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Are Revel and Paradigm Stuck?

My question is not pejorative. Actually, it may be complimentary.

Not sure how long the Revel Ultima Salon 2 or the Paradigm Signature 8 (v3) has been on the market. Maybe over 6 years??? But that is what begs the question.

About a year or so ago, I thought I read somewhere that Revel is working on a Salon 3, but I haven't heard or read much since. Similarly, the Paradigm S8 (versions 2 and 3) have been around for an even longer time, maybe since the mid-2000s.

So the question is ... how come? I would have thought Revel and Paradigm, like many high-end companies, would be rushing new models out every other year or so.

Looking forward to reading some insightful posts.

Cheers,

BIF
bifwynne
zavato's avatar
zavato
1,397 posts
 
I am fortunate to own Studio 2's and I've also heard Salon 2's. These are designs which I think Revel nailed pretty good. Are they stuck? Maybe they feel they can not make a meaningful improvement without going significantly upmarket. 
timpani
40 posts
 
From a tech stand-point, a stiffer cabinet might fix the slightly muddled bass (Salon 2), and they're not the most sensitive speakers going around.

Aesthetically they're not everyone's cup of tea either, so a cosmetic upgrade might be worthwhile.

However, I agree, they are pretty close to the perfect (ideal) speaker.  

I don't own Salon's myself but I've heard them a many occasions and never failed to be impressed. Apart from low end slam I' rathe them higher than my B&W800 Diamonds 

   
joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
Stuck? NO! Have great speakers? YES! I had Revel Studio2 and loved them. I want Revel Salon2 but am waiting a little while longer to see what happens. Several friends own Salon2's, and I hear them on a regular basis. Amazing, truly amazing speakers. They do no wrong and so many things right. Stunning with moderate to high powered tubes and with good, clean, solid state. Zero fatigue, easy to place, perfect tweeter, 3D and powerful bass. Best speaker for the money. Does not need much, pretty much perfect now. If Revel does tweak a little, everyone else better watch out. It will be a tough act to follow.
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bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 

Biggarthomas ... thanks for your post.  Would you mind sharing comments about how the Paradigm S8s compare to the Salon 2s.  Were your previous S8s the v2 or v3?  

I've been giving some thought about swapping out my S8s (v3) for the Salons or Studios.  IMO, the S8s are amazing.  Frankly, I am dubious that one can really do all that much better, especially since the S8s have BE tweeters, ... just like the Salons. 

That said, I haven't done much speaker auditioning so I am sonically "blind" about speaker alternatives.  Btw, I've had Magico S5s on the mind, but I wonder out loud how they would compare to the Salons.

Thanks for any comments.  They will be very helpful.

Btw, my amp is an ARC Ref 150 SE, which pushes out 150 wpc.  Do you think that is enough juice?  I understand that the Salons sound best with a high current SS amp.  FWIW, the Ref 150 SE has a 1040 joule power supply.  So there's a lot of muscle  behind those tube watts.

 

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