Revel F208 vs. Paradigm 75F: Auditioning


Hello folks

I mentioned that I was gonna be auditioning some speakers on this other thread: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1445663532

You can see the electronics I have there as well - a 40W tube amplifier.

The dealer I will be visiting on Sunday has the following speakers that I had originally considered - specifically - Revel, Totem, Sonus Faber and Paradigm. I wanted to check out the F208, the Venere 2.5, the Totem Arro, specifically. However, the dealer dissuaded me from trying any of those - and recommended that I just try the Paradigm Prestige 75F.

Now, I know people generally say fairly good things about the Paradigm - and so I am happy to check them out as well. However, is there any reason I shouldn't check the Revel as well? My dealer thinks they would need a lot more power than I have to be driven efficiently and that it won't even be worth checking them out. Is this true? Do they really need that much more power to work effectively? Does the fact that I look to upgrading the upstream electronics eventually make a difference?

My hesitation comes from the fact that the Paradigm 75F is priced exactly at my price point ($3000) and the Revel is cheaper, though equally well reviewed.
badri
sorry but neither one is good for 40w tube amp.
Totem Forrest is the best bet but still another at least 20w will be desirable.
The Revel F208 is $5,000 MSRP. You may have been thinking of the F206 which is $3,500. I have the F208 hooked up to a Pass Labs XA30.5 (30 watt Class A amp) and don't feel they are under-powered. I actually like how they sound and very happy with it.

I'm not sure why your dealer is pushing you toward the 75F, but it's your money and you should listen to all of them and let your ears and your wallet make the decision for you.
Take your Jolida to this dealer and try it out with the speaker(s) of your choice in a listening room close in size to yours.