Paul Randall

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $2300.00 from Audio Heaven

Summary:
I bought these about 5 years ago. I was looking for an affordable full range speaker to replace my B&W Matrix 2's, which I loved but did not have the low end I really wanted. The B&W models I liked were just too expensive. Then I heard these. Revelation is a great name for them, as performance like they offer is unusual at this price. They have a very natural, full, satisfying presentation that puts you at ease right away. The first thing that grabbed me was the sound of voice. So real and natural. I tend to like speakers that err towards the warm side of the spectrum rather than being bright and extremely detailed. These are very slightly tilted to the warm side, and are not as detailed as some other systems I have heard, for example the big Magnepans or some of the NHT's. However, these will not wear you out like some other systems either. During my time with the Revelations I have heard a number of other speakers that have impressed me. Then I come home and fire up the Hales and I'm no longer so impressed with the other speaker. I don't have fancy electronics either, just mid range Denon stuff. These speakers were a bargain at full price. Now I see them used occaisonally for $1000. Too good to pass up at that price.

Strengths:
Full range, unforced, open soundstage.

Weaknesses:
Those damn grill cloths! Also they weigh in at 96 pounds.

Similar Products Used:
B&W Matrix 2, Magnepan 3 series, NHT 2.5

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Michael Baskin, CA

Summary:
These speakers are complete. The soundstage is decided by my components and tweaks. When I auditioned them, I could NOT hear the crossover points. This was a new experience for me. Even though I have owned them since 1999, they continue to surprise me... and I still can't hear the crossover points! You can find these speakers for around $750 now. Replacement drivers are available. I replaced one of my woofers after an abusive listenning to Stravinsky's Right of Spring. I am proud to own these new classics.

Strengths:
Soudstage. Warm, complete frequency extension from the top to the deeeeeeep low end.

Weaknesses:
I believe that the biggest weakness of these speakers is that they have not glaring coloration. Speakers that have a special "sound" seem to earn a reputation either good or bad. Speakers that have little to no coloration draw little attention. Therefore, Paul Hales goes out of business.

Similar Products Used:
B&W Nautilus 801, a friend's Hartsfields (not mine unfortunately), Thiel CS6 with my amps for an in-store audition, Thiel CS2.3 at home for a week, Klipsch Reference 3 bookshelf

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Jeffs sound values

Summary:
This speaker is the EIGHTH wonder of the world. No wonde Hales went out of business. How can any company sell a speaker that rivals products selling for $6,000 to $10,000 for $2,195! If you got the power(mimimum 150w per channel)...You can't find a better value anywhere....these speakers do it all....crystilline highs....lifelike mids ..aand room shakin' bass.

Strengths:
Hair on arms goes up when these go on..

Weaknesses:
Do not use bright cables or cheap amplification....

Similar Products Used:
sonic frontiers..rogue audio

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Jeffs sound values

Summary:
This speaker is the EIGHTH wonder of the world. No wonde Hales went out of business. How can any company sell a speaker that rivals products selling for $6,000 to $10,000 for $2,195! If you got the power(mimimum 150w per channel)...You can't find a better value anywhere....these speakers do it all....crystilline highs....lifelike mids ..aand room shakin' bass.

Strengths:
Hair on arms goes up when these go on..

Weaknesses:
Do not use bright cables or cheap amplification....

Similar Products Used:
sonic frontiers..rogue audio

Price Paid:  $3500.00 from Hifi-Mile, Hannover

Summary:
I write my text on german because my english is not the best ! Die Hales R 3 haben mich nach vielen anderen, zur Probe gehörten Lautsprechern, erstmals begeistert. Angetrieben von Top-Elektronik und guter Aufstellung stand für mich nach einer Stunde Hören fest: die müssen es sein. Ich habe allerdings noch über 3 Jahre gebraucht, um sie mit entsprechender Elektronik auf die Spitze zu treiben - es hat sich gelohnt. Ich habe noch keine andere Kette gehört, die mich so begeistert wie meine jetzige, daran haben die Hales R3 einen grossen Anteil. Meine Kette: Amp Symphonic Line RG 10 Mk 3/2000 (C37-Behandelt), CD Sony 50 ES (umfangreich getunt, u.a. C37-Behandelt, Kabel JH 88 von Jürgen Hensler, die besten weil neutralsten Kabel der Welt, siehe unter http://www.hensler-kabel.de Erst diese Kabel haben die Hales wirklich ausgereizt. Die Hales R3 sind auch C37-Behandelt, die Abbildung ist dadurch noch klarer und etwas räumlicher geworden. Über kurz oder lang werde ich an der Quelle (CD-Player)noch etwas tun, habe bisher aber noch keinen CD-Player gefunden, der mir besser als der getunte Sony gefallen hat. Über Tipps freue ich mich, auch auf Englisch ! Auch Fragen beantworte ich gerne.

Strengths:
Absolut korrekte Raumabbildung, mit sehr plastischem Klangbild. Sie versetzen einen wirklich in die Musik. Sehr schöner, tiefer Bass ohne das die Musik dadurch überlagert wird. Ein sehr feines, differenziertes Klangbild zum Stundenlangen Hören.

Weaknesses:
Die obersten Höhen sind bei manchen Aufnahmen etwas hart, die kann aber auch an meinem CD-Player liegen.