REVELL Performa B15a User manual

PERFORM
a™
HEAR
LISTEN
REVEL
F52
F32
M22
C52
C32
S30
B15a
®

Owning Revel®loudspeakers
is a pleasurable experience for both
the ears and eyes. Learning about
the finer details of their design and
construction will deepen your
appreciation of their lasting value.
®

The Revel Performa Series represents the culmination of Revel’s
tremendous acoustical research and technological resources. Revel’s
world-class team of engineers, designers, and acoustical researchers was
challenged to create premium loudspeakers that combine superior audio
performance with handsome aesthetics. The resulting Performa Series
loudspeakers feature proprietary drivers housed in beautiful cabinetry
that attains stunning sonic performance and placement flexibility while
complementing the décor in most homes.
THE LISTENING LAB
The Performa Series offers truly superior sound quality and incom-
parable technical pedigree, thanks in part to Revel’s sophisticated labora-
tory listening technique that — for the first time — provides an accurate
correlation between loudspeaker measurements and sonic performance.
Though laboratory measurements are critical, human hearing is the ulti-
mate evaluation tool. Revel’s Multichannel Listening Lab (MLL) repre-
sents the industry’s most sophisticated loudspeaker listening facility,
allowing loudspeakers to be compared as single speakers, stereo pairs, or
multiple speaker groups. Revel’s tests are based on extensive real world
listening in more than five different environments that simulate a wide
range of residential settings and room sizes. The MLL facility features a
remarkable, exclusive computer-controlled speaker switching stage that
eliminates the problems associated with speaker placement and aural
memory variables. Loudspeakers are placed on computer-controlled,
movable platforms that can quickly be arranged during testing. As a
3

result, the speaker repositioning process takes only a few seconds,
allowing listeners to quickly and accurately compare speakers to each
other from the same room position and with minimal time in-between
models. All tests are conducted “double-blind.” Once the loudspeakers
are installed on the MLL platforms, an acoustically transparent but visual-
ly opaque veil obscures loudspeaker identities from the listening panelists
to prevent human bias from tainting the results. Even the computer oper-
ator is not aware of the loudspeaker identities, as the computer randomly
determines the listening order prior to the test.
ANECHOIC CHAMBERS
While few loudspeaker companies have access to one, Revel has
three different anechoic (echo-free) chambers. Unlike most other compa-
nies, Revel does not depend on electronic anechoic “simulator” testing
methods that often fail to reveal critical performance flaws such as reso-
nances. Revel’s anechoic chambers are state-of-the-art in design, allow-
ing for accurate and useful loudspeaker measurements of complete
loudspeaker models and individual driver elements.
TRANSDUCERS, TESTING & QUALITY CONTROL
Most loudspeaker manufacturers out-source their transducers,
purchasing off-the-shelf tweeters, midranges, and woofers from vendors.
Revel loudspeakers feature proprietary transducer designs found in no
other company’s products. These transducers are exclusively designed,

5
engineered, and manufactured for Revel loudspeakers.
Revel engineers use Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to
design transducers that are optimized for each Revel model. A powerful
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) system provides a comprehensive computer
simulation of the entire driver assembly, allowing engineers to optimize
every aspect of a transducer assembly. FEA produces precise models of
the driver’s magnetic system, which is used to optimize the electro-mag-
netic circuits for each transducer according to the individual driver’s appli-
cation. Transducer components such as cones, domes, surrounds, and
centering mechanisms (the spider) also benefit from FEA scrutiny in the
design process.
An in-house Stereo Lithography Apparatus (SLA) is used during
development to help assure very tight tolerances and minimize develop-
ment times. The SLA utilizes a high-power laser to precisely solidify a liq-
uid polymer into the 3-dimensional shapes specified in CAD drawings.
This allows designs to be turned in real prototypes very quickly so they
can be verified before going into production.
During development, Revel also uses the industry’s most sophis-
ticated driver distortion analyzer to pinpoint the precise source and loca-
tion of undesirable distortions within the driver assembly. In addition, a
high-resolution Laser Interferometer scans the entire radiating surface of
the driver for evidence of breakup, which occurs when the radiating sur-
face flexes undesirably. This incredible tool helps Revel drivers to achieve
more linear piston-like behavior, delivering minimal coloration and excep-

tionally low distortion.
The Laser Interferometer also contributes to the design of the
loudspeaker cabinet. To avoid undesirable coloration, the cabinet enclo-
sure must not cause unwanted resonances. Laser scanning the loud-
speaker enclosure allows for optimization of the cabinet design, including
proper placement of internal bracing to create an acoustically inert enclo-
sure conducive to the most neutral and honest sound reproduction.
Prior to installation in the loudspeaker enclosure, each loud-
speaker driver complement and associated crossover elements are sub-
jected to rigorous testing as a complete sub-assembly. Components are
tested in an anechoic chamber and then compared to production refer-
ence standards. But even with the tightest production tolerances, slight
deviations still might occur from one loudspeaker to the next. To prevent
this, a technician compares each loudspeaker to the reference standard,
making careful adjustments by hand as needed. All tuning adjustments
and specifications are then recorded and retained for archive purposes,
referenced to the loudspeaker’s serial number.
This careful attention to detail allows Revel to achieve unparal-
leled consistency among all loudspeakers, alleviating the need for
matched pairs. Instead, all Revel loudspeakers are matched within a frac-
tion of a decibel to achieve superior soundstage imaging and accuracy.
Each pair of Performa loudspeakers sounds the same as the original refer-
ence pair as well as the loudspeakers that have won accolades from
reviewers around the world. Physically separated circuit boards for each

7
frequency range prevent degrading mutual interference caused by com-
ponent-to-component interaction. The result is distinctly more transpar-
ent and distortion-free sound reproduction.
With the premiere of the Ultima Series, Revel earned a reputa-
tion for producing “the world’s finest loudspeakers.” Since then, Revel
loudspeakers have won accolades from discerning audiophiles and critical
reviewers alike. Collectively, the Performa Series offers an impressive
combination of advanced design, precision manufacturing, stunning
audio performance, and handsome aesthetics. Individually, each
Performa loudspeaker is a standout performer that delivers a perform-
ance as powerful as it is precise.
The following pages detail the unique design, engineering, and
capabilities of each Performa loudspeaker model.

F52
Shown in
Natural Cherry
finish

9
A five-driver, three-way
design, the Performa F52 includes
a trio of high performance 61⁄2-inch
woofers that incorporate our
exclusive Organic Ceramic
Composite cone technology, which
provides the ultimate combination
of rigidity and lightness. Featuring
butyl surrounds and high strength
magnetic motor structures, togeth-
er these woofers provide the deep
bass response commonly associat-
ed with a much larger single driver,
along with low distortion and wide
frequency response, allowing a
much narrower cabinet profile. The
51⁄4-inch OCC cone midrange driver
is similarly equipped, and is housed
in its own sub-enclosure within the
F52’s elegant cabinet, which is
constructed of thick and acoustical-
ly inert MDF and features substan-
tial internal bracing for added rigid-
ity.
The F52 tweeter assembly
features a proprietary 1-inch alu-
minum dome tweeter housed in an
integrated Constant Acoustic
Impedance waveguide, which pro-
vides both optimum acoustic load-
ing as well as optimized horizontal
and vertical dispersion. The result is
a virtually seamless transition from
the midrange to the treble fre-
quencies that also provides virtual
acoustic invisibility, where the
tweeter itself cannot be localized as
an individual driver.
As with other Performa
models, each F52 is individually
calibrated during production,
hand-tuned to within a fraction of
a decibel to the production refer-
ence standard, assuring unparal-
leled unit-to-unit consistency.
Three physically separated high
order, steep slope crossovers each
feature tight tolerance compo-
nents, and two pairs of inputs on
the rear panel allow for bi-wiring or
bi-amping, while a precision tweet-
er adjustment allows fine tuning of
the high frequency balance in
exact .5 dB increments.
The Performa F52 is avail-
able in your choice of elegant
wood veneer finishes – Natural
Cherry, Maple or Black Ash.
At left, the
F52 driver
complement:
61⁄2-inch
woofers
51⁄4-inch
midrange
1-inch
tweeter
F52
crossovers
woofer
midrange
tweeter
F52 shown in
Black Ash
finish
The F52
rear panel
tweeter level
control and
binding posts
(shown with
shorting
straps)
PERFORM
a™
F52

F32
Shown in
Natural Cherry
Finish

11
At left, the
F32 driver
complement:
61⁄2-inch
woofers
51⁄4-inch
midrange
1-inch
tweeter
F32
crossovers
woofer
midrange
tweeter
F32 shown
in Maple
finish
Rear panel
with tweeter
level control,
low-frequency
compensation
control and
binding posts
PERFORM
a™
F32
The F32 combines large
floor-standing loudspeaker per-
formance in an elegant slim cabinet
design with a small “footprint” for
maximum placement versatility
and high visual appeal. It features
four magnetically-shielded propri-
etary drivers that offer a host of
improvements in vital areas such as
dynamics, distortion, and dynamic
compression along with improved
low-frequency reproduction and
wider placement versatility.
The F32 features two high-
performance 61⁄2-inch woofers that
provide the surface area of a much
larger single driver and produce
authoritative bass with tremendous
output capability. Exclusive Organic
Ceramic Compound cone material
assures piston-like diaphragm
operation, contributing to the very
low distortion and freedom from
coloration.
Sophisticated Dual
Neodymium magnetic motor sys-
tems optimize linearity over a wide
operating range, resulting in con-
sistent timbre and low distortion
over a wide dynamic range. These
remarkable drivers also feature 2-
inch high power-handling flat-wire
edge-wound voice coils for
unprecedented power handling
capability and low distortion.
Virtually identical to the
woofer except for size, the 51⁄4-inch
midrange driver is optimized for
the crucial midrange frequencies,
providing remarkably smooth tim-
bral response and wide dynamic
range with vanishingly low distor-
tion. The treble frequencies are
faithfully reproduced by a newly-
developed 1-inch pure titanium
dome tweeter that features true
pistonic behavior over its entire
operating range and incorporates
Ferrofluid®cooling.
Nearly half the width of its
predecessor, the F32 cabinetry fea-
tures tapered sides that provide a
svelte appearance and improved
placement flexibility, aided by a
Contour setting for various in-
room acoustical conditions as well
as a Boundary setting that allows
for near-wall and in-wall installa-
tions.
Each F32 is carefully cali-
brated to match the production
reference standard to within a frac-
tion of a decibel and is superbly
finished in a choice of Natural
Cherry, Maple or Black Ash wood
veneer.

M22
Shown in
Maple Finish
on optional
pedestals

13
PERFORM
a™
M22
At left, the
M22 driver
complement:
61⁄2-inch
woofer
1-inch
tweeter
M22
crossovers
woofer
tweeter
M22shown
in Natural
Cherry finish
Rear panel
with
placement
compensation
control,
tweeter level
control and
binding posts
Reviewed as “Class-A sound
quality from a small loudspeaker,”
the Performa M20 set the standard
for state-of-the-art compact moni-
tor performance. The new M22
continues to elevate the perform-
ance standard, featuring newly
developed driver technology shared
with the F32 floor-standing speaker
system, along with a new slim cabi-
net design that allows tremendous
placement versatility and high visual
appeal.
Featuring a high power han-
dling, magnetically-shielded 61⁄2-inch
cast-frame woofer incorporating
Revel’s exclusive Organic Ceramic
Composite Cone technology along
with a substantial 2-inch diameter
flat-wire edge-wound voice coil, the
M22 woofer also includes a propri-
etary Dual Neodymium magnetic
motor system for tremendous
dynamic range and freedom from
compression. This remarkable driver
also features sophisticated magnetic
flux focusing systems, comprising a
copper modulation control cap as
well as an aluminum flux stability
ring for unparalleled magnetic lin-
earity and incredibly low distortion.
Treble frequencies are ably
reproduced by our exclusive pure,
magnetically-shielded 1-inch titani-
um dome wide dispersion tweeter,
featuring an advanced co-polymer
surround and Ferrofluid cooling,
providing true pistonic behavior for
reproduction beyond the limits of
human hearing.
Internally, the M22 features
physically separated high-order
crossover boards that incorporate
precise fixed-resistor, high-frequen-
cy level trimming, as well as a
boundary compensation system
that allows for optimum timbral
response with either stand mount-
ing or shelf mounting. During pro-
duction, each M22 is individually
calibrated to match the production
reference standard to within a frac-
tion of a decibel, assuring outstand-
ing consistency and timbral
accuracy.
The elegant cabinetry fea-
tures gently tapered sides that visu-
ally suggest an even smaller
appearance and is finished in a
choice of Natural Cherry, Maple or
Black Ash fine wood veneers. A
beautifully designed optional black
pedestal elevates the M22 to an
ideal height and aesthetically
matches the optional C32 pedestal.

C52
Shown in
Maple Finish on
optional pedestal

15
At left, the
C52 driver
complement:
8-inch
woofers
51⁄4-inch
midrange
1-inch
tweeter
C52
crossovers
woofer
midrange
tweeter
C52 shown
in Natural
Cherry finish
C52
Rear panel
with
placement
compensation,
high
frequency
level controls
and binding
posts
PERFORM
a™
C52
As the most important
reproducer in a multi-channel sur-
round sound system, the center
channel speaker must deliver
vocals and dialog with the utmost
clarity along with music and special
effects, and must also match the
tonality of the main left and right
front speakers.
The Performa C52 center
channel loudspeaker is the ideal
companion to our F52 and F32
models, delivering a combination
of tonal neutrality and outstanding
dynamic range, fully up to the task
of providing faithful reproduction
with today’s explosive movie
soundtracks and high resolution
multi-channel music sources, such
as DVD-Audio and SACD.
Featuring a pair of 8-inch
Organic Ceramic Composite cone
high performance woofers, along
with a 51⁄4-inch OCC cone
midrange driver, the F52 also fea-
tures our recently developed and
proprietary Constant Acoustic
Impedance tweeter waveguide
technology. The 1-inch aluminum
dome tweeter is housed in the spe-
cially-shaped CAI waveguide,
which provides optimum acoustic
impedance loading along with pre-
cise horizontal and vertical disper-
sion. Together, these components
contribute to the virtual acoustic
invisibility of the tweeter, which
cannot be localized as an individual
driver, providing a seamless
acoustic blend and a broad and
expansive soundstage.
The three high order, steep
slope crossovers are physically sep-
arated to prevent mutual interfer-
ence, and each C52 is individually
hand-tuned to within a fraction of
a decibel to match the production
reference standard. A rear panel
control allows acoustic optimiza-
tion for stand mounting, on-moni-
tor, and in-cabinet placement.
Another control provides high fre-
quency level adjustment in .5 dB
increments. The elegant cabinetry
is available in your choice of
Natural Cherry, Maple or Black Ash
natural wood veneers.

C32
Shown in
Black Ash
Finish on optional
pedestal

17
At left, the
C32 driver
complement:
51⁄4-inch
woofers
4-inch
midrange
1-inch
tweeter
C32
crossovers
woofer
midrange
tweeter
C32 shown in
Maple finish
Rear panel
with
placement
compensation,
high
frequency
level controls
and binding
posts
PERFORM
a™
C32
The C32 mates with the
F32 floor-standing loudspeaker
and the M22 monitor. Featuring
broad dispersion, low coloration
and consistent off-axis response,
the C32 is remarkably versatile,
with an adjustable boundary com-
pensation system that provides
optimum timbral accuracy with on-
monitor placement or stand
mounting, and even for built-in-
wall applications.
A three-way design, the
C32 features a pair of 51⁄4-inch
woofers and a 4-inch midrange; all
magnetically-shielded and
equipped with newly developed
Organic Composite Ceramic cones
for improved transparency, timbral
accuracy, and freedom from distor-
tion. Featuring a sophisticated Dual
Neodymium magnet motor sys-
tem, these drivers also incorporate
large flat-wire edge-wound voice
coils for maximum dynamic range
and freedom from dynamic com-
pression. A precision switched-
resistor high frequency level control
provides exact treble level tuning
for optimal high frequency balance
from the 1-inch pure titanium
dome tweeter.
Precise multi-element high-
order crossovers are individually
divided on separate circuit boards
to prevent degradation due to
component interaction. As with all
Revel speaker systems, each C32 is
individually tuned to match the
production reference standard to
within a fraction of a decibel,
assuring outstanding consistency
and optimal blend with other Revel
speakers. Two sets of binding posts
provide for bi-amping and bi-
wiring as well.
The elegant slim cabinet
features sophisticated internal
bracing that eliminates cabinet-
induced coloration, and is available
in a choice of three beautiful wood
veneer finishes: Natural Cherry,
Maple or Black Ash. An optional
black pedestal raises the C32 off
the floor and also provides optimal
tilt toward the listening area.

S30
Shown in
Black Finish

19
PERFORM
a™
S30
The versatile four-driver S30
surround speaker offers un-
matched surround sound envelop-
ment for both motion picture
soundtracks and discrete multi-
channel music recordings, provid-
ing a choice of dispersion patterns
for optimum listening enjoyment.
For movie soundtracks, the S30
provides, in its dipole mode, a dif-
fuse sound field, enveloping the
audience in an expansive, ambient
surround environment, while mini-
mizing speaker localization even
with a large number of listeners.
For discrete music recordings, the
S30 features a monopole mode,
providing the pinpoint imaging
that discrete music surround mixes
demand. The dispersion mode can
be manually selected or activated
remotely (depending on system
configuration).
Featuring a high output
61⁄2-inch woofer and a 1-inch metal
dome tweeter, the S30 is also
equipped with two 4-inch full-
range drivers with dispersion char-
acteristics optimized for consistent
sound throughout the listening
area. The handsome cabinetry fea-
tures angled baffles in a stylish
three-panel configuration and can
be wall or ceiling mounted using
the integrated mounting system
for maximum flexibility.
The S30’s timbre is carefully
tailored to blend seamlessly with all
of the Performa loudspeakers, with
extended and airy high frequency
response to beyond 20kHz.
The S30 is available in either
a black or white finish — to inte-
grate easily with dark or light col-
ored room décor.
The versatile S30 surround
speaker can be integrated with
select A/V processors or control
systems to enable automatic dis-
persion switching, customized to
the user's preferences for various
program sources.
At left, the
S30 driver
complement:
61⁄2" woofer
4" full-ranges
1" tweeter
S30
crossovers
woofer
tweeter
One of two
4-inch
controlled
dispersion
drivers
Rear panel
with binding
posts and
monopole/
dipole remote
switch
connection

B15a
Shown in
Natural Cherry
Finish