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Review: Revel Performa M-20 Speaker

Category: Speakers

I bought these after a home audition to ensure they were as neutral as they seemed in-store. They are wonderful speakers and made Stereophiles 2002 "A" list. After going through every other speaker available to me I was very frustrated. The others only excelled in one area; good on female vocals but colored instruments, good for piano but smeered vocals, etc... Then I found the Revels. They do what a speaker is supposed to do: accurately reproduce what is fed them. The M20's do that with ease. They are clear and precise. My wife is amazed every time she hears them. They play everything well. The McCormack amp is a great match with them as the system is musical and not stale sounding as it was with the Adcom GFA-555II amp (which the M20's also revealed the Adcoms' grainy highs). These speakers would satisfy anyone on any budget. They are a great deal here on audiogon as used ones go for around $1200 which is a steal. I picked up the black ash version with stands for $2000.
I have had these speakers for over 6 months and still love them. I have no need to change or upgrade. They are astounding.

Associated gear
Rega Planet cd palyer; Acurus RL-11 pre-amp; McCormach DNA-125 amp; Pioneer 9500 tuner

Similar products
B&W, Linn, Monitor Audio, NHT.
sherman1125
jeff_s12a
27 posts
 
I owned these speakers for awhile and elected to sell them. I must say they have a beautiful mid-range (when beautiful mid-range exists on the recording), and I really appreciate their flat impedance across the frequency spectrum (I have a Pass Aleph 3...it's very sensitive to this)..
HOWEVER,
they simply were too polite and..."buttoned down"..for my taste. I certainly agree with the comments above, ..they don't fatigue, you hear a wealth of detail, and everything sounds great on them...but that's exactly what started to bother me about them.. They lacked that last bit of snare drum crack, and finger-plucked guitar.. The notes were perfect, but "she lacks passion" as my old bandmates would say.. Maybe it's my components and maybe it's my listening room, but they just didn't give me that last bit of musical thrill...
Please understand, this isnot to disagree with the other comments (they are wonderful speakers), but a difference of opinion can be helpful for those who are making speaker decisions..
Incidentally, my system is: Michell Gyrodec SE (Dynavector X-20-H and Rega RB600 arm), Wright phono, Pioneer DVD transport, Goldmund Job DAC, (Don Garber's) Y preamp, Pass Aleph 3...and (now) JM Reynaud Trente speakers..
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Hey Jeff, that's what makes the world go round. Enjoy those Reynauds. peace, warren
vermeer's avatar
vermeer
41 posts
 
I also own the M20. I power them with Plinius (digital source is the Meridian 508.24). Both IC and speaker cables are the astonishing Yamamura Millennium 6000 (the IC was re-terminated with the Eichmann Silver Bullets). The power cords are Acoustic Zen Krakatoa and the amazing German Physiks Pion and I use a local made unbranded power conditioner (the best I've tried)

The M20 are simply amazing. they are exceedingly clean and neutral ... but, unless other "precise" speakers they never sound dry, sterile or lacking emotion. After auditioning every speaker that was available on the market where I live (Portugal), and the choice was really a no-brainer :o)

I listen mainly to classical music and acustic Jazz. The precision of the speaker in terms on pitch and timing just make every musical phrase sound a lot more clearer, and - YES! - musical. They simply show a tremendous respect for the music ...

Warrenh,

I use the stands from Revel (with adhesive cork sheet on the top-plate). Which stands are you using? I would be interested in trying something else ...

Vermeer
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Vermeer, read my review on the Sistrum Mini Monitor Platform System. Unbelievable. Those Revel stands are not happening. peace, warren
ksales
228 posts
 
I knew Warren would weigh in on the stands from sistrum. Actually he is right about them. You will find a rather pleasant improvement in sound using these. Warren Your Ghandi approach to the threads is interesting but not as exciting as the old rapier tongued days.
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