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Revel F208 vs. Paradigm 75F: Auditioning

Hello folks

I mentioned that I was gonna be auditioning some speakers on this other thread: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1445663532

You can see the electronics I have there as well - a 40W tube amplifier.

The dealer I will be visiting on Sunday has the following speakers that I had originally considered - specifically - Revel, Totem, Sonus Faber and Paradigm. I wanted to check out the F208, the Venere 2.5, the Totem Arro, specifically. However, the dealer dissuaded me from trying any of those - and recommended that I just try the Paradigm Prestige 75F.

Now, I know people generally say fairly good things about the Paradigm - and so I am happy to check them out as well. However, is there any reason I shouldn't check the Revel as well? My dealer thinks they would need a lot more power than I have to be driven efficiently and that it won't even be worth checking them out. Is this true? Do they really need that much more power to work effectively? Does the fact that I look to upgrading the upstream electronics eventually make a difference?

My hesitation comes from the fact that the Paradigm 75F is priced exactly at my price point ($3000) and the Revel is cheaper, though equally well reviewed.
badri
avhifidelity
46 posts
 
The Revel F208 is $5,000 MSRP. You may have been thinking of the F206 which is $3,500. I have the F208 hooked up to a Pass Labs XA30.5 (30 watt Class A amp) and don't feel they are under-powered. I actually like how they sound and very happy with it.

I'm not sure why your dealer is pushing you toward the 75F, but it's your money and you should listen to all of them and let your ears and your wallet make the decision for you.
mesch
3,530 posts
 
Take your Jolida to this dealer and try it out with the speaker(s) of your choice in a listening room close in size to yours.
mmeysarosh
126 posts
 
The Revel F208 are not very demanding, but are best served by amps that can deliver into 4 ohm load as its in the 4-7 ohm range through the audio band.

That particular Paradigm doesn't have a test I was able to find, but its larger brother does and it does appear to be little lighter load, but it still would best be served by a 4 ohm capable amp as it dips down in that region, just not as long or often as the Revel.

I would not take any dealers word on dismissing a listen to other speakers. We all have different priorities out of our systems and what works best for one might not for another.
badri OP
69 posts
 
Thanks so much, folks.

@Czarivey - why do you think that both of these speakers need more power? Is it because you think that is when they really start to sing? What would be the consequences of underpowering them? The Paradigm is specced out as being suitable for amps from 15W to 220W and is very sensitive on top of that.

@Avhifidelity - you are right. I was mistaken. I thought the F208s were in my price range - but I realized they weren't. If anything I might ask to audition the F206.

@Mesch - I do plan to take my amp to the store. However, I was wondering if I would be a rude customer for insisting they hook it up to speakers that they recommend against for good reason. However, if there is good reason, I would like to give it a shot.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I'd want to listen to the Paradigm Signature S2 as well in your price range. Yeah, it's a monitor, but if your room isn't too large, it could work.

Also, $3k will go a long way in the used market.
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