Revel M20 Floorstanding Speakers
Revel M20 Floorstanding Speakers
[May 21, 2002]
Scott
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
mid bass, detail, openness.........
Weakness:
none If you've ever listened to speakers that brought tears to your eyes, you will appreciate my experience with Revel's M20 and C30. I began my search for audiophile-grade home theater speakers approximately 3 years ago, with criteria of: 1) precise soundstage, imaging and clarity; 2) solid dynamics; and 3) open, translucent center channel. In short, I was looking for audiophile speakers that would perform equally well in home theater. My search began with Aerial Acoustics, Avalon, B&W, Dynaudio, JM Lab, Proac, Revel, Totem and others, and in the end the Revel’s were the clear victor. Now, after 3 months of ownership, I can honestly say that I would be hard pressed to find a better sounding bookshelf and center channel combination. I know longer watch movies, I participate in them. I know longer listen to multi-channel recordings, I conduct them. These speakers are so open, natural and dynamic that they will unleash your emotions like never before, as long as you match them with the proper components. The Revel M20 and C30 are very detailed speakers with wonderful mid bass but they tend to roll off at the top end, so match them with components that will compliment this characteristic - perhaps Krell, Classe’ or Parasound. Similar Products Used: Aerial, Avalon, B&W, Dynaudio, JM Lab, Proac, Totem and others |
[Apr 25, 2002]
jonbee
AudioPhile
Strength:
Best midbass I''''ve ever heard. Grainless detail. Easy, natural sound. "Rightness".
Weakness:
Ultimate volume capabilities. A few other SOA speakers have more space between instruments. Amazing sound- clean detail, superb bass definition and depth, no coloration that I can find, and no listening fatigue. A real gem! Similar Products Used: Over 150 pair of high end speakers in 35 years-Quad ''''stats, Apogee ribbons, Merlin VSM, lots more. |
[Jun 27, 2000]
Jim Sullivan
Audiophile
Strength:
Power, balance, bass
Weakness:
Looks, maybe bass Warning.. this review is based upon a listen in the local stereo shop. I haven't had them in my home. But they are sooo good, and nobody seems to want to review them. I'll break the ice. Warning 2.. I'm a sucker for minimonitors because of soundstaging, placement flexibility, etc. Similar Products Used: Proac Response 2, B&W 601, 602, Magnapan 3.3, Ariel 10T (speakers I've lived extensively with) |
[Jun 27, 2000]
Jim Sullivan
Audiophile
Strength:
Power, balance, bass
Weakness:
Looks, maybe bass Warning.. this review is based upon a listen in the local stereo shop. I haven't had them in my home. Warning 2.. I'm a sucker for minimonitors because of soundstaging, placement flexibility, etc. Similar Products Used: Proac Response 2, B&W 601, 602, Magnapan 3.3, Ariel 10T (speakers I've lived extensively with) |
[Sep 15, 2000]
Greg Grimes
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent image width and depth. Very neutral sounding. Planar and dynamic speaker positive qualities combined into one small package.
Weakness:
Upper bass can be a bit "large". Probably because of the porting. Excellent speakers in practically every regard. Clearer, cleaner treble than the Nautilus 805s. Much better image depth and width (not height) than the Maggies. They sounded alot like the Wilson WATTs (without puppies) that I have listened to. You must audition these speakers if you are looking at anything near the price. Similar Products Used: B&W Nautilus 805, Magnepan 1.6, all the NHTs. |
[Jun 28, 2000]
Dennis Blejer
Audiophile
Strength:
articulate, dynamic, coherent, build quality
Weakness:
looks I bought the M20s as an upgrade to the Paradigm Reference Studio 60s. The 60s are a great speaker and I could have lived happily ever after with them. I was curious when the M20s came out from Revel. As good as the Studio 60s are, the M20s are simply more articulate, dynamic, and coherent. I can actually feel the acoustic pressure waves from the M20s as they play, they are that dynamic. They seem to have plenty of bass (down to 40 Hz) but I do use the Velodyne HGS-12 powered subwoofer to provide deep bass (which it does in spades). Imaging is spectacular as is resolution. I honestly feel as if they are the best a speaker can be. There is very little source material that challenges the M20s. My best CDs and DVDs seem to be no trouble. Unfortunately, many CDs are simply of too poor quality to play. I find that 96/24 DVDs, XRCDs, HDCDs, sound the best along with a few labels I can trust. Get yourself a pair if you want great speakers that aren't very expensive. Similar Products Used: Paradigm Reference Studio 60s |
[Apr 18, 2001]
Ray Doucette
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Imaging, soundstage, presence. I have to confess: I don't actually own a pair of these, but I happened to be hear them playing when I visited Ambrosia, and I have to admit, they were fabulous. |
[Dec 17, 2001]
Bob
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Very neutral speaker. Powerful bass for standmount. Beautiful image. Very precise and fast.
Weakness:
None I had the M20's in my home for 1 day along with a new pair of, but now discontinued JM Lab Electra 905's. Similar Products Used: JM Lab Electra, Proac, Thiel,B&W, Dynaudio, Paradigm, Quad |
[Dec 05, 2001]
John
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Small speaker with a big sound.
Weakness:
I couldn't take them home. First of all, I don't own a pair of these speakers but I must let people know that they are well worth the price. I was blown away at how accurate and tight the sound was from these "small" speakers. The base from these speakers can keep up and surpass many floor standing models. It was also a true musical sounding base not hollow or synthetic. The highs are crisp and natural sounding. I wouldn't push them in a large room although I believe they would still do well. I would love to hear the floor standing model F30! |
[Jan 18, 2002]
John Sawers
Audiophile
Strength:
smooth mids, great dynamics, good bass for the size, revealing of source equipment
Weakness:
revealing of source equipment As I said above, these speakers are very revealing of source components, their character changed completely when I switched from an Arcam integrated to a Proceed multi-channel amp at the dealers. You realy need to audition them in your home system to know how they will sound. With the arcam, piano was glorious and forceful with great sparkle, but the bass was almost nonexistant. With the proceed, the bass improved mightily, but the midrange lost some life. I wanted the best of both worlds! I'm using a NAD T760 home theater amp right now which is adequate, but I know not bringing out the best in these speakers. They are very lively speakers and can be bright in-room, this is not so much a problem since there is a tweeter level adjustment on the back. I really wish they were bi-wirable, but they are not. They can throw a large soundestage, and come close to the transparency I've heard from Martin-Logan electrostatics. Before I bought these I compared them to the B+W Nautilus 805s and they beat them in almost every category. Better dynamics, sweeter and more extended high end, tighter and less bloated bass. Only the 805s have a slightly nicer cabinet. Similar Products Used: B+W 602, Revel F30, B+W Nautilus 805, various Martin-Logan models |