-Speed, dynamic, soundstage, all that you would expect from a high end speaker. -Excellent build quality.

Overly revealing, to the point of being fatiguing.

These speakers are extrememly dynamic (especially in the midrange), and this may pose problems in smaller rooms, or when matched with less than the very best of components. These speakers are merciless in revealing, and perhaps even exagerating flaws in your audio components. I have tried to tame these speakers, by moving them in every possible position, I've also tried several different interconnects and speaker cables (Wireworld, Nordost, Kimber). But, I have yet to be able to truly enjoy any music from them. To avoid using too much audiophile lingo, let me say, these speakers have all the qualities which will excite reviewers (great soundstage, speed,...), amaze your friends, and make great first impressions (they certainly did with me). However, after a few weeks of owning them, I wondered when was the last time I heard a song that completely captivated me and moved me. Then I remembered, it was before I purchased the F30s... As suggested by the last reviewer, these speakers probably sound great matched with all Mark Levinson components (I certainly can't attest to that). However, I seriously doubt that if you can afford the Levinson components you would ever want to pair them up with the F30s. There are much better speakers out there. But, if you own less than the best components (i.e. less than $5000), then, be wary of pairing them with these speakers. Consider the F30s if: -you have a HUGE room, and you want it filled with sound, -you thrive on detailed, hyper-dynamic sound, -you intend to use it for home theather, -own the very best front end components... but, then again, if you can afford the best components, there are far better speakers out there (for more $$$, of course). Before bying these speakers, if at all possible, try to audition them with your exact source components. And even then, try to audition them in a room similar to your own listening room. Listen to them for a long time, make sure that all those qualties that you first notice, won't eventually become fatiguing, and annoying with time. Comments welcomed.

Dynamics, depth and width of sound stage, accuracy, price

price-it is low enough to make prospective buyers can match these with cheaper amps,etc. Matching is oh so important

It is unfortunate when prospective purchasers of this product hear the F30's matched with inappropriate equipment. For them the much lauded speaker must be a huge dissappointment. These speakers are built to accomodate all of the new musical formats and are therefore constructed to be as dynamic as possible. Under-driving these speakers would be as exciting as driving a Porsche with only half an engine. The car looks and feels like it should but you walk away frustrated that it didn't perform as you had been led to believe. Match these, as I did with a Mark Levinson 334 amp and a Mark Levinson 390s CD player and experience a concert hall or at home. Be prepared, however, to start listening to different CD's in your collection as this setup is neutral, transparent and recharges the soul with the right disc. Lesser powered amps will drive the speakers but you only access the abilities of the F30's when you match them with the best that you can afford. The Mark Leveson/F30 combination is exceptional. Adding the matching suvwoofer, something historically detestable to do in top end hi-fi, fills in the missing bottom end extension subtley and thoroughly. Try this combination and hearese Revels sing. Or check that you have a pulse.

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Kef reference 4.2, MBL's

Speed, clarity, tonal accuracy, wide and deep soundstage.

Can be finicky regarding placement and equipment matching. (what truly hi end gear isn''''t?)

Just a brief update on my previous review. I recently obtained a new Audio Research CD-3 cd player, an SP-16 preamp and a VS-110 amplifier. After break-in, this upgrade in equipment made clear what I already had come to understand...these are very good loudspeakers. If you want a warm, romanticized sound, these are not the speakers for you. Neither are they overly analytical and cold. More than anything else, they sound like live music. These speakers are very revealing of the equipment upstream from them. If your cables are at all bright sounding, they will reveal it. If the amplification is thin sounding in the midrange, they will reveal it. If I were to criticize them at all, it would be in the bass. They are capable of prodigious bass response and if placed to near a rear wall, will start to overwhelm all but the largest rooms. They would benefit from some room damping...especially directly behind the speaker due to the rear firing port. With that said, they still are right up there with anything in their price range, and in some ways are better than far more expensive products.

Tonal neutrality without being analytical. Very dynamic with great imaging.

Large, may not work with small rooms. Require quality amplification

These speakers have a dynamism and clarity in the midrange that comes closer (for me) than anything else in the price range to live music. The imaging and soundstaging are both excellent. In my 15X25'' room, the width goes from wall to wall with the speakers out 30 inches from the rear wall and 36" from the side walls. Because of the great soundstage, they do an excellent job as a part of a home theater as well. The bass (in my room) is deep and very taut. When listening to organ music, they send out low shuddering waves of sound with excellent "room lock." They are very critical of accompaning equipment and readily show the difference between interconnects, amplifiers and preamps. This is true whether you are listening to an "audiophile" disc such as "Jazz at the Pawnshop" or Stevie Ray Vaughn. I''ve heard many speakers that cost twice this amount that do not really perform much better. Used with: Kora Equinox preamp Marantz M700 monoblocks Rogue 88 B&K Ref 30 Processor MIT terminator 3 cables Audio Research interconnects Rega Planet 2000 cd Panasonic rp56 dvd

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NHT, B&W, Meadowlark Shearwater

Outstanding vocals. Very natural and well balanced. Beautiful finish (especially in the sycamore) to look as good at home as it sounds... and it sounds great at home in the real world.

I''m ruined from listening to inferior speakers for good... On a more serious note, a wimpy receiver won''t do these F30''s justice. They really want a real amp. It makes a big difference.

These speakers are awesome. Especially for the money. You will find no better speaker in this price range. I suppose I should qualify that. If you want a natural sound and vocals that are second to none, then the Revels are your speakers. You may can find better speakers, but you will add another digit to the price tag. If you like a smiley face eq or overwhelming bass or screaming, tinny highs, then these are not your speakers. Try the Klipsch, because they were made for people like you. I work at a high end stereo store. I saved for 6 months to buy these speakers. I have not regretted the sacrifices I made at all. As you can imagine, I have listened to most of the best... B&W, Monitor Audio, NHT, M&K, JM Labs, Paradigm, Dynaudio, KEF... The list goes on. Listen to the Revels. And then listen to something else. I can''t listen to anything else anymore. There''s no going back.

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It''d be easier to list what I haven''t used.

Depth, imaging, bass extension. My friends bring their new CD''s over to hear what they should really sound like.

Try moving them around by yourself.

First - David from Houston has no clue. Harmon Int. came to Voecks and basically offered a blank check. Gave him everything he wanted and said "make the best speaker possible". I think he did. Have a listen to the new Snells, designed after he left, and you will understand. They sound like a damn Klipsch. Awful. And Harmon isn''t ABOUT to dump the Revel line - they can''t make them fast enough to satisfy the demand. My F30''s seem to get better everytime I listen to them. I just got an Elite vsx47tx and it REALLY makes the F30''s show their heart and soul. They are not only and incredible speaker, but also an incredible buy.

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As previously stated, nothing comes close for anywhere near the price.

Dynamics!

Will not tolerate recordings done by engineers in love with their compressors or recordings done on ADATS and MDMs

The F30s give you the accuracy of studio near field monitors and the bottom end of studio mains. As a trained post engineer, I value the F30 for its ability to deliver low level detail at the recommended 85dB Spl listening levels. It allows you to listen for extended periods of time with very little fatigue and gives you that special feeling that even at 2 in the morning with the system turned down real low you just aren''t missing anything. On the Ella Fitzgerald - Joe Pass XRCD you can hear the proximity effect when Ella sings,almost whispering, into the Microphone. When she steps back a foot or so to belt a little you just might jump out of your seat. I listen to every kind of music out there except perhaps Yani and John Tesh. Listening to Dance Music like trance and house on the F30s was a blast. They got me playing air keyboards and making funny faces at my 2 year old daughter. I guess what I love most about the F30s is that they can do anything you want it to from moving you with string solos, scaring you with pipe organs, engrossing you in a motion picture, or transport you to the days when you dressed like Sid Vicious (I didn''t but maybe you did). I use the F30s with a Mark Levinson 23.5 , Proceed AVP and cables from Transparent and MIT. They are set up Long Wall 8 ft. apart with the tweeters a scratch less than four feet from the rear wall. The room is custom fitted with assymetrical panels of 1" Marine Ply mounted on studs with neoprene dampers. The room also has a custom designed broadband diffuser/absorber between the two main speakers. The room is carpeted with 3/4" backing. I have installed a split type AC system and will convert the hole in the wall where the old window type airconditioner was into an infinite wavelength bass trap fitted with a kinetic membrane as soon as I figure out how to set the tension of the membrane to address the offending frequency. All in all, if you don''t have the luxury of having two separate rooms for your music and theater setups and need speakers that can just simply do it all, These babies are highly recommended.

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B&W 803N Energy Veritas 2.4

Well balanced,astounding clear midrange

none at this price level

I have used these speakers now for the past 8 months,of which i spend at least 100 hours to break them in.
Midrange reproduction of the F30 s is extremely clear and
lifelike,with some very immediate upfront presence

These speakers dissapear in an all engulfing huge soundstage
Images and detail are easily identifiable within this
soundstage ,which is no meagre performance.

Bass response is superb,from the 10" woofers.I also
found that balance between the midrange and bass being
exellent

I am driving these revels with a Jeff roland model 5.
Tese speakers deserve the best electronics that can
be afforded.These speakers compete well with speakers twice their price

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B&W 804

Imaging, soundstage, midrange accuracy.

None

I am a part time piano teacher. My husband carted these speakers in 5 months ago. It did take a while to get use to the look. The sound impressed me from the start. The midrange which is where the piano lives is smooth, detailed and wonderful to listen to. Classical works just come alive.

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Vandy's, B&W

Sounds like the real thing, or as much as any speaker can

With less then ownderful recordings, can be uncomfortably revealing

These speakers have an uncanny ability to disappear, which is somewhat unusual, considering this is usually a minimonitor's trick. Dynamics are realistic. Bass is quite good, but not the equivalent of having a good subwoofer. Tweeter level control's effect very subtle- Revel setup suggestion has the speakers just slightly wide of direct at the listener, but I've found the speakers, in my setup, to be smoother with just a bit of toe-in; abour 1-1/4" difference for back wall distance from the rear corners.

These speakers are alive. While no one will like evry speaker, these speakers are an unusually good buy.

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Magnepan, B&W