6
Revel Performa3 F208/F206 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Owner’s Manual
LiSteninG rOOm aCOUStiCS
Listening rooms have a profound impact on sound, particularly
at lower frequencies. In fact, the effect of the listening room can
dominate sounds below about 400Hz. Ideally, listening rooms would
include optimized dimensional ratios to minimize the effects of room
resonances. But in reality, most listening rooms are not designed to
enhance loudspeaker performance.
The interaction between loudspeakers and listening rooms is complex,
with two important determinants that affect the loudspeaker and the
listener:
•
Surfaces and other boundaries often cause large peaks and dips
in low-frequency response. These peaks and dips can often range
12dB or more.
•
Standing waves (also known as room modes or resonances) interact
with both the loudspeaker and the listener, resulting in large errors
in frequency response.
Unfortunately, there is no simple solution that addresses both of
these factors. Even computer software programs that examine one
or both factors may not calculate proper primary listening position or
loudspeaker placement values.
In most cases, proper selection of the primary listening position
combined with proper placement of the loudspeaker can result in
superior performance at lower frequencies. The difference between
superior and inferior results is often just a small adjustment of the
primary listening position or loudspeaker placement. Contact your
authorized Revel dealer for assistance.
aCOUStiC treatment materiaLS
The F208 and F206 feature high-order fi lters that optimize the
loudspeakers’ on-axis and off-axis response, minimizing sonic
degradations that occur in overly “live” rooms (those with surfaces that
are acoustically refl ective). Placing minimal acoustic treatment materials
at the room’s primary refl ection points will reduce these distortions even
further. Ideally, acoustic absorbers should be placed at the fi rst refl ection
points on the front and side walls and either acoustic absorbers or
diffusers should be placed at the fi rst refl ection points on the rear wall.
Front Wall
Right
F208/F206
Left
F208/F206
Acoustic Treatment
Materials
Because the listener’s eyes and ears are on the same plane, the “mirror
method” is an accurate determinant of critical refl ection points. This
method can be used to determine refl ection points for side walls, rear
walls, front walls, and even the ceiling. Applying acoustic treatment
materials to the side walls is most important, followed by the ceiling,
front wall and rear wall.
To determine refl ection points using the mirror method:
1. Once the loudspeakers have been placed, sit in the primary
listening position and ask another person to slide a mirror along
the listening room walls.
2. Note the locations at which you can see either loudspeaker in the
mirror from the primary listening position. Be sure to look for both
loudspeakers in the refl ection on each room boundary. These are
refl ection points that require acoustic treatment materials.
If acoustic treatment materials are not available, hanging a rug over
the refl ection points will help reduce sonic degradation in overly
“live” rooms. Carpeting the fl oor area between the loudspeakers and
the primary listening position and placing irregular surfaces such as
bookcases at the fi rst refl ection points will also help minimize strong
refl ections.