Agenda n History of Revel n Our mission n Our product philosophy – Research – Design – Listening – Production n Products n Multichannel audio n Multichannel-specific

Agenda History of Revel Our mission Our product philosophy

– Research– Design– Listening– Production

Products Multichannel audio Multichannel-specific products Future products

History of Revel

Dr. Harman wanted a loudspeaker company as unsurpassed as Madrigal– No such loudspeaker company existed - it had to be created

January 1996 announcement– Company goals and direction

Unsurpassed performance and industrial design

Unparalleled resources – People, expertise, facilities, financing

Unheard of in high end audio Around 400 U.S. speaker companies, Revel given unique opportunity to

do it right

Revel Mission - Produce the World’s Finest Loudspeakers

What constitutes “the world’s finest loudspeakers”?• Acoustical performance-first and

foremost• Unsurpassed quality• All visual aspects

Revel Mission-Produce the World’s Finest Loudspeakers

How?• First rigorously designed high end loudspeakers• Combining high-end sensibility with state of the

art research and development• Double-blind listening tests demonstrate listener

preference• Renowned industrial design team producing

loudspeakers that look as great as they sound.

Revel’s Product PhilosophyOverview

Research Design Listening confirmation Production

Revel’s Product PhilosophyResearch

Research should be the first step

– Avoid trap of false assumptions


Resources to do genuine research Industry-leading researchers

– Dr. Floyd TooleLong working relationship at Canadian National Research Council

– Sean Olive– Many others


World’s leading research to determine:– How we hear (starting at the beginning)– Important factors in perceived sound quality – Room acoustics– Loudspeaker/room interaction– Making listening tests valid scientific data

Only then do we know what we are trying to achieve!

Revel’s Product Philosophy - Research

Tradeoffs involved in all speaker design– Optimum performance can only be

achieved by selecting the right priorities


What is the relative importance of various sonic characteristics?– Timbre– Directivity– Resonances– Distortion– Dynamics– Phase– Waveform preservation


Our listening tests and breakthrough measurement process are used to determine how significant sonic characteristics are affected by:– Transducer diaphragm, surround, motor, voice coil

and former materials and construction– Enclosure shape, construction, materials, and

damping– Filter network (crossover) component types and

characteristics


How can these questions be answered?– 1000’s of double-blind listening tests

Our ears are the ultimate authority

– Dozens of areas objectively investigated

– Result is phenomenally powerful


We have determined what is sonically important:– Timbre-overwhelmingly dominant

Directivity – off-axis responses, critical to timbre

– Resonances – must be kept below audible threshold

– Dynamic compression-usually overlooked, but very significant

– Distortion - frequency-dependent thresholds


...And what is not important, or less important…– Waveform preservation – not audible– Phase-audible in specific ways

Individual transducers must have good phase performance to enable proper crossover operation

Phase shift per se, is not audible in loudspeaker systems

Revel Product Philosophy - Design

Now That We Truly Know What the Goal Is…

Designing products to address the results of our research:How do we characterize and measure:– Timbre?– Resonances?– Distortion?– Dynamic compression?

Revel Product Philosophy - DesignMeasuring Timbre

Timbre is the most significant audible characteristic - requires the greatest emphasis

Simple “on-axis” measurements of little to no value– Gave speaker measurements a (deservedly)

bad name


Massive research effort comprised of in-room measurements and double-blind listening tests– Assures research and measurements

have a basis in the “real world”


Breakthrough measurement process has been developed that has a high correlation to sound quality

Requires a combination of many measurements– Must be made in a very large anechoic chamber to retain important

resolution

Sophisticated post-processing of all data based on the extensive in-room measurements and listening tests

Only U.S. High end loudspeaker company with such facilities

Direct Sound Measurements

• An improved method with an average of 7 measurements

• Mimics brain’s processing

• Commonly seen as “on-axis” response

Equally Important Early Reflections

Reflections with short delays are just as important as the direct sound.

Appropriate weighting for each boundary based on extensive research.

Most loudspeakers perform poorly in this test.

Reverberant Sound Contributes to Perception of Timbre

The loudspeakers’ output in all directions contributes.

Includes sound heard after multiple reflections from all

boundaries.

Single Calculated Curve Correlates Closely to Sound Quality

Weighted average of all measurements based on measurements in many listening rooms.


Having created measurements that have been proven to be sonically relevant, what tools are required to provide optimum performance according to these new tests?


Three State of the Art Anechoic Chambers– Provide high resolution results– Do not suffer from disadvantages of simulated

chambers


180 Hz 4 pi anechoic chamber– 5,000 cubic feet

(142 cubic meters)– Full transparent

floor


60 Hz 4 pi anechoic chamber– 10,000 cubic feet (283

cubic meters)– 1200 four foot (1.2

meter) wedges– Calibrated to +/- 0.5db

below 60 Hz


2 pi anechoic chamber– 7,000

cubic feet (198 cubic meters) with 800 three foot wedges


Complete in-house transducer design and production– Optimum transducers for each specific application– State of the art transducers not available from any

vendor Midranges are limitations in many speakers

– Inadequate spectral range– Inadequate power handling/high compression

OEM woofers have power handling and compression limitations

Revel Product Philosophy - Design Unequalled design resources

– FEA (finite element analysis) design of motor systems, surrounds, and spiders

Revel Product Philosophy - Design -Unequalled Design Resources

Laser scanner for domes, surrounds, and enclosures

Enabled fully pistonic midranges

Optimized surround behavior for greatly reduced distortion and smoother midrange response

Optimized enclosure shapes, materials, and construction


Laser interferometry– Diaphragm

development

Revel Midrange Competitor’s Midrange


Unequalled transducer design resources– Rapid prototyping

with stereo lithography

– Fast samples of any 3-dimensional parts, such as baskets

– Enhanced ability to try multiple iterations Dr. Green from ER dropped by to help us


Dynamic (Power) Compression

Does more than rob the music of life Changes timbre as the music plays

– Frequency-dependent and non-linear Revel has reduced dynamic compression to levels

previously associated only with horn-loaded systems

Revel Product Philosophy - Design Dynamic (Power) Compression

We have developed quantitative tests– Has given us

valuable data regarding what is effective to reduce compression

– Tests are performed throughout both the transducer and system development processes

Sub-15 with LE-1– compression results

Revel Product Philosophy - Design Dynamic (Power) CompressionMinimized in All Revel Loudspeakers

Huge voice coils for given application– Salon, voice, embrace 1 1/2” (38 mm) voice coils

in 4” (102 mm) midrange– Gem 2” (51 mm) voice coil in 5 1/4” (133 mm)

woofer– Sub-15 uses 4” (102 mm) single layer flat wire

voice coil

Revel Product Philosophy - Design Dynamic (Power) CompressionMinimized in All Revel Loudspeakers

High-order filters (crossovers) drastically reduce compression compared to 1st-order systems

Tight gaps to optimize heat transfer designed with F.E.A. (Finite element analysis)

Large motor systems for heat dissipation

Revel Product Philosophy - Listening Tests

Rigorous listening tests are true measurements, not just opinions.– The ability to perform truly objective listening tests is a

huge advantage. Double-blind listening tests prove revel’s

superiority. Six varied listening rooms.

– Five fixed rooms at 2100 ft3 (59 m3), 3000 ft3 (85 m3), 4500 ft3 (127 m3) , and 5400 ft3 (153 m3).

Speaker Mover Listening Lab

Automated speaker mover to eliminate speaker -position variable or to efficiently test its effects (e.g. off-axis performance, digital room EQ )

Physically and acoustically optimized and equipped for scientific testing of two-channel and multichannel configurations

Acoustically transparent screen hides identities of loudspeakers

Experimental design, control, collection and analysis of data automated under computer control

Speaker Mover in the Listening Lab

Detail of Speaker Mover

Double-blind Listening Room (MLL) From Front

Automated Speaker Mover: Why?

Loudspeaker Position has significant influence on perceived sound quality. The effect can be as great as the differences among loudspeakers (Olive et al., JAES vol. 42, 1994)

Therefore, in listening tests, variable of position MUST be eliminated or controlled

For in situ tests, position effects can only be controlled and balanced by testing each loudspeaker in each possible position

…. x 4 speakers = 24 possible speaker-

position permutationsper program

…. x 4 speakers = 24 possible speaker-

position permutationsper program

Trial #

1

2

3

4

5

6

Position: 1 2 3 4

Example: With 4 programs there would be 96 trials (with no repeats)

Before Speaker Mover…. Example: A/B/C/D Loudspeaker Comparisons

…. x 4 speakers = 24

1 possible speaker-position permutation

per program.

Trial #

1

2

3

4

5

6

Position:

1 2 3 4

Example: With 4 programs there would be 96 4 trials (with no repeats)

After Speaker Mover….Example: A/B/C/D Loudspeaker Comparisons

Speaker Mover Analysis Station

•Multi-dimensional analysis provides important data for ongoing research

•Guards against erroneous conclusions

8

7

6

BLIND SIGHTED

1G1DST

PREFERENCE

RATING

Blind Vs. Sighted Tests

Visual cues have statistically significant influences

In “sighted” tests opinions can be influenced more by product identity than by the sound of the product.

In “sighted” tests listeners were less responsive to differences attributable to position or to program.

In other words - Believing is Hearing

Blind Vs. Sighted - Summary

Comparative Listening Tests

Group Mean Speaker Preference

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

Speaker

Pre

fere

nce

Group Mean

Double-blind listening tests prove superiority Revel sonic superiority proven before product release

Renowned Multichannel Listening Facilities

Used by F.C.C. for U.S. high definition (DTV) television audio standard listening tests

5,400 ft3 (153 m3)

Revel Product Philosophy -Production

Vertical integration enhances quality– Design transducers in-house

Build most transducers in-house

Revel Product Philosophy - Production

Vertical integration enhances quality State of the art in-house enclosure finishing facilities

Several coats of sealer, with sanding in-between

Polyurethane finish applied to primed surface



Temperature controlled oven assures durable finish

Clear coat sealer for deep shine



First clear coat polishing with coarse polishing compound

Final clear coat polishing with fine polishing compound


World’s greatest prototype is irrelevant if production units are not the same!

Best OEM vendors have +/- 3dB variations in response

0.5dB variations, over a wide range, are very critical Matching pairs is insufficient--Only guarantees two

equally flawed speakers

Revel Product Philosophy - Production Unsurpassed Quality Measures

Individual crossover tuning for virtually perfect replicas of original reference

Unique Products

Proven to be state of the art in listening tests in 2-channel stereo applications

All Revel loudspeakers were conceived and built with multichannel audio in mind

No compromises are made in 2-channel performance to optimize multichannel performance

The Salon, Studio, Gem, and Sub15/LE-1 are equally at home in 2-channel or multichannel systems

The Salon Loudspeaker

The world’s most accurate loudspeaker– A whole new level of

freedom from loudspeaker coloration

– Unparalleled off-axis accuracy

Everything we know about loudspeakers utilized– From its inception and

throughout the design process


State of the art transducers reduce distortion below audibility


New, advanced aluminum alloy dome tweeter Pistonic to over 30 kHz The state of the art in high frequency performance


4” (102 mm) titanium midrange Pure titanium alloy concave dome Large 1.5 inch (38 mm) voice coil Optimized high-flux neodymium

motor Co-injected fluoro-elastomer rubber

surround

Magnetic shielding


Three high output, low compression 8” (203 mm) woofers– Very high output capability with true full range extension– 1.5 inch (38 mm) 6 layer voice coil with 26 mm winding

length– Very high flux, optimized motor system– Copper sleeve on pole piece to minimize inductance and

eddy current modulation distortion– Concave poly cone with nitrile rubber surround for

optimum balance of stiffness and mass– Magnetic shielding to allow placement near video

monitors


6 1/2” (165 mm) mid-woofer allows smaller midrange, higher crossover for lowest coloration

Optimized for low compression, with 1.5 inch (38 mm) voice coil

High flux, low distortion motor system F.E.A. optimized to minimize non-linear distortion– Copper sleeve on pole piece to minimize inductance and

eddy current modulation distortion– Concave poly cone with nitrile rubber surround for

optimum balance of stiffness and mass– Magnetic shielding to allow placement near video

monitors


Calibrated, precision high frequency trimming

Allows for high frequency room characteristic compensation

0.5 dB increments precisely tailor response, assure left/right response matches at any adjustment

Highest quality switches for extremely long life without audible colorations


Low frequency adjustments– Help optimize performance in a wider range of rooms and room

placements


Filters (crossover): 4-way, 24 dB/octave (4th-order) acoustic response at 125 Hz, 450 and 2.2 kHz

Sensitivity: 86 dB SPL, with 2.83 volts RMS @ 1 meter, 4 pi (anechoic)

Impedance: 6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum

The Salon Loudspeaker-Frequency Responses

In-room response: ± 1 dB from 25 Hz to 12 kHz In-room response relative to target response: ± 0.75

dB from 25 Hz to 20 kHz First-reflections response: ± 1 dB from 25 Hz to 17

kHz Listening window response: ± 1.5 dB from 25 Hz to

18 kHz Low frequency extension: -10 dB @ 17 Hz. -6 dB @

20 Hz. (-3 dB @ 24 Hz)

The Studio Loudspeaker

Created to deliver much of the Salon’s performance in a smaller package

Utilizes the same state of the art tweeter as the Salon, along with the same ultra-low diffraction baffle

5 ¼” inverted titanium dome pistonic midrange from the Gem – Allows a lower (220 Hz) crossover point, eliminating the

need for the Salons’ 6 ½” mid-woofer

– Allows the two 8” woofers to be farther from the floor, reducing the chance of lower midrange coloration

The Studio Loudspeaker

Two (rather than three) Salon 8” woofers provide excellent low frequency output capability

Low frequency extension:– -10 dB @ 22 Hz (instead of 17 Hz in the Salon)

– -6 dB @ 26 Hz (instead of 20 Hz in the Salon)

– -3 dB @ 33 Hz (instead of 24 Hz in the Salon)

The Gem Loudspeaker

Cost-no-object compact system– Flexible

applications Groundbreaking

industrial design

The Gem Loudspeaker Advantage to place for

optimum performance, ignoring low-bass when used with Sub-15

Designed from the ground up as a system

State of-the-art transducers

The Gem Tweeter Construction Details

Very linear response, with low compression and distortion

Gem Woofer Construction Details

•Titanium dome allows true pistonic operation throughout its operating range

•Motor derived from JBL Pro LSR32

• Optimized for lower distortion and compression

Gem Final Assembly

The Sub-15 Subwoofer and the LE-1 System

Redefines low frequency reproduction - Actual timbre can be perceived

Absolutely state of-the-art performance

Purist approach (and brute force)


Previous state of the subwoofer art:– Sliding EQ and compression severely limit

performanceLimited amplifier output capability (no FTC

requirements)Limited voice coil thermal capacityLimited cone assembly mechanical durability


Overcomes performance limitations of competitors– No need to disguise lack of power handling, lack or amplifier

power, or lack of mechanical capability– Means no sliding EQ or limiting that dynamically alters response– Massive 0.36 lb. (163 gram) edge-wound flat wire voice coil

The LE-1 Low Frequency Electronics System

Provides equalization for Sub-15

Massive output capability of over 700 watts into one Sub-15, or over 1,000 watts into two Sub-15s.

Crossover ideally blends Revel speakers with Sub-15

The Sub-15 Woofer Construction Details

•Motor derived from JBL Pro 2242 woofer

• Reduced distortion, increased excursion, and reduced suspension non-linearities

Interim Summary

Revel has unparalleled resources Industry-leading research Acoustical goals clearly identified Completely optimized designs

– Utilizing all knowledge from research Objective listening tests prove superiority Production processes guarantee consistency

Multichannel Audio

Multichannel Audio - Why?

Opportunity of significantly improved sonic reality

Two channels cannot capture or reproduce an acoustic event

Attempts to create “ambience” in the listening room are inherently flawed

Multichannel Audio - Why?

Original performance venue ambiance can be captured and reproduced

No compromises need to be made in 2-channel performance– Wide dynamic range requirements should be

addressed for 2-channel, as well as multichannel and home theater

Multichannel Audio - How?

DVD Audio (not AC-3) provides the bandwidth to provide 5.1 or more channels at better than CD quality

Acceptance of 5.1 configuration for home theater provides breakthrough opportunity for multichannel audio

Multichannel Audio - The Risks

System configuration is far more complex than 2-channel stereo

Significant learning curve exists for proper product selection and application (installation)

Multichannel Audio - The Risks

– Risk exists to actually degrade overall sonic accuracyIf the added channels (center and surround) have higher coloration in their intended locations than the front left and right speakers, the overall system coloration can increase, compared to a 2-channel system

Multichannel Audio - The Central Challenges

Match timbre properly in all channels in the listening room– All loudspeakers must be as accurate at the

main left and right speakers Reproduce intended soundfield accurately

Multichannel Audio - Revel Excels

The first purist audiophile multichannel loudspeakers

Everything discussed so far was applied to Revel multichannel models

All Revel “Front” speakers, and Sub-15/LE-1 designed equally for 2-channel and multichannel without compromise for either

Multichannel Audio - Revel Excels

Multichannel-specific models (centers and surrounds) meet the challenges of:– Timbre matching in the listening room– Accurate soundfield reproduction– Extraordinarily low coloration

Multichannel Audio - Timbre Matching

Timbre of front left and right channels, in their placement positions, must match timbre of center and surrounds in their radically different placement locations

To sound the same to the listener, speakers must be specially designed for their application– Identical speakers should not be used all around

Multichannel Audio - Center Channel Speakers

Center channels are almost always closer to a boundary than the left and right speakers– Closer to the floor– Closer to the ceiling– Close, or on top of, a rear projection monitor– Dramatic coloration is introduced, unless the

loudspeaker is designed specifically for the environment

Typical Frequency Response of High Quality Loudspeakers Utilized in Left and Right Front

Typical Frequency Response of Conventional High Quality Loudspeaker Utilized in a Center Channel Position

The Voice Center Channel Loudspeaker

The solution to center channel challenges

Proper timbre matching in real-world applications

3-way design provides uniform response over very wide listening area


Made to work in real environments– Switch- selectable

placement compensation


Front projection application


Rear projection or direct-view application


Custom built-in application

The Voice Center Channel

Two 8-inch (210 mm) mica and carbon-filled co-polymer dome woofers with 2-inch (52 mm) voice coils featuring copper shorting rings to dramatically reduce distortion

Four-inch (102 mm) titanium dome midrange with 1.5-inch (38 mm) voice coil and true pistonic operation throughout its operating range

1.1-inch (28 mm) textile dome tweeter with extremely low distortion and compression

4th-order crossovers at 300 Hz and 2.2 kHz Optimized response for use with 80 Hz electronic crossover

Multichannel Audio - Surround Loudspeakers

Surround speakers are in very different locations than front speakers– Surrounds must be specifically designed for

this reality– Front Left/Right speakers used as surrounds

provide poor timbre matching and unacceptable spatial characteristics

Multichannel Audio - Typical Front Left/Right Response

Multichannel Audio - Front Speakers Utilized as Surrounds

Multichannel Audio - Proper Surround Placement

The Embrace Surround Loudspeaker - Timbre and Spatial Reproduction

Multi-channel timbre matching in practical, wall- or ceiling-mounted locations

Unparalleled spatial reproduction– Freedom from excessive

localization– Superb performance over

wide listening area

The Embrace Surround Loudspeaker - Radiation Pattern

Acoustic recordings (classical and jazz) need dipoles

All films mixed utilizing non-localizable surrounds

Embrace scales original sound field to smaller spaces

The Embrace Surround Loudspeaker

8-inch (210 mm) mica and carbon-filled co-polymer dome bass transducer with 2-inch (52 mm) voice coil and copper shorting ring for low distortion

Two 4-inch (102 mm) titanium dome midranges with neodymium motor systems and 1.5-inch (38 mm) voice coils for extraordinary power handling

Two 1-inch (26 mm) coated textile domes optimized for low distortion and high power handling

The Embrace Surround Loudspeaker

Bipole option to ease customer concerns

Remote-controlled dipole/bipole switching.

Dual-Drive for non-obsolescence.

First-reflections response: ± 1 dB from 25 Hz to 17 kHz.

Listening window response: ± 1.5 dB from 25 Hz to 18 kHz.

Revel Product Line - The Future

Ultima Series– Ultima Studio

3-way floorstanding system

Ultima Studio 3-way floorstanding system

Ultima series styling Salon metal dome tweeter 5 1/4” (133 mm) pure titanium dome midrange similar

to Gem woofer Two 8” (203 mm) high output woofers similar to

Salon woofers 1114 mm high x 324 mm wide x 492 mm deep


Affordable, high performance line– Performa F30– 3-way floorstanding

system for less than $3,900 U.S. retail

– All metal transducers


Affordable, high performance line– Compact monitor

system M20 for under $2,000 U.S. retail


Affordable, high performance line– 3-way center channel C30 for under $1,800

U.S. retail– Dipole surrounds S30 for under $2,500 per

pair U.S. retail– 15” powered subwoofer system B15 for

under $2,800 U.S. retail

Summary

Revel has Achieved our Goals:– Superior acoustical performance– Cutting-edge Industrial Design– Unparalleled overall quality

SummaryRevel has Unparalleled:

– Research– Design sophistication– Technical resources– Listening tests as tools– Production consistency

SummaryRevel products proven sonically

superiorUnique multichannel market

position:– The only true high end multichannel

loudspeakers

Summary Revel’s products are ideal for market needs:

– Superior two channel sound Floorstanding Compact Subwoofer system Complementary multichannel products avoid

obsolescence Center channels Surrounds

Documents

Agenda n History of Revel n Our mission n Our product philosophy – Research – Design – Listening – Production n Products n Multichannel audio n Multichannel-specific