SAVING $$ BUYING OLDER SPEAKERS ON SALE! REVEL M16 REVIEW
BUYING OLDER SPEAKERS ON SALE! REVEL M16 REVIEW
This is NOT a new speaker, nor is it vintage, so why are we discussing it? Because if there’s one thing audiophiles LOVE more than good sound, it’s a good deal and the Revel Concerta2 M16 is currently on close out, so I put my money where my mouth is and bought a pair…but should you?
REVEL CONCERTA2 M16 SPEAKERS
Originally retailing for just under $1000 a pair, at the time of this review, you can get the M16 can now for $693 a pair, which is 30 percent back of MSRP, allowing you to experience one of Harman’s more luxury brand, Revel, for less than what you would spend on a new pair of Klipsch, Polk and even Elacs. With that extra cash in your pocket, you get a two-way, rear ported bookshelf speaker that features a one-inch aluminum dome tweeter mated to a six and a half inch aluminum cone woofer, which combined give the speaker a reported frequency response of roughly 55Hz to, I guess, 20kHz or higher. I say guess because Revel doesn’t come right out and say what the M16’s reported frequency response is, instead they opt to say the low frequency extension is as low as 45Hz –albeit at negative 10dB. Sensitivity is rated at 86dB with a nominal impedance of 6 Ohms, meaning the Revels aren’t going to be overly taxing on either your amplifier or AV receiver, though if you’re coming from a more efficient speaker, one who’s sensitivity is rated upwards of 89dB or higher, you may find yourself turning things up to match the volume levels of your old speakers. But all in all, nothing too crazy to worry about here.
REVEL CONCERTA2 M16 SPEAKER REVIEW BY ANDREW ROBINSON
REVEL CONCERTA2 M16 FINISH OPTIONS
The Concerta2 M16 is an attractive speaker though it’s clear where and how Revel has chosen to save money, which isn’t surprising given this is the brand’s entry-level speaker - which comes in two finishes, piano gloss black or white. While a gloss paint job isn’t new or high-end in my opinion, the M16 is a classically good looking speaker. Like a black suit or little black dress, the M16 isn’t likely to go out of style. Heck, it’s been four or five years since this speaker first hit the market and nothing about it –visually –screams dated. I would’ve liked to see higher quality binding posts and perhaps a less plastic port, but neither of these things really impact performance so let’s move on.
SETTING UP THE REVEL M16
Setting up the Revel M16 was simple and straightforward. Using our reference Solidsteel stands, the M16s didn’t seem that finicky with respect to placement. As with any rear ported speaker, the closer you place it to a wall the more bass you’re going to perceive, so if the M16’s come off as “light”, I recommend scooting them back towards your wall until you achieve the bass response you’re after. Pairing them with a subwoofer will provide the best results, which is what we did, using them with our SVS 3000 Micro subwoofer crossed over at around 60Hz.
HOW WE TESTED THE REVEL SPEAKERS
As for power we listened to the M16 using our reference Marantz Model 40n, the Rotel 1592 MKII as well as the new Marantz 8015 AV receiver- and all sounded great. The 8015 was the biggest surprise, leading me to believe one could pair the M16s with such an AVR for home theater AND two-channel use and experience everything the M16 has to give. Two channel purists will no doubt opt for an integrated like the 40n or Rotel to bring a tad more finesse to the speaker’s performance.
HOW DO THE M16 SPEAKERS SOUND?
But enough about all the nitty-gritty, how do the M16 speakers sound? I guess I’ll just come out and say it, these are crazy-impressive loudspeakers at their original MSRP, and an outright embarrassment of riches at their close out price, but let’s break it down.
REVEL SPEAKERS AND BASS
Starting with the bass - don’t expect much as this is NOT a full-range speaker, nor would I classify it as bass-heavy for a bookshelf. In our room, I was quite pleased with its bass performance, though in my subjective tests I surmised that the speaker wasn’t giving me much below 50Hz, which was confirmed when I measured it in our room at my listening position. So if you like deep, thunderous bass that extends into the low forties or better still, mid to low twenties –you home theater guys know what I’m talking about –plan to budget for a subwoofer. But for most genres of music, I think most of you will be okay when listening at reasonable volumes or in smaller rooms. I liked that the M16 didn’t over accentuate the bass. This isn’t a speaker that is attempting to sound fuller or richer than it is, which is a trait that often results in sloppy bass, something a lot of budget bookshelf speakers suffer from. The Revel’s bass, while lighter than some, has terrific detail and articulation. Now when going for broke on bass heavy tracks such as Rhianna’s S&M there was just a bit of cabinet resonance around the port that resulted in bass that sounded just a touch hollow rather than weighty, but I am nit-picking.
REVEL M16 SPEAKER MIDRANGE PERFORMANCE
The midrange is uncolored and near as makes no difference neutral to the source, something Revel, and Harman-branded speakers on the whole, pride themselves on being. The last Revel speaker I called my own was the brand’s Studio 2 from their Ultima2 line. That speaker was incredible with respect to its midrange and while it has been some time since I laid ears on it, the M16 is conjuring up aural memories of that speaker. There’s something just so right about the M16’s midrange. It isn’t forward or shouty, nor laid back or recessed. It sits in near perfect alignment with the speaker’s front baffles and never changes its stripes regardless of your amplifier pairing or volume. Both vocals and instruments that reside in the midrange sounded correct with no injections of flavor from the M16. I threw a little bit of everything at this speaker, everything from LMFAO to Metallica, Counting Crows to The XX. It didn’t matter what I played, it all sounded great!
While the M16 has an aluminum dome tweeter, same as you’ll find in the Bowers & Wilkins 600 Anniversary Series, you couldn’t ask for two more different sound signatures. The M16 is outright tame compared to the B&Ws, trading excessive energy past 20kHz for just a bit of roll-off starting around 5kHz, resulting in a high frequency performance that manages to be airy without EVER becoming fatiguing. This is one of the more listable metal dome tweeters I’ve heard. Sure, I’ve heard greater top-end detail, or sparkle from the likes of say Focal or even Sonus Faber, but I’d trade both for the hours of fatigue-free enjoyment the M16 gives me. Seriously, I dig it.
REVEL CONCERTA2 SOUNDSTAGE AND DYNAMICS
Where the M16 doesn’t quite rise to elite status –at least for me –is in the soundstage and dynamics department. The M16’s soundstage is strongest between the speakers, where detail, delineation and separation are at their best. Center imaging approaches reference-level, though dispersion isn’t quite as good as I’ve heard from even similarly priced loudspeakers. Sound does extend beyond the speaker’s boundaries, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say the M16 is boundary-defying. This is a decidedly studio monitor-like performance rather than say a holographic, 3D one. Accurate, yes. All encompassing, no.
Dynamically, the M16 –like a lot of Revel speakers I’ve experienced –are just a tad reserved, lacking that absolute last ounce of attack or snap when appropriate. I’m not saying the speaker lacks sonic contrast, but when a drummer is really laying into their kit I want to hear AND feel that emotion, that raw visceral sense of impact - these give me 90 percent when I crave the full 100. This no doubt helps the speaker to sound incredibly listenable across the widest range of musical genres, nevertheless, it is about the ONLY complaint I have about this speaker.
COMPARABLE SPEAKERS
In terms of comparisons, there is no shortage of sub $1000 two-ways to compare the M16 to. So let’s do something we don’t normally do around here and go rapid-fire style. The M16 versus the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2, this isn’t even a debate, the M16 all day. It’s stone cold better.
Polk Reserve R200
REVEL VS POLK
M16 versus Polk R200, this one is close. I mean these two speakers –at least on paper –could be twins. Sound United and Harmon I’m sure would have a fun debate over who that benefits most, nevertheless there you have it. You’re not going to go wrong with either, if anything, the M16 is a worthy alternative to the R200 if you’re just wanting something different –or if you’re hoping to save a few bucks - the M16 is currently cheaper but you do get more finish options with the Polk.
REVEL VS ELAC AND WHARFEDALE
M16 versus Elac’s Debut Reference. I’m going Revel. While I wish the M16 had some of Elac’s finish options, I prefer the M16’s sound. Next up we have the Wharfedale Evo 4.1, this one is also tough for me. The Evo 4.1 is an incredible speaker, and like the M16, represents not only a great value for money contender, but just a great speaker, period. I prefer the styling of the Evo 4.1. It’s also made from better, or nicer materials, but sound-wise, the M16 gets my vote for its versatility. Not every song gelled with the Evo’s tweeter –but that’s just me.
Klipsch 600M
REVEL VS KLIPSCH
Lastly, let’s go Revel versus Klipsch 600M. You know what, hold up, let’s not. Catch us Sunday if you’re curious about this head-to-head. In truth, I think the M16 can hold its own in any two-way head-to-head this side of $2,000. I would think long and hard about spending more. Unless you just NEED more bass or more dynamic snap from a speaker without resorting to a sub or greater efficiency, the M16 is every bit as good as a lot of even higher-end bookshelf speakers!
FINAL THOUGHTS
So the only question is should YOU snatch up a pair? If you’re on the market for a quality, two-way bookshelf speaker under a grand, I don’t know if you can do outright better than Revel’s M16. Sure it’s not the newest kid on the block, but the fact that it's four years old and STILL holds its own, and in some cases, even beats “newer” speakers, should tell you damn near everything you need to know. I believe these speakers were worth their asking price when new, but they’re an outright steal for what you can get them for today! I dig ‘em.
