Introduction The Performa F30 is the entry-level $3,500 floor-standing speaker from high-end upstart speaker manufacturer Revel. Financed by Harman International, the largest U.S. based audio/video company, and under the close scrutiny of parent company Madrigal (Mark Levinson, Proceed, Madrigal Imaging etc.), Revel benefits from record-setting investments in research and development. Revel also benefits from over 35 years of speaker design and manufacturing experience from sister brands JBL and Infinity. Madrigal takes the Revel project very seriously, especially the Performa Series speakers, as these represent a reasonable entry to the world of high-end products that are affordable for affluent but non-millionaire enthusiasts. Until now, Revel has been establishing itself as a high-end speaker presence with it's Ultima line, with cost not being nearly as much a factor as performance. The Performa line makes compromises in the fit and finish department (especially when compared to the Gem, Studio and Salon speakers, two of which have reviewed on AudioRevolution.com previously), but still ...

Introduction The Salon is the flagship loudspeaker in the Revel lineup. Revel was established in 1997 as Madrigal’s premier speaker line to complement their electronics products, such as Mark Levinson and Proceed and, later, Madrigal Imaging and IRIQ remotes. Madrigal, which is owned and financed by Harman International, formed Revel with one intention – to produce the best loudspeakers in the world. A tremendous amount of money and design resources were allocated to this end, including the use of the largest speaker manufacturing facility in the world, the JBL & Infinity factory. In production since 1998, the Salon is a floor-standing loudspeaker system with a look of modern elegance. For better than a year, since the AudioRevolution.com review, I have made the smaller Revel Studios ($10,000 per pair) my reference loudspeakers. I welcomed the opportunity to review the much larger Salons. When I first laid eyes on the Salon, the thought that came to mind is ...

Introduction RBH Sound, named after chief designer Roger B. Hassing (not to be confused with the late James B. Lansing) has recently risen up as a contender in the highly competitive US loudspeaker market with a lineup of high performance affordable music and theater speakers. RBH speakers are known for their use of aluminum drivers like those found on Velodyne and Monitor Audio speakers. RBH dresses up their speakers in ultra sexy colors and wood finishes not too far from what you’d expect from the super boutique, high end loudspeaker manufacturers such as Wilson and THIEL. The system I evaluated includes the MC-6T speakers and TS-12AP powered subwoofer priced at $1099 pair (for cherry or semi gloss white finishes, $999 in the black oak finish) and $799, respectively. My MC-6T and TS-12AP both came finished in a very high quality cherry wood veneer with removable, black grille covers. I was shocked when I opened ...

Introduction The Wilson WATT Puppy has been the reference standard loudspeaker for high-end consumer use for more than 10 years. David Wilson and his design team have taken a fresh look at their most popular loudspeaker with the version 6.0 release. Priced at $20,000 per pair, the new WATT Puppies are greatly improved over the former version, the 5.1s, in that they utilize new cabinet material and have better cabinet construction and design, as well as improved drivers. Version 6.0 WATT Puppies share a similar look with the previous versions, although the way the WATT now sits inside of the Puppy is different. Originally, the WATT was designed to be a portable monitor for location recording. It had no real bass, so Wilson ultimately developed the Puppy to extend the WATT’s low frequency performance to nearly full-range status. Version 6.0 finally fully physically integrates the WATT and the Puppy. Another difference between versions 5.1 and 6.0 ...

Introduction The EgglestonWorks Rosa, some may say, is the little brother to the now famous Andra. It is quite similar in design and execution with the major difference being in the driver complement and crossover points. The Rosa relies on the same excellent Esotar tweeter from Dynaudio and uses 4, 6 inch drivers positioned in a vented vertical array. The footprint is deeper than it is narrow and the front baffle has a natural slope to aid in imaging. The enclosure itself is an exercise on how speaker enclosures should be built with rigidity beyond belief and serious internal bracing. The exterior finish is one of absolute beauty with black lacquer covering the front, trapezoidal top and rear of the enclosure, while beveled, polished slabs of black Italian granite adorns the sides of each speaker. The entire ensemble, weighs the $9,900 a pair Rosa's, in at a hefty 210 pounds each. The Sound I spent ...