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Help me decide – Revel or Focal

I have been narrowing down my list for new speakers after selling my Avalon and believe I have arrived at my final two. After months of going to all the local dealers, I believe I am close. The entire process, though frustrating since in store comparisons are difficult, has brought out my passion again for the hobby.
My question is, has anyone heard the Focal 1038 BE and the Revel Studio 2 or Salon 2 in the same room using the same electronics? I have heard both speakers separately but no one seems to have both to do a real comparison. I read the reviews and that really does not help. The Focal seems to be a very good all-around speaker but not perfect. They seem to have a minor integration issue between the tweeter and midrange that shows up in the female voice with a small lack of clarity and being a bit recessive. I am still hoping to hear the new Sopras but I do not think I want to spend the extra cash especially since the 1038s are available in a low luster finish and reduced MSRP. The Revels, even though they came out in 2007, still seem to be a very good speaker and can be purchased used ~50% of MSRP. I am reading that their replacement may be revealed at the CES in January. At first I had eliminated them thinking they were too lean and analytical sounding. The music was just not coming out. After hearing them again, I am wondering if that may just be that they are accurate but I have read this complaint all over the internet so it does make me wonder.
I have a 16 x 20 room with 10-foot ceilings and have Anthem Statement electronics. Help me decide (but please try to keep it to the Revel and Focal since I have eliminated almost everything else in this price range available in New England).
128x128cdj123
coli
291 posts
 
I love my Focal SM9
cdj123's avatar
cdj123 OP
57 posts
 
CDJ123 Comments:
The tendency towards bright sounding speakers may be somewhat true but it seems to be my personal preference – maybe it is my age. I seem to gravitate toward the Beryllium tweeters in both these designs and those in the Paradigm Signature Series, Rockport and Magico. Any used Rockport Aviors out there for $10k? :)
Regarding amplification – My Anthem Statement P5 is rated at 325W into 8 ohms/500W into 4 ohms. It should be able to drive almost anything. I have no plans to change this in the near future.
I have heard the 1028 BE and the Studio 2 in the same room and that was not a fair fight. The 1028 is not a true full range design, and given such does come out on the bright side without the balanced bass. The Studio’s, although more balanced and detailed, did sound very dry. This is where I wonder if it is just accurate or missing something. Maybe designers throw in a little lower midrange bump for warmth that is not really in the recording.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to manage a home demo. Since I am considering used Revels, and the dealer who has them locally knows my price range, I cannot see him going for this and his floor models are not for sale. The Focal dealer is further away from me and the 1038s seem to be the top of their store line.
I would like to hear more comments.
p59teitel
314 posts
 
"The tendency towards bright sounding speakers may be somewhat true but it seems to be my personal preference – maybe it is my age. I seem to gravitate toward the Beryllium tweeters in both these designs and those in the Paradigm Signature Series, Rockport and Magico."

I'd be very cautious before generalizing too much about beryllium technology and assuming the tweeters in these speakers all have a similar sound.
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mechans
3,048 posts
 
If you don't want to read- My rec is Focal with Tube poer amp, BTW no cheating with tube pre it won't work.

I own Focal Electras a generation before your and no Berylium tweeters. They are very analytical in their own right, until you find a really good amp for them. It took me years of Fudding around with Mega WPC SS and less powerful but high SQ SS and low power (50 wpc) SS. Then a tube CD player, then a tube pre amp and minimal incremental improvement of Sound Quality. Then I was able through a favor from a great friend to buy tube power amps. Holy Schist it transformed my system to something unthinkably good after almost a decade of fooling around.
My recommendation, Buy the Focal and get a good tube power amp with at least 75 WPC. You might find your small prayers answered!
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