Revel F226Be Loudspeaker Review w/ Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal

[@richarddenobriga48]

i have bought these loudspeakers and i can tell you they are the best loudspeakers i ever owned i know it sounds cliché, they are so balanced, that tweeter is incredible giving you detail without any agression so smooth!!! the midrange will give you chills and the bass is tight punchy and fast i drive them with a class a sugden a21 se signature only 30 watts and i can tell you it is audio heaven no need to spend more but don't take my word go listen will work well with almost evert amp easy to drive r&d with these speaker's is obsessive!

[@matthewfrazee3352]

You nailed it. I own these paired with 2 jl audio subwoofers and the Nad 33 and it is truly spectacular. At $7700 it is a bargain in the world of high end audio.

[@kevtn8]

For a small bedroom system do you think a sub is needed ? 50/50 music and movies duty. All of the descriptions of the sound is exactly what I've been looking for in a speaker.

[@matthewfrazee3352]

@@kevtn8 for a small bedroom I would recommend the revel 126be and a Jl audio e110 with the Lyngdorf tdai 1120

[@kevtn8]

@@matthewfrazee3352 I prefer a 3 way speaker with a dedicated midrange driver. I believe the F226Be would be perfect size. How would you describe the mid and lower bass on these ? Hopefully they are not too thin sounding.

[@marywarner2280]

I've been itching to buy an integrated amp for my Revel f206. The Sugden a21 was on my list, but now thanks to you it is a good match! One day I hope to move up the Revel line. Thanks!

[@kenmcglown6642]

I have sat and listened to these, extensively, on several occasions at my local dealers, and they are absolutely outstanding!!! What a fantastic high end bargain these are. You really don't have to spend more for speakers with these bad boys. I own a pair of Revel Salon 2 speakers, which, I'm sure, I'll take to the grave with me.

[@HRazmikify]

Do you recommend them for all kinds of music?

[@Joenerk]

Yep. Awesome. NAD C298 is powering mine.

[@ericelliott227]

Thank you for showing these speakers Kevin. I like to take note of possible replacements for my Paradigm Studio 100 v5s should tragedy ever strike. Paradigm no longer makes such a beautiful balanced speaker sadly and I have not heard anything that matches them exactly. However, I have heard the Revel Concertos of 8 years ago and they may be a half way decent alternative, but not quite as they are a little tilted up. I have not heard the F226Be though. I enjoy your enthusiasm. People say "oh, it's all salesmanship" and ok, that may be true, but you also have decades of experience being around the gear and your "the tube whisperer" as I like to say, so with that it is a little more than just sales. Experience is one of the most important factors in sales and honesty is THE most important factor, with some of the stories I have heard, you and your people have both. Right now I'm focused on phono carts I need to replace and I already miss Kat big time! I'm so glad and lucky that I finally got to meet her a few weeks ago in Costa Mesa, but unfortunately we did not have a chance to chat as we hoped and then 2 weeks later she gets the move to London opportunity. Believe me, there is only one Kat in the industry and hobby!! The industry and hobby needs to drop attitude and straighten out or there will not be more people like Kat.

[@hamidrezahabibi8111]

Kevin is the best and this loudspeaker sounds great 👍

[@josh2011miller80]

I wish I could afford a pair Revel floorstanders, I think Revel has one of the very best sound signatures. Fingers crossed that I have the discipline to save up enough without buying a different pair of speakers 😅

[@fyrebolt]

I wish there were so many great deals on the 226, 228, f328be, and prev gen 206, etc. when I picked them up. They are still in my main system after many other speakers have come and gone including at much higher price points. Check online because I've seen 226 for a few grand and 206 for under 2!

[@benjaminvdwalt6666]

Bought a brand new BMW in 2017, M240i, drove it to my brothers place the first day and I got hit by a massive stone and took paint of the front bumper. So when you said, isn't that Gods way to tell us not to take things to seriously I immediately knew exactly what you were talking about. Amen brother. So btw - I'm going to buy a set of Tannoy Cheviots and suitable PrimaLuna from you someday. Its on my bucket list!

[@Simplyveej]

Exactly the combo that I bought from Upscale!

[@benjaminvdwalt6666]

@@Simplyveej Awesome! I was a bit inbetween the Cheviot and the Turnberry. TBH I think it is close. For some reason I am just gravitation towards the Cheviot and its not because of the price. Have you been enjoying them?

[@Simplyveej]

@@benjaminvdwalt6666 The midrange sounds gorgeous and lush. They sound especially great on vocals, jazz, relatively sparse to “not too dense” music, well recorded music. It makes it sound like the artist is in the room, like no other speaker I have ever heard. They do not sound as great with symphony music, or with some kinds of rock, or old recordings that may not have been recorded very well. Very good bass, and I think the treble tuning gives me the right level of rolloff that I need. I’m keeping them :). Please note that one the drivers was defective out of the box / or became defective very soon after purchase. I had to replace it within 3 months. But Upscale was pretty good about sending me a replacement driver. It wasn’t too hard to replace either.

[@benjaminvdwalt6666]

@@Simplyveej Thanks for sharing. Interesting that you mention that they bring out the bad in bad recordings and some kinds of rock doesn't sound too good. Have you tried running the amp in Triode? I've heard that it can help take away some of the harshness on bad recordings etc.

[@Simplyveej]

@@benjaminvdwalt6666 I listen, almost exclusively in Triode

[@Goodboy0953]

My U,time Gems still going strong!!! Oh and M22s for surrounds..❤

[@capwkidd]

Where did you get the tuning forks?

[@jamesschneider3828]

I have beryllium ear drums. When I listen to the Stones at high volume my ears ring dominates too 😏

[@hartyewh1]

The F228Be at least notably lacks dynamics and has a very wide diffuse sound. Just tested them at a store. The highs are gorgeous though.

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

I owned a pair of 228be (also own a pair of JBL 4367s which have great dynamics). I think they lack bass extension and roll off pretty early. High-passing them at 60hz really makes them shine. Yes I agree they lack dynamics but it think it is just in the bass. Once crossed over dynamics seem pretty good. In direct A/B with the 4367 they simply get outclassed. The 4367 has more detailed highs and much more textured bass. But the better dynamics just makes the 4367 sound more real. I think the 226be is a better buy then the 228be as both still need subs.

[@zrhapp]

@@JamesWilliams-gf8gm I know you moved on. But I have a chance to get a 4 year old pair of the 228 BE's for $4,900. Would be upgrading from 13 year old Focal 836v's. While I do have subs, I'm kind of wondering if I should spend this kind of money on a speaker that is kind of bass weak. I'm not a basshead but for an MSRP of 10k seems like they should play deeper and with more authority.

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

@@zrhapp I would buy them, the 228be in an amazing speaker. All speakers needs subs imo. Even Wilson Audio makes giant subs for their biggest speakes. The 228be crossed (high passed) at 60hz is amazing. I liked my McIntosh 228be with two JL audio subs better than the 802d4 without subs on the same gear. The 228be really has no flaw other than lack of bass under 60hz. Even with the big JBL 4367 I am still highpassing at 60hz.

[@TheChris81c]

Own 228BE with NAD M33, nonissue with dynamics or bass. Depends on room and how they are setup. Had B&W 803 D4 before and the Revel’s sound a lot better.

[@hartyewh1]

@@TheChris81c I actually ended up getting them since they sound so much more correct and clean than anything else I heard. The macrodynamics still aren't impressive in at least the three spaces I've heard them where as others have been, but it's a compromise I'm happy with. It seems that having such a wide dispersion and weakened macrodynamics positively correlate in general so perhaps can't have it all.

[@TheChianello]

What about the Jubilee behind you?

[@GK-rw2op]

No close up of the watch ? Got any Patek's ?

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Thats a bitchen Tweeter ' thanks Rev Kev

[@mitchparker7652]

Beggars Banquet for me,

[@charleswilliams8368]

Yeah, but I can't narrow it down from Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, and Sticky Fingers. They're all different, but each one is great in its own way.

[@andreasmoller9798]

I think I would go with arendal over those

[@hitechburg]

The ROLLING STONES album "SOME GIRLS" is their best.

[@mmdusa]

Thanks Kevin. Nice speaker. But you look exhausted Kev. Take a day and rest.

[@labalo5]

The Deal NEVER rests!!

[@JJ_ON_YOUTUBE]

Kevin, you've got old. so sad 😢...

[@Nightjar726]

We all get old. You’re up next.