith thx tower speakers ? I cannot find any reviews online for the tower versions.
We just have these for now: www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/monoprice-monolith-thx-365t-thx-365c
Gene, If your are using a cardioid microphone (I believe you are), speak into the front of the mic not the the null point of the polar pattern. We can then hear you!
Agree! You are an audio guy, gene! You should be able to get good audio in your room without headphones and that mic right in front of your face!
The real question is, are either of these speakers materially better from the best $5k-$10k speakers you can buy.
Based on my F228Be, this is a good question. I'd say maybe... but at what expense. To run the 328Be, I would need significantly more expensive amps than the $5k Primaluna Integrated I currently have. And, more cables, expensive preamp. The whole step up would end up costing me $15k to $25k over and above what I already have. So, essentially doubling everything. No, they cannot be that much better.
Speaker technology hasn't refined a smidge in 13 years
They need to sell the new Performa series of course.
Would love to see ab sound test with Polk l600 less than half the cost.
But, in the UK I can pick up used Salon2 for about £8k, but F328Be are £17500+ and as said in the video, the Salon2 are full range and dig deep. For all that saving, I can use some Purifi amps and mever look back. VFM is easily for the Salon2 and all the drawbacks about ease of drive are mooted by Purifi amps or forthcoming NCoreX
I don't see the sense in speakers that cost more than any car... There only soo much sound one can hear.
I’m pretty sure the F328 probably sounds better however there’s value in the aesthetics regardless how irrational it maybe. The Salon2 just looks more like a flagship even if it’s 13 years older. The new F328’s at first glance looked like mid-range Focals.
If you got money for $16k or $22k speakers, I’m pretty sure you’ll have high performing amps capable of pushing 2-4 ohm / 84-86db speakers.
Just thinking of flagship speakers tuned and used as theater speakers just makes me cringe. Waiting for the Salon3’s otherwise moving onto a pair of used Wilson Audio’s.
With Salon2 the degner had one goal, how to design the ugliest thing in the world. And they succeded. With F328Be they are trying to top the original achivement, so far it does not seem like they have suceeded. God can speak through these speakers but they will never enter my home.
Hi Gene! Have you ever heard or do you know anything about Harman Kardon HKTS 60 or HKTS 65 speaker in a box (5.1) system? I know you don't like theater in a box systems but man, let me tell you: I have 2 of those (60 and 65) in a 5.2.2 system paired with Harman last AVR, AVR 370 and they sound freakin FANTASTIC! 👌 I tested Marantz SR 7013 with same speakers in 5.2.4 configuration for 1 year and concluded that Harman AVR 370 sounds better! 🤷
Harman AVR 370 with Dolby Volume on Medium and in Pro Logic IIz mode sounds better than SR 7013 in native Atmos with 2 more speakers! What do I mean by better? Well, base is precise and punchy (Marantz all over the place), panning and imaging unreal, I hear details I don't hear with Marantz and Harman sounds and FEALS so REAL like I'm right there! AVR 370 (3700 in US) with Dolby Volume on medium sounds so lifelike that I get goosebumps. 🙂
Would love to hear your opinion 👍, am I crazy? 🤪 And I belive Harman hkts 60 speakers are Revel because they have the same wave guide design and because Revel today sells EXACT same wireless Harman subwoofer (from hkts 65) for 500 US$ under it's own name ie Revel Concerta B8.
Salon2 much better in terms of design. F328be looking very standard even boring.
I have a Sanders Magtech amp 500@8 or 900@4. Good for either 328BE and Salon 2?
Gene, Revel had stated they are using a new measurement method for the F328Be. I noticed my F228Be’s measurements have changed to -3 @ 44Hz vs the original (27 Hz) which was more in line with the F208. Having owned the F208, I can confidently say the bass response is comparable - the F208 doesn’t have a 13 dB advantage in the bass response.
So I wonder why the Salon2 would measure using their new method. Maybe you can ask that product guy.
I have the Be226. Just love them.
I wanted the bigger speakers but my wife fought against the size.
Much better than the Kef’s and Def Techs which I do enjoy for HT.
I would like a matching AVR. Tried Arcam but it was too glitchy.
Rocking some LSR 4328 speakers in my studio. Had to replace 1 driver in 10 years and I punish them thoroughly! JBL is awesome!
Excellent video. Hard to perfect perfection. 🥰
They should swap the pricing seeing the salon 2 is a 13 year old product now .
It's not really comparable as Salon2 has much better bass extension.
those are some really expensive speakers. Far outside of my budget, nice speakers though I am sure.
Neither I’ll stick with my ATC 50 pro actives
They probably are pretty close. I know I would not buy the Studio II at $16k. Just a bit much for me but $10k for the 228be I would buy. Maybe will
You can buy secondhand Studio2s for less than 30% of their original value.
8:22. The guy who is paid by Revel, shockingly promotes the current Revel product over the soon-to-be discontinued Revel product.
I can’t believe it. 🙄
Salon2 isn't discontinued AFAIK.
Salon 2 is still being sold, and at $6k more per pair. It was the Studio 2 that was discontinued
Honestly at 16k I got sticker shock from what looks almost identical to my old Infinity CMMD speakers from 14 years ago. It’s nice to see that bass extension, and the Beryllium tweeters too. Would be nice to see these put up against the all Beryllium Paradigm Persona series. Curious how Klipsch Cerametalic, RBH anodized aluminum, and Previous Revel/Infinity technologies all compare in the modern ceramic coated landscape. Cool that you got those in your office!
I will be getting in the new RBH Sound 8300 towers with AMT tweeters this summer to face off against the Revels.
@@Audioholics If i am paying 16k for a speaker, i want it to be full range. Sacrificing bass extension for sensitivity is a silly idea. Power is significantly cheaper these days and rocketship level volumes are easy to achieve with lower sensitive speakers.. But, when bass extension is missing, it sucks. Salon's the winner!
@@wa2368 I know I'm a bit perplexed by this too. Let me fix my room acoustics and see how the bass is after I also apply EQ for the final determination.
@@Audioholics That'll be a nice matchup, I've considered getting a pair Wharfedale EVO 4.4 's which have AMT's, the midrange is a large 2" soft dome. Crossing over a softdome extra low as a midrange, is a concept that's intrigued me ever since seeing you and Hugo's video on tweeter materials from back in the day. This EVO 4.0 series has the 2" dome ranging from 800hz to 4.7khz. With 6" kevlar woofers it's a whole smorgasbord of purposefully specific technologies all jumping around like ninja turtles with their own personalities. Another reviewer picked the EVO 4.0 series as a fave for 2020 and classified them as warm, it was the only 3 way in his comparison, but even so it was a nice review of 7 or so speakers all together and it talked me into it pretty good, I feel it would be a fun departure from my top to bottom CMMD set. I really enjoy the CMMD precision, and part of me feels warmth is just distortive errors ha ha ha but maybe there's a flavor there worth indulging. They also look pretty cozy, and I'm a sucker for that.
Be drivers are coated with SiO2, just so you know, without the coating they wouldn't hold up and they would be unsafe.
There are high voltage electrical wires in my neighborhood. They are coated. If they weren't coated, they would be unsafe. Wait... is there a point here?
The persona 9H blows both of these speakers away ...
i am dreaming of 4367
Even up trade for our old 328i?
What about F228Be vs F328Be and Salon 2? When it comes to real world affordability (especially after a decent discount), I think 228Be is the one to choose... but I'm biased because that's what I chose. What do you think?
Go with F238Be and invest in 2 subs to supplement the bass. The tweeter is at ear level height on the 228 and dual subs such as JL e112s will produce superior bass.
I just got my 228be's yesterday and drive them with a Krell 700cx and use Lumin T2. They are very detailed excellent speakers but even though I have Martin Logan Balanced Force 212's the 228's just seem strained at very high volume for rock and like I could use a bigger more effortless sound. Everything I have read about the 328be says they do just that so I am thinking about ordering a pair.
@@terryreidstahly IT sounds like you need more power, or you are expecting too much from these speakers. My room isn't huge, but it's fairly large, and they are plenty loud, even with a medium tube amplifier. I can drive them with clean sound to well over 90db, which is loud enough to cause hearing damage. If you want rock concert level sound, you probably have the wrong speakers. Look at some JBL horns or other large speakers.
I believe my Krell 700cx has enough power. My question is will the 328be create a bigger more wow sound or just go deeper in the low end? They play loud but not as large as large I would like.
like your shirt eh?
We wee weeee...
Revel.
“Sounds” to me like the best thing to do is wait for the new Salon 2.
It’s been out for 14 years. What are going to wait for?
@@_Chev_Chelios Exactly. The Salon which is their reference speaker is finally getting a makeover and coming out. So why buy the lower model cause it’s better than a 14 year old one.
@@_Chev_Chelios The designers of the Salon2 are long gone. Don't stick around waiting for the change.
@@Adream-lf3mw Actually wrong. If you think the F328 is Revels new reference line going forward you are not in the know.
Do a review about paradigm 9h.
@@lukerestlessstudios Have you ever heard the Audio Vectors? If Yes How are they? Your review will be very helpful for me.
@@lukerestlessstudios So which is the best you have ever heard?
I just saw a sandcastors resistors!?? I heard that worst thing you can do
Why is that?
Are you talking the white resistors?
I've only seen this types of resistors in crossovers. Many of them are counter wound so that the inductance cancels.
Look closely too, you'll see an instructor with an iron core. That's a big no no.
Way to many specs Jean .....Dont you know that specs dont matter hahahaha
Another good video
LOL
Kept waiting for the part where you actually listen to the speakers
Gene, as a Bassaholic, isn't you not loving the speaker with more bass (Salon 2)like sacrilegious!?
If I was assembling a 2CH system with no sub, my money would be on the Salon 2 between these speakers.
@@Audioholics I'm running 5 subs with my salon2's SVS, Genesis Towers and some older REL's- took me a while but was able to get a nice even bass response in my 21x16x12 room.
@@Audioholics That's the Gene I remember, who was that other guy, also whatever happened to the Paradigms you gave speaker of year to? They were 17k a pair if I remember. And the Legacy Valor?
I appreciate the review but i would have preferred to hear the speakers
Gene, great video! Either speaker would be a dream 2 channel setup, but I would probably go with the F328 since it is a slightly smaller design and measures slightly better per Mark Glazer. If the guy who designed both speakers thinks the newer model is better that is good enough evidence for me.
If I'm going to spend north of $16K for a set of speakers I should not have to buy a sub to get full range. I don't like subs. I would go with the Salon2's, and drive them with an appropriate amp.
How about their F206 vs a set of Klipsh rf~7iii or aet of def tech D17s? (All run about $1800 per speaker)
For the price of rf7-iii you can get F208's!
Klipsh build quality is pretty suspect compared to revel. I don't like either brand though.
@@sepulsteve The F208s are $2500 per piece. $1800 is my budget as I need a pair plus a center channel.
@@klewja Do you have a recommendation under $2000 per speaker?
@@thebigdoghimself that's msrp for the F208's... They can be found for less :)